Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Adrian. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Adrian. Sort by date Show all posts

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

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!

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

10 Dutch Names You Never Thought of Using: Boys

Image Credit
We're talking about Dutch names for boys today--this list is full of short and sweet choices perfect for nicknames or own their own. Let me know your favorites in the comments.

Arjan- Arjan (pronounced AHR-yahn) is the attractive Dutch form of Adrian. Speaking of Adrian, he's at an all time high right now at #59, so Arjan makes a nice alternative if you want something less popular. Arje is a sweet nickname possibility.

Bas- Bas is quite trendy in the Netherlands, both on his own, and as a nickname for such names as Sebastiaan and Bastiaan--the Dutch variations of Sebastian and Bastian. Another, much more American spelling is Baz, which you might recognize as the name of esteemed director Baz Luhrmann.

Bram- Bram is a lovely choice--one of my very favorites. He's the Netherlands' answer to Abraham, and feels decidedly more modern. The Dutch can't get enough of Bram--he ranks #2 over there. Bram makes for an incredibly easy import into the United States. With names like Graham starting to make their way up the charts, I wouldn't be surprised to see Bram crack the top 1000 sooner or later. So grab him while he's fresh!

Mies- Calling all you nature mamas and papas: Mies means "son of the earth"--perfect for the child of planet-loving parents. He's originally short for Bartholomeus, meaning he could work as a nickname for Bartholomew, assuming you're not a fan of Bart.

Pim- It's no secret I love Pimm--for a girl. Well, the masculine form, Pim is a Dutch nickname for Willem and just almost as cute. If you're not feeling Will, Billy, or even Liam as a nickname for William, Pim is an intriguing and very unexpected option.

Rem- Unlike the Dutch, most American parents won't consider a name as short as Rem stand-alone. Fortunately, he can act as a nickname for Jeremy, Remington, and the like. Rem is a bit more masculine than the unisex Remy, if you are searching for an alternative.

Roel- Roel is the Dutch form of Roland--pronounced like "rule" in the Netherlands, but more likely "role" in America. He's a classy way to honor a Joel, Roland, Rudolph, or Orlando in your life.

Rutger- Rutger comes from Roger, and could be used as a contemporary update for him. Rutger could also be a fun way to honor your alma mater, provided you went to Rutgers University. The University in New Jersey was named after Colonel Henry Rutgers, who fought in the Revolutionary War.

Sander- Sander is the Dutch and Scandinavian nickname for Alexander, although he is considered a name in his own right as well. Sander, or even more so, Sanders would make an extremely topical choice right now, considering the impending presidential election, and Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders.

Thijs- Thijs (pronounced like "twice" without the "W") is another Dutch favorite, ranking at #15. He comes from Matthijs, the Netherlands' variation of Matthew. News anchor Matt Lauer subtly honored himself by naming his son Thijs--something only a name enthusiast would notice.


Happy Thanksgiving to all my American readers! I'm taking Friday off for the holiday weekend--see you next week!

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Alternatives to Alexander

Image Credit
Alexander is a great name. However, he's just too popular for some people. If you're in that boat, check out these alternatives.

Sight:
Alessandro- The Spanish form of Alexander. Definitely usable in America.
Anderson- Alexander's ending is Anderson's beginning. He feels a bit more upper crust than Alexander though.
Dexter- He's rising in popularity, due to the hit TV show. Dex makes a great nickname.

Sound:
Alistair- Another form of Alexander, but not nearly as widely used.
Calix- He's more similar to Alex than Alexander, but Calix is a really cool name.
Lysander- With the -ander names getting so popular, it's surprising that Lysander hasn't gotten any attention.

Style:
Adrian- I never liked it on a girl, Adrian seems so masculine to me.
Roman- They share ancient roots.
Sebastian- He's gaining speed on the charts, but Sebastian is not nearly at the level Alexander is.

Friday, October 16, 2015

Names with "an"


I recently got an email from a reader asking for some naming inspiration.

