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. 

Celebrity Baby Name Suggestions: Volume I

via The Modern Mark

Here's a fun and light-hearted post for your Friday. I give some high-profile celebrities suggestions for their future babys' name. Let me know if you like it (and if there are any celebs you want me to include in the next round).

Anne Hathaway and Adam Shulman
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
Anne Hathaway's sweet personality and understated-yet-glamorous style make me think she'll choose something equally charming for her future babe.
Boy: Arthur, Bastien, Benedict, Conrad, Garrison, Ira, Philip, Phineas, Samson, Teddy
Girl: Agnes, Camille, Celeste, Eliza, Harriet, Linnea, Millie, Ophelia, Rosemary, Tess
*Update* Welcome Jonathan Rosebanks! Definitely a classic and classy choice.

Kimberley and James Van Der Beek
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Olivia, Annabel, and Joshua
They picked three well-liked names for their current children, why not choose one more?
Boy: Elijah, Gabriel, Ian, Jackson, Maxwell, Nathaniel, Owen, Samuel, Thomas
Girl: Charlotte, Elizabeth, Ella, Grace, Julia, Leah, Nora, Piper, Sophia, Victoria
*Update* Baby girl is here--her name is Emilia

Amelia Warner and Jamie Dornan
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Dulcie
Dulcie is quirky, cute, and oh-so-British. Sticking with that theme, here are my picks.
Boy: Archie, Freddie, Harry, Harvey, Kit, Leon, Louis, Ollie, Remy, Rex, Toby
Girl: Cleo, Esme, Evie, Freya, Georgie, Hattie, Marnie, Phoebe, Scarlett, Sylvie
*Update* It's a girl--Elva!

Rose Byrne and Bobby Cannavale
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
Rose Byrne is incredibly chic and stylish. She's going to be one of those celebrities whose baby's name becomes a national sensation. Her boyfriend is Italian and Cuban, so a cross-cultural choice seems to be in order.
Boy: Carlo, Caspian, Cecilio, Enzo, Ezio, Laszlo, Leo, Marcello, Octavio, Rafe, Silvio
Girl: Allegra, Antonella, Eloisa, Estella, Fia, Flora, Florence, Lucinda, Simona. Zelda
*Update* It's a boy! His name is Rocco, so I was right on with the cross-cultural name.

Chrissy Teigen and John Legend
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
No doubt such a trendy, high profile power-couple will pick a name to match.
Boy: Anchor, Arrow, Beck, Dex, Ever, Jethro, Neon, Onyx, Quest, Teague
Girl: Avalon, Aziza, Bellamy, Geneva, Lux, Roxie, Salome, Valencia, Zadie
*Update* Welcome Luna Simone Legend!

Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock
Gender: boy
Siblings: River Rose
River Rose's little brother is going to have an equally on-trend but under-the-radar name (and possibly another double nature name).
Boy: Arrow, Birch, Dune, Echo, Edge, Everest, Indigo, Oak, Pine, Ridge, Summit, Timber
*Update* Not a nature name, but another R name--welcome Remington Alexander!

Luisana Lopilato and Michael Buble
Gender: boy
Siblings: Noah
When celebrities have the guts to choose a top ten name (nevermind the #1 name), they couldn't care less about popularity. Noah's little bro will most likely have an established, top 100 name.
Boy: Ben, Elijah, Gavin, Hudson, Isaac, Isaiah, Joshua, Levi, Nathan, William
*Update* Baby boy is Elias! I was close.

Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Willa Lou and River (b)
Keri Russell is ahead of the curve when it comes to giving her babies names. Her older two kids were named well before their names were on anyones' minds.
Boy: Benno, Bram, Dez, Fintan, Grove, Joss, Ned, Oswald, Roscoe, Thoren, Wells
Girl: Anouk, Clover, Darcy, Frankie, Isa, Lotus, Luella, Pia, Primrose, Poet, Soleil
*Update* Hello, Sam!

Ginnifer Goodwin and Josh Dallas
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Oliver Finlay
Oliver Finlay has that "it" factor. It's a name that sounds so impeccably cool--you kind of want to use it on your own baby.
Boy: Dashiell, Ezra, Henry, Julian, Miles, Nolan, Sebastian, Wesley
Girl: Alice, Cora, Gemma, Hazel, Ivy, Lola, Sadie, Stella, Violet

*Update* It's a boy—Hugo Wilson!

Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Arabella and Joseph
Arabella and Joseph. Ultra-feminine vs. ultra-classic. These are traditional parents in every sense of the word, so I bet they'll follow the same protocol with baby #3.
Boy: Andrew, Benjamin, Charles, Jonathan, Michael, Nicholas, Samuel, William
Girl: Alexandria, Anastasia, Francesca, Julianna, Luciana, Valentina, Viviana
*Update* It's a boy! Name is Theodore James

Heather Morris and Taylor Hubbell
Gender: boy
Siblings: Eli
Short, sweet, and very casual. If we use that model, Eli will have a brother named:
Boy: Ben, Charlie, Cole, Evan, Finn, Gabe, Jack, Jake, Jace, Luke, Reid, Sam
*Update* Baby boy is Owen Bartlett

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

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 28

The new year brought with it a barrage of celebrity pregnancy announcements. We’re starting off 2019 strong with stars like Gordon Ramsay and Kobe Bryant adding little ones to their (already large) families. Other notables like Andy Cohen and Katy Tur are each going to welcome their first child this year. And of course, what is going to be one of the most hotly anticipated birth announcements of 2019, the Kardashian West baby. Yes, North, Saint, and Chicago are getting another sibling, and he or she is going to have an unconventional name to match. So start placing your bets now (and maybe take out your dictionary), because we’ve got an eventful year ahead of us.

Joana Pak and Steven Yeun

Gender: unknown

Siblings: Jude Malcolm

Actor Steven Yeun and photographer Joana Pak are expecting another little one! Their oldest is Jude Malcolm—a handsome name that feels timely but not trendy. My guess is we’ll see something along the same lines for baby number two, potentially one of the following:
Girl: Audrey, Chloe, Isla, Lily, Luna, Mae, Mila, Nora, Ruby, Sadie, Stella, Wren

Boy: Asher, Beckett, Elliot, Flynn, Graham, Holden, Jonas, Leo, Miles, Owen, Rhys

Margo Price and Jeremy Ivey

Gender: unknown

Siblings: Judah, Ezra

Nashville-based country singer Margo Price is pregnant with her third child. She gave her twins, born in 2010, the stylish biblical names Judah and Ezra. The odds are high that Margo and Jeremy will use another name from the Bible for their next baby, especially if it’s a boy. These are my top picks:

Girl: Anna, Evangeline, Lydia, Mabel, Mae, Matilda, Ruth, Selah, Tabitha

Boy: Amos, Asher, Elijah, Gideon, Isaac, Levi, Micah, Noah, Samuel, Silas
*Update* It's a girl—Ramona Lynn!

Katy Tur and Tony Dokoupil

Gender: boy

Siblings: none

When it comes to celebrity baby names, journalists and reporters tend to be less outrageous than other stars. Katy Tur is pregnant with her first child, and I am not expecting anything along the lines of Kulture or Chicago. She and husband Tony Dokoupil are much more likely to use a familiar and fashionable classic for their son’s name. However, Katy’s middle name is Bear, which would be a fun honorific.

Boy: Alexander, Benjamin, Bear, Emmett, James, Jasper, Luca, Nathaniel, Theodore
*Update* Yes, baby boy is Theodore, called Teddy!

Andy Cohen

Gender: boy

Siblings: none

Bravo producer and Real Housewives wrangler Andy Cohen is set to welcome a son in the next few weeks! Rumor has it that the name is already picked out, although Andy hasn’t shared any hints as to what it might be. Andy has a bright, loud, and fun personality and doesn’t take himself too seriously—qualities that may be present in his son’s name. I highly doubt we are going to see something too vintage, lengthy, or fussy.

Boy: Asa, Axel, Cosmo, Cyrus, Fox, Gus, Knox, Levi, Louis, Otto, Rex, Romer
*Update* Welcome, Benjamin Allen!

Chloe Melas and Brian Mazza

Gender: boy

Siblings: Leo

It’s another boy for reporter Chloe Melas and husband Brian Mazza. The pair are already parents to their son Leo, who was born in 2017. Do you remember what I said about journalists and baby names before? I don’t anticipate Chloe and Brian will choose a name from out of left field for this baby either. One of these names would be apt:

Boy: Arlo, August, Ben, Everett, Finn, Henry, Julian, Quinn, Micah, Sam, Wyatt

Tana and Gordon Ramsay

Gender: unknown

Siblings: Megan, Jack, Holly, Matilda

Tana and Gordon Ramsay are having their fifth child, with a full 17-year age gap between their newest babe and current youngest, Matilda. Baby name taste can change dramatically over a period this long, but my guess would be that this little boy or girl will have a name that fits with his or her older siblings. I expect Baby Ramsay will have a name that is familiar, well-liked, and vaguely British.
Girl: Annie, Grace, Flora, Harriet, Ivy, Josephine, Kate, Lucy, Poppy, Ruby, Sophie

Boy: Charlie, Eli, Felix, Harrison, James, Liam, Luke, Milo, Oliver, Rory, Theo, Toby
*Update* It's a boy—Oscar James!

