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Monday, December 10, 2018

Celebrity Baby Name Predictions: Volume 27


As 2018 comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on the year in celebrity baby names. It was an exciting time—three (yes, three!) Kardashians babies were born this year, Chicago, Stormi, and True. Chrissy Teigen and John Legend named their son Miles Theodore, Cardi B and Offset gave their daughter the name Kulture Kiari. Other notable celebrity baby names from 2018 include Colette Koala (Macklemore), Marvel Jane (Pete Wentz) and Rani Rose (Kate Hudson).

Looking ahead, 2019 should be a great year as well. Stars like Jessica Simpson, Carrie Underwood, and Snooki are all expecting new babies in the new year. Amy Schumer, Molly Yeh, and Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are going to become parents for the first time in 2019. So what names will they choose for their babies? I’ve made my predictions for some of them below.

Angela and Alfonso Ribeiro
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Sienna (previous relationship), Alfonso Lincoln, Anders Reyn
Angela and Alfonso Ribeiro’s two sons each have A names—Alfonso and Anders. Now that they’re expecting their third, are they going to make this a pattern? Alfonso’s teenage daughter is named Sienna, so it could be fun to find another S name, especially if the baby is a girl. But even if they don’t choose to do an initial theme, there are plenty of great options for the Ribeiro sibset.
Girl:
 Adeline, Allegra, Arya, Carolina, Emilia, Isabella, Juliet, Maya, Scarlett, Willow
Boy: Alaric, Axel, Benson, Dexter, Julius, Linus, Lucien, Quincy, Vincent, Winston
*Update* Another A—Ava Sue!

Michelle Mulitz and Ben Feldman
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Charlie Milton
In 2017, Ben Feldman and wife Michelle Mulitz gave their son the name Charlie Milton. Milton is an honor name from Michelle’s side of the family, but Charlie was chosen for its cute-factor. The pair of names makes quite the vintage combination. Should Ben and Michelle try and emulate that style for their next child’s name, they should consider the following.
Girl: Clara, Edie, Eliza, Eloise, Flora, Hazel, Ivy, Jane, Lucy, Ruby, Ruth, Violet
Boy: Eli, Emmett, Finn, George, Gus, Henry, Jack, Levi, Liam, Max, Milo, Theo

Molly Yeh and Nick Hagen
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
Food blogger and TV personality Molly Yeh is pregnant with her first child. She and her husband Nick are interested in using names or variations of names from their family trees. Molly has Chinese and Jewish roots, while Nick’s ancestors come from northern Europe. This gives them quite a large pool to choose from, and I wouldn’t be surprised if their later sibset ended up with an eclectic feel.
Girl: Anouk, Aviva, Dalia, Ilsa, Joanie, Lia, Liora, Marnie, May, Mina, Roux
Boy: Asa, Asher, Bo, Ira, Isaac, Jack, Jacob, Jonah, Kai, Noam, Pim, Samson
*Update* A little girl—Bernadette Rosemary, called Bernie!

Janet Montgomery and Joe Fox
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
British actress Janet Montgomery and boyfriend Joe Fox share a dog named Guthrie. Guthrie is a Scottish name in origin, but feels decidedly country-western, thanks in part to singer Woody Guthrie. Cowboy and -girl names are actually some of the fastest rising in England and Wales, so I’d wager that the couple will chose something with some country vibes for their son or daughter.
Girl: Hallie, Harlow, Indie, Josie, Mabel, Paisley, Rosalie, Sadie, Savannah, Skylar
Boy: Brody, Carter, Grayson, Hunter, Jax, Jude, Levi, Lincoln, Maddox, Wyatt
*Update* It's a girl—Sunday Juno!

Jess Weixler and Hamish Brocklebank
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
Jess Weixler hails from the South—Kentucky, to be exact—while her husband Hamish Brocklebank is from the UK. While it might seem like these two regions would have disparate naming styles, there are some names that overlap. I took names that are rising on the UK charts and also have style cred in the American South to come up with a list of possibilities for Jess and Hamish.
Girl: Callie, Daisy, Ellie, Esme, Georgia, Maisie, Molly, Paisley, Scarlett, Willow
Boy: Benjamin, Gabriel, Grayson, Jackson, Jude, Miles, Rowan, Teddy, Toby
*Update* Welcome, Beatrice Danger!

Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi and Jionni LaValle
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Lorenzo Dominic and Giovanna Marie
Snooki Polizzi and Jionni LaValle are going to welcome their third child in 2019. Based on the names of their oldest two children, odds are that he or she will have a lengthy Italian name, which ties back to their ancestral heritage. I’d love to see them use an up-and-coming Italian name like Antonella or Luciano—their celebrity influence could propel these names into the mainstream.
Girl: Antonella, Bianca, Carina, Daniella, Giorgia, Giuliana, Lucia, Sienna, Viviana
Boy: Antonio, Emilio, Leonardo, Luciano, Marcello, Matteo, Maximo, Nicolo, Santino
*Update* Hello, Angelo James!

