Celebrity Baby Name Predictions: Volume 16

When it comes to naming siblings, families have different approaches. Some choose an obvious theme, like Coleen and Wayne Rooney, whose children are named Kai, Klay, and Kit. Others, like Lisa and Jack Osborne, don't feel the need to have coordinating sibling names--one of their daughters has the sweet, vintage name Pearl, and the other has the androgynous, spunky name Andy.

It will be interesting to see how this group of celebrities adds to their sibsets. Will Boomer Phelps have a sibling with an equally out-there name? Will Kim and Kanye use another word name for North and Saint's brother or sister? I've made my predictions below, but I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

April Love Geary and Robin Thicke
Gender: girl
Siblings: Julian Fuego (previous relationship)
Robin Thicke's son has a name with distinct Latin flair--Julian Fuego. Although he and his sister will have different mothers, I'd love for them to have somewhat coordinated names. A great way to do that would be to give her a name that has a history of use in Spanish speaking countries, as well as the United States.
Girl: Angelina, Camila, Elena, Isabella, Liliana, Naomi, Olivia, Stella
*Update* Welcome, Mia Love!

Ginger Zee and Ben Aaron Colonomus
Gender: boy
Siblings: Adrian Benjamin
Adrian Benjamin is a handsome, classic name that is easy to like. He has the added bonus of cute initials--ABC. Considering Adrian's first two initials are the reverse of his dad's, it might be sweet for Ginger and Ben Aaron to give their second son the initials RG--which is the reverse of Ginger's first and middle initials. Although, that tradition would be hard to keep up with if they decide to have more than two children.
Boy: Caleb, Dominic, Felix, Gabriel, Gregor, Lucas, Peter, Rhys, Russell, Silas
*Update* Baby boy is Miles Macklin!

Coleen and Wayne Rooney
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Kai, Klay, Kit
For Coleen and Wayne Rooney's fourth baby, I'd be shocked if he or she doesn't have another K name. I'd wager that the name will be one syllable as well, although there are some great double syllable options for a daughter.
Girl: Kacy, Kali, Kami, Kass, Kate, Kay, Kaylie, Keira, Kess, Kia, Kiki, Klare
Boy: Kade, Kane, Kase, Kash, Keane, Keyes, King, Kole, Kord, Krew, Kyle
*Update* It's a boy, but not another K name! Welcome, Cass Mac!

Hillary Scott and Chris Tyrrell
Gender: unknown twins!
Siblings: Eisele Kaye
Hillary Scott and Chris Tyrrell's daughter has a very special name--Eisele is her paternal grandmother's maiden name, and Kaye is her maternal grandmother's maiden name. Honoring family is clearly important to the Tyrrells, and they certainly have space to honor a lot of people with their upcoming arrival of twins! I've scoured their family trees for potential honorees, but also included some names that work stylistically with Eisele.
Girl: Dove, Eden, Emerald, Flora, Issa, Jean, Laurel, Lindy, Raya, Sage, Willow
Boy: Davis, Ever, Forrest, Hart, Judah, Lane, Lang, Nash, Scott, Tennessee, True
*Update* Identical twin girls--Betsy Mack and Emory JoAnn!

Lisa and Jack Osborne
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Pearl Clementine, Andy Rose
Pearl and Andy may seem like a bit of a mis-match for sister names, but one element that ties them together is their botanical middle names. I hope the Osbornes continue that theme with their third baby, even if it's a boy. There are plenty of great nature names for boys--ranging from Forest to Linden--that I could picture them using as a middle name.
Girl: Bee, Estelle, Frances, Georgia, Harriet, Ivy, Lark, Maude, Olive, Violet
Boy: August, Edmund, Heath, Henry, Pierce, Quentin, Rex, Sebastian, Simon
*Update* Welcome, Minnie Theodora!

Nicole Johnson and Michael Phelps
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Boomer Robert
How do you match a name as bold as Boomer? I think another action-packed word name might be in store for a boy--something like Colt or Gunner. For a girl, high-value Scrabble letters and punchy sounds are key--think Lux and Ripley. Whether they're having a son or a daughter, the Phelps family has quite the task ahead of them, picking a name to match Boomer's swagger.
Girl: Bodhi, Coco, Dixie, Jette, Jude, Lux, Pax, Rebel, Ripley, Rogue, Sawyer
Boy: Axel, Bear, Beau, Bricker, Colt, Danger, Gunner, Racer, Storm, Wilder
*Update* Another boy--Beckett Richard!

Elspeth Keller and Reid Scott
Gender: boy
Siblings: Conrad
We're in the midst of a Conrad comeback. Since 2011, it has risen over 200 spots in the top 1000, but at #591, Conrad is hardly trendy. I'm guessing Elspeth Keller and Reid Scott will choose another clunky-cool name poised to swing back into style--perhaps another one with German origins.
Boy: Anton, Casper, Edwin, Frederick, Harold, Lawson, Oswald, Otto, Warren
*Update* Hello, Damon Leif!

