Full Names for Essie

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Most people haven't thought about using Essie as a nickname for their daughter. Let's face it--she's more synonymous with the nail polish brand than as a name. Essie works as a nickname for so many names, it's seems silly not to consider her. I have a list of some possible full forms. Take a look.

Expected:
Elisabeth- You can't go wrong with Elisabeth, and Essie would be an unexpected nickname.
Esther- This Biblical girl name is rising up the charts. Essie is one of her few nicknames.
Genesis- She's the most popular name on this list at #55. Skip the dated nickname Gen, and use Essie.
Jessica- Essie updates the '80s name Jessica.
Vanessa- Worried that Vanessa would be too much name for your child to handle? Calling her Essie is the perfect solution.

Unique:
Alessandra- This gorgeous Italian name doesn't need a nickname, but if I had to use one, I'd pick Essie.
Esmeralda- Chances are you'll want to call her Esme, but Essie is a nice option too.
Estelle- Estelle means star, which is perfect for a holiday baby!
Frances- I am partial to Francie as a nickname, but Essie is works just as well.
Francesca- I didn't include Essie on this list, but she's definitely usable.

Unheard of:
Alessia- She's the softer version of Alexia, and comes with better nicknames (in my opinion).
Essence- I don't see how you could not call an Essence Essie.
Jenessa- This invented name is a rarity, but she's more common in Canada than America.
Jessamine- Jessamine is one of those names I beg people to use. She's so pretty and unique, how could you go wrong?
Odessa- I talked about Odessa in last week's post about O names. More people should consider her as an option.

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!

Celebrity Baby Name Predictions: Volume 15

Each family has different traditions and values when it comes to naming their children, and celebrities are no different. Some, like Jessica Alba and Cash Warren, prefer the meanings of their children's names to be packed with significance. Their daughters are named Honor and Haven, which are both quite virtuous. Other stars, like James Corden and Cristiano Ronaldo, place value on family names. Cristiano Ronaldo's oldest son is a junior, which is the utmost way to honor the father in many families. James Corden's daughter is named Carey, for his wife's maiden name.

I'm most interested to see what naming values some first-time celebrity parents will have. Will Nathan Kress choose a name from his side of the family? Would Mindy Kaling pick a name inspired by one of her heroes (like Nora Ephron, perhaps?) I can't wait to find out!

Nicky Hilton and James Rothschild
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Lily Grace Victoria
Nicky Hilton and James Rothschild have a naming style I like to call "accessible royalty." Their daughter's name--Lily Grace Victoria--has a regal sound to it, with the two middles and classic names, but with a modern twist. I think their next child will have a name with a similar feel--rooted in royalty, but appropriate for a baby of 2017.
Girl: Adelaide, Cecilia, Charlotte, Chloe, Elizabeth, Juliette, Madeleine, Ruby
Boy: Charles, Henry, Jack, Jacob, Nathaniel, Oliver, Samuel, Theodore, William
*Update* Another girl--Teddy Marilyn!

Julia Carey and James Corden
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Max, Carey (g)
James Corden and his wife Julia used one of my favorite honor naming techniques--they gave their daughter Julia's maiden name as a first name--Carey. Carey (and its more widely-used form, Carrie) was most popular in the 1970s, while the Corden's son's name, Max, peaked in 2011. I'm hoping James and Julia choose a name that bridges the style gap between the two names, and leads to a cohesive sibset.
Girl: Abigail, Caroline, Emma, Gemma, Gracie, Greta, Laney, Leah, Molly, Phoebe
Boy: Callum, Charlie, Drew, Isaac, Jack, Luke, Miles, Nico, Nolan, Owen, Reid
*Update* A girl—Charlotte!

London Moore and Nathan Kress
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
Model and actress London Elise Moore and actor Nathan Kress are a young couple with strong family-oriented values. I have a feeling they might choose a name from one of their family trees. It turns out Nathan's side of the family has tons of great options, ranging from the classic to the quirky!
Girl: Alice, Anna, Caroline, Charlotte, Hazel, Janie, Katherine, Margaret, Mamie
Boy: Alexander, Charles, Henry, Jacob, James, Lewis, Marshall, Roy, Stone, Truett
*Update* It's a girl--Rosie Carolyn!