Carly Matros and Zachery Bryan
Gender: boy
Siblings: Gemma, Taylor (g), Jordana Nicole
Zachery Bryan was a child star of the ‘90s, and it seems like his naming style might be influenced by that decade. Taylor was a top ten pick for girls from 1993-2000 (peaking at Number 6 from ’94-’96). Jordana has never broken through the top 1000, but the very similar Jordan peaked for girls in 1997 at Number 40. Gemma is somewhat of an outlier in the sibset, as it has currently plateaued around Number 250. Now that Carly and Zachery are expecting a boy, are we going to see this same ‘90s style come through in his name?
Boy: Aiden, Brady, Carson, Clayton, Cody, Dylan, Griffin, Kyle, Lucas, Porter, Ryan
*Update* He's here—Pierce Alexander!

Kayla Rae Reid and Ryan Lochte
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Caiden Zane
Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte and his wife Kayla picked the name Caiden Zane for their son in 2016. It’s a name that’s emblematic of the decade, given the popularity of the -aiden names and affection for high-value Scrabble letters like Z. I expect their next child to have a name that is similarly on-trend and representative of the 2010s.
Girl: Addison, Aubree, Blakely, Brielle, Emerson, Everly, Kinsley, Rylee, Zoey
Boy: Axel, Bentley, Bryson, Colton, Jace, Jaxon, Kingston, Logan, Luke, Maverick
*Update* A girl—Liv Rae!

Friday, December 29, 2017

Celebrity Baby Name Predictions: Volume 19

2017 was a rock-star year for celebrity pregnancies and birth announcements. Mark Zuckerberg, Serena Williams, and Mindy Kaling all welcomed daughters this year. Beyoncé and Amal Clooney each had twins!

We have plenty to look forward to in 2018. Jessica Alba and Hilaria Baldwin are having sons, there are three (yes, three!) Kardashian babies on the way, and, of course, Kate Middleton is currently pregnant with the newest prince or princess.

There are even some amazing announcements that happened in this month alone. Stars like Dwayne Johnson, Seth Meyers, and Lin-Manuel Miranda are all adding to their broods. John Stamos, Kirsten Dunst, and Eva Longoria are all going to become first-time parents in 2018.

So Happy (almost) New Year! If this month is predicative of the year to come, it's going to be a good one--in the world of celebrity baby names, at least.

Alexi Ashe and Seth Meyers
Gender: boy
Siblings: Ashe Olsen
We all remember Seth Meyer's heartwarming explanation of his baby's name--his son Ashe Olsen is named after "the two most important women" in his life--his wife and mother. Obviously family names are valued by Alexi and Seth, so I wouldn't be surprised if their next son has one of the following names, inspired by their family trees:
Boy: Alistair, Beck, Laurence, Lorcan, Owen, Sasha, Thomas
*Update* Welcome, Axel Strahl!

Vanessa Nadal and Lin-Manuel Miranda
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Sebastian
Sebastian is one of those names that translates seamlessly through the English and Spanish-speaking worlds, and is considered stylish within each. It can be hard to capture both these qualities in a name, but I have a feeling that will be a priority for Vanessa and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Girl: Cecilia, Emilia, Isabella, Juliette, Lucia, Maya, Olivia, Valentina
Boy: August, Benjamin, Caleb, Dominic, Gabriel, Julian, Luca, Oscar
*Update* Hello, Francisco!

Gail Simmons and Jeremy Abrams
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Dahlia Rae
Gail Simmons and husband Jeremy Abrams named their daughter Dahlia Rae back in 2014. Her name has special significance to the couple, as dahlias are Gail's favorite flower, and Rae honors a dear relative. Baby number two's name will likely have a hidden meaning as well, and I can't wait to hear what it is.
Girl: Agatha, Aviva, Bryony, Cordelia, Elodie, Felicity, Fiona, Harlow, Winter
Boy: Callum, Edmund, Emmett, Graham, Harris, Linus, Rafe, Roscoe, Theodore
*Update* Welcome, Kole Jack!

Lauren Hashian and Dwayne Johnson
Gender: girl
Siblings: Simone Alexandra (previous relationship), Jasmine Lia
Even though his daughters have different mothers, Dwayne Johnson has managed to create a very well-coordinated sibset--Simone and Jasmine. Now that the Rock's girlfriend Lauren Hashian is expecting his third girl, I'm anxiously awaiting to see which name they add to the mix. I have high expectations for this little girl's name, and would definitely approve of any of the following:
Girl: Emerald, Gabrielle, Genevieve, India, Jade, Portia, Scarlett, Sienna, Summer
*Update* Baby girl is Tiana Gia!