Fiona writes:

My first 2 children both have a theme of "an" - Marianne and Kassandra. It happened accidentally, but the more we think about future names, the more we seem attracted to this sound. It would be great to have some help and inspiration please! 
Our second child was only born this year, so we are jumping the gun a little but we do plan a 3rd child (hopefully, as obviously thanks to mother nature's blips, having a child is not in our complete control!) and our experience is that it is never too early to start thinking about names.

With many thanks,
Fiona 

Past the page break I have put together an exhaustive list of names with -an in them. I've italicised the ones I think work best with Marianne and Kassandra. Feel free to leave your thoughts or suggestions for Fiona in the comments. If you have a naming question that you would like me to post on the blog, feel free to email me at skihm (at) hotmail (dot) com. 

Friday, March 21, 2014

Alternatives to Olivia

Image Credit- Me (Photoshop Skills)
Many parents think Olivia is a great name for a girl, but want something less common. Whether you're in love with the sight, sound, or style of Olivia, I have some options for you that are under the radar.

Sight:
Octavia- She starts with "O" and ends in -ia, just like Olivia. Plus, the nickname Tavi is cute and way less common than Livi (and there's Tavi Gevinson, I love her).
Olivette- Normally Olive would be on this list, but she's getting common, so on to the next similar name, Olivette. Yes, she seems like a little much, but the Olive- sound puts her on trend.
Ophelia- This beautiful Shakespearian name does not get enough attention.

Sound:
Liviana- She sounds like a blend of Olivia and Liliana, which many of today's parents will see as a plus.
Viva- Viva is a pretty name meaning "life."
Vivian- I hesitate to put her on this list since she's getting so common, but she's no where near Olivia, so Vivian is a good option for parents who want something in between top ten and top 200.

Style:
Adriana- She's the feminine form of Adrian, and has a similar make-up to Olivia.
Alexia- Peppier than Alexandra, but just as many syllables.
Carlotta- Carlotta is used more by Latin families, but would make a great sister name to Olivia.

Monday, June 8, 2015

Catalog Names: Paper Source, June 2014

Image Credit
Hooray! Ever since I wrote this post I have been waiting for Paper Source to switch their invitation designs and incorporate new names into their catalog. It finally happened, so take a look at all the new names mentioned.

Girls
Aimee
Alanna
Alexandra
Alexis
Allie
Allison
Amelia (x2)
Amelia Caroline
Amy (x3)
Andrea
Angela
Anne (x2)
Anne Marie
Avery
Carrie
Cecilia Mae
Christina (x2)
Claudia
Dana
Danielle
Deborah Monique
Eileen
Elisa
Elizabeth (x4)
Elizabeth Marie
Ellie
Emily (x5)
Erin (x2)
Gertrude
Gabriella Marie
Heather (x3)
Heidi
Jennifer
Joanna Marie
Jocelyn
Julia
Kailey
Kara
Kara Anne
Karen
Kate
Katherine (x2)
Katie
Kerry
Kim
Leslie
Lindsay
Lindsey Claire
Liz
Lucia
Lucille Frances
Maggie (x2)
Marie
Marisa
Martha
Mary (x3)
Mathilda Marie
Melanie
Molly
Morgan
Nahlia Rae
Naomi (x2)
Nancy
Olivia
Rebecca (x2)
Rose Ellen
Roxanne
Sandra
Sarah
Selena
Stacey
Sylvia
Vanessa

Boys
Alexander (x2)
Anthony Joseph
Benjamin
Brandon Joseph
Brandt
Bryan
Carl
Charles
Clifford Louis
Damien
Daniel
Dave (x2)
David
Dean Weber
Douglas
Dylan
Frederick
Harold
Herbert
Humphrey
Hunter Aidan
James (x3)
Jeffrey David
Jeremy (x2)
Louis
Marcus
Martin
Matt
Michael
Mike
Milan Oscar
Oliver
Patrick
Peter Arthur
Phillip
Robert
Ryan
Theodore
Theodore Jackson
Todd
Tom (x2)
Tyler Horace
William (x2)
William John

Either
Adrian
Cameron
Jamie (x2)
Mischa

Friday, February 5, 2016

Shakespearean Names

Ben Didier via Dribbble
There's a reason everyone likes Shakespearean names--they signify class, romanticism, and intelligence, (most) without sounding too pompous or proper. If you're looking for one of these names for your son or daughter, I've compiled this list of the ones I deem most usable.