Mindy Kaling
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
On her TV show The Mindy Project, Mindy Kaling's character has a son named Leo. Considering she has a role in writing the script, I'd bet Leo is a name that Mindy likes (and maybe even made her list at one point or another). Keeping that in mind, I chose some names that share Leo's essence--short, friendly, and charming.
Girl: Emmy, Eva, Josie, Lila, Maya, Mina, Mira, Nora, Nina, Roxy, Ruby, Veda
Boy: Arlo, Asher, Dashiell, Eli, Emmett, Felix, Henry, Levi, Maxwell, Milo, Theo
*Update* Welcome, Katherine Swati!

Jessica Alba and Cash Warren
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Honor Marie, Haven Garner
Jessica Alba and Cash Warren love names that are rich with meaning, particularly those with a virtuous quality. Honor and Haven are modern virtue names--sweeter and subtler than the virtue names of yesteryear like Patience and Chastity. I'm hoping they stick with that theme for baby number three, although I'm not so sure how I feel about another potential H name. Would it be cute or gimmicky?
Girl: Aurora, Ember, Harbor, Harlow, Hollis, Hope, Ivy, Jade, Nova, Sage, Willow
Boy: Everett, Foster, Harris, Henry, Jasper, Jude, Lawson, Linden, Pax, Sailor, True
*Update* Baby boy is Hayes Alba!

Georgina Rodriguez and Cristiano Ronaldo
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Cristiano Jr., Eva Maria, Mateo (previous relationship)
Spanish soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo and his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez are expecting his fourth child--a brother or sister for the impeccably named Cristiano Jr., Eva Maria, and Mateo. His youngest two children have names that are quite fashionable in Spain, so my bet is that baby number four will have a trendy and stylish name as well.
Girl: Alba, Carolina, Elena, Helena, Isabel, Lola, Lucia, Luna, Marina, Sofia
Boy: Bruno, Gabriel, Iker, Leo, Luis, Marco, Martin, Niko, Oscar, Sebastian
*Update* A little girl--Alana Martina dos Santos Aveiro

Ashley Hinshaw and Topher Grace
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
Actors Ashley Hinshaw and Topher Grace are huge Harry Potter fans. Knowing how influential the series has been when it comes to baby name trends, I would not be surprised if the Graces chose a name of one of the minor characters. Not necessarily a name that's super out there, like Severus or Artemisia, but something with familiarity--perhaps Phineas or Emmeline.
Girl: Aurora, Emmeline, Honoria, Isla, Maisie, Millicent, Mirabella, Penelope
Boy: Connolly, Dexter, Gideon, Humphrey, Magnus, Otto, Phineas, Zacharias
*Update* Hello, Mabel Jane!

Brooklyn Decker and Andy Roddick
Gender: girl
Siblings: Hank
Hank is one of those old-school, every-man nicknames of the 20th century that is just beginning to have that "adorkable" status among parents. Now that Brooklyn Decker and Andy Roddick are expecting a daughter, I'm curious to hear what they pair with Hank. I'm clearly hoping for another sassy retro name!
Girl: Annie, Edie, Francie, Georgia, Louise, Lucille, Minnie, Nellie, Tess
*Update* Welcome, Stevie!

Initial Names

Many parents find themselves in positions where they want to name their child one name, but call them something completely unrelated. This can get tricky, especially with honor names. Luckily, I have thought of a solution. If you give your child a certain pattern of initials (whether it be with the first and middle or first and last) a whole new name can be created. Still confused? Watch this.

ED- Edie. Want to honor Great Aunt Ekaterina as well as Grandma Danette? Give your daughter those two names, but call her Edie instead.

EV- Evie. You love the name Etheline Vivienne, but really want a daughter named Evie? Here you go.

FE- Effie. Perfect for those times when Francesca Emiliana is just a little too long.

IO- Io. Not only do these initials make the sounds of a new name, they actually spell it too. If you think Io is too short and spunky for a given name, go ahead and name her Isabella Olivia, but call her by her initials (please).