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West
Gender: unknown
Siblings: North, Saint
Had you asked me back in May what Kim and Kanye would name a second son, I would have told you Sir. But fast forward a few months to July, and that is the name Beyonce and Jay Z gave their son, Sir Carter. Alas, there are still great choices for Kimye's newest arrival, including ones that connote their celebrity royalty status and fit in with North and Saint.
Girl: Forever, Halo, Idol, Journey, Key, Poet, Rebel, Regal, Rogue, Soul, True, Victory, Wisdom
Boy: Champ, Chief, Epic, Future, Hero, Knight, Legend, Riot, Royal, Supreme, Wild, Win, Winner
*Update* Baby girl is Chicago!

10 Japanese Names You Never Thought of Using: Boys

GIF credit

Japanese names are super fun. They are lively, cheerful names with fabulous meanings. If you're looking for dapper Japanese names that you won't hear in the U.S., check out the following list.

Fuji- Ever since the renaming of Mt. McKinley to Denali, mountain names have been on my mind. Fuji is one of the most distinctive of the bunch. He is strong yet gentle--a tough balance to strike.

Haruki- Many people will instantly recognize Haruki as the first name of Murakami, author of famous books such as 1Q84. Fans of his writing might be instantly motivated to use Haruki, but even if you're not a literature fan, he's still a great choice. Haruki means "born in the spring," so he'd be an extra special name for an April, May, or June baby.

Iku- It's not often that I find and "I" name that I'm excited about, but I was thrilled to learn about Iku. He's simple, stylish, and not too difficult for English speakers. Iku means "nourishing," which I find quite endearing.

Issey- On the same note, Issey is also a wonderful "I" name. He has a slighly feminine feel, but it's not too concerning, considering plenty of boys respond to Izzy. Issey is traditionally used for the first born child in a family.

Jiro- Jiro is a nice, upbeat name that means (but is not reserved to) "second born son." Jiro Ono is the Japanese sushi chef that is featured in the documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi, and might be a good namesake.

Kenji- Like Jiro, Kenji is also a name that means "second born son." He's part Benji, part Ken, a useful combination when it comes to honoring people fashionably. There are many famous Japanese Kenjis, ranging from professional athletes to musicians. Kenji was briefly in the United States top 1000 from 1978-1979.

Ren- Ren is a popular unisex name in Japan, though more often than not, he's used for boys. Americans have mostly male associations with the name as well, from Ren & Stimpy to the protagonist in Footloose. Ren doesn't have an overwhelming Japanese sound. He'd fit in with many names, from most (if not all) cultures.

Sanjiro- If Jiro was just a little bit slight for you, Sanjiro might be a better option. The two are completely unrelated. Sanjiro even has a different meaning--"admired." Of course, Jiro would still work as a nickname, but I think Sanji is pretty cute as well.

Seiji- Seiji (SAY-jee) comes from the Kanji characters meaning "truth" and "just," making him a virtue name of sorts. He shares a lot of sounds with Sage--a name rising for both girls and boys--but is a bit more masculine.

Yukio- Depending on how you translate it, Yukio can mean "happy man," or "snow boy." Either one is fantastic--it's a win-win situation. Yukio is considered strictly masculine in Japan (the -o ending makes it so), although there is a female Marvel character with the name. There also appear to be other Yukios in comic series who are male, though none as prolific as Marvel's Yukio Okumura.

10 Arabic Names You Never Thought of Using: Boys

I made this one.

I don't put too much stock into the meanings of names, but this list has some great ones! If name meanings are something you care about, consider one of the following for your son.

Basim- Starting off with a good one, Basim means "smiling." He's not a popular name at all, but with easy spelling and pronounciation, I think he'd do well in the U.S.

Eyad- Eyad is a modern Arabic name (I couldn't find a meaning). I recently discovered him when watching the Israeli film A Borrowed Identity. The movie was amazing, which obviously colored my view of the main character's name. Watch the film and get back to me :)

Hakeem- Hakeem (and his variant, Hakim) has a debatable meaning. Some say it's "judicious," others, "wise." I prefer the latter, but it's really a win-win.

Nadim- Possibly the name with the best meaning of the list, Nadim is roughly defined as "drinking companion." Count him under Names for People 21 and Older.

Osman- Not many Arabic names come with wonderful nicknames, but I couldn't resist calling a little Osman Ozzie. I mean, how cute is that?

Rafi- Does Rafi still reek of children's songs? I met a young Rafi recently, and he seems perfectly wearable to me. He's a cross-cultural name with many different meanings, but the Arabic form means "noble."

Samar- Samar is a unisex name that means "evening conversation." Sorry Nadim, but that one might be my favorite. If that swanky meaning doesn't convince you, I don't know what will. Maybe the fact that you can call him Sam?