Vanessa and Kobe Bryant

Gender: girl

Siblings: Natalia, Gianna, Bianka

It’s baby girl number four for the Bryants! Vanessa and Kobe love their long and romantic Italian girl names, so I’d be shocked if they went in a different direction. My top choice for Natalia, Gianna, and Bianka’s sister is Chiara—a vastly underused Italian name that is related to Claire. That being said, any of these other choices would be lovely as well.

Girl: Allegra, Arianna, Chiara, Giuliana, Francesca, Luciana, Mariella, Sienna, Simona, Viviana

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West

Gender: unknown

Siblings: North, Saint, Chicago

2019 is going to be a good one, because we have another Kardashian baby! And not just any Kardashian baby, a Kim Kardashian-Kanye West baby, who we know is going to have a name that will blow our minds. After three kids, Kim and Kanye’s naming style is clear—obscure word names. My favorites for them are listed here, but in all likelihood Kim and Kanye are going to choose a name that no one could have ever predicted.

Girl: Ciel, Dove, Forever, Glory, Halo, Karma, Lux, Majesty, Moon, Poetry, Revel, Soul, Wisdom

Boy: Brave, Champ, Chief, Epic, Ever, Four, Hero, Knight, Loyalty, Noble, Quest, Stellar, Winner
*Update* Psalm West!

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!

Nicknames for Jonathan

Image Credit

Jonathan may have peaked in 1985, but at #42 on the popularity charts, it's safe to say he's still going strong. He's a modern classic, which is appealing to many parents. However, sometimes Jonathan needs a nickname. Whether he's a junior or you just want options, there are plenty of nicknames to choose from.

Jack--Jack is a common diminutive of John, so he makes perfect sense as a nickname for Jonathan. Jack is an every-boy name, but beware--he's popular on his own and as a nickname, so there are more Jacks out there than the data suggests.

John or Jon--You can't beat a classic. Jon is the easiest nickname for Jonathan, and has a standard, sturdy feel.

Johnny--Johnny is definitely dated, but stands at a solid #266 in the top 1000. He is a retro pick that is ripe for revival, along with brothers Billy, Jimmy, and Eddie.

Nat--Nat may be concise, but he sure is suave. If you're looking for an unexpected, classy nickname for Jonathan, Nat's your man.

Nate--Nate is an extremely popular nickname, especially where I live. He can be used as a nickname for Nathaniel or Nathan, but is more surprising when used for Jonathan.

Nathan--Nathan is not often used as a nickname for Jonathan, mostly because he's a popular name in his own right. At #31, he's even more popular than Jonathan. That doesn't mean you can't use him in this way--in fact, it's a great option if you love both Nathan and Jonathan.

Natty--Natty absolutely has a younger feel to him, but sometimes parents are only looking for a young childhood nickname. He's cute, spunky, and upbeat. If he did want to wear the nickname into adulthood, it wouldn't be that big of a deal. I know a Natty, and I don't find his name startling at all.

Than--Than is my favorite of this list. He's modern, sleek, and extremely rare. Than is the most unique nickname for Jonathan, and would age nicely.

Celebrity Baby Name Predictions: Volume 7

Yannick Kalaydjian via Dribbble

Happy Friday everyone! I'm still on hiatus (it's been a busy quarter!), but here is a post I wrote for Nameberry in the meantime.

Some big celebrity broods are about to get bigger--Kelsey Grammer is going to be a dad to seven kids, and Mel Gibson's girlfriend is expecting his ninth! Predicting names for such huge families is a daunting task. People's naming styles tend to change over time, especially when they've been naming children for over a generation. That being said, sometimes name preference doesn't change! There are some large celebrity sibsets that go together really well--the Gibson family is a great example.

Besides the Gibsons and Grammers, there are plenty more exciting celebrity baby name predictions this month. Natalie Portman, Marion Cotillard, and Pharrell Williams are all going to be parents of two. I've made my predictions for them (and more!) below.

