Shopping for Names: Pottery Barn Edition

It’s been called yuppie porn. And let’s face it, if my house looked as pulled together and interesting as the average Pottery Barn Catalog room, well, I’d be having you all over for dinner to flaunt it.

If PB is clearly aspirational, then the names that they choose for their products – and many of them are culled from popular given names – might hint at some interesting choices for your newest arrival.

From the January 2008 main catalog, here are a few to consider: Choices for Boys:

• Griffin (An interesting option)
• Jarret (Though I think the G version – Garrett is a bit crisper)
• Garrett (A glass cabinet half a catalog away from Jarret)
• Tanner (Not one of my favorite occupational names; Miller is a similar – and stronger – choice)
• Seymour (Perhaps best left to the Home Office Armoire on p. 15)
• Clayton (Not sure if this one is really ready for a revival)
• Shayne (Sean is classic; Shane is okay; Shayne is rather downmarket)
• Duncan (A nice, solid choice that is familiar but not Top 10)
• Zachary (A classic, but not a fusty one)
• Brooks (Pin-striped to a fault)
• Weston (A better choice than Austin, Jackson and other overexposed two-syllable faves for boys)
• Eagan (Might be an interesting pick)
• Grayson (Increasingly popular; Grayer was the pint-sized charge in the Nanny Diaries; the pure color version Gray is probably the coolest version of the name)
• Tucker, Cooper, Benson, Carter, Porter (If one of these is actually your grandmother’s maiden name, fine, but otherwise these feel a bit past their moment)
• Russell (Simmons and Crowe aside, Russell just doesn’t seem cool)
• Quinn (An upbeat choice from that little-used letter)
• McAllister (One of the Mc names that feels fresh and masculine, plus leads to the fun nickname Mac)
• Graham (Yes, there’s the cracker – but this feels like a good name for a boy, and a strong choice for a man)
• Rhys (An appealing Welsh choice – one of the few names where a “y” looks masculine)
• Indigo (A rather far-out color option, but with Blue in greater use, this might work for an artistic-minded mom and dad)
• Austin (It’s an amazing city – and an over-used, tired name choice)
• Logan (A new classic)
• Pearce (Perhaps best suited to the middle spot)
• Emery (An underused option, but as with Avery, it might wear better on a girl)
• Rowen (One of the few truly gender neutral names)
• Elliott (He’s all grown up since he helped ET phone home)
• Bailey, Brady (Both are bright, cheerful names – though travesties like Bailee and Bayleigh pop up on the girls’ side)
• Theodore (A chipmunk – and a hardcore classic with plenty of nickname options)
• Jacob (An undeniably appealing chart-topper that will ensure your son is one of several Jakes everywhere he goes)
• Andrew (Never out of style)
• Hudson (There’s the river and the car … can the baby be far behind?)
• Brandon (Trapped in the 90s with 90210)
• Neville (He’s a Harry Potter hero, but the name might be a bit too tea’n’scones to play on this side of the Atlantic)
• Peyton (Thanks to Mr. Manning, this sounds like a strong pick for boys – again! – though still awfully trendy)
• Broderick (The shorter Brody seems friendlier)
• Cody (An early cowboy cool name that has headed off into the sunset in favor of Wyatt, Beau and Garrett)
• Conrad (So far out it may never make a comeback)
• Landon (Either a new classic or a slightly dated two-syllable choice – I’m divided)
• Bennett (Offers the simple nickname Ben; and yet, the similar Beckett seems cooler)

Choices for Girls:

• Madison (It retains some charm in the classic spelling, but since it’s been a chart-topper for more than a decade, probably best in the middle)
• Terra (An exotic nature name; also a chip)
• Nora (A lovely choice, and a good alternative to Emma and Ava)
• Adelle (Hmmm … I’m on record as favoring Adelaide)
• Blithe (Though Blythe seems like the better spelling)
• Alissa (Any name with multiple variant spellings – Alyssa, Elissa, etc. – seems a bit awkward)
• Chelsea (Despite its place name cred, this feels stuck in the 80s, though if Ms. Clinton wins the White House, it might turn around)
• Wynn (A nice, underused Welsh choice, though Wynne would distinguish your daughter from the eponymous Vegas casino built by Steve Wynn)
• Skylar (The rug’s been around for a few seasons … so has the name)
• Amelie (A nice French-fried choice, though super close to the overexposed Emily)
• Priscilla (Probably too frilly for modern use)
• Shanna (Just like Shayne for boys, this one is not an upscale choice – Siobhan is more authentic)
• Chloe, Zoe (These may be new classics – especially Zoe)
• Julie, Julia (The first is a cheerful nickname; the second is as patrician and sophisticated as a given name gets)
• Indigo (Along with Ruby, a colorful choice)
• Emery (If you’re stuck on Emma, consider a surname twist like this one, or, starbaby pick Emerson)
• Valencia (As bright as an orange, this place name is both feminine and vibrant)
• Camille (See ApMtn’s earlier post on this doomed heroine name)
• Claudia (A personal favorite, though the similar Cordelia offers better nicknames)
• Whitney (In fiction, often used for the rich and idle friend of the mean girl – not the image you want for your daughter)
• Rowen (A not-frilly pick that still sounds feminine)
• Heidi (The fabulous Miss Klum aside, this one still feels out of fashion)
• Melinda (Along with Linda and Belinda, stuck in the 1960s; nature name Linden feels like a modern twist)
• Abby, Gayle (Abby is the insanely popular nickname for insanely popular given name Abigail; a classic choice, if an overexposed one; Gayle is a valid alternative, but hopelessly dated)
• Ella (As classic as grandma’s china, but there are a lot of Ellas – both as a given name and a nickname for Gabriella, Isabella, etc.)
• Isabella (Speaking of Ella … your daughter will be one of many with this graceful, chart-topping name)
• Eliza (A great alternative to Isabella, Emma, Olivia and Ava – for now)
• Brynn (A girl’s name that spares the lacey frills, but sounds a bit harsh)
• Morgan (Arthurian legend gives us this beguiling name – but remember, Morgan Le Fay was the bad girl)
• Bridget (An endearing appellation that brings to mind the fictional Miss Jones)
• Samantha (She had her moment, but now Samantha has moved aside for the more exotic Samara)
• Clarissa (If Claire seems too tailored, this pretty elaboration might suit)
• Bethany (Not as tortured as Brittany/Britney/Brittainie, but it doesn’t quite say 2008, either – Bessanie or Cecily might be alternatives)
• Caylie (As a nickname for Catherine, it’s cute – but as a formal given name, it’s flimsy – ditto Kaylee, Kaelee, Kaylin and so on)
• Peyton (He’s a football hero; she’s a tomboy – but perhaps spelling it Payton would help signal that she’s a girl)
• Michelle (Her best friends are Jennifer and Amy, and she’s about 30)
• Celine (Deadly wedded to the songstress; Ciel, the French word for heaven/sky, might be stronger)
• Margaret (Ending on a classic, if one that screams to be shortened to Maggie, Margo or Daisy)

Schwoo! That’s a lot of desk chairs and duvet covers – and perhaps a name for your new little person.