Celebrity Baby Name Predictions: Volume 25

I'm not in the business of predicting middle names, but I find them as equally fascinating as the first names I am in charge of prognosticating. Some parents choose middle names to honor loved ones, some use it as a place to go bold, and others are most concerned with the how the middle name adds to the flow of the full name.

Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher fall into the first category, giving their son the name Isaiah Michael—his middle being Dad's full first name. Robin Thicke's children have the daring middle names of Fuego and Love, and Nev Schulman's daughter has James in the middle (which I argue is a product of her 2016 birthday). Eddie Murphy's children have middle names including Mitchell, Ivy, and Oona, and Taylor Hanson's kids middles range from the expected to the out-there, with names like Anne, Ezra, and Moriah.

So even though I've only given my predictions for the first names, I'm very excited to see what this group of celebrities decides to go with for their children's middle names as well. Check out my musings, and leave a comment about potential middle name options!

Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher
Gender: girl
Siblings: Isaiah Michael
It's going to be a girl for Carrie Underwood and hockey player husband Mike Fisher. Three years ago they welcomed a son named Isaiah, a name that's understated (by celebrity standards) but speaks to their religious convictions. For their daughter I expect they'll go a similar route—a name that is on-trend, but with spiritual significance.
Girl: Abigail, Eden, Everly, Felicity, Grace, Haven, Layla, Madeline, Olivia
*Update* It's a boy—Jacob Bryan!

Troian Bellisario and Patrick J. Adams
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
Actress Troian Bellisario is known for having an unconventional name. Troian (pronounced TROY-en) is actually a family surname. Might they use a different family surname for their baby? (Marsh and Pratt are attractive options). It's a possibility, but I could also see them using something more established, perhaps like one of the following:
Girl: Anais, Astrid, Celeste, Colette, Dahlia, Esme, Fiona, Linnea, Sylvie, Wren
Boy: Alastair, Bastian, Bodhi, Clark, Cyrus, Harlan, Otto, Marsh, Pratt, Ronan

Laura Perlongo and Nev Schulman
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Cleo James
Cleo James Schulman was born in 2016, and her name definitely reflects that. After Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds named their daughter James in December of 2015, we saw a bunch of celebrities put it in the middle spot for their baby girls the following year. The trend has died down now (it's still happening, but not with the same frequency). In trying to come up with a 2018 equivalent, I couldn't think of any names that have made that same kind of impact. So I'm very curious to see what this baby's middle name will be, especially if it's a girl. Although for his or her first name, I feel like I have a better grasp on the possibilities.
Girl: Agnes, Della, Effie, Esme, Ivy, Nessa, Phoebe, Pippa, Romy, Tess, Zelda
Boy: Abe, Alistair, Bram, Felix, Hank, Harvey, Jasper, Joah, Noam, Otto, Rex
*Update* Welcome, Beau Bobby Bruce!

Lily Aldridge and Caleb Followill
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Dixie Pearl
Caleb Followill is a Southern boy, born and raised in Tennessee. It's no surprise then that he and wife Lily Aldridge gave their daughter the country-cute name Dixie in 2012. I'm expecting they might follow suit for baby number two's name—something similarly short, sweet, and oozing with Southern charm.
Girl: Birdie, Charlie, Delta, Emmie, Faye, Polly, Ruby, Sadie, Scarlett, Stella
Boy: August, Beau, Duke, Gage, Hudson, Jack, Jay, Kit, Lane, Sailor, Warren
*Update* Hello, Winston Roy!

April Love Geary and Robin Thicke
Gender: girl
Siblings: Julian Fuego (previous relationship), Mia Love
Robin Thicke's older two children's names follow one of my favorite patterns—a well-used (dare I say ordinary?) first name, paired with an unconventional middle. I don't know what April and Robin will use for baby girl's middle name—maybe something like True, Poet, or Winter—but here are my picks for her first name:
Girl: Allegra, Celia, Clara, Elena, Lea, Livia, Lola, Luna, Stella, Vera, Zoey
*Update* I got it—Lola Alain!