Kym Johnson and Robert Herjavec
Gender: unknown twins
Siblings: Skye, Caprice, Brendan (previous relationship)
Unlike the Rock, Robert Herjavec took a more eclectic route to his sibset, with children named Skye, Caprice, and Brendan. Now he's expecting his fourth child with new wife Kym Johnson, and it's hard to say what style name is in the cards for their latest arrival. Perhaps they'll find a name that can bridge the style gap within the sibset, or maybe they'll head in a totally new direction!
Girl: Ainsley, Aria, Bree, Harper, Piper, Tamsin, Victoria, Wynne
Boy: Alexander, Cameron, Connor, Jack, Logan, Nicolai, Weston
*Update* Boy/girl twins--Hudson Robert and Haven Mae!

Caitlin McHugh and John Stamos
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
John Stamos and fiancee Caitlin McHugh are major Disney fans--so much so that they recently got engaged at Disneyland. This makes me think a Disney-inspired name might be in order for their baby on the way. Nothing too obvious--we're not talking about Mickey or Minnie here--but maybe a name with a bit more subtlety, like Bianca or Flynn.
Girl: Anastasia, Aurora, Belle, Bianca, Daisy, Ella, Jane, Marie, Penny, Ruby
Boy: Flynn, Max, Michael, Oliver, Peter, Percy, Phillip, Samson, Sebastian
*Update* It's a boy--Billy, named after John's father

Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons are set to welcome their first child in 2018. Germany is an important country to Kirsten--she has German heritage on her father's side and is a German citizen. Might her love for Germany extend to German baby names? There are so many great options, so I'd love to see her and Jesse use a German name for their little babe.
Girl: Alice, Clarissa, Frieda, Greta, Ida, Ilse, Romy, Tilly, Zelda
Boy: Axel, Conrad, Fritz, Otto, Raymond, Rudy, Walter, Wolf
*Update* A little boy--Ennis Howard!

Eva Longoria and José Baston
Gender: boy
Siblings: Natalia, Mariana, José Antonio, Sebastian (previous relationship)
Eva Longoria is pregnant with her first child--a boy!--who will be José Baston's fifth. He's already got an excellent sibset set up with his current children, so hopefully Eva and José will choose a complementary Spanish name for their newest son.
Boy: Alvaro, Bruno, Camilo, Emilio, Fernando, Hugo, Mateo, Marcos, Rafael
*Update* He's here--Santiago Enrique!

Saturday, October 21, 2017

Celebrity Baby Name Predicitons: Volume 17

Are cousins likely to have names of similar styles? My first instinct is no (everyone has their own individual taste!), but when you look to famous families, some cousin-sets are remarkably well-coordinated.

Think of the Duggars, who despite choosing names from all over the popularity charts, all give their children names with religious significance. Now Joy-Anna Duggar is pregnant for the first time, and odds are she'll continue this family tradition.

Additionally, the Kardashians come to mind when thinking of cousins with similar names. It's hard to tell where the line is drawn for sibsets when given a list of names like North, Reign, Penelope, Dream, Saint, and Mason (for the record, it's North and Saint; Mason, Penelope, and Reign; and Dream). Khloe Kardashian and Kylie Jenner both announced their pregnancies this month, and I'd be willing to bet that their naming style will be more alike their sisters' and brother's than not.

So what do you think? Are these celebrity siblings going to break the mold or follow suit when it comes to baby names?

Alexandra Breckenridge and Casey Neil Hooper
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Jack
Jack is a genuine, likable, every-man type of name. You really can't go wrong with a name like Jack, which explains its enduring popularity across the Western world. Jack can fit with many naming styles, but I have a feeling Alexandra Breckenridge and Casey Neil Hooper will go for another friendly, nickname-like name for their second child.
Girl: Clara, Charlotte, Emmy, Evie, Grace, Hattie, Kate, Libby, Lucy, Millie
Boy: Ben, Charlie, Eli, Finn, Henry, Ian, Luke, Milo, Oliver, Sam, Toby, Will
*Update* It's a girl--Billie!

Behati Prinsloo and Adam Levine
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Dusty Rose
Although the name Dusty peaked in 1976, the combination of Dusty Rose--given to Behati Prinsloo and Adam Levine's daughter--feels very current. It helps that both are word names, which have become popular with celebrities and non-celebrities alike over the past few years. I'm curious to see what Behati and Adam will pair with Dusty--my guess is another sweet and sassy word name.
Girl: Coco, Fawn, Ivy, Lacey, Luna, Pepper, Sable, Sunday, Willow, Winter
Boy: Beau, Cash, Channing, Chase, Miles, Phoenix, Ridge, Stone, Tanner
*Update* Another little lady--Gio Grace!

