Image via Wikipedia
How can a Top 100 boys’ name borrowed from a faithful Biblical figure be so very controversial?
Thanks to Kelly for suggesting the surprisingly complex Caleb as our Baby Name of the Day.
Baby Name of the Day: Caleb
19
Tag Archives: Noah
Sunday Summary: 6/19/11
No 19 - blue paint by Kirsty Hall via Flickr
Happy Father’s Day!
Thanks to a gap between the end of the school year and the start of summer camp, we headed for Rehoboth Beach (Delaware, on the Atlantic) this past week. We finally met our friends’ darling daughter Helen Claire, and there were a few interesting name spottings – Allaire, Harlow, Amalia, and a bitsy girl called Birdie. But mostly I was amazed at how consistently I heard the exact same names, over and over: Emma, Ava, Abby, Noah, Taylor, Alex, Jake, anything that ends in -aden. Nothing wrong with choosing a popular name, but I found myself thinking about how very refreshing it is to hear something even a little different - Beckett or Abel or Tate, Ivy or Luna or Ruth.
So in the spirit of surfacing options that are just a little bit different:
- Any name from Waltzing More Than Matilda’s 1930s list would be quite stylish in 2011: Iris, Alma, Josephine;
- Nymbler’s May 2011 most popular names list included the following five new debuts: Lake, Makai, Maple, Shia, and Reef. Water names seem especially seasonal, but the inclusion of Maple makes me think that parents are really branching out into ever-more adventurous nature and noun choices;
- The comments on this NameLady post are fascinating. Parents expecting twin sons want to give them subtle, baseball-themed names. Is Ty too obvious? Are parents really naming twins Clark and Addison after the address of Wrigley Field? My favorite suggestion: Homer and Fielding – literary and sportif, all at once;
- Take the names of the reigning Swedish monarch, Carl Gustaf, and his family, translate them into Portugeuse, and you get this list from Nomes e mais nomes: Madalena, Doroteia, Ingride, Bertil;
- My favorite nymph name has always been Io, but this list from British Baby Names includes more than you can imagine;
- Could Dax be the next big thing? For Real just spotted him in Alaska. He’s part-Dexter, part-Max, but very modern, too;
- The list of birth announcements at Nameberry was just so much fun. I spotted Caspian three times!
In celebrity news, both Natalie Portman and Josh Duggar welcomed sons this past week, and both declined to reveal their newborns’ names. In Natalie’s case, it may be because she and husband Benjamin Millepied are adhering to the Jewish custom of first sharing their child’s name at his bris, eight days after birth. As for the Duggars? They’re hoping to lure us in for the big name reveal during tonight’s episode of their reality show.
Speculation about both families’ choices has been nonstop:
- For young master Millepied, will it be Anakin? Or maybe Alef? Elisabeth guesses that it will likely be an A-name, which tracks with Jewish custom – Natalie’s dad is Avner, and while names are rarely repeated, initials often are;
- On the small screen, Josh and Anna have announced that all of the grandduggars will wear M-names. Big sis is Mackynize, so options suggested range from Michael to Maddox. Or Maddyx.
Other notable birth announcements from the week include:
- Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition trainer Chris Powell has welcomed a son, William Cash;
- 311′s Nick Hexum welcomed daughter Maxine, a little sister for Echo.
Last week’s Nameberry post was how to name a boy, Pinkett-Smith style; this week, it is the girls’ turn. One of my favorite categories of names has to be unconventional ways to honor your loved ones, so this was really a thrill to write.
That’s all for this week. As always, thank you for reading – and commenting! The conversations here and on Facebook never fail to surprise and delight.
Baby Name of the Day: Esau
Esau and Jacob presesnted to Isaac; Image via Wikipedia
His twin brother’s name has been on top since 1999. So why is Esau an also-ran?
Thanks to Christina for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.
Baby Name of the Day: Judah
J by nickton via Flickr
He’s a Biblical obscurity now rising fast.
Thanks to Racheli for suggesting Judah as our Baby Name of the Day.
Sunday Summary: 5/1/11
Image by Leo Reynolds via Flickr
Welcome May! After a week in Florida, and lots of name-spotting at Disney World, it is great to be back writing from my favorite spot on the couch.
Name news this week:
- The late Pope John Paul was beatified in Rome today. Beatification is the half-way mark towards sainthood. Will it catch on as a compound name for boys? I know two little John Pauls. The older answers to J.P.;
- This little story from a Louisiana newspaper is the reason I write;
- From the wayback machine: in 2009, the featured name was Somerled. In 2010, it was Ruth;
- My thoughts on the letter C aside, it was fun to see Keturah spotted in Michigan by For Real;
- Whitney spotted this weird comment on a forum: “…for twins go for matching names, such as Norah and Noah but keep the names unique please! no Cassie and Callie‘s!” The commenter’s definitions of “matching” and “unique” are baffling, but then, unique is the most routinely abused term in baby naming parlance;
- Laura Wattenberg reminds us that many stories aren’t about names, they’re about demographics. Susan isn’t more successful than Madison. She’s just much older!