Paige O'Brien and Josh Peck
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
Josh Peck and his wife Paige O'Brien are young, fun, and a little bit goofy. So how will this translate into their baby's name? Well, I think we'll see something modern and lighthearted from this couple. Nothing too classic, long, or fussy. I could see Josh and Paige going with any of my picks, but who knows? Maybe they'll surprise us.
Girl: Ella, Hazel, Isla, Josie, Lila, Maya, Mina, Nora, Poppy, Tessa, Vivienne
Boy: Callum, Dylan, Elliot, Grady, Griffin, Leo, Liam, Miles, Nolan, Owen
*Update* Close one—Milo Max!

Paige Butcher and Eddie Murphy
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Eric, Bria, Christian, Miles Mitchell, Shaye Audra, Bella Zahra, Zola Ivy, Angel Iris (previous relationships), Izzy Oona
It's baby number ten (yep, ten) for Eddie Murphy. For having so many siblings ranging in ages from 2 to 29, this baby is entering into a surprisingly cohesive sibset. That being said, his or her name will probably be most similar to Izzy's, considering they will be the closest in age and share the same mother.
Girl: Ariel, Aviva, Cece, Dove, Enya, Jem, Lacey, Lux, Mia, Raya, True, Vivi, Willow
Boy: Axel, Cato, Dashiell, Fletcher, Flynn, Jack, Jude, Logan, Max, Nash, Sonny, Theo
*Update* Yep, baby boy is Max Charles!

Natalie and Taylor Hanson
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Jordan Ezra, Penelope "Penny" Anne, River Samuel, Viggo Moriah, Wilhelmina "Willa" Jane
Musician Taylor Hanson and wife Natalie have five (soon to be six) kids, and their names seem to be getting more adventurous as they go along. Their sons all have two-syllable first names and Biblical middles, while their daughters have long first names--but go by shorter nicknames--with conventional middles. Will they keep up this pattern for their next son or daughter?
Girl: Beatrice, Dorothea, Emmeline, Evangeline, Harriet, Henrietta, Josephine, Matilda
Boy: Declan, Gideon, Harmon, Magnus, Miles, Orin, Phineas, Rafferty, Tobin, Wolf
*Update* It's a boy—Claude Indiana Emmanuel!

Celebrity Baby Name Suggestions: Volume 2

Foss Design via Etsy

Celebrity baby naming is unpredictable, but that doesn't stop us from trying! Just as we're shocked when a famous parents chooses something way out of left field for their child (a la Jamie Oliver's Petal Blossom Rainbow or Gwyneth Paltrow's Apple), it's just as surprising to hear them pick a common name (like Michael Buble's Noah or Matt Damon's Isabella). That being said, there are some tricks to celebrity baby name predictions, so let's look into the crystal ball.

Emily Blunt and John Krasinski
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Hazel
Hazel is super sweet and subtly vintage. I think they'll pick another on-trend name with retro roots.
Boy: August, Charlie, Felix, Finn, Julian, Louis, Oscar, Russell, Spencer, Toby, Walter
Girl: Ada, Cora, Fiona, Gemma, Georgia, Helena, Ivy, Phoebe, Poppy, Ruthie, Zara
*Update* Another color-nature name for the Krasinski clan--Violet!

Erica Hanson and Ike Barinholtz
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Foster (g)
The hilarious Ike Barinholtz (Morgan Tookers on The Mindy Project) and his wife Erica went the androgynous surname route for their little girl. I expect they'll choose something similar for baby #2, regardless of gender.
Boy: Coleman, Cormac, Fielding, Gardner, Hart, Holt, Huck, Shepherd, Sumner
Girl: Abbott, Campbell, Connelly, Hadley, Halsey, Hollis, Madden, Sheridan, Sloane
*Update* Another girl--Payton June!