Michelle and Donald Glover
Gender: boy
Siblings: Legend
A name like Legend can be a lot to live up to. However, at #311 and rising, more and more parents are deciding that it isn't too much of a burden for their sons to carry. Michelle and Donald Glover's Legend is going to have a little brother, who will probably have a similarly "high-stakes" name.
Boy: Ever, Danger, Flash, Jazz, Lucky, Maverick, Rocket, Sage, Wild, Zen

Hilarie Burton and Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Augustus "Gus"
Augustus is a long and extravagant name, but Hilarie Burton and Jeffrey Dean Morgan's son is called Gus, which is quite the opposite. I'd love to see them use another lengthy name paired with a short and sweet nickname for baby number two--especially one with Latin roots.
Girl: Clementine, Cordelia, Isadora, Lucinda, Margaret, Matilda, Octavia
Boy: Calvin, Felix, Maxfield, Phineas, Roscoe, Samson, Sebastian, Theodore
*Update* It's a girl—George Virginia!

Joy-Anna Duggar and Austin Forsyth
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
The Duggars are known for giving their children uncommon, often themed names, but the latest arrivals have remarkably normal, restrained names (Mason, Henry, and Samuel). There's no telling if Joy-Anna and Austin will go in an uncommon direction or not, but more than likely they will choose a strong biblical name for their son or daughter.
Girl: Abigail, Ada, Delilah, Eden, Elizabeth, Galilee, Mara, Rebekah, Susannah
Boy: Adam, Boaz, Cyrus, Elijah, Gideon, Isaac, Levi, Moses, Reuben, Solomon
*Update* I was right—baby boy is Gideon Martyn!

Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott
Gender: girl
Siblings: none
Kylie Jenner is a bold, high fashion woman--she's not afraid to take risks when it comes to her personal style. So why should we think that she would do anything different when it comes to her daughter's name? We should expect a striking and stylish, yet relatively uncommon name from Kylie Jenner, something like one of the names listed below.
Girl: Bliss, Dove, Essence, Gem, Nova, Reverie, Rumor, Season, Story, Velvet
*Update* Baby girl is Stormi!

Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Prince Oliver (previous relationship)
The Kardashians seem to love names that connote power and status. Kourtney Kardashian was one of the original adopters of the "aspirational" baby name trend when she named her son Reign in 2014. Her sister Kim followed suit one year later with her son Saint. With cousins called Reign and Saint, and a half-brother named Prince, I expect Khloe and Tristan's baby name to follow this apparent Kardashian pattern.
Girl: Contessa, Empress, Jubilee, Majesty, Royalty, Verity, Wisdom
Boy: Brave, Kingdom, Major, Noble, Onyx, Pharaoh, Sergeant, Royal
*Update* It's a girl--True!

Lauren Parsekian and Aaron Paul
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
Lauren Parsekian and Aaron Paul are world travelers. Their Instagram accounts are filled with images of treks across Europe and rendezvous around the United States. Because of this, I think a place name might be in order for their little babe--perhaps the name of a city with special significance to the couple.
Girl: Aspen, Britain, Geneva, Holland, India, Moon, Sicily, Venice, Vienna
Boy: Cyprus, Denver, Dover, Memphis, Milan, Orion, Oslo, Rio, Rome, York
*Update* Welcome, Story Annabelle!

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Celebrity Baby Name Predictions: Volume 10

New year, new celebrity pregnancy announcement! And boy did we start off with a bang. Zooey Deschanel, who is often credited with giving us the best baby name of 2015 (Elsie Otter!) is going to be a mom for the second time. Jill Duggar is also pregnant with her second child. With her oldest son named Israel, I can't wait to see what name she chooses next. There also are quite a few first-time moms on this month's list, including actresses Lily Rabe, Laura Prepon, and lifestyle guru Lauren Conrad. So far 2017 is shaping up to be a great year for celebrity pregnancy announcements. Let's keep that momentum going into February!

Zooey Deschanel and Jacob Pechenik
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Elsie Otter
Elsie Otter was one of the cutest celebrity baby names of 2015, so I have high hopes for Zooey Deschanel's next baby. I think it would be so sweet if he or she also had an unexpected animal name for the middle, but that's a whole other set of predictions (maybe something like Lynx or Fawn?)
Girl: Clementine, Josie, Lottie, Minnie, Pearl, Phoebe, Ruthie, Sylvie, Tess, Tilly
Boy: Amos, Gus, Frankie, Fritz, Henry, Ira, Lester, Louie, Otto, Richie, Theo
*Update* I was right about their naming formula--welcome, Charlie Wolf!

Lake Bell and Scott Campbell
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Nova
Nova is a strong word name with a connection to the stars. I have a feeling Lake Bell and Scott Campbell are not going to go with a night sky themed sibsets, but I included some subtle options that fit the bill just in case.
Girl: Alpha, Echo, Electra, Lark, Lotus, Maxima, Vesper, Winter, Wren
Boy: Alistair, Axel, Flynn, Lex, Loyal, Marvel, Oz, Rio, Sky, Zephyr
*Update* Welcome, Ozgood, "Ozzy"!