JC- Jaycee. Your partner loves common names, but you love unique names, specifically Jemima Coralie. I'd say this is the perfect compromise.

KC- Casey. It's a shame that Kai has no nickname, except if you name him Kai Carraway then you can call him Casey as well.

KD- Katie? Cady. This one's a bit of a stretch, since Katie is spelled with a T. However, if you love the name Katie but are stuck naming your daughter Kelly Danielle after your partner's sister, you now have a way to use your favorite name.

KT- Katie. Kimball Therese is the name, and now your partner is brainstorming potential nicknames. Get him off his Kimmy kick and suggest Katie instead.

LC- Elsie. Elsa was your number one name for six years, but Frozen totally ruined it. I know how you feel. Lilia Celeste is a gorgeous name, and will make a better non-tainted way to get to Elsie.

LE- Ellie. Every first born daughter in your family is named Ludmila, but you're already called Millie. Lucky for you her name is Ludmila Eden, because now you can call her Ellie.

ME- Emme. You just adopted a two year old, and her name is already Mireya Elspeth. It's too bad you'll never get to use your favorite name, Emma. Luckily Mireya has set you up perfectly, because you can call her Emme.

RE- Ari. This is your last child, but you still have to honor Grandpa Raymond, Uncle Ezekiel, and Grandma Ardith. Is there such a way to do this? Kill three birds with one stone, name him Raymond Ezekiel and call him Ari.

SE- Essie. You can't picture yourself naming your daughter after your favorite nail polish brand, but what a cute nickname Essie would be. Are there any names that shorten to Essie? Not really. Susanna Elise is a much better choice than Essence (what?) and you still get the same nickname.

XE- Exie. Mom really wants you to choose Xanthe for your daughter's name after her grandmother who you never met, but you are reluctant. But hey, if you name her Xanthe Esmeralda then you can call her Exie. Cute.  

Word Names

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Word names make great middle names. We see it all the time with celebrities--Charlie Ballerina, Sparrow James Midnight, Buddy Bear, etc. But you don't need to be a celebrity to go big in the middle. The best part about middle name is that they are just that: in the middle! They aren't used on a regular basis, so have fun with it. I've got 150 options here, ranging from the safe and easy to the truly outrageous. It's all after the jump.

Romantic Word Names for Valentine's Day

Levi Fignar via Dribbble

Word names are always a good choice (especially when it comes to middle names), and I love the subtle whimsy of using one to play homage to the holiday that your baby was born around. The following romantic word names are perfect for a baby born any day this week.

Beau- Beau is an established name that no longer seems very wordy, which makes him the perfect inconspicuous Valentine's Day choice.

Bisou- Bisou is the French word for "kiss," but would sound charming and name-like to many American ears.

Chérie- Another French choice, "ma chérie" is a phrase meaning "my darling." How cute would that be on a little girl?

Cherish- A modern virtue name that reminds us of love and affection.

Crimson- This shade of red pops up all over the place in February.

Darling- Can Darling shed her pet-name status? For now, at least, she makes a great middle.

February- An unexpected month name that's fresher than April or June.

Fidelity- I think Fidelity will one day give Felicity a run for her money. Until then, she's an under-the-rader choice that connotates love and attachment.

Harp- One of the most romantic instruments, and a lovely alternative to Harper.

Heart- The symbol of Valentine's Day. For a less obvious spelling, go with Hart.

Holiday- More bold and obvious than most of the other names on this list, but there's nothing wrong with that.

Love- At it's essence, Valentine's Day is a holiday about love. How sweet would Love be on a February 14th born baby?

Poem- Poem is one of my favorite word names for any time of the year, but she works especially well around Valentine's Day.

Promise- Another up-and-coming virtue name with romantic undertones.

Rose- No other flower is as synonymous with Valentine's Day.

Sonnet- The most amorous type of poem, used regularly by Shakespeare.

Unity- Love unites two people, making Unity a sweet and subtle choice for a Valentine's Day babe.

Valentine- Of course, you could always get straight to the point with Valentine.

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!