Girls
Adriana
Aemilia
Alice
Aliena
Angelica
Anne
Audrey
Beatrice
Bianca
Blanche
Calphurnia
Cassandra
Celia
Cleopatra
Constance
Cordelia
Cressida
Desdemona
Diana
Dionyza
Doll
Dorcas
Eleanor
Elizabeth
Emilia
Francisca
Gertrude
Helen
Helena
Hermia
Hermione
Hero
Imogen
Iris
Isabella
Jane
Jessica
Joan
Julia
Juliet
Juno
Kate
Katharine
Katherine
Lavinia
Leonine
Luce
Lucetta
Luciana
Margaret
Maria
Marianna
Marina
Meg
Miranda
Nan
Nell
Nerissa
Octavia
Olivia
Ophelia
Patience
Paulina
Perdita
Phebe
Portia
Regan
Rosalind
Rosaline
Silvia
Tamora
Thaisa
Thisbe
Timandra
Titania
Valeria
Viola
Virgilia
Volumnia

Boys
Aaron
Abraham
Adam
Adrian
Andrew
Ajax
Alexander
Alexas
Alonso
Angelo
Angus
Anthony
Antonio
Ariel
Arthur
Balthasar
Barnardo
Benedick
Benvolio
Berkeley
Bertram
Brandon
Caesar
Caius
Camillo
Cassio
Cassius
Cato
Charles
Christopher
Cicero
Cinna
Clarence
Claudio
Claudius
Cleomines
Cleon
Clifford
Clitus
Cloten
Corin
Cornelius
Curan
Curio
Curtis
Cymbeline
Davy
Demetrius
Denny
Dick
Dion
Duncan
Edgar
Edmund
Edward
Egeon
Emmanuel
Fabian
Fenton
Ferdinand
Flavius
Ford
Francis
Francisco
Frederick
Gardiner
George
Gerald
Gregory
Grey
Griffith
Harry
Hector
Henry
Horatio
Hubert
Hugh
Humphrey
Iago
Isidore
Jachimo
Jack
Jaques
James
Jamy
John
Joseph
Jourdain
Julius
Junius
Jupiter
Lennox
Leonardo
Leonato
Leonatus
Leontes
Lewis
Lorenzo
Louis
Lovell
Lucentio
Lucilius
Lucio
Lucius
Lysander
Macmorris
Malcolm
Marcellus
Marcus
Mark
Martius
Matthew
Mercutio
Michael
Montano
Morgan
Mortimer
Morton
Nathaniel
Ned
Nicholas
Nick
Nym
Oberon
Octavius
Oliver
Orlando
Orsino
Osrick
Oswald
Othello
Owen
Paris
Pedro
Percy
Peter
Peto
Philip
Philario
Philo
Polonius
Puck
Quince
Quintus
Reynaldo
Richard
Robert
Robin
Roderigo
Romeo
Ross
Sampson
Sebastian
Silvius
Simon
Smith
Stanley
Stephano
Taurus
Thomas
Timon
Timothy
Titus
Toby
Tom
Tranio
Travers
Troy
Valentine
Valerius
Varro
Vernon
Vincentio
Walter
Will
Williams
Willoughby

Friday, February 19, 2016

140th Westminster Call Names

Craig Jamieson via Dribbble This year's winner was a German Shorthaired Pointer named CJ
When we hear about show dog names, we most often are mentioning the outrageous, over-the-top, nonsensical monikers the dogs are referred to formally. Even though I get a kick out of these, I'm always more interested in the call names of the dogs, i.e., what they respond to outside the show ring. Hundreds of dogs participated in the 140th Westminster Dog Show this year, and I recording their names to list here (here's last year's post, if you're interested). This isn't a very large sample size, but it can give us some insight into how people name their dogs, and how it's so similar, yet vastly different from naming children.

