Every week there’s more baby naming news than a regular post can accommodate. So I’m initiating a new feature – the Sunday Summary. It will include starbaby updates, intriguing names I’ve heard out in the world, links to other sites, news about this site and, of course, news of the weird.
Here’s the Sunday Summary for 1/4/09:
- You may have stumbled across this last month, but apparently a couple caused a stir attempting to order a birthday cake for their son, Adolf Hitler Campbell. His sisters are called JoyceLynn Aryan Nation and Honszlynn Hinler Jeannie. The family lives in Easton, Pennsylvania.
- Speaking of Easton, it could be the next big thing. First actress Elisabeth Rohm chose it for her daughter, Easton August. It’s now the middle name of the newest Palin, Tripp Easton Mitchell. Easton ranked #351 for boys in 2007.
- Apparently, Vianca is the Spanish version of Bianca. I’ve heard it once or twice, but thought I was misunderstanding. I saw it in writing a few days ago, and I must say, it strikes me as quite glamorous.
- Here’s an absolutely addictive game over at Baby Name Brainstorm. You have three minutes to guess the Top 50 names from the US Social Security Administration’s 2007 list. Play twice – once for boys and once for girls. Or hey, keep playing until your eyes cross!
- Nameberry has a collection of early results for 2008. For those of us who can’t wait ’til May to see the US Top 1000, there are some interesting nuggets of info.
- Lastly, here are Elisabeth’s Top Ten Baby Naming Resolutions for America. Here’s hoping some of them catch on!
You might also notice that I’m dropping the “royal we” in my posts in favor of first person singular. While I’m grateful that many of us share a love of names, the opinions are mine – and the new year seems like a good moment to make the change.
LOL! It’s a *very* small world, isn’t it? But wouldn’t you know that I eagerly comb our alumni newsletter for name news every quarter? 🙂
Anyhow, yup – I’ve been to Easton, Lola. In fact, my aunt S. works for Crayola! Nothing wrong with it, but I wouldn’t name my child after the place, either. Still, I think Easton sounds better than Aiden and company – and hey, if Trenton is in use …
I, too, am waiting for the Affleck baby. It’s not quite the kid-at-Christmas anticipation I had for the Brangelina twins, but close. As for Tripp Easton Mitchell? I like Trip just find as a nickname for John Smith III. It’s a bit lightweight as a given name. But truthfully, considering what I expected, I don’t think it is that crazy.
And Easton August? I think it is a mistake to use two gender neutral names – Avery Lane, for example. Easton Elisabeth would’ve been fine. Or Alexandra August. Or … you get the idea. I think I’d actually *like* Easton August on a son.
Anyone have a link for the UK list? It’s not up on the official government stats site yet.
As for baby Adolf? Sigh. In some ways, it’s like naming your son Luke Anakin. Star Wars might be your all time fave, but let’s assume your child will grow up to be his own person. When you factor in the incredibly volatile nature of a name like Adolf HItler, well … years of therapy AND a legal name change are likely in his future. JNE, you’re right – let’s hope he doesn’t grow up to like his name! And Cat, I agree completely. Unlike many countries, there are no laws governing baby names in the US. Usually that’s a good thing.
I’ve put it together now… 🙂 Hi! Sounds like you are well! I’ve got your sis on FB. MA – good times… sometimes!
We discussed Adolf Hitler in History class, as a freedom of speech thing. It was eventually decided that a) the parents are idiots, b) the child will desperately need therapy in the future, c) the grocery store has the legal right to refuse service, and d) the parents should’ve compromised with a simple ‘Happy Birthday!’ cake.
I did a double take on DAUGHTER Easton August. I love August with all my heart…on a BOY! Easton’s okay. And Bristol Palin’s Tripp Easton Mitchell, while not my favorite, is pretty damn good considering her mother’s choices.
Bianca’s mousey to me, and Vianca looks too much like Vivica to me, which conjures an image of Vivica A. Fox crossed with the mouse from that movie, the Tale of Desperaux. Scary!
I’ve played that game millions of times since first seeing the link. 27 on the first try, I’m now down to all 50 names with 2:02 to spare! ‘Addictive’ is an UNDERSTATEMENT!
I checked out Nameberry and have a question, they mentioned that “The full UK report will be arriving any day now…” Is there a link I could follow for that list? I have the BabyCentre links for the top 2000(!) UK girls and boys and can’t wait for these numbers!
And the 10 Resolutions made me LoL quite literally. Those links brightened my day, I’m LOVING the idea of a regular feature 🙂
Seriously? Another Lehigh Valley area native?
@JNE – I graduated from MA in ’91. My sister was class of ’94.
JNE, I think we went to the same high school!
Great post!
Ah, Easton – yowza! I’m from and grew up in a town that is within 10 miles of Easton and I’ll just say that most people in that part of PA are NOT members of the Aryan Nation. Poor kids – and their names are almost certainly not the worst of what they’re inheriting from their folks.
I think Jen and Ben have a major issue on their hands – the trouble with picking such a great name for the first baby is living up to the expectation with the next one! Very interested to see what they’ll choose!
Poor Adolf Hitler! That name is just cruel. His siblings names are just as bad if not worse. Those kinds of names should be banned, like Germany banned Adolf and Hitler.
Not too crazy about Easton either, especially for a girl. Even if I did like it, it would be weird for me because I live in Pennsylvania and I don’t want anyone to think I named our kid after a Pennsylvania city/town.
I like the idea of a summary too.
I heard about little Adolph and rather feel sorry for him & his sisters, their folks are using them as propaganda, as far as I’m concerned.
Ever been to Easton, PA? It’s an okay place, but I wouldn’t want to live there. I have friends that do and the’re looking to move! I cannot understand place names. I mean, if they’ve been used as a name before the place, then it probably won’t even be noticed as a place name much (I found out Josephine is a county in Oregon after I named her such. But it was named after a Josephine and not the other way around). Easton baffles me almost as much as Camden does. Neither one has pretty sounds.
I’m not really a fan of the letter v, so while Vianca does look rather glamourous, I still prefer Bianca. I’ve been liking the B sound a bit more lately, it’s rather full and lush itself. Like P.
I’ve seen the game at Brainstorm. Did ambysmally at first, got 43 out of 50 on the fourth try. I am not doing that again! 😆 And Elisabeth’s resolutions are pretty awesome, I hope people actually do stick with them. It would be a lovely world, then.
and Ct, i too am looking forward to the Affleck baby. their girl is beautifully named and I am almost breathlessly waiting for #2!
I’m liking the idea of a summary.
I would wonder about Vianca as well. The B in many Spanish speaking areas sounds like a V, and so I still wonder about its legitimacy. Personally, it reminds me of a prescription drug or vegetable. then again, I’m not a fan of Bianca at all.
Tripp Easton Mitchell is vomity, and Easton on a girl is even more so. I wish famous people would get their heads out of their butts when naming their kids. Honestly, I can’t wait for the Affleck baby. They did so well with Violet, and I can’t imagine a total 360. Then again, stranger things have happened.
Love the new feature! How fun!
I had not heard about the Campbell family, that’s seriously scary! And I can’t wait to check out the game on Baby Name Brainstorm!