Nautical Names

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I profiled Beachy Names last week, and while this is a similar post (a few names overlap), Nautical Names are much different. Beachy Names have a laid back, summery feel, where as Nautical Names are much preppier, and less nature-y. Which do you prefer? Let me know.

Anchor- The symbol of preppiness everywhere, Anchor makes a wonderful name for your strong, sea-loving son or daughter.

Beacon- As in lighthouse. I've talked about Beacon many times before (here, here, here, and here) with the hopes of convincing people to use it. No luck yet, but I'm still hopeful.

Catalina- A Catalina is a type of yacht, and arguably, one of the most usable names on this list. No one would blink an eye at a baby named Catalina, or, at least I wouldn't.

Crew- All boats need a crew, so why not have it be your son? He's short, punchy, and with similarities to names like Cruz, makes a spectacular nautical name.

Harbor- Harbor is a name I'm always telling people to use. It can be used on a boy or girl, and it's the best alternative to Harper.

Marina- Some people park their boats in the Harbor, others, the Marina. Sibset potential? Marina is very graceful and feminine--qualities not often found in preppy or nautical names.

Nautica- Sometimes names with subtle connections are in order, and other times they are not. Nautica falls into the latter camp, as she is merely one letter away from being "nautical."

Navy- Navy and white are the two most nautical colors, but unfortunately White doesn't work as a name. But Navy is a lovely name, so long as you convince people it's after the color, not the branch of military.

Sailor- Even though Christie Brinkley named Sailor back in 1998, the name has only recently experienced mega-gains. Sailor is a unisex name, but is currently used for girls 90% of the time.

Sea- Sea is one of my very favorites. She's ethereal and whimsical and oh-so-lovely.

Skipper- A skipper is a captain of a boat, as well as Barbie's little sister. That makes me see it as more of a girls name, but I suppose it would also work well on boys. Skip, Skippy, and Kip are some possible nicknames.

Celebrity Baby Name Predictions: Volume 30

Creating a coordinated sibset can be hard enough, but when the siblings in question are half-siblings, it’s even harder. A new partner means a new set of opinions and ideas to account for, so frequently sibset cohesion is a preference that gets discarded in favor of an eclectic sibset (nothing wrong with that!).

Half of our celebrities this month will be naming half-siblings, so I’m curious to see where they fall along the sibset coordination continuum. It seems likely that Jamie Bell, Randy Houser, and Doug Reinhardt will all use names that pair well with their older sons’. Myleene Klass, on the other hand, has already embraced the eclectic sibset model with daughters named Ava and Hero. I’m looking forward to hearing what she chooses for their half-sister or brother.

Take a look at my predictions and let me know your suggestions in the comments. Also, let me know—have you named half-siblings? How did you feel about sibset cohesion?

Krysten Ritter and Adam Granduciel

Gender: unknown

Siblings: none

Krysten Ritter recently debuted her baby bump at the Oscar’s—her first child with War on Drugs frontman Adam Granduciel. People in hip bands often use hip baby names, and Krysten and Adam should be no exception to the rule. Any one of these hipster-chic baby names would be adorable on their son or daughter.

Girl: Clementine, Delilah, Eloise, Harriet, Juniper, Louisa, Lux, Mabel, Nova, Pearl

Boy: Alaric, Ansel, Calder, Hugo, Linus, Magnus, Milo, Rafferty, Thoren, Winston

Zinzi Evans and Ryan Coogler

Gender: unknown

Siblings: none

Director Ryan Coogler’s films have met much acclaim over the past few years—Fruitvale Station, Creed, and most recently, Black Panther. African American identity is a major theme throughout his works—I could definitely see him and wife Zinzi choosing a name inspired by a black historic or cultural icon for their son or daughter.

Girl: Clarissa, Ella, Eulalie, Ida, Natalie, Pearl, Ruby, Sadie, Simone, Zora

Boy: Alexander, August, Carver, Henry, Langston, Levi, Marshall, Miles, Quincy, Walker

Kate Mara and Jamie Bell

Gender: unknown

Siblings: Jack Matfin (previous relationship)

Actors Jamie Bell and Kate Mara are expecting their first child together later this year. Jamie’s five-year-old son is named Jack—the sort of every-boy name that can work in many a sibset. I chose names that paired well with Jack for Kate and Jamie—most of them with a slight British accent (since Jamie hails from the UK).
Girl: Cecilia, Clare, Esme, Frances, Maeve, Mia, Ruby, Sadie, Tessa, Zelda

Boy: Alistair, Camden, Graham, Grant, Henry, Jude, Louis, Owen, Rex, Wells

Myleene Klass and Simon Motson

Gender: unknown

Siblings: Ava Bailey and Hero Harper (previous relationship)

Singer Myleene Klass has taken to calling her baby bump “Snoop,” although I’d be surprised if that’s a hint about his or her name. Her older two daughter are Ava and Hero—two very different names stylistically. She could go in either direction for baby number three’s name—maybe even a completely new one (might his or her name actually be Snoop?)—but these are some names that could bridge the gap between Ava and Hero.

