Happy Halloween! More proof that I truly have a one-track mind: let’s start with two name-related thoughts, prompted by my kids’ costumes:
- There will be more little boys named Anakin in the future. Nancy tells us there were 117 in 2009 alone. Despite my insistence that Aly is Luke Skywalker, he keeps correcting me – no, Mommy – ANAKIN Skywalker. “But he’s the bad guy, Aly.” “No he’s not!” A younger generation might very well find Anakin as wearable as Julian.
- What name do you use to get to Minnie as a nickname? It’s a great nickname, but much too cutesy to stand on her own – moreso, I think, than Millie or Sadie. The Shopaholic series has recently given Becky a daughter by the name. Minnie Driver was born Amelia. There’s Minerva, too, but that’s a lot of name for a little girl – almost too sharp of a contrast to sweet Minnie. So what’s left? Araminta? Minnesota? Ideas welcome!
Here’s a question for readers with daughters. Did American Girl start sending you catalogs, as if they knew you were having a girl before the ultrasound results were in? My first catalog arrived before Clio could roll over, must less request outrageously expensive doll babies. Still, I do enjoy the names in the catalogs: Kaya, Felicity, Josefina, Addy, Rebecca, Kit, Molly, and Julie are the main Girls of the moment. 2010 Girl of the Year was called Lanie. A number of the Girls have friends – Julie’s BFF is Ivy, and there’s also Emily, Ruthie, and Elizabeth. So much better than Bratz.
And while we’re on pop culture, anyone else notice that the upcoming Nutcracker flick the little girl’s name has reverted to Mary? The original ETA Hoffman story called her Marie, but she’s been Clara in nearly every adaptation since.
Elsewhere online:
- What a lovely sibset over at Swistle, and you can help them name another daughter! Their current family consists of Ottilie Fflur, called Tilly; Adalia Seren, called Addie; Cecily Roma; Nolia Betsy; and Violet Lucina;
- New at Nymbler in September:Brynley, Kiptyn, Snow, Galileo, Irelyn, and Posy. One of the contributors to Celebrity Baby Blog, before it was absorbed by People Magazine, had a son named Galileo, but I think they called him Leo. About ten years ago, I knew a couple who used Ireland for their daughter’s middle name. I like it full strength, but find the Irelyn spelling diluted;
- For Real goes to Texas and you know it is going to be good! She spotted Abel Marcel, Hayes Gentry, Nicholai Luther, Landree Natali, Priscila Bethsabe, and Vierra Nichole. That’s the second time I’ve heard Gentry for a boy this week. I don’t get it.
- For Real also hit Tennessee where she found Isavela in the middle spot, plus River Gracily, Consuella Eliesa, Annalinne Rachel, and Atom Leegan. Is Gracily a Grace-Lily smoosh or a just an inventive elaboration? It is pretty, even dainty;
- At Nameberry, Pam raves about ends-in-s names for boys. There are some really great ones. I’ve known little boys called Magnus and Silas, and they wear well. Plus, they can be more subtle than some of the ends-in-o options.
There were a number of celebrity births this week, but first, Jeremy Sisto’s 16 month old daughter is named Charlie Ballerina. How did I miss that?
Back to the newborns:
- Celine Dion’s twin sons, Eddy and Nelson, got all the press, but another newsworthy set appeared this week: Top Chef alum Brian Malarkey and wife Chantelle Marie welcomed son Miles James and daughter Sailor Elizabeth. The twins join big brother Hunter – Huntingdon O’Neil – at home. I like all of the names just fine, but I don’t expect Hunter and Miles to have a sister named Sailor – Olive, maybe, or Louisa or Felicity;
- Jessica Capshaw, a starbaby in her own right, welcomed daughter Eve Augusta.
Over on the Facebook page, I think Stanley has officially been declared wearable.
Keep an ear out for interesting names worn by your Trick or Treaters, and have a great week!
That’s clever! It takes a super sophisticated name and makes it super wearable for a child.
Oh, and I nearly forgot my favorite way to get to Minnie: Dominique 🙂
I had also always assumed that Minnie was traditionally a nickname for Wilhelmina. However, I’d also heard of little girls who were named after their mothers being called Minnie — a sort of female version of Junior?
Not being from the US, I don’t know much about the American Girl dolls, although they seem like a more appropriate toy for young girls than Bratz or even Barbies. I like that they have stories that go along with them as well as names. I always found Cabbage Patch Kids fun because they come with adoption papers complete with a first and middle name, but they never have a story. Roseanna’s CPK, a birthday gift from a friend, is Fiona Dorothy. Mine growing up was the rather delightful Genevieve Lorraine — more creative than the appellations I chose for the dolls that I received unnamed. I only have dolls from when I was very little surviving, but most of those seem to have been named for family members (Betty, Chelsea, etc.).
I worked in a bookstore when the American Girls were just that – books, and very appealing ones. I’m not sure how they ended up with $100 dolls, but they have an undeniably wholesome vibe. My mother has been suggesting a trip to to NYC store since Clio could walk.
Gotta say, I think they’re worth the $100. I have two that I got when I was little, and they were heavily played with for 5 years straight and are still in fantastic condition, apart from Kirsten’s hair, but I can send her to the doll hospital for a hair transplant (but I think I’ll wait until I have a daughter!). Anyway, a hundred bucks for a doll that can easily last a hundred years seems pretty fair to me.