Classic Dog Names
Bella
Charlie
Chloe
Gus
Henry
Hunter
Izzy
Louie
Lucy x2
Marley
Molly
Parker x2
Pepper
Sophie
Thor

Colorful Canines
Azul
Blue x2
Cadet
Mr. Blue
Sky

Cultural Choices
Blitx--"lightning" in Swedish
Devlin (g)
Gomez
Gretel
Hoja
Leandro
Mano
Ovidius
Pepe
Ronan
Saxon
Schilling
Sunito
Tuco

Currently Trending
Annabelle
Anouk
Beckett
Cyrus
Eli x2
Finn
Gia
Gideon
Juliet
Kit (b)
Leo
Olivia
Piper
Walker

Distinguished Gentlemen
Adrian
Alan
Andrew
Angus
Anton
Bradley
Casey
Chauncey
Falco
Griffin
Hank
Hector
Humphrey
Jango
Jason
Joshua
Lucas
Moses
Mr. Jones
Ned
Nelson
Preston
Remy
Richard
Stuart
Vito
Watson
Xavier

Food and Drink
Bacon
Brie
Kahlua
Monte Cristo
Patrón

Lovely Ladies
Clara
Creeda
Fiona
Gail
Grace
Etta
Kate
Lucia
Paola
Primrose
Summer x2
Vanessa
Vera
Victoria
Zora

Place Names
Cayman
Dixie
Fenway
Mexico
Orlando
Tennessee

Nicknames
Allie
Augie
Cal
CJ
CR
Danny
Duffy
Frankie (g)
Gabby
Gabe
Gedi
Gibbs
Jenny
Lumi (b)
Mack
Manny
Obie x2
Odgie
Ollie
Pandy (b)
Ricky x2
Robbie
Rocky
Rondo
Sally
Tilly
Toodles
Tubbs
Vinny
Zak

Notable Namesakes
Astaire
Fergi
Jackson--after Michael Jackson
Julia--after Julia Louis-Dreyfuss
Mick--after Mick Jagger
Peyton--after Peyton Manning
Robert Redford
Santana--after Carlos Santana
Windsor

Pop Culture Picks
Bond
Burberry
Indy (b)
Jedi
Leonard--after the Big Bang Theory
Neo
Peter Parker
Steelers--after the Pittsburgh Steelers
Wesley--after The Princess Bride

Word Names
Banner
Bingo
Bogey
Brazen
Chance
Cubit
Dart
Dynamite
Exquisite "Quizzy"
Flash x2
Frosty
General
Journey
Judge
Panda x2
Paparazzi
Pilot
Precious
Rain
Riot
Rocketman
Rumble
Rumor
Slick
Star
Striker
Tank
Toot
Trader
Vanity

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!

Monday, April 25, 2016

Famous Surnames

Garrett via Dribbble
Would you ever consider a celebrity surname for your child? It can be a fun way to pay homage to your favorite stars--past and present! Which names would you add?

Alba--Jessica Alba
Aniston--Jennifer Aniston
Baldwin--Alec Baldwin
Bardot--Bridget Bardot
Beckham--David Beckham
Bergen--Candice Bergen
Bowie--David Bowie
Brando--Marlon Brando
Brody--Adrian Brody
Brooks--Garth Brooks
Campbell--Naomi Campbell
Carey--Mariah Carey
Cash--Johnny Cash
Chase--Chevy Chase
Crosby--Bing Crosby
Cruz--Penelope Cruz
Damon--Matt Damon
Fallon--Jimmy Fallon
Farley--Chris Farley
Fox--Megan Fox, Michael J. Fox
Gable--Clark Gable
Garland--Judy Garland
Garner--Jennifer Garner
Griffith--Andy Griffith, Melanie Griffith
Harlow--Jean Harlow
Holliday--Billy Holliday
Hudson--Kate Hudson
Huston--Anjelica Huston
Keaton--Diane Keaton
Jagger--Mick Jagger
Jenner--Caitlyn Jenner
Jolie--Angelina Jolie
Jordan--Michael Jordan
Legend--John Legend
Lennox--Annie Lennox
Lively--Blake Lively
Maguire--Tobey Maguire
Mirren--Helen Mirren
Monroe--Marilyn Monroe
Moss--Kate Moss, Elisabeth Moss
Mulligan--Carey Mulligan
Murray--Bill Murray
Perry--Katy Perry
Presley--Elvis Presley
Renner--Jeremy Renner
Quaid--Dennis Quaid
Rourke--Mickey Rourke
Ryder--Winona Ryder
Urban--Keith Urban
Vaughn--Vince Vaughn
Wilde--Olivia Wilde
Winslet--Kate Winslet