Jill Duggar and Derrick Dillard
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Israel David
Rumor has it that if the Dillard's first-born was a girl, he would have been named Selah. That makes Selah my number one guess for a daughter--but who knows? As long as it's biblical, anything goes.
Girl: Aviva, Dania, Dinah, Elyse, Eve, Galilee, Lilah, Raya, Selah, Shalom, Talia
Boy: Asa, Elijah, Ezra, Gideon, Hosea, Judah, Samson, Simeon, Solomon, Tobias
*Update* It's another boy--Samuel Scott!

Lauren Conrad and William Tell
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
Celebrity lifestyle blogger Lauren Conrad hinted at some of her favorite baby names earlier this month, but something tells me that she wouldn't reveal her baby's name that soon. It did provide plenty of inspiration though--traditional modern names seem to strike her fancy.
Girl: Blair, Cecilia, Elsie, Evangeline, Juliette, Luna, Ruby, Scarlett, Sloane, Violet
Boy: Camden, Charles, Eli, Everett, Harrison, Jameson, Nathan, Owen, Reid, Walker
*Update* Hello, Liam James!

Emilie Livingston and Jeff Goldblum
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Charlie Ocean (b)
The name Charlie has a friendly, casual vibe--even more so when paired with a calming middle like Ocean. I expect the Goldblums to choose another unfussy name with great style for their newest son or daughter. If they use a subtle nature theme, that's even better.
Girl: Amelia, Hazel, Ivy, Lena, Lily, Lydia, Nora, Romy, Sadie Stella, Zoey
Boy: Archie, Ben, Calvin, Felix, Henry, Jack, Jude, Luke, Max, Milo, Rudy
*Update* Another water-themed name--River Joe!

Lily Rabe and Hamish Linklater
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Lucinda Rose (half sibling)
It's hard to imagine a name more romantic that Lucinda Rose. It has a sweet vintage spirit and sophisticated elegance that I sought to replicate in my top picks for their latest arrival.
Girl: Amelie, Antonia, Beatrice, Cornelia, Isadora, Magnolia, Sabina, Valerie
Boy: Adrian, Anton, Benjamin, Edmund, Hugh, Jasper, Marcel, Oliver, Samuel

Laura Prepon and Ben Foster
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
Laura Prepon is expecting her first child with Ben Foster. I have a hunch they'll either go with a tailored, modern name, or something with personal significance. Time will tell.
Girl: Aurora, Arbor, Celia, Jersey, Liv, Maren, Nora, Penelope, Vivian
Boy: Bram, Clay, Colin, Finn, Fletcher, Ford, Gabriel, Jacob, Jett, Michael
*Update* It's a girl--Ella!

Dana Vollmer and Andy Grant
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Arlen Jackson
Olympic swimmer Dana Vollmer and her husband Andy Grant gave their son the unusual-but-not-unheard-of name Arlen. It's an English surname that feels preppy, but still quite modern. I chose names along the same lines for my predictions for their second child's name.
Girl: Darby, Harper, Marlowe, Payton, Piper, Quinn, Reagan, Riley, Teagan
Boy: Connor, Gardner, Gavin, Jude, Liam, Nolan, Rhys, Rory, Rowan, Tate
*Update* It's a boy--Ryker Alexander!

Friday, October 28, 2016

Celebrity Baby Name Predictions: Volume 7

Yannick Kalaydjian via Dribbble
Happy Friday everyone! I'm still on hiatus (it's been a busy quarter!), but here is a post I wrote for Nameberry in the meantime.

Some big celebrity broods are about to get bigger--Kelsey Grammer is going to be a dad to seven kids, and Mel Gibson's girlfriend is expecting his ninth! Predicting names for such huge families is a daunting task. People's naming styles tend to change over time, especially when they've been naming children for over a generation. That being said, sometimes name preference doesn't change! There are some large celebrity sibsets that go together really well--the Gibson family is a great example.

Besides the Gibsons and Grammers, there are plenty more exciting celebrity baby name predictions this month. Natalie Portman, Marion Cotillard, and Pharrell Williams are all going to be parents of two. I've made my predictions for them (and more!) below.

Vanessa and Nick Lachey
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Camden John, Brooklyn Elisabeth
Baby number three is on the way for the Lacheys! Both Camden and Brooklyn are well-liked names with androgynous sounds, so let's see if their brother or sister will have a name that follows the pattern.
Girl: Addison, Aubrey, Berkeley, Gracen, Harper, Kennedy, Noa, Quincy
Boy: Asher, Beckett, Declan, Easton, Everett, Hayden, Levi, Sawyer, Wyatt
*Update* Hello, Phoenix Robert!

