The most anticipated celeb birth of the summer happened last night in France. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt welcomed a son and a daughter – Knox Leon and Vivienne Marcheline. Word is that mom and babies are doing well.
We must say, the Jolie-Pitts are officially post-style in terms of baby naming. Their children’s names range all over the map and the historical record, and the only common thread is that every choice is almost completely unexpected. Their daughters now wear names that are exotic and hyper-feminine (Zahara Marley), androgynous and Biblical (Shiloh Novel) and French-fried classic (Vivienne Marcheline).
As for the boys? They do share something interesting – the first names of sons Maddox Chivan, Pax Thien and Knox Leon all end in x.
Popularity-wise, Knox has not appeared in the Top 1000 in the US in the 20th century, though it appeared briefly in 1881 and 1888. His sister’s moniker is actually fairly common. Vivienne regularly appeared in the Top 1000 throughout the 1910s and 1920s. Her more familiar English counterpart, Vivian, has been in the Top 1000 every year the US has collected data, and spent 1911 to 1934 in the Top 100. Today she ranks #210.
No word yet on the parents’ inspiration for the names, save that Marcheline is in honor of Angelina’s late mother, Marcheline Bertrand.
Congratulations to the new family!
Elisabeth and Another, thanks for the links.
And Katharine, how right you are – if you asked me which celeb mom was likely to choose a classic French name and which was to choose a daring word name, well … of course, I’d have assumed we were talking about Vivienne Urban and Sunday Jolie-Pitt!
I knew Marcheline was Angelina’s mum but didn’t realise Vivienne meant life – what a nice sentiment in honour of her mother. Although I’m not a fan of Knox, I agree that they’ve done rather well on the naming front this time around… On theat note, who would have though Angelina would choose a more recognisable name for her baby daughter than Nicole Kidman?!
https://www.comcast.net/articles/entertainment-eonline/20080713/07cde373-f499-4c72-8717-fbbed6fa9f8d/
Knox is after Brad’s grandfather, Hal Knox Hillhouse. Leon is reportedly for Angelina’s great-grandfather. Not sure if Vivienne has any family connection, but it does mean “life”, hence the full meaning is a kin to “Live Marcheline.” I say they did well, and that Brad’s having a greater influence in the name department these days. If you’re interested in more, we’ve really been picking the names apart on the other side: https://youcantcallitit.com/2008/07/12/knox-and-vivienne/
Hope you don’t mind, Abby. I thought people might be interested. 😀
~Elisabeth
I think Another nailed the girl, easy. 🙂 And the boy, for that matter. I do find myself really digging Knox’s (all I think of is unflavored gelatin!) middle: Leon. Leon’s cool. I like the nod to her mom but makes me think, where”s his mom? Or maybe Leon’s family for him? Or maybe after Shiloh, he’s not allowed as much input! 😆 All in all, I’m happy they’re fine and I’m glad it’s all over and that they didn’t pick anything close to what I’ve got in mind! *whew!* 😉
I love Marcheline as well. It’s different and definitely cool, but I’m not sure if I’m as big on Vivienne. It’s a personal thing, one of my least favourite teachers during high school had the name Vivienne. Although Vivienne is a name that I prefer over the current trendy names like Madison or Emily.
As for Knox Leon… I dunno but I agree with AP that it does sound a tad fictional.
Oops, oh gosh. Not Lola, Another. Sorry about that!
Marcheline is cool! I was rather hoping they’d bend genders and name a son March. Knox does sound vaguely fictional, doesn’t it? More like a character Brad Pitt would play than his child’s name.
But as you say, Another, it’s inevitable that both Knox and Vivienne/Vivian will get a boost from the newest members of the JP brood.
No! Vivian is gone now. ;( It will enter the ranks of celebrity baby names and become trendy in every way possible. The name is absolutely gorgeous, yes (I could do without Knox Leon) but for myself, I’m going to have to relegate Vivian to the mn spot. I’d agree with Lola; she did a much better job this time than any other. Marcheline is so cool, though.
I love Vivienne, and had it on my list for a future daughter. Sadly I feel it must be retired. I have no intention of any child of mine being compared to Angelina’s. However, I think she did a much better job with this little girl than any of the previous children. 🙂
Knox is…all right. Calls to mind fictional Civil War era romantic male leads (novel- or movie-wise). Where I went to school, there was a street called Knox. This was where many students lived in houses and apartments off campus – it was the party street. Those are the associations I make with that name. Not too pleasing.