Friday, June 3, 2016

Celebrity Baby Name Suggestions: Volume 4

The cycle of celebrity pregnancies never slows down. 2016 has been an especially fruitful year so far, with superstars like John Legend, Chelsea Clinton, Adam Levine, Blake Lively, and Ryan Gosling all growing their families. And we can't forget the celebrities who might not be as well-known for their talent, but are certainly famous for their baby names--Jamie Oliver, Holly Madison, and Soleil Moon Frye. Now we have even more to add to the list! Kerry Washington is pregant with her second, as is Olivia Wilde. And don't get me started on the latest Kardashian pregnancy--I cannot wait to hear what that child is named. I've placed my bets in the meantime.

Cassandra Jenner Marino and Michael Marino
Gender: boy
Siblings: Francesca and Isabella
I think the Marinos will go in one of two directions for naming their first son. Either they'll use the same style as the girls--long Italian names--or choose something equally grand, but less Italian. I have a feeling it might be the former, but we'll have to wait and see!
Boy: Alexander, Benjamin, Jackson, Julian, Leonardo, Luca, Marco, Maximus, Nathaniel
*Update* Not Luca, but Luke!

Alicia Etheredge and Bobby Brown
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Cassius and Bodhi Jameson Rein (g)
Cassius and Bodhi are both very "of the moment" names. Such contemporary choices would never have been considered even ten years ago. I definitely see them picking an equally on trend name for this next boy or girl.
Girl: Bijou, Cleo, Coco, Eden, Gaia, Jade, Juno, Luna, Moxie, Sawyer
Boy: Bear, Cato, Clay, Creed, Jude, Lucian, Rex, Rogue, Roman, Theon
*Update* Alicia and Bobby have welcomed a daughter--Hendrix Estelle Sheba!

Olivia Wilde and Jason Sudekis
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Otis Alexander
Otis is one of those clunky old man names that is now beginning to feel stylish again. I hope baby Sudekis gets another name on the cusp of cool--celebrities can be just what a name needs to be considered fashionable after a long hiatus from the top 1000.
Girl: Fern, Hattie, Ida, Louella, Maisie, Maxine, Minnie, Pearl, Ruth, Sadie, Tabitha, Tess
Boy: Alder, Bruno, Casper, Felix, Frank, Grover, Hugo, Leland, Ralph, Rex, Roscoe, Roy, Toby
*Update* Hello Daisy Josephine!

Danielle and Kevin Jonas
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Alena Rose
For their first baby, Kevin and Danielle Jonas chose the uncommon yet familar Alena, and paired it with the classic middle name, Rose. It's a classy combo that can be appreciated by people with all sorts of tastes--an essence I suspect they will emulate with their second child.
Girl: Allegra, Camila, Chiara, Eliana, Emilia, Esme, Lelia, Livia, Lydia, Natalia, Stella
Boy: Anton, Benjamin, Dominic, Gabriel, Julian, Luca, Michael, Noah, Tristan, Weston
*Update* Another little Jonas lady--Valentina Angelina!

Kerry Washington and Nnamdi Asomugha
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Isabelle Amarachi
Kerry Washington and Nnamdi Asomugha picked a stunning name for their daughter. I especially love the nod to Asomugha's African heritage with the middle name. Isabelle Amarachi is romantic and classy. Keeping that in mind, these are some possibilities for baby number two.
Girl: Amelie, Beatrice, Camille, Clementine, Emmeline, Juliet, Lilia, Lucille, Salome, Sylvie
Boy: Adrian, Charles, Isaac, Jasper, Jonathan, Julian, Matthias, Olivier, Romain, Sebastian
*Update* Welcome, Caleb Kelechi!