Rosalind Ross and Mel Gibson
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Hannah, Christian, Milo, Lucia, Louis, Thomas, Edward, William (all from previous relationships)
For such a large celebrity family, Mel Gibson's children have surprisingly cohesive names. He definitely has a style--European royalty. I expect nothing less for his ninth baby.
Girl: Amelia, Caroline, Clara, Eleanor, Elizabeth, Emma, Katherine, Lydia, Mary, Rose
Boy: Andrew, Benjamin, Charles, Frederick, George, James, Oliver, Richard, Samuel
*Update* European indeed--Scandinavian to be exact. Welcome Lars Gerard!

Kayte and Kelsey Grammer
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Spencer, Greer, Mason Olivia, Jude Gordon (all from previous marriages), Faith Evangeline Elisa, Kelsey Gabriel Elias
Unlike the Gibson clan, Kelsey Grammer's sibset encompasses a wide range of styles. However, baby #7 has the same mom as Faith and Kelsey, so I think he or she will have a sensible and stylish first name with two fashionable middles.
Girl: Annabelle, Audrey, Elizabeth, Genevieve, Grace, Lily, Mia, Scarlett
Boy: Benjamin, Christian, Isaac, Levi, Nathaniel, Noah, Owen, Zachary
*Update* Welcome, Auden James Ellis!

Elizabeth Chambers and Armie Hammer
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Harper (g)
There are so many celebrity sibsets containing Harper: Harper and Gideon; Harper, Brooklyn, Romeo, and Cruz; Harper, Hayley, and Hannah; Harper and Weston--I could go on! There are many different directions in which the Hammers could go for their Harper's younger sibling, but I have a feeling it will be another tailored, on-trend choice.
Girl: Avery, Charlotte, Ellery, Emerson, Hazel, Lucy, Marlowe, Ruby, Vivian
Boy: Beckett, Ellis, Finn, Graham, Grayson, Jack, Liam, Rowan, Sawyer
*Update* It's a boy--Ford Douglas Armand!

Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millepied
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Aleph
After choosing the wonderfully rare Hebrew name Aleph for her son, I cannot wait to hear what Natalie Portman picks for baby #2. There are so many fantastic, under-the-radar Hebrew names out there, it was hard to keep my predictions short!
Girl: Adalia, Adira, Bethel, Chava, Feya, Haviva, Leeza, Leora, Mehira, Niva, Raya, Zadie
Boy: Bram, Dovev, Eben, Eitan, Eliaz, Gavi, Israel, Lev, Lior, Nahir, Noam, Samson, Tal, Yael
*Update* Hello Amalia!

Allison Pill and Joshua Leonard
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
Allison Pill and her husband Joshua live low-key lives outside of the spotlight. That leads me to believe that when it comes to baby names, they aren't going to choose something eccentric or outlandish. However, I do think their son or daughter will have a name with style--maybe one of the following:
Girl: Cecilia, Cora, Eleanor, Eva, Genevieve, Isabel, Lucy, Madeleine, Margaret, Phoebe
Boy: Andrew, August, Charlie, Elliott, Gabriel, Gavin, Henry, Julian, Max, Miles, Theo
*Update* It's a girl--Wilder Grace!

Marion Cotillard and Guillaume Canet
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Marcel
Ooh-la-la, let's talk French names! French couple Marion Cotillard and Guillaume Canet chose handsome Marcel for their son five years ago. Now that they're expecting a second child, I'm sure the fashionable duo will choose another stylish French appellation.
Girl: Anais, Colette, Elodie, Eulalie, Isabeau, Lilou, Maelys, Ophelie, Ottilie, Silvie, Simone
Boy: Claude, Clemence, Gable, Harvey, Henri, Lionel, Lucien, Maurice, Pascal, Remy
*Update* A girl--Louise!

Helen Lasichanh and Pharrell Williams
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Rocket Ayer
What do you name a sibling for Rocket? That's what Pharrell Williams and Helen Lasichanh have to figure out. I like the idea of another whimsical word name--especially one with a subtle theme (Zephyr or Zeppelin!).
Girl: Boheme, Domino, Eden, Jette, Moon, Poet, Rhapsody, Solstice, Story, Temple
Boy: Arrow, Axel, Indigo, Noble, Onyx, Rollo, True, Wilder, Zephyr, Zeppelin, Ziggy

Monday, March 7, 2016

Full Names for Sam

Corina Nika via Cocorrina
On a boy, he's the quintessential guys' guy name. On a girl, she's the ultimate tomboy name. No matter which gender you prefer it on, there's no denying the appeal of Sam. There are plenty of options beyond Samuel and Samantha--take a look.


Boy

Balsam- I love an unusual name with a common nickname, and Balsam is just that. He's got great nature vibes, and is probably the most unexpected way to get to Sam for a boy.

Samar- I've talked about Samar in the past--he's one of my favorite Arabic names. Samar is actually a unisex name, and means "evening conversation" (isn't that the best?).

Samir- Samir is super similar to Samar (they share the same roots), yet has a slightly different feel. While Samar is gentlemanly and sophisticated, Samir is a bit more casual and playful. He currently ranks at #757 on the US top 1000.