Holly Madison and Pasquele Rotella
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Rainbow Aurora
Holly Madison surprised us all when it turned out she had secretly (and subtly) revealed the first name of her daughter via Twitter. In this article she reveals she likes word names as well as Disney inspired ones. Keeping that in mind, here are my predictions.
Boy: Anthem, Charming, Diesel, Dragon, Echo, Flynn, Hero, Spirit, Temple, Treasure, Valentine
Girl: Ariel, Chrysanthemum, Bliss, Bluebell, Fantasia, Forever, Holiday, Jubilee, Meadow, Pixie
*Update* She does love word names--baby boy is Forest Leonardo Antonio!

Alanis Morisette and Mario Treadway
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Ever Imre (b)
Imre, Alanis Morissette and Mario Treadway's son's middle name, is not one you hear often. It's actually a Hungarian name, which ties back to Morissette's heritage. Might we see another Hungarian choice? Or perhaps something from her French-Irish side of the family? More word names? I guess we'll wait and see.
Boy: Bence, Hawk, Judge. Justice, King, Laszlo, Maverick, Noble, Rogue, True
Girl: Emerald, Fable, Harbor, Haven, Ireland, Lyric, Mika, Rebel, Sailor, Story
*Update*  It's a girl for Alanis Morisette--Onyx Solace!

Lisa Ling and Paul Song
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Jett Ling (g)
Wow, we have a lot of word name-loving celebs this month! Lisa Ling named her daughter Jett back in 2013, and I'm curious to see if she chooses another unisex word name for baby number two.
Boy: Archer, Canyon, Cove, Dashiell, Dax, Fletcher, Fox, Kit, Park, Rex, Rocco
Girl: Bird, Domino, Grey, Indie, Liv, Max, Monroe, Poet, Scout, Sea, Sutton
*Update* It's a girl--Ray Ling Song!

Alexi Ashe and Seth Meyers
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
Late Night host Seth Meyers' wife Alexi are pregnant with their first. It's hard to make predictions about name choice without an older sibling's name to look to (they do have a dog named Frisbee, not that that helps), but I have a feeling this couple isn't going to choose anything wild and crazy.
Boy: Bennett, Conrad, Eli, Emmett, Ford, Graham, Henry, Jay, Judson, Lawson, Reid
Girl: Amelie, Cecilia, Eleanor, Eve, Fiona, Ivy, Lily, Madeleine, Nadia, Nina, Rosie
*Update* It's a boy, and his name is Ashe Olson--the maiden names of Alexi and Seth's mother. How sweet!

Paige Mitchell and Eddie Murphy
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Eric, Christian, Bria, Myles, Shayne, Zola, Bella, and Angel (g)
It's baby number nine for Eddie Murphy! With this many kids, it's hard to keep sibsets super cohesive. But taking inspiration from his youngest ones, I would expect the baby to be named...
Boy: Ace, Cash, Chaz, Jax, Jayce, Lynx, Phoenix, Xander, Zaire, Zack
Girl: Asha, Asia, Faith, Jade, Jasmine, Jolie, Journey, Liberty, Nala, Skyla
*Update* Hello, Izzy Oona!

Soleil Moon Frye and Jason Goldberg
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Poet Sienna Rose, Jagger Joseph Blue (g), and Lyric Sonny Roads (b)
After three babies, I think we have a pretty good handle on Soleil Moon Frye's naming style--artistic word names. She's a fan of gender-bending though, so I might as well have left off the boy and girl labels.
Boy: Crescent, Drummer, Freedom, Jazz, Journey, Ocean, Mystery, Rhapsody
Girl: Dancer, Dreamer, Fable, Galaxy, Pastel, Silhouette, Swan, Velvet, Whimsy
*Update* Soleil has welcomed a little boy named Story!

