First, I’m incredibly excited to see who wins March Madness! Thanks to everyone who voted so far, and if you have not, please remember to weigh in: Boys’ Final and Girls’ Final.
I thoroughly enjoyed compiling Rock’n’Roll Baby Names for Nameberry last week. This week’s list is equally edgy. Here’s a hint: Buffy is on the list.
Elsewhere:
- I haven’t seen Just Go With It, but I’m fascinated by the names. Nicole Kidman plays a not-so-nice character called Devlin. Brooklyn Decker plays a girl named Palmer. The 2011 film is based on a 1969 movie, which was based on an American adaptation of a French play. Up until now, Palmer’s character called was Toni. I’ve no idea why they opted for such an unconventional choice in the remake;
- Swistle posted a reader question about the name Story. Comments suggested Astoria as a formal name. I’m torn – Astoria is an undeniably pretty sound, but have you been to Queens? Then again, a less-than-idyllic setting hasn’t hurt Brooklyn;
- Which leads us to Nancy’s note about baby boys named Travolta. More than you’d think, less than you’d fear;
- From Nomes e mais nomes: which do you prefer Carolina or Catarina? It’s the kind of question that makes me want to say “twins!”
- Step into the Wayback Machine. In 2009, the featured name was Lana. Last year, it was Orla;
- I always enjoy her birth announcements, but this one really surprised me: For Real spotted an unusual combination, which just happens to be my cousin’s name;
- She also spotted Jaxlen McCade, Riggen Joseph, Brawk David, and Dash Ayden. Oh, and a Dollie Michelle. I adore Dolly as a nickname for Dorothy, but I think it would be tough to answer to Dolly at 25.
On to Hollywood. There’s been much chatter over Rachel Zoe’s new son’s name, Skyler Morrison. It’s not the stylish choice I would have expected, but what really stunned me was a comment in New York Magazine. The writer congratulated Rachel & Rodger on their healthy baby boy and “also for naming him normally. Baby names shouldn’t be trends.”
I’ll be curious to hear Rachel’s explanation for choosing the name. Maybe she’ll have the kind of backstory that makes me regret every snarky thought I’ve had about her choice.
In other starbaby news:
- The conversation of the week should really be this: How did Luca and Matteo become the sibset of moment? Top Chef’s top chef Tom Colicchio and wife Lori welcomed a son, Mateo Lev. Mateo joins big brothers Luka Bodhi and Dante at home. Impeccable Italian heritage picks, right? Masculine without going overboard, classic but not plain. Last month, E’s Kristin Dos Santos welcomed a son, Matteo Tomaz, a little brother for Luca Alexander. And Colin Firth and his wife Livia Guiggioli are parents to Luca and Mateo, too;
- TLC’s Design Star Vern Yip welcomed a daughter, Vera Lillian Beatrix. He and partner Craig Koch are also parents to son Gavin Joshua Mannox;
- Quarterback Eli Manning is a first-time dad. He and wife Abby welcomed a daughter, Ava Frances.
If you’re looking for more talk of celebrity births and general name talk, check out my Facebook page.
That’s all for this week. As always, thank you for reading!
I do love Frances with nn Francie. Unfortunately, I had a chocolate lab named Francie, so now it is out for any future children.
P.s. carlin is also sweet
No love for little miss devi? I think she is she is so sweet… bevin too. Malin like Sarah Palin? No thanks.
I had a horrible, horrible headmaster named Mr. Devlin in high school, so, no, absolutely no love for Devlin as a first name. Devi is a super-cute nickname, though! I just find Devlin to have a harsh sound, honestly.
And, no, not Malin as in Sarah Palin. Malin as in Malin Akerman. It’s [MALL-in], like a mall, not [MAIL-in], as in Palin. Mali would sound a bit like Molly, then, I guess… 😉
Ok, that makes me like Malin a lot more, and I do like Mali (and Molly too) lately.
Aarggghh! I love Devlin as a BOYS name. If it goes to the girls I am going to cry!
Same. Well, actually, no – I’m not a Devlin fan for either gender. I think Devin and Bevin are more appropriate for girls. But, I guess my favorite -lin names might be Carlin and Malin? Yea.
Neither are appropriate for girls since they’re both boy names.
I actually mentioned Devlin to my husband last week as a baby girl name. I thought I was pretty clever so I was surprised to see it here. I know an Alice Hudson (Hudson is her last name) and she is as pretty as the name. I do quite like Vera Lillian Beatrix. I know sisters named Lillian and Vada (though I wish it were spelled Veda). I do love the simplicity and glam of Ava but am so sick of hearing it, even if it is deemed classic. Astoria and Story are both pretty but am not sure I would use either. I have a (female) dog named Rio and love it so much I sort of wish I would have saved it for my daughter, so I am partial to that as a nickname for either though Story doesn’t seem to need one.
Ah, I love Rio! Except that I already sing Duran Duran’s Rio to Clio … “Her name is Clio and she dances on the sand …” Someday she’ll hate for me it!
Vada reminds me of nada.
Devlin seems likely to catch on … as does nearly any ends-in-lin name, like Vince Vaughn’s daughter Locklyn.
I think there was a female character with the last name Devlin in the Sweet Valley High books … and I kind of think she was trouble. Wonder if that was the inspiration?
I know a Catharina and Charlotte twinset, the former is a Cat, the latter goes by her full name.
As for Astoria, I think astrological et al when I hear it, since I’ve never heard of this neighbourhood you speak of. I think she’s rather pretty, and for other convential nicknames to get out of her, Tori? Ria? Toto!?