Girl: Bea, Della, Honor, Juno, Lula, Lux, Scout, Romy, Roxy, Zadie

Boy: Bram, Cosmo, Emrys, Felix, Jude, Phoenix, Rhys, Roscoe, Kit

Maryse Ouellet and Mike "The Miz" Mizanin

Gender: unknown

Siblings: Monroe Sky

Maryse and Mike Mizanin seem to have branded themselves the “M” family. With everyone having an M as both their first and last initial, the odds are in favor of baby number two having a name that follows suit. That narrows the pool significantly, but there are still so many M options to choose from! Maryse is from Montreal, so I would love to see she and Mike choose something with French influence—maybe Mardi or Maelle.

Girl: Macyn, Madigan, Maelle, Mardi, Mariana, Marley, Marlowe, Marvel, Meilani, Mila

Boy: Madden, Maddox, Major, Matthias, Maverick, Maxx, Memphis, Mercer, Milan, Myles

Tatiana Starzynski and Randy Houser

Gender: unknown

Siblings: West (previous relationship)

With a dog named Hawk and a son named West, it’s clear country singer Randy Houser likes rugged word names for boys. I could especially see him and Tatiana going for something like Crew or Nash. If it’s a girl, I think we will see something similarly rough-and-tumble, modern, and not too feminine—I like the idea of Brynn or Marlowe.

Girl: Brynn, Emlyn, Frankie, Henley, Laurel, Leighton, Lou, Marlowe, True

Boy: Cord, Crew, Ever, Ford, Gray, Hayes, Jett, Lincoln, Maverick, Nash
*Update* Welcome, Huckleberry Randolph!

Hayley Stommel and Tyler Hubbard

Gender: boy

Siblings: Olivia Rose

Another country starbaby! Although this country star has different style. Hayley and Tyler Hubbard chose the name Olivia Rose for their daughter—a classic combo, and one that’s pretty easy to like. Now they’re expecting a son, but I have a feeling they’ll follow the same system. It’s likely they’ll go with another inoffensive choice, probably another name in the top 100.

Boy: Blake, Brady, Ethan, Jackson, Landon, Logan, Lucas, Mason, Nolan, Zachary

Mia Irons and Doug Reinhardt

Gender: boy/boy twins

Siblings: Koby (previous relationship)

It’s going to be identical twin boys for Mia Irons and Doug Reinhardt! Naming twins poses an extra challenge—the names should be matched as a pair, but also fit in within the larger sibset. Doug has a son named Koby, so I’m expecting something similarly short and punchy for his next two sons. He and Mia can mix and match any of the following options:

Boy: Ace, Beck, Bo, Chase, Dash, Drake, Hayden, Jake, Jax, Logan, Roman, Van

Celebrity Baby Name Predictions: Volume 20

New year, new crop of celebrity pregnancy announcements. We're starting 2018 off right with some great ones! Hugh Grant as well as Fixer Upper stars Chip and Joanna Gaines will all be adding baby number five to their households this year. America Ferrera is expecting her first child later in 2018, and Pete Wentz is tasked with naming a sister to Bronx Mowgli and Saint Lazslo (what will he choose?)

By the looks of it, 2018 is not going to disappoint when it comes to celebrity baby names. I've made some predictions for what those names might be below--how do they compare with yours?

Jamie Lynn Spears and Jamie Watson

Gender: unknown

Siblings: Maddie Briann (previous relationship)

Jamie Lynn Spears (sister of Britney) chose the name Maddie Briann for her daughter back in 2008. That name is relatively restrained for celebrity standards, so I'm not expecting to see anything crazy from Jamie and Jamie for this next baby. If it's a girl, I think a well-liked, feminine name is in order. For a boy, something nickname-y or a modern classic.

Girl: Bella, Chloe, Elle, Grace, Isla, Lily, Nora, Ruby, Scarlett, Sienna

Boy: Charlie, Grant, Jack, Jude, Liam, Logan, Luke, Noah, Wyatt, Zeke
*Update* It's a girl--Ivey Joan!

