Baby Name of the Day: Arabella

Arabella Churchill

Arabella Churchill; Image via Wikipedia

Nicole requested this frilly, feminine confection ages ago – and she’s very much in the news this week.

With congratulations to Ivanka and Jared, today’s Baby Name of the Day is Arabella.

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Baby Name of the Day: Ella

[Portrait of Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie,...

Ella Fitzgerald; Image by The Library of Congress via Flickr

Hello, Ella.  Where did you come from?

Thanks to Ivy for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day – the short, sweet Ella.

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Baby Name of the Day: Isolde

Tristan and Isolde

Tristan and Isolde by Herbert Draper; Image via Wikipedia

She’s been a tragic heroine for centuries, and yet her name sounds surprisingly modern.

Thanks to Sadie for suggesting Isolde as our Baby Name of the Day.

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Baby Name of the Day: Elettra

Elettra in Pleiades Star Cluster

Elettra in Pleiades star cluster; Image via Wikipedia

Seeking an authentic Italian heritage choice that leads to the nickname Ellie?  Here’s a celestial, operatic rarity that just might suit.

Thanks to Sarah for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day: Elettra.

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Baby Name of the Day: Antonella

Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua (Italian: S...

Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua; Image via Wikipedia

Anthony is a saintly staple.  Antoinette was a doomed queen.  How would this Italian spin wear today?

Thanks to Christina for suggesting Antonella as our Baby Name of the Day.

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Baby Name of the Day: Imelda

Shoes

Image by hartlandmartin via Flickr

She brings to mind a shoe-shopping politician’s wife, but her roots are far deeper.

Thanks to Christina for suggesting Imelda as our Baby Name of the Day.

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Sunday Summary: 5/8/11

Number 8  camp marker

Image by work the angles via Flickr

What a week!  Mariah’s twins receive a double dose of daffy, starbaby-certified names, and the Social Security Administration releases their 2010 data as their annual Mother’s Day gift to the world.

Speaking of Mother’s Day, I hope it is a happy one!

Elsewhere online:

  • Girls Gone Child is expecting twins, and it looks like they are both girls.  She has yet to share her name list, but I cannot wait!  Her firstborn is son Archer Sage, followed by daughter Fable Luella.  With Fable, she did something absolutely impossible: put a completely new option on the table that sounds like it has always been a name.
  • Waltzing More Than Matilda considers the idea of honoring someone with a name that is only vaguely related to the namesake’s moniker.  Apparently starbaby Flynn was inspired by Orlando Bloom’s grandmother, Evelyn – you can watch a video clip of his explanation in her post.  I’m on board with a stretch to honor a loved one; Waltzing isn’t so sure.
  • Did you take For Real’s gender-bending quiz?  She’s posted the answers.  I scored a mere 4 out of 10, but then, so did pretty much everyone else.  I wonder if the parents considered that issue before naming a daughter Lyric Ryan or a son Winter Lee?
  • I had no idea that some parents still avoid giving daughters middle names, on the assumption that someday she’ll marry and won’t need it anymore.
  • Here’s another question: Nancy asks if more babies are being named Jersey, as in the reality show?  I remember someone from the Yahoo! message boards years ago saying that she had a daughter named Jerzee.  Or was it Jurnee?
  • Haddie was one of the  Top Five brand new names at Nymbler in April.  She’s a logical successor to Maddie and Addie, boosted by a character on Parenthood.  The other four debuts were Raylan and Posey for girls, and Finch and Eisley for boys.

Here’s a quick round-up of some of the early SSA list analysis, with more to follow this week I’m certain!

In starbaby news, the arrival of Moroccan Scott and Monroe Cannon grabbed all the headlines, but we also welcomed:

Last week’s Nameberry post was Bridesmaid Names; tomorrow’s Nameberry post heads to the baby boutique for inspiration.

That’s all for this week.  As always, thank you for reading!

Trends for Girls from the 2010 SSA Results

The Social Security Administration released their Top 1000 names today.  Here are a few quick observations from the data:

  • -lynn is catching on quickly, with both Gracelynn and Braelynn debuting in the Top 1000.  (Their -lyn versions already ranked.)   Raelynn, Adalynn, Adelynn and Evelynn all climbed.
  • Speaking of Addie, she’s the big winner for 2010.  Addilyn, Adele, and Adelina were all new to the rankings.
  • No, Isabella is not about Twilight.  But the rise of Rosalie and the debut of Esme owe something to Stephenie Meyer’s paranormal romances.
  • Ashley continues to fall, but Tenley was the highest debut for girls.  Mckinley and Kinley also rose more than 200 places.  Hadley and Kenley weren’t far behind.
  • It’s good to be a Disney princess (Tiana), a Teen Mom (Maci), a reality show star (Giuliana), or a singing cheerleader (Quinn).  All four names were among the fastest rising in 2010.  A wronged wife (Elin) and a departed actress (Farrah) also inspired parents.
  • A surprise French revival: Aimee, possibly thanks to the continuing interest in French names sparked by the birth of Vivienne Jolie-Pitt.
  • Mini names like Kai, Mae, Ali and Gia fared well.
  • Eloise is a hit!  She soared to #530.
  • Keep an eye on Sloane, too.  She rose to #593.

Baby Name of the Day: Silvana

Silvana Mangano

Silvana Mangano; Image via Wikipedia

Silver is a metal, Sylvester is a cat.  How would this similar-sounding name wear on a daughter?

Thanks to Christina for suggesting Silvana as our Baby Name of the Day.

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Baby Name of the Day: Tamsin

T44

T44 by Too Far North via Flickr

Tammy is stuck in the 60s, but this unrelated import could wear well in 2011.

Thanks to Fran for suggesting Tamsin as our Baby Name of the Day.

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