But, I’d hold off on the trip to the store until Clio is a wee bit older if I were you (unless you’re already in the neighborhood of course!). When I went I was pretty disappointed.
I’ll second the deliciously underapreciated Araminta as a way to get to Minnie. I know a Minnie who is actually Miina (yep, two ‘i’s).
Among the trick or treaters this afternoon I got to talking with a mom of a 7 year old Lola and her little sister Lila (seems a bit tongue twisty to me, but cute). Also: Jacob & his sister Mackenzie (the seeming lone trendies in my neighborhood), A Cleo (that spelling), a tiny Donna (I was pleasantly surprised) and a 9 year old girl Maureen.
My Josie was dressed as (Queen) Josephine. She had fun running around telling everyone to ‘eat cake!’
She got her picture taken by a photog from the local paper and is going to be in the leisure section tomorrow. She’s thrilled and I’m happy for her.
Time to go hide the rest of the candy!
Who are you hiding it from, you or Josie? 😉 I only buy candy I don’t want to eat, but somehow I find myself eating Skittles anyhow …
Lola and Lila – both great names, but not for sisters.
Donna! That’s SO unexpected. And a Cleo – be still my heart.
Our neighborhood is filled with lots of surprising names – Ronan, Murielle, Zora – and we have a newborn Lucia – eight weeks old, celebrating her first Halloween. But I didn’t hear anything much new this year – yet – there’s still more than an hour until the lights go out.
And plenty of Skittles left …
Oh, I love Donna! So sweet!! I would gladly welcome a Donna revival.
One of the reasons I like Wilhelmina is that you could use the nickname Minnie – or Willa. (It’s just the spelling that is stumbling block for me.)
Hmm, Hunter and Sailor together seem a bit too occupational for my personal tastes.
I think I signed up for the American Girl catalogue myself, so I could swoon at the dolls. My 5 year old daughter doesn’t seem too interested in them yet. (I want the one that is the “English best friend” – though her name is Emily, which doesn’t do anything for me.
Charlie Ballerina – the very girly middle name totally distracted me from the more masculine first name. Though if she grows up and wants to go by something more feminine than “Charlie”, I can’t see “Hi, my name is Ballerina” working so well. I guess some nicknames could be pulled from there though – Belle? Rina?
The sibset at Swistle’s is particularly lovely. 🙂
I think you’re right about Wilhelmina being the obvious choice. Not sure why my brain went to Minnesota first.
You’re right about Charlie Ballerina – there’s some balance there, but both names are a little too extreme to wear quietly.
I am thrilled to see Stanley as being considered wearable, as Constantine and I welcomed our Stanley James last Tuesday, October 26th!!!!! He is the most beautiful, perfect angel I have ever met and his name fits him perfectly. Thank you all so much for your feedback and a special big thanks to you, Abby, for spotlighting his name for us!
Congratulations on the birth of Stanley James! How wonderful. 🙂
I wasn’t especially keen when my husband suggested Stanley for baby #3, but I’m definitely warming to it now! Seeing it rise in the England name ranks gives it bonus points personally. 🙂
Thank you so much! 🙂 You know, we faced a lot of naysayers at first, but now that he is here, everyone around us seems to have fallen in love with Stanley’s name 🙂 I love that it’s not bizarre, but at the same time he will always stand out amongst all the Aidans and Jacobs he will be growing up with.
CONGRATULATIONS! Welcome to the world, Stanley. I’m so happy for you & your family!
Thank you so much, Abby, for both the congrats and giving us a helping hand with his name!!
I adore Stanley! It just isn’t heard enough. Congratulations. 🙂
Thank you so much!!!
That’s a fabulous name choice! I think that Stanley needs to be revived — if only so that my own personal negative associations can be done away with, because, in and of itself, I think the name is very dashing.
Thank you so much, Charlotte 🙂 I think Stanley is definitely in need of a revival, but then again, I may be a bit biased 😉
Congrats on Stanley James! I *love* the name Stanley (as well as the nn Stan) so am thrilled to see it used.
Thanks so much, Amy! I am so thrilled we went with our hearts instead of those of our friends and family.
Congratulations on your beautiful and wonderfully named boy.
Thanks so much, Julie!
More Minnie ideas (many of them stretches):
– Carmina
– Charmian
– Cosmina
– Dominica
– Dominique
– Germaine
– Hermione
– Madeleine (et al)
– Marilyn
– Marina
– Melina
– Miranda
– Tamsin
– Yasmine
I saw a British birth announcement once for a Clementine nicknamed Minnie. I thought it was cute.
Happy Halloween!
Fran beat me to it! I think that Jasmine, Jessamine, or Wilhelmina would be good choices to get to Minnie. While it isn’t my favorite, I think Jasmine would probably be the best balance between sweet Minnie and a wearable first name. Jessamine is prettier, but I think it lends itself to Jess a bit more.
ok let me think, minnie could be wilhemina or just mina, or maybe jessamine? i think the last one’s my favourite though. on a personal note neve and lena have gone trick or treating as the witches from wicked. i can’t see either of those names catching on any time soon! 🙂