Samson- The Hebrew name Samson is experiencing quite a rise up the charts. In three years, he moved over 200 spaces. Parents are beginning to see him as an alternative to Samuel, due much to the fact that he can be called Sam.

Samuel- Samuel is a classic in every sense of the word. He's never been outside of the top 90, and nowadays hangs around the mid twenties. Samuel is a wonderful name, and one that many parents choose to get the nickname Sam.


Girl

Samantha- Samantha was a hit in the '90s, reaching as high as #3 in 1998. At #33, she's still quite common, but is growing more and more dim. Nevertheless, with so many pop culture namesakes, I'm sure she'll be around for a while.

Samar- Like I previously mentioned, Samar is not just a name for boys. Girls can wear it too! She's just one letter off from Tamar, so I don't foresee it being an issue at all. Your Samar can go by Sam or Sammy, or the more feminine Mara.

Samara- If you like Samar, but aren't a fan of gender confusion, I suggest Samara. She's much more common (she ranks at #631), but like many of the Sam names for girls, is fading in her popularity.

Samaya- Samaya is a variation of the Hebrew Sameh, and is better suited for American use. With Maya being so popular these days, I can definitely see Samaya gaining favor.

Sesame- If you want a truly offbeat quirky name, Sesame should be right up your alley (or should I say street?) Sure, you might get some Elmo comments, but the nickname Sam can neutralize the association.

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

10 Portuguese Names You Never Thought of Using: Boys

Nilo Sadi via Dribbble
Portuguese is the third most common language in the world, yet compared to other cultures, they have relatively few uniquely Portuguese names. Many names have roots in both Spain and Portugal, neighboring countries with somewhat similar languages. However, these names are used all around the world, mostly in the countries that speak Portuguese natively. Go to Brazil, Mozambique, or even some parts of India, and these names will not seem so rare. But the U.S. hasn't quite jumped on the Portuguese name bandwagon yet, so I have a few suggestions to get us started.

Bento- Ask any American what they think of when they hear the word "bento" and they will respond with "bento box." While this Japanese style of lunch might inspire a few Bentos (though, it's more commonly heard on pets), chances are, if you meet a Bento, his name is the Portuguese variation of Ben.

Breno- Breno is the Portuguese form of Brennus, a Celtic name that insinuates royalty. He's a little less foodie than Bento, but more exotic than Ben. Breno Borges is a Portuguese footballer, and probably the namesake for many a Breno.

Carmo- In Portugal, Carmo is a unisex name, although it does come from the female name Carmel. The -o ending makes it read masculine to me, so I would choose to use Carmo on a boy. The original name, Carmel, means "garden" in Hebrew, and has ties to the Virgin Mary.

Isdro- Is- names are heating up for boys (possibly the next mini-trend?) and Isdro is a great one to add to that list. He's a more contemporary-sounding variation of Isidore, a name that hasn't been in the top 1000 since the 1920s. You could call your Isdro by the unisex nickname Izzy, but I also like the sound of Dro.

Leandro- Most American readers will want to pronounce Leandro the Spanish way--lee-ANN-droh. The Portuguese version varies only slightly--lee-AHN-droo--like adding an extra syllable to Andrew. He currently ranks at #784. I'll be curious to see if that number goes up this Spring.

Matteus- Matthew is one of those names that has a variant everywhere you go, and Portugal is no exception. Matteus is one of my favorite ones. He's short, easy to say, and a global pick--that's right, he also has roots in Norway and Sweden.

Nilo- Bored by the dated and frankly overused nicknames for Daniel? Use Nilo instead. He's a Spanish/Portuguese (and possibly Finnish?) diminutive, and the perfect length for a nickname. So there's no confusion, he does not rhyme with Milo, he sounds like NEE-low.

Rui- Speaking of global names, how about Rui? Surprisingly enough, he's used in Portugal, Japan, and China. However, he's most popular in Portugal, where he's ranked #52 (but falling). The Portuguese version is a variation of Roderick, which means "famous ruler."

Sansao- Sansao is my favorite name of today's list. He's uniquely Portuguese--their version of Samson--and I think he'd make a great American import. With Samson rising in popularity, I can definitely see Sansao becoming a more mainstream choice--if only he can get on peoples' radar screens.

Urbano- The name Urban would be so appealing, but I fear it's one of those word names that will never catch on, simply because he's too "wordy." But I can picture Urbano being a hit. He has an exotic yet familiar sound, and the wordiness of Urban is cut by the extra syllable. Two thumbs up for Urbano.

Friday, January 22, 2016

Celebrity Baby Name Suggestions: Volume I

via The Modern Mark
Here's a fun and light-hearted post for your Friday. I give some high-profile celebrities suggestions for their future babys' name. Let me know if you like it (and if there are any celebs you want me to include in the next round).