Nicky Hilton and James Rothschild
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
Coming from such a high-profile family, the pressure's on Nicky Hilton Rothschild to choose a marvelous name for her son or daughter. Something tells me it's going to be a little bit dramatic and extravagant, but still wearable.
Boy: Alastair, Augustine, Bennington, Charleston, Maximilian, Reginald, Whittaker
Girl: Angeline, Aurelia, Calixta, Clarissa, Emmeline, Simone, Valentina, Veronique
*Update* Welcome Lily Grace Victoria!

Liv Tyler and David Gardner
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Milo and Sailor Gene
When both of Liv Tyler's sons were born, their names were on the cusp of cool. I suspect she will make a similar choice when it comes to her third child.
Boy: Asa, Cyrus, Dashiell, Finn, Jude, Nico, Otto, Phoenix, Reid, Royce
Girl: Carys, Delilah, Elodie, Ivy, Luna, Marnie, Matilda, Pearl, Tallulah
*Update* I was close with Luna and Tallulah--baby girl is Lula Rose!

Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky

Gender: unknown

Siblings: Charlotte

A new Clinton baby will be arriving in the midst of a busy summer for it's presidental candidate grandma, Hillary. First daughter Chelsea and her husband Marc chose the name Charlotte for their first child--ranked at #10 the year she was born. Charlotte is a soft, vintage-inspired name that feels very current right now. My guess is her sibling will have a similar name. 

Boy: Andrew, Graham, James, Jasper, Julian, Harrison, Levi, Paul, Spencer, Thomas, William

Girl: Alice, Annabel, Audrey, Eleanor, Elizabeth, Evelyn, Genevieve, Lucy, Madeleine, Nora
*Update* Welcome Aidan Clinton Mezvinsky!

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. 

10 H Names You Never Thought of Using: Boys

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H names for boys. I love them. The only problem is that they're so popular. Henry, Harrison, and Hunter are great names, just too widely used for my taste. That's where this list comes in. If you love H names but hate their popularity, use one of these ten.

Haco- Two syllables, starts in H and ends in O? Haco has all the components of a popular name, yet doesn't even make the top 1000. This is the kind of name parents kill to find, so have at it.

Hadriel- Part Adrian, part Ariel, Hadriel is a completely masculine (even though the two previous names are unisex) and totally rad.

Hal- I really love Hal. He's an old school nickname that would make a great sibling to Gus, Sid, and Max.

Hale- Hale is modern and fresh with a boy-next-door quality. Bonus points for naming his sister Leah.

Hanson- A cool surname with definite first name potential. He would make a great alternative to the rising Harrison.

Harp- I think Harper has officially gone to the girls. Want a way around that? Try Harp. This unisex name feels pretty masculine, and is not yet claimed by any gender.
 
Hart- He's similar to Harp, just a little more romantic. Hart is a great short name, but many elementary school boys might not be in favor of it.

Hartigan- Don't want to commit to Hart? Use the Irish surname Hartigan instead. He's upbeat and charming, plus, Hartigan's is the name of an ice cream shop in my city. Sweet.

Harvey- Yes, I'm bias. Harvey is the name of baby puppy. He ranks in the 600s, making him the most popular name on this list, but he's still widely underused. And you know what? Now that I think about it, Harvey would make a great sibling for Hal, too.

Hewitt- Darn. Your sister just named her baby Hugo after beloved grandpa Hugh. Now how are you supposed to honor him? Hewitt. He's completely different and scarcely used. Just make sure his nickname is Witt, not Huey.

Holmes- Want a great hero name? Holmes is the answer. He's very culturally relevant right now, which is my only worry. Will he sound weird in thirty years?

Howell- I talked about Howell recently in my Full Names for Wells post. I think he's a great choice. With the nickname Wells, you really can't go wrong.

Chicago Names: City Streets

I'm all about subtle honor names--names that honor someone in a way that isn't obvious or flashy. Using the name of the street such honoree grew up on definitely fits into the "subtle honor" category. In fact, I have the name of the street I was born on on my short list for potential middles. Today I'm featuring Chicago street name--this is the city I live in, after all. I would love to make this a series to compare street names of cities around the country. Let me know which city you'd like to be featured next!