Blac Chyna and Rob Kardashian
Gender: unknown
Siblings: King Cairo
Here comes another Kardashian baby! The famous family is known for over-the-top names, and the past few (Reign Aston and Saint West) have a particularly regal vibe. And considering Blac Chyna's son King Cairo, I think it's pretty likely this child will have a majestic, noble name. I'm not ruling out the possibility of a Robert Kardashian III though, after Rob and his late father.
Girl: Armani, Coco, Fantasia, Future, Harmoni, Ivory, Kleo, Queen, Roxy, Treasure
Boy: Ace, Knight, Legend, Major, Maverick, Messiah, Moses, Noble, Robert, Royal
*Update* It's a girl! Dream Renee Kardashian

Tana and Gordon Ramsay
Gender: girl
Siblings: Megan, Holly, Jack, Matilda
Typically, I look to older siblings' names to help make these predictions. However, when the current youngest child is going to be fourteen years older than the baby, it's hard to say whether or not the parents will chose a cohesive name. Such is the case with the Ramsays. As a whole, the sibset reads vaguely British (the couple is from the UK, after all). I don't think they'll chose anything wild and crazy, but perhaps something a little more modern.
Girl: Annie, Cecilia, Eleanor, Evie, Grace, Ivy, Josephine, Kate, Lena, Lucy, Piper, Victoria

Laura Gallacher and Russell Brand
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
Russell Brand's girlfriend is pregnant with their first child. She's Scottish, and he's British, so I doubt they'll chose anything too "American." If I had to guess, I would say this baby's name is going to be tasteful and European, but a bit unexpected.
Girl: Ailsa, Bryony, Dorothy, Eulalie, Henrietta, Imogen, Lileas, Maisie, Poppy, Zara
Boy: Alistair, Angus, Archie, Benedict, Callum, Duncan, Finlay, Rhys, Ronan, Teague
*Update* Russell and Laura's daughter is Mabel!

Monday, August 6, 2018

Celebrity Baby Name Predictions: Volume 24


Names are very revealing. They carry demographic information—names often give clues as to one's approximate age, race, nationality, and gender. However, our names say more about our parents than they do about us. A child's name can tell you a lot about his or her parents' values. 

For example, Jason Aldean and Brittany Kerr named their oldest son Memphis Aldean Williams. Memphis indicates their deep ties to the South—both as the birthplace of country music and of Jason and Brittany. And Aldean, the middle name baby Memphis shares with his father, tell us the couple values family, heritage, and tradition. 

Brittany is now pregnant with their second child, and I wonder if the same values will come across in this baby's name, or if new ones will be revealed. Likewise, what will we learn about the stars who have never named children before? Will Pippa Middleton use a family name for her baby, or choose something unexpected? Will Kate Upton go the typical supermodel route and pick a daring, bold baby name, or stick closer to her Midwestern roots with a safer, subdued choice? I've made my predictions below, but only time will tell. 

Hilary Duff and Matthew Koma
Gender: girl
Siblings: Luca Cruz (previous relationship)
It's going to be a girl for Hilary Duff and Matthew Koma, and the pair has taken to calling her "Baby B" on social media. So it appears as if she's going to have a B name, but which one? There are plenty of great options, but I'm holding out for Bianca, because that would be a nice addition to the sibset.
Girl: Bailey, Bea, Bella, Bianca, Blair, Blythe, Bree, Briar, Brinley, Brynn
*Update* Baby girl B is Banks Violet!