- Really can’t decide on a baby name? Nancy tells us how parents in 1892 let their little girl help choose Frances Cleveland.
You might have heard about this little wedding on Friday. While the pair aren’t parents – yet – their vows were heard ’round the world, and the occasion inspired plenty of posts about royal baby names. I liked Nameberry’s list of princesses by marriage, as well as Nancy’s question about the popularity of Pippa in the US. Pippa appears on my Monday list for Nameberry, too.
And in celebrity birth announcements:
- Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon have welcomed twins, a boy and a girl, but no names have been announced as of this morning;
- Another baby boy called Journey has arrived. The Black Eyed Peas’ Taboo and wife Jaymie welcomed a son named Journey Jameson, a little brother for Jimmy Jalen and Joshua. I get the modern spiritual vibe of Journey, but can’t help wonder if the parents sing “Don’t Stop Believin” as a lullaby. Nancy tells us that 45 baby boys – including one of Jenna Jameson’s twin sons – received the name in 2009, but it is in the girls’ Top 500;
- 90210 alum Ian Ziering and wife Erin welcomed a daughter, Mia Loren. Joy pointed out that Mia and Ian share the same sounds, and the choice is pretty conventional. Still, I like this one;
- The amazing Toni Collette welcomed a son named Arlo Robert, a little brother for Sage Florence. Dad is musician David Galafassi. I think the couple did a good job of finding names that are distinctive and stand up to their long surname, too;
- Funny man Kevin James is now the father of three. He and wife Steffiana welcomed a son, Kannon Valentine. Big sisters are Shea Joelle and Sienna-Marie. Shea is indeed named after the Mets’ former stadium. Thanks to Photoquilty for pointing out that Valentine is a family name. I’m not sure there’s any explanation for Kannon.
Hungry for more name gossip all week? Check out my Facebook page.
That’s all for this week. As always, thanks for reading!
Sunday Summary: 4/24/11
Image by World of Good via Flickr
Happy Easter! If you’re celebrating, here’s wishing you all the chocolate bunnies you can decapitate without inviting tooth decay.
- Let’s start with the inevitable: Nameberry’s Twelve Best Bunny Names. Hazel and Niccolo are my favorites;
- Last week was also Earth Day, and Elisabeth at You Can’t Call It “It” posted some intriguing options. I’m all about Bay and Delphine;
- From the Wayback Machine: in 2009, the featured name was Gail. Last year, it was Temple;
- For Real is on a roll. I love this post with Trenna, Wren, Bren, and Nelle. And Ethan Arlo is a cool combo;
- Then there’s For Real’s twins post. A bunch of these were super cringe-worthy: Lexa and Alexa, Noah and Noel, Charlee and Chelsee, Jonah and Josie. I’m not a twin, and I’ve never named twins, but I can’t help think that names that matchy spell trouble. Oh – and Luke and Leia. What to say …
- Speaking of head-scratchers, Nancy pointed out that The Greg Kihn Band’s single “Jeopardy” inspired parents – at least six pairs of parents – in 1983. The song has been lodged in my brain ever since;
- Speaking of games, did you vote in the Baby Name Wizard’s annual contest? Entries closed mid-April, but T was good enough to share her guesses;
- This is great advice for choosing a middle name!
Last week’s post for Nameberry was movie marquee names. Thanks to Nicole for suggesting this week’s idea. It’s a little bit cineplex, but in a very different way. It’s one of the lists where I feel like the options for boys and girls are equally appealing. Check it out on Monday.
There were some great lines about baby names on Thursday’s night double-episode of 30 Rock, but at the risk of revealing more spoilers (sorry, Photoquilty!), I’ll stick with mentioning the celeb birth of the week. Jane Krakowski welcomed son Bennett Robert.
That’s all for this week. It’s re-run week here at AppMtn, so while there won’t be new posts, there will still be a daily post telling you which name has been brushed up, 2011-style. May marks my third year of writing name of the day posts, and it is amazing how many of the golden oldies could use some improvement.
Thanks for reading, and have a great week!
Baby Name of the Day: Ever
Big "E" by Orin Zebest via Flickr
Milla Jovovich said it was a boy’s name when she used it for her daughter. Alanis Morrisette gave the name to her son without explanation.
Thanks to Pat for suggesting the intriguing Ever as our Baby Name of the Day.
Baby Name of the Day: Nolan
N by takomabibelot via Flickr
He’s a lively Irish surname associated with the most American of pastimes.
Thanks to Carolyn for suggesting one of the options she’s considering for her baby on the way. Our Baby Name of the Day is Nolan.
Sunday Summary: 2/6/11
Number 6 by jontintinjordan via Flickr
This is all kinds of intriguing – check out The Board: An Unofficial Guide to The Bump’s baby name forum. First, because there’s great content. I watched Rant 55: All Your Kids Are Named the Same Thing twice. And, okay, I’m hugely flattered to be on their Best Blogs list. But it is especially interesting to see the conversations in a well-used discussion board rounded up and expanded.