America Ferrera and Ryan Piers Williams

Gender: unknown

Siblings: none

Sometimes when someone has an "extreme" name (either extremely popular or extremely unusual), they give their child a name that is completely different from their own. Such might be the case with America Ferrera. She recently told Stephen Colbert that she wouldn't be naming her baby after a "land mass or an idea." That makes me think she is looking at more well-known, perhaps even ordinary name for her son or daughter.

Girl: Celeste, Eleanor, Esme, Isabel, Lucy, Luna, Maya, Mila, Tessa, Viola

Boy: Arlo, George, Jasper, Jonas, Leo, Nico, Sebastian, Theodore, Wesley
*Update* Hello, Sebastian Piers!

Meagan Camper and Pete Wentz

Gender: girl

Siblings: Bronx Mowgli (previous relationship), Saint Lazslo

Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz is known for giving his children out-there names. He and his partner Meagan Camper are expecting their first daughter, and the possibilities for her name are endless. My guess is that they'll go with another word name for her--possibly one of the following:

Girl: Coco, Marvel, Navy, Olympia, Pixie, Roux, Sparrow, Spring, Velvet
*Update* Wow, I called this one--baby girl is Marvel Jane!

Joanna and Chip Gaines

Gender: unknown

Siblings: Drake, Ella Rose, Duke, Emmie Kay

HGTV power-couple Chip and Joanna Gaines are expecting baby number five, but they have a pretty limited name pool for him or her. Each of their daughters has a two syllable E name with a single-syllable middle name, and each of their sons has a single-syllable D name with a "K" sound at the end. Can Chip and Joanna find another name within these tight parameters, or is something going to give?

Girl: Eddie, Eden, Edie, Effie, Elin, Esme, Estelle, Eva, Evangeline, Evie

Boy: Dakota, Dallas, Dane, Dash, Dax, Dean, Decker, Drew, Dustin, Dylan
*Update* Not another D name--welcome Crew!

Zara and Mike Tindall

Gender: unknown

Siblings: Mia

Zara Tindall is pregnant with her second child—so what is a name fit for the Queen of England's great-grandchild? They went with Mia the first time around—a short and sweet name that feels right at home in Great Britain. I'm expecting something similar for their next baby—something trim and polished, but with plenty of style.

Girl: Ada, Anna, Eliza, Ella, Emma, Grace, Hallie, Iris, Marnie, Nora, Sadie

Boy: Arthur, Eli, Finn, Hugo, Jude, Lenny, Max, Miles, Ralph, Rex, Teddy
*Update* Another girl--Lena Elizabeth!

Haylie Duff and Matt Rosenberg

Gender: unknown

Siblings: Ryan Ava Erhard

Haylie Duff and Matt Rosenberg paired the masculine Ryan with the ultra-feminine, vintage Ava for their first-born daughter. Will we see a similar pattern with their second baby—two names that fall on opposite ends of the spectrum, yet work surprisingly well together? I suspect we might.

Girl: Addison, Blake, Eden, Greer, Kennedy, Logan, Piper, Quinn, Reese

Boy: Brady, Carter, Gray, Kieran, Kingston, Luca, Maddox, Royce, Walker
*Update* Welcome, Lulu Gray!

Jinger Duggar and Jeremy Vuolo

Gender: unknown

Siblings: none

Jinger Duggar is known as the most stylish sister among the Duggar family, so I'm hoping that translates into baby names as well. Lately her sisters have been choosing more traditional names for their sons (Henry and Samuel), but maybe we'll see something a bit more daring—but still Biblical—from Jinger and Jeremy.

Girl: Abra, Atara, Chloe, Keturah, Mary, Phoebe, Priscilla, Rebekah, Salome

Boy: Abner, Asa, Charles, Daniel, Jude, Lazarus, Malachi, Phineas, Tobiah
*Update* A virtue name--Felicity Nicole!

Anna Eberstein and Hugh Grant

Gender: unknown

Siblings: Tabitha Xaio Xi, Felix Chang Hong (previous relationship), John Mungo, Daughter (name not released)

Even though Hugh Grant hasn't publicly revealed the name of his youngest child, I am holding out hope that we get to hear the name of his fifth baby! Based on the names of his children that we do know, I'd wager that this baby will have a fashionable, vintage-inspired name that possibly honors a relative of Hugh or Anna.

Girl: Alice, Clarissa, Cornelia, Eliza, Helena, Juliet, Lydia, Rose, Susanna

Boy: Anton, Benedict, Charles, Finn, Graham, Henry, James, Miles, Oliver