appellationmountain, Author at Appellation Mountain

Name of the Day: Xanthe

August 26, 2008 By appellationmountain 31 Comments

It’s a mythological moniker that’s rarely heard in the US – or anywhere, for that matter. Thanks to Laney McDonald for suggesting today’s intriguing Name of the Day: Xanthe.

Starbaby News: Meet Kingston’s Little Brother, Zuma

August 22, 2008 By appellationmountain Leave a Comment

That’s right – Zuma! Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale have welcomed their second son, Zuma Nesta Rock Rossdale. Word is that everyone is doing fine. Thanks to Kim for breaking the news on our post about Matt Damon’s new daughter, Gia. As Lola speculated, they are confirming that Nesta honors Bob Marley. Whether Zuma honors […]

Starbaby News: Please Welcome Gia Zavala

August 21, 2008 By appellationmountain 16 Comments

Matt Damon and his wife Luciana welcomed their new daughter, Gia Zavala, yesterday. Mom and baby are both doing well. Thanks to Another for the news alert! Gia joins big sister Isabella, as well as Alexia, Luciana’s daughter from a prior marriage. No word yet on the thinking behind the name. It’s less conventional than […]

Name of the Day: Liesel

August 21, 2008 By appellationmountain 29 Comments

When does a diminutive form of a classic appellation gain enough stature to stand on her own? It’s a tricky question, but we feel confident that this one passes the test. Thanks to Natalie for suggesting today’s Name of the Day: Liesel.

Name of the Day: Bruce

August 20, 2008 By appellationmountain 21 Comments

Been to the movies lately? If so, maybe you’ve seen Christian Bale as Batman in the box-office-record- shattering release The Dark Knight. Bale shares something in common with the seldom seen star of the movie considered summer’s first ever blockbuster, Steven Spielberg’s Jaws. Stumped? Thanks to Lola for suggesting today’s Name of the Day: Bruce.

Name of the Day: Urban

August 18, 2008 By appellationmountain 10 Comments

“Aidan, Jayden, Braeden, Brendan, Landon, Logan, Macon, Mason … has anyone thought to bring back Urban?” Thanks to Arthur for suggesting today’s Name of the Day: the on-trend, but fabulously obscure Urban.

Name of the Day: Aloysius

August 16, 2008 By appellationmountain 16 Comments

This one comes to us via Arthur – and Evelyn Waugh. We’ll admit that while we haven’t seen the latest big screen adaptation yet, it was tempting to use the movie Brideshead Revisited to talk about the surprisingly popular Sebastian. Or perhaps Cordelia. But then we remembered Lord Flyte’s teddy bear, who inspired today’s Name […]

Name of the Day: Mallory

August 15, 2008 By appellationmountain 39 Comments

Back in the 80s, Madison the mermaid splashed her way onto the streets of New York and fueled the last-names-first trend. At the same time, on the small screen, a similar choice was gaining notice of her own. Thanks to Jess for suggesting today’s Name of the Day: Mallory.

Name of the Day: Annika

August 13, 2008 By appellationmountain 26 Comments

If you’re searching for a name for a female character from almost any era, there’s one that’s a safe bet. Ann, Anne and Anna have been worn by so many religious, literary and historical figures that they’ve been in nearly constant use. You probably have a few among your ancestors; add in all the Mary […]

Name of the Day: Corbin

August 12, 2008 By appellationmountain 11 Comments

One of the interesting things about given names is that they’re often amalgamations of several similar appellations, merged and meshed through the years until we arrive at a wearable version that works in our native tongue. Thanks to Friend of a Friend for suggesting one such moniker, today’s Name of the Day: Corbin.