Anne Hathaway and Adam Shulman
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
Anne Hathaway's sweet personality and understated-yet-glamorous style make me think she'll choose something equally charming for her future babe.
Boy: Arthur, Bastien, Benedict, Conrad, Garrison, Ira, Philip, Phineas, Samson, Teddy
Girl: Agnes, Camille, Celeste, Eliza, Harriet, Linnea, Millie, Ophelia, Rosemary, Tess
*Update* Welcome Jonathan Rosebanks! Definitely a classic and classy choice.

Kimberley and James Van Der Beek
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Olivia, Annabel, and Joshua
They picked three well-liked names for their current children, why not choose one more?
Boy: Elijah, Gabriel, Ian, Jackson, Maxwell, Nathaniel, Owen, Samuel, Thomas
Girl: Charlotte, Elizabeth, Ella, Grace, Julia, Leah, Nora, Piper, Sophia, Victoria
*Update* Baby girl is here--her name is Emilia

Amelia Warner and Jamie Dornan
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Dulcie
Dulcie is quirky, cute, and oh-so-British. Sticking with that theme, here are my picks.
Boy: Archie, Freddie, Harry, Harvey, Kit, Leon, Louis, Ollie, Remy, Rex, Toby
Girl: Cleo, Esme, Evie, Freya, Georgie, Hattie, Marnie, Phoebe, Scarlett, Sylvie
*Update* It's a girl--Elva!

Rose Byrne and Bobby Cannavale
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
Rose Byrne is incredibly chic and stylish. She's going to be one of those celebrities whose baby's name becomes a national sensation. Her boyfriend is Italian and Cuban, so a cross-cultural choice seems to be in order.
Boy: Carlo, Caspian, Cecilio, Enzo, Ezio, Laszlo, Leo, Marcello, Octavio, Rafe, Silvio
Girl: Allegra, Antonella, Eloisa, Estella, Fia, Flora, Florence, Lucinda, Simona. Zelda
*Update* It's a boy! His name is Rocco, so I was right on with the cross-cultural name.

Chrissy Teigen and John Legend
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
No doubt such a trendy, high profile power-couple will pick a name to match.
Boy: Anchor, Arrow, Beck, Dex, Ever, Jethro, Neon, Onyx, Quest, Teague
Girl: Avalon, Aziza, Bellamy, Geneva, Lux, Roxie, Salome, Valencia, Zadie
*Update* Welcome Luna Simone Legend!

Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock
Gender: boy
Siblings: River Rose
River Rose's little brother is going to have an equally on-trend but under-the-radar name (and possibly another double nature name).
Boy: Arrow, Birch, Dune, Echo, Edge, Everest, Indigo, Oak, Pine, Ridge, Summit, Timber
*Update* Not a nature name, but another R name--welcome Remington Alexander!

Luisana Lopilato and Michael Buble
Gender: boy
Siblings: Noah
When celebrities have the guts to choose a top ten name (nevermind the #1 name), they couldn't care less about popularity. Noah's little bro will most likely have an established, top 100 name.
Boy: Ben, Elijah, Gavin, Hudson, Isaac, Isaiah, Joshua, Levi, Nathan, William
*Update* Baby boy is Elias! I was close.

Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Willa Lou and River (b)
Keri Russell is ahead of the curve when it comes to giving her babies names. Her older two kids were named well before their names were on anyones' minds.
Boy: Benno, Bram, Dez, Fintan, Grove, Joss, Ned, Oswald, Roscoe, Thoren, Wells
Girl: Anouk, Clover, Darcy, Frankie, Isa, Lotus, Luella, Pia, Primrose, Poet, Soleil
*Update* Hello, Sam!

Ginnifer Goodwin and Josh Dallas
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Oliver Finlay
Oliver Finlay has that "it" factor. It's a name that sounds so impeccably cool--you kind of want to use it on your own baby.
Boy: Dashiell, Ezra, Henry, Julian, Miles, Nolan, Sebastian, Wesley
Girl: Alice, Cora, Gemma, Hazel, Ivy, Lola, Sadie, Stella, Violet
*Update* It's a boy—Hugo Wilson!

Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Arabella and Joseph
Arabella and Joseph. Ultra-feminine vs. ultra-classic. These are traditional parents in every sense of the word, so I bet they'll follow the same protocol with baby #3.
Boy: Andrew, Benjamin, Charles, Jonathan, Michael, Nicholas, Samuel, William
Girl: Alexandria, Anastasia, Francesca, Julianna, Luciana, Valentina, Viviana
*Update* It's a boy! Name is Theodore James

Heather Morris and Taylor Hubbell
Gender: boy
Siblings: Eli
Short, sweet, and very casual. If we use that model, Eli will have a brother named:
Boy: Ben, Charlie, Cole, Evan, Finn, Gabe, Jack, Jake, Jace, Luke, Reid, Sam
*Update* Baby boy is Owen Bartlett