Pippa Middleton and James Matthews
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
What will the Duchess of Cambridge's sister name her baby? The bettors are saying Catherine or Michael. Michael seems like it's a distinct possibility—it's the name of Pippa's father, as well as James's late brother—but I'm not so sure that that the couple would name a daughter after her aunt. My best guess is that they'll choose something with traditional British class, but with some flair, as Pippa doesn't have the same restrictions as her older sister.
Girl: Alice, Amelia, Caroline, Clara, Eleanor, Josephine, Madeline, Rosamund
Boy: Bennett, Edward, Frederick, Michael, Nicholas, Oliver, Peter, Thomas

Iva and Mike Colter
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Naiella
Mike Colter and his wife Iva gave their oldest daughter the name Naiella. Naiella is an invented name, yet it sounds very on-trend with names like Isabella, Gabriella, and Arabella floating around many American playgrounds. If baby number two is another girl, I expect we'll see another long and feminine name. For a boy, something cool and masculine.
Girl: Amina, Aziza, Callista, Ciara, India, Kalea, Lelia, Liliana, Samaya, Viviana
Boy: Adrian, Austen, Brody, Caden, Cairo, Dominic, Elijah, Julian, Mason, Roman

Elizabeth Smart and Matthew Gilmour
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Chloé, James
Elizabeth Smart and her husband Matthew Gilmour chose the enduring, modern staples Chloé and James for their first two children. Now that they're expecting baby number three, I don't see why they would stray from that tried and true pattern. While they're not for everybody, there's a reason names like Chloé and James are so well-liked—they are tailored, straightforward, and perennially stylish. It's likely that James and Chloé's new brother or sister will have a name along those same lines.
Girl: Audrey, Ella, Grace, Isabelle, Juliet, Lily, Lucy, Nora, Sophie, Violet
Boy: Charles, Elias, Henry, Lucas, Oliver, Peter, Sebastian, Theodore, William
*Update* Hello, Olivia!

Colleen Ballinger and Erik Stocklin
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
Colleen Ballinger is best known for her YouTube alter-ego Miranda Sings, a quirky and offbeat character with oodles of confidence. In real life, Colleen is much more subdued. In a 2015 video on her personal channel, she claimed her first-born would be named Lily or Noah. Has she deviated from those names in the past three years, or will she stick to her guns?
Girl: Aria, Aurora, Ella, Grace, Ivy, Lily, Olivia, Ruby, Sophia, Willow, Zoey
Boy: Ben, Evan, Finn, Jack, Jude, Logan, Luke, Mason, Max, Noah, Owen
*Update* It's a boy—Flynn Timothy!

Addison Timlin and Jeremy Allen White
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
Shameless actor Jeremy Allen White and Addison Timlin are a young, fashionable couple. The names that people in this demographic tend to choose are trendy up-and-comers, rather than well-established, classic names. Using that logic, I've picked out some names that I think Addison and Jeremy might like.
Girl: Cassia, Clementine, Elodie, Esme, Harlow, Haven, Jayne, Piper, Romy
Boy: Asher, Beckett, Callum, Charlie, Dashiell, Finn, Magnus, Sawyer, Wilder
*Update* It's a girl—Ezer Billie!

Brittany Kerr and Jason Aldean
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Keeley, Kendyl (previous relationship), Memphis Aldean
Jason Aldean is one of the top country stars, so it was no surprise when he gave his son the very countrified name Memphis back in 2017. Now that he and wife Brittany Kerr are welcoming their second child together so soon after their first, I predict that we will be hearing another name with some serious country vibes.
Girl: Annabelle, Emmeline, Georgia, Gracen, Layne, Maisie, Nova, Willow
Boy: Beau, Brooks, Dixon, Hayes, Jude, Knox, Macon, McCoy, Mercer, Nash
*Update* A girl—Navy Rome!

Kate Upton and Justin Verlander
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
Supermodel Kate Upton and Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander are expecting their first child later this year. In the past, supermodels have been known to choose incredibly fashionable (sometimes avant-garde) names—not unlike the clothes they wear down the runway. Will Kate Upton follow suit with her baby's name?
Girl: Bee, Coco, Dove, Elara, Etta, Josie, Lilac, Maelle, Mirabelle, Vale, Zella
Boy: Ash, Aubin, Bowden, Fielding, Hart, Jet, Lucan, Redford, Remy, True
*Update* Welcome, Genevieve Upton!