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 South Africa leader Jacob Zuma, the Neil Young album or the beach in Malibu? We’re still waiting to hear.
You may recall that their firstborn’s full name is Kingston James McGregor – quite cool, but undeniably more restrained than their choice for baby #2.
What an interesting week in baby naming news!
Good golly, Zuma Nesta Rock? It’s so silly sounding. If she had done Zuma with a traditional middle name, or a traditional first name with Nesta as a middle name, it would be very Gwen, but still work. Tacking all of that mess together is just, well, a mess. I wasn’t a huge fan of Kingston James, but I do think it’s a good name overall.
And I’m totally adding to the Sylvia love. Kevin and I had our girl choice down to Daphne Margaret. For a backup name, he wanted Avery Jane, I wanted Sylvia Jane. Oh well, since we’re having a boy, it’s most likely a moot point! I still think Daphne and Sylvia sound like sisters, where Daphne and Avery sound like a sister and brother set to me.
I think Sylvia is going to become a hot name in a few years. It’s very similar in sound and style to Olivia and Sophia, she has literary namesakes, and Sylvester Stallone has a Sylvia. She’s ready to become hot, I think.
The thing about Nesta is that plenty of parents are lighting on Marley. Alexei has a (boy) Marley – named in honor of Bob – in his class. And I’ve heard Marley on a few girls, too – it’s at #389 for girls in the US – despite (or because of?) the New York Times bestseller about the dog.
So if boys can be Ezra and Joshua and Noah and Elijah, I think Nesta works. Maybe too daring for the average mama, but Gwen is not that.
An article from baby names guru Pamela Redmond Satran earlier today suggests that Zuma is likely about the beach – apparently Gavin Rossdale had a career-related epiphany there back in the day: http://www.usmagazine.com/news/why-gwen-stefani-named-her-son-zuma-nesta-rock.
I think what I really like about Kingston James McGregor is that one of his names is incredibly unexpected (Kingston), one is as classic as they come (James) and the last is somewhere in between. Zuma Nesta Rock lacks that proportion and balance.
But my, does it grab headlines!
As for Sylvia, it just so happens that she’s already in the queue – 9/6, as requested by Kim. And now by Another. 🙂
Verity – my OB’s name was Sylvia. As long as we’re discussing your doctor’s name, care to give this one a whilr, too? I always liked it.
Painfully bad. And (I know you discussed this before) maybe it’s me, but I think to an American ear any name that ends in “a” is decidedly feminine.
And did you all know Gwen Stefani is just Gwen? Born Gwen Renee Stefani, 10.03.69 in Fullerton, CA. !
Well, Like I said earlier, Nesta rocks for me. But Rock? Well, maybe if they’re die-hard Rock Hudson fans (I would’ve rathered Roy or Royal or Roystion, even instead though) Or mabye they’re old fans of Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson, (who doesn’t even go by TThe Rock himself anymore)? And Zuma still makes me go “huh?” All in all, I’m still loving Kingston James MacGregor more.
Yucko. The third name Rock really catapults this one from plain old ugly to outright stupid for me. Sorry Gwen, so not cool.
Thanks for the suggestion, Holey. Desmond will be NotD on 9/9. It does lead to the nickname Dez, which could be quite cool. But other than Desmond Tutu, I don’t have any associations with the name … guess we’ll find out soon. 🙂
And Another, LOL – Gwendolyn is my doctor’s name! I’ll happily make her NotD on 9/16. We’ve been spending a lot of time together as my due date fast approaches … funny that I haven’t thought of it before.
I’d be interested to see Desmond as NotD. Its NameVoyager popularity chart surprised me a bit.
Wow, typo. I’m typing in the dark. That should say “I think I FIRST heard it…”
Ugh, I was very disappointed in Kingston – I mean, really! King, as a nickname. Nonono. And now this? Well, Gwen likes the spotlight and this will definitely have people talking about her. As for Gavin, I’ve never been a fan of that name (I think I gist heard it on the Gummybears cartoon) although I was a fan of his band, Bush…and yet and not a fan of a a certain other Bush. I digress. However, I do love Gwendolyn. Care to do a NotD on Gwendolyn? Gwyneth? Gwenivere? (sp)