Sulaiman- Sulaiman is the Arabic form of Solomon, which, as many people know, means "peace." He's different yet familiar, with some exotic flair. Perfect.

Zaki- We really are winning with all these meanings today! Zaki means "pure." You could use him as a nickname for any of the Zach- names, but I really like him on his own.

Zinedine- Zinedine has roots in Arabic and French, and means "beauty of faith" or "jewel of religion." Again, the meaning is outstanding. He's pronounced ZAYN-ah-din or ZI-nah-din--though the former allows you to use the nickname Zane.

W Surnames: Part Two

Image Credit

A couple weeks back we looked at 10 W surnames that could be worn as first names. Today I have 10 more for you to consider. Take a look.

Wellington- Wellington may seem like quite a mouthful for a little dude, but the nickname Wells makes him worth the while.

Westerfield- Wes and West names are all the rage, but Westerfield is rarely used. Field and Fielder (along with Wes and West) are good short forms if he's a little long for your taste.

Weston- Weston is at an all time high on the U.S. popularity charts, sitting pretty at #136. He's cowboy-chic, a sound many parents are going for.

Wharton- For those of you who like namesake names, Wharton is a great one. Edith Wharton is definitely someone to be inspired by--she was the first woman to recieve a Pulitzer Prize for fiction.

Wheeler- Another name that's cowboy-chic, Wheeler conjures up images of western wagon wheels. He fits in with the occupational name trend, but is relatively undiscovered. He ranks at #3728.

Whittaker- Whittaker is one of the preppiest names on this list, and even more so with the nickname Whit.

Wilkinson- To many people's ears, Wilkinson does not sound like a plausible first name. However, he is a variant of William, and the nicknames Will, Wilkie, and Kinsey make it an option.

Wilson- Considering William's popularity, I'm surprised Wilson isn't more popular. He is only at #594, which is perfect for parents wanting a familar yet uncommon name.

Winton- Winton is an English surname with a sweet meaning--"friend's farm." He's rare but stylish, and you can call him Win for short.

Woodson- Woody hasn't been a popular nickname for decades, but as the Toy Story generation grows up, who's to say they won't bring it back? Woodson is a lovely choice for a full name, espeically if you like the surname feel.


*I'm taking next week off (it's my birthday, and I'm starting a new job), so I will see you all back here on the 22nd.*

And the Nominees Are: Oscar Nominee Names

Image Credit

I adore the Oscars. Other award shows are so bland, but The Academy Awards captivate me all night long. I have compiled some names inspired by Oscar nominated films, actors, and more as inspiration for a babe born on the fantastic night.

Expected:
Jasmine- The Woody Allen directed film Blue Jasmine was nominated for best writing. Jasmine is a lovely name, if not slightly outdated.
Lupita- Lupita Nyong'o of 12 Years a Slave is getting a lot of attention this year. Her fashion sense and acting skills are highly praised, but what about her name? Lupita is a great choice that should be embraced by more parents.
Omar- This Palestinian film of the same name is nominated for best foreign language film. Omar is a great cross-cultural name, perfect for families of mixed backgrounds.
Wolf- Wolf is a cool-boy's name, but The Wolf of Wall Street might not be the movie to gain inspiration from.

Unique:
Blue- Again from Blue Jasmine, but this time, more likely to be inspired by Beyoncé's daughter.
Celestine- What a gorgeous elaboration of Celeste. Inspired by the animated film Ernest and Celestine, about a mouse and a bear.
Ernest- This old-school pick would make a refreshing choice on a baby.
Moon- The Moon Song from Her was absolutely beautiful (and deserve the win in my book). What a lovely lullaby it would make for a daughter named Moon.
Phillips- I'm not a fan of Tom Hanks, but his surname in Captain Phillips is baby name worthy.

Unheard of:
Dallas- This unisex name will remind people of Texas much more than Dallas Buyers Club.
Gatsby- Nominated for costume design, The Great Gatsby has a plethora of great named characters, but Gatsby makes your intentions obvious.
Llewyn- Inside Llewyn Davis was nominated for best cinematography. Llewyn strikes me as out of the box but wearable. A more masculine form of Llewellyn.
Philomena- I haven't seen the film, but Philomena is a great Greek name that is one hundred percent wearable in 2014.

Contest: Funniest Movie Character Name

I have a contest for you guys. You guys are going to vote on the funniest movie character name, bracket style. I made a bracket with the funniest movie character names (in my opinion) from three movies: Napoleon Dynamite, Meet the Parents, and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. Here's what to do: in a comment, write who you think should win the first round. Check back to keep voting!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The bracket wont load onto blogger, so I am going to tell you the match ups.

Side One:

1. Lafawnduh
4. Rico

2. Walker and Texas Ranger Bobby
3. Gaylord Focker


Side Two:

1. Ricky Bobby
4. Kip

2. Martha Focker
3. Napoleon Dynamite

In a comment, write your choices!