Names in the News: 8.16.26

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These are the names in the news 8.16.26.

But first … thanks to Olivia for sending over this article on the Bouba-Kiki Effect.

We’ve known, for more than a century, that we associate certain sounds with specific images. Bouba is round; kiki is sharp.

Recently, studies have demonstrated that this concept holds for personal names, too. It’s why Molly is the warm, affectionate sister while Kate is the striving over-achiever who might be just a little brusque.

But, but, but … it’s a general impression when the only thing we know is the name. The study doesn’t suggest that name sounds determine personality in any way. We all know friendly, expressive Kates and take-charge Mollys.

Still, it’s interesting to recognize that sounds operate on name image, well beyond what we may recognize – and in a way that’s somewhat outside of trends and style, too.

Can you think of names that strike you as soft or spiky? Or names that don’t conform to this structure?

ELSEWHERE ONLINE

So celebrity baby names often aren’t influential, mostly because A-listers tend to keep their children’s lives private. (Understandably so.) It takes frequent public appearances to generate enough coverage to launch a trend like Maddox and the other children of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. But when those kids follow their famous parents into the spotlight? Actors like Keen Ruffalo (son of Mark) and Homer Gere (son of Richard) can put their unusual names on our radar – decades after their birth announcements might’ve first caught our eye. More to watch: Maude (Apatow), Nico (Parker, daughter of Thandiwe Newton), and Kaia (Gerber, daughter of Cindy Crawford).

Can we talk about Djouvensky? I spotted this name in the US popularity data. It was given to just five boys born in the US during 2025. There’s also Djouvens, also given to five boys. The only reason I can find is college football player Djouvensky Schlenbaker. He has an amazing personal story, beginning in an orphanage in Haiti. And that’s the key. Haitian Creole names do sometimes begin with a D in front of a more familiar J name, like Djouvensky’s sister Djennika, or Djimmy and Djennie. But I suspect Djouvensky comes from dieu – the French word for God. Names like Dieumerci – grace of God – are familiar in Haiti. I can’t quite take apart Djouvensky, but I’m curious if you have any thoughts.

Spotted @thenamementor: Clete! It’s likely a short form of Cletus. While Cletus doesn’t seem particularly stylish at the moment, Alix is right: it’s ancient and has a great meaning. Cletus probably comes from Anacletus, the name of an early pope. It means something like “called to serve.” It might also come from an element meaning “glory,” which makes it a cousin to Cleo. Possibly both elements are actually the same word, more or less, connecting all of these names together.

UPDATING & THINKING ABOUT

Margot is 100% that name, the smart, traditional, but just-a-little-bit-different name we all love. Which is why I’d put money on it making the US Top 100 next year, and continuing to rise.

River seems to have hit a plateau. Even though it’s a pretty familiar choice right now, maybe it’s still a little outdoorsy for parents who aren’t into all things blue sky and rugged, but too on-the-nose for parents who do embrace the natural world. Of course, that might make it the perfect name for parents looking for something fresh, but not too chart-toppingly popular.

Samara has me so excited! Consensus has always been that the American re-make of The Ring chose the name Samara for the little girl at the heart of the horror movie because it was similar to the Japanese character’s name: Sadako. But, but, but … what if there’s poetry and literature and pop culture that makes Samarra, a name from the ancient world, a completely perfect name for the character? I’ve overthought this one, but I think I’m right.

That’s all for now. As always, thank you for reading – and have a great week!