Why does Story need a longer form? Why would you need to use Astoria? I see nothing wrong with either one, but they have extremely different feels. Story is easy-breezy, whereas Astoria is glam and in-your-face…
I’m of the opinion that celebrity surnames – unless they’re family names – need to be banned from first name territory. Travolta? No, thanks! I’m still cringing over Aniston, even if people like to switch it up by spelling it Anniston. Please, nobody name your child Witherspoon or Pitt or Bullock, okay? Ah! Some I’d let slide? Alba. It’s legit. And, though Cruz works a bit better, Cruise is marginally acceptable – it is sure to cause “cruise control” jokes, though.
For Real spotted some gems! Alice Hudson, Caroline Fairchild, Davis Elijah, Edie Grace, Miranda Celeste, and William Pace are fab. I’m curious to know which name belongs to your cousin, Abby.
I don’t love Skyler Berman for Rachel Zoe’s son, but it isn’t bad at all. I just hoped for something a little more hipster: Roscoe. I think Vera Lillian Beatrix is adorable and classy, but with big bro Gavin? Sort of weird. And, I love Luca (Luka) and Matteo (Mateo) for brothers, though I think it’s odd that several celebrities have chosen the same pairing. But, Ava Frances? Thank you for choosing a middle name with distinction, Eli and Abby, because Melissa Rycroft really killed me with Ava Grace, but I might need to start a celebrity Ava count. It worked for Reese but I wish the rest of you would quit using it. Even though I honestly think Ava is a pretty name…
(I realize that was a really negative post. Sorry!)
I agree, Lemon – Story is fine on its own, and certainly in use. I actually find Astoria a little more unusual, even harder to wear.
This is just my preference, but I think you get either a fairly ordinary given name with a bizarre nickname – Clio for Claire Caroline – or you get a sort of ordinary nickname for a very unusual name – Addie for Adair. I think an unusual nickname from an unusual name could be too much.
Agreed. And, I just find Astoria to be too Waldorf Astoria for my taste. Like, that’s all I can think of!
Oh, I just remembered this “great” name I thought of last night – you’re going to think I’m insane. It’s…Number. Wouldn’t that be hysterical? I know people name their kids Seven and such, but what about Number? Ah, I’d be horrified if I ever met one.
Number! I don’t think it would work, but never say never …
I’ve seen your blog a few times and I’ve been dying to share a few names from our area. The range of styles is pretty big, but your blog has such a great variety of unusual and fresh names, I thought this would be a good place to share.
Courage
Solomon
Dixie
Jairus
Domonic
Sonaa (sAWN-aa)
Arvilla
Dalray
Amberly
Mattias
Aspen
Malachi
Ezra
Frankie (a girl)
Woodrow
Aubrianna
Holman
Alphonso
Andrez
Virgil
Jediah
Victoria
Victor
Ruth
Josiah
Alethia
Rusty
Shiloh
Adoralenn (Adore-ah-lynn)
Leonarda
Asante
and
Naomi
and that’s just at one school!
I also know a Philomene, Bridgette, Abram, Coolidge(called Cool), Nolan, Leo, Titus, Reuben, Ivan, Adrian, Audra, Alberta, Rosanna, Lorenzo, Lawrence, Emmaline, Frances, Camille, Georgia, Wesley, Pearl, Otelia, Alfredine, Pauletta, Melvina, Jolee, Lloyd, Elvenia, Dorcella, Aldora, Adrena, Corbin, Conrad, Mary Agnes, Vandy, Lorna, Flavina, Camille, Trivian, Stellar, Kirby, Wendell, Koren, and a Roland.
I’ve also found it interesting that nicknaming isn’t very popular out here. I know very few people who go by shortened versions of their first name, which I love. Although the ones we do have are always interesting – Coolidge “Cool”. I was also walking through a school a couple of months ago and noticed a name tag on a locker “Lightning”. I’m sure that was his real name!
Great list! I’m dying to know where you are … Vandy, Mary Agnes, Stellar … what a list!
Eastern Montana
Wow – now that’s interesting!
That’s almost enough to make me want to move to Montana! Almost.
I have no idea who Tom Colicchio is but I would like to point out that Mateo is NOT an Italian name, it’s Spanish! Matteo is the Italian form.
Anyway I want to congratulate you on this blog, it’s very interesting and I love it! I always read it but this is the first time I leave a comment I think. 🙂
It is the first time you’ve commented – hi!
And of course you’re right about Mateo. Luka isn’t Italian, either. I’m not quite certain went into the parents’ thinking, but I assume they’re several generations removed from Italy (as I am), and so were comfortable taking some liberties.
I can be a real purist when it comes to spellings. On the face of it I see Collicchio’s sons and think, WHY not Luca and Matteo? Do you think they went with Luka for fear of C overload, or were they honoring another part of the family? I hope it’s the latter.
His wife was raised in Israel – I’m sure that explains the Lev. Not sure about Luka, but Luka/Lukas are valid Slavic variants, so I think there’s a pretty good chance it wasn’t just a creative twist.
Here’s their wedding announcement from 2001: https://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/30/style/weddings-vows-lori-silverbush-tom-colicchio.html
I am actually not that surprised or apalled at Rachel’s choice. She bills herself as a hippy, and I think Skyler Morrison, with its nature and rock n roll themes, makes sense for her. I really never thought she would go in for all the fashion and European oriented names that were being thrown around.