Elsewhere online:
- Now this is a great sibset: Ronan Joss and Carys Eleanor;
- I liked this Rookie Moms post about names from the J. Crew catalog and/or nature;
- Here’s a name I’m really liking – Agnessa, spotted over at Baby Names Garden. I’m not so sure about the premise of post, though. The names are terribly stylish, but if you’re raising your child in an English speaking country, you’re probably better off with Theodore or Richard than Teodor or Rikard;
- Yes, parents really are naming their daughters Aniston. It’s the new Addison, which was the new Madison, which was a cultural phenomenon that still surprises me. I might just have to profile Madison at some point – how did that happen?
- I overheard this one on Saturday: there’s a Swiss freestyle skier called Conradign Netzer. He’s been around for a while, but this is the first I’ve noticed his name. The sportscaster pronounced it con RAD eh GAN. Anyone know where it came from?
- In 2009, I wrote about Eben. And last year, it was Roxana;
- Nancy has the Most Popular Baby Names in Armenia. Narek tops the boys’ list, and Mane is most popular for girls. Neither seems like a promising import, but Milena is also popular for girls, and I’m hearing it here, too;
- Elisabeth spotted a Hendrix over at Ohdeedoh. I mentioned Hendrix in my most recent Nameberry summary, inspired by Oscar nominees. Is Hendrix the new Jaxon?
Which reminds me – stop by Nameberry tomorrow for the girls’ list inspired by Oscar nominees.
Amongst the famous, or at least famous enough to be mentioned in People Magazine over the last week:
- I’m still wondering about Zac Brown’s daughter’s name, Joni Mason. I do like a surname in the middle spot, and yet that’s another use of Mason for a girl – Kelsey Grammer and his Real HousewifeCamille have a daughter named Mason Olivia;
- Ziggy Marley welcomed his third child, a son named Abraham;
- I need to look this one up, but I think Jesse Csincask and Ann Lueders are the second Bachelor couple to marry and start a family.The pair recently welcomed a son, Noah Theodore;
- Late night host Craig Ferguson and wife Megan also welcomed a son, Liam James. Ferguson has an older son, Milo Hamish, from a previous marriage;
- And, this week’s big news: Christina Applegate and Martyn LeNoble are new parents to daughter Sadie Grace. If you’re looking for a name with the same style, but less expected, check out Sadie’s Sisters.
Tune in this week for Ziva, Winston, Abilene, Monserrate, Rachel, and a special Saturday post for a reader who is due quite soon.
Thanks for reading, and have a great week!
Sunday Summary: 11/21/10
Congratulations to Kate of My Kids Eat Off the Floor on the birth of Juno Kate! The amazing Kate has already sent in Juno’s name story, so look for it soon.
So I’ve been doing more lurking, this time at Babyzone:
- Aven suggested for a boy, like Gavin without the G;
- McKelyn for a girl, but is that Makayla with an “n” or more like McHelen?
- Arayu for a girl, pronounced ah ray you to honor a grandpa Ray – only she’s not sure she’ll use it because “people tell me it sounds foreign.” You don’t say;
- Niveah, blurring the boundary between Heaven-spelled-backwards and the skin care aisle at Rite Aid.
And Babynamelover spotted a girl called Tuezdey. Shiver! I often wonder if the names I like are truly in the minority, or if there’s some dynamic at work on discussion boards. Do you only visit if your tastes run to the extreme, be it Cloelia or Haedyn? Or do you mostly lurk if you fall somewhere in between?
Names that caught my eye that I quite like this week:
- I loved Names4Real’s ABC Girls list: B is for Bellamy, I is for Imogen, W is for Wren;
- Swistle raised the idea of Middleton as a baby name. Middle can imply mediocrity, so I would’ve called it a non-starter. Except. Kate Middleton puts a whole other spin on the name. Of course, Diana never did experience the renaissance I would’ve expected;
- Since we’re on semi-celebrity news and Diana is on this list, too, check out The Frisky’s Ten Baby Names for expectant stylist/reality star Rachel Zoe. Since he’s Rodge, I wonder if they’ll stick with an R name – Romy, Rufus, Rowan, maybe?
- While I have R-names on the brain, they’re one of the 14 thought-provoking trends Namberry called earlier this week;
- Oh, and back to the royal wedding – sure, we’re skipping way ahead, but what will the next heir to the throne answer to? Paula Bernstein at Babble’s Strollerderby is thinking maybe Frederick or Matilda.
In celeb news:
- Chris Daughtry and his wife welcomed twins Adalyn Rose and Noah James, a little sister and brother for Hannah and Griffin;
- Former Bachelorette Jen Schefft welcomed daughter Mae Elizabeth. She did not meet her husband on the show.
With the end of the year just weeks away – really! – Baby Name Wizard is taking nominations for the Name of the Year. Snooki is getting some early attention, so go vote for her – or shout her down!
And having just made a Jersey Shore reference, I think I’d really better go do something productive. Maybe I’ll read some improving literature and try to pay attention to something other than the characters’ names.
Thanks, as always, for reading, and have a great week – and, if you’re in the U.S., a Happy Thanksgiving! There’s no post planned for Thursday, but I’ll be back on Friday.