Vanessa and Nick Lachey
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Camden John, Brooklyn Elisabeth
Baby number three is on the way for the Lacheys! Both Camden and Brooklyn are well-liked names with androgynous sounds, so let's see if their brother or sister will have a name that follows the pattern.
Girl: Addison, Aubrey, Berkeley, Gracen, Harper, Kennedy, Noa, Quincy
Boy: Asher, Beckett, Declan, Easton, Everett, Hayden, Levi, Sawyer, Wyatt
*Update* Hello, Phoenix Robert!

Rosalind Ross and Mel Gibson
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Hannah, Christian, Milo, Lucia, Louis, Thomas, Edward, William (all from previous relationships)
For such a large celebrity family, Mel Gibson's children have surprisingly cohesive names. He definitely has a style--European royalty. I expect nothing less for his ninth baby.
Girl: Amelia, Caroline, Clara, Eleanor, Elizabeth, Emma, Katherine, Lydia, Mary, Rose
Boy: Andrew, Benjamin, Charles, Frederick, George, James, Oliver, Richard, Samuel
*Update* European indeed--Scandinavian to be exact. Welcome Lars Gerard!

Kayte and Kelsey Grammer
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Spencer, Greer, Mason Olivia, Jude Gordon (all from previous marriages), Faith Evangeline Elisa, Kelsey Gabriel Elias
Unlike the Gibson clan, Kelsey Grammer's sibset encompasses a wide range of styles. However, baby #7 has the same mom as Faith and Kelsey, so I think he or she will have a sensible and stylish first name with two fashionable middles.
Girl: Annabelle, Audrey, Elizabeth, Genevieve, Grace, Lily, Mia, Scarlett
Boy: Benjamin, Christian, Isaac, Levi, Nathaniel, Noah, Owen, Zachary
*Update* Welcome, Auden James Ellis!

Elizabeth Chambers and Armie Hammer
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Harper (g)
There are so many celebrity sibsets containing Harper: Harper and Gideon; Harper, Brooklyn, Romeo, and Cruz; Harper, Hayley, and Hannah; Harper and Weston--I could go on! There are many different directions in which the Hammers could go for their Harper's younger sibling, but I have a feeling it will be another tailored, on-trend choice.
Girl: Avery, Charlotte, Ellery, Emerson, Hazel, Lucy, Marlowe, Ruby, Vivian
Boy: Beckett, Ellis, Finn, Graham, Grayson, Jack, Liam, Rowan, Sawyer
*Update* It's a boy--Ford Douglas Armand!

Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millepied
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Aleph
After choosing the wonderfully rare Hebrew name Aleph for her son, I cannot wait to hear what Natalie Portman picks for baby #2. There are so many fantastic, under-the-radar Hebrew names out there, it was hard to keep my predictions short!
Girl: Adalia, Adira, Bethel, Chava, Feya, Haviva, Leeza, Leora, Mehira, Niva, Raya, Zadie
Boy: Bram, Dovev, Eben, Eitan, Eliaz, Gavi, Israel, Lev, Lior, Nahir, Noam, Samson, Tal, Yael
*Update* Hello Amalia!

Allison Pill and Joshua Leonard
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
Allison Pill and her husband Joshua live low-key lives outside of the spotlight. That leads me to believe that when it comes to baby names, they aren't going to choose something eccentric or outlandish. However, I do think their son or daughter will have a name with style--maybe one of the following:
Girl: Cecilia, Cora, Eleanor, Eva, Genevieve, Isabel, Lucy, Madeleine, Margaret, Phoebe
Boy: Andrew, August, Charlie, Elliott, Gabriel, Gavin, Henry, Julian, Max, Miles, Theo
*Update* It's a girl--Wilder Grace!

Marion Cotillard and Guillaume Canet
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Marcel
Ooh-la-la, let's talk French names! French couple Marion Cotillard and Guillaume Canet chose handsome Marcel for their son five years ago. Now that they're expecting a second child, I'm sure the fashionable duo will choose another stylish French appellation.
Girl: Anais, Colette, Elodie, Eulalie, Isabeau, Lilou, Maelys, Ophelie, Ottilie, Silvie, Simone
Boy: Claude, Clemence, Gable, Harvey, Henri, Lionel, Lucien, Maurice, Pascal, Remy
*Update* A girl--Louise!

Helen Lasichanh and Pharrell Williams
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Rocket Ayer
What do you name a sibling for Rocket? That's what Pharrell Williams and Helen Lasichanh have to figure out. I like the idea of another whimsical word name--especially one with a subtle theme (Zephyr or Zeppelin!).
Girl: Boheme, Domino, Eden, Jette, Moon, Poet, Rhapsody, Solstice, Story, Temple
Boy: Arrow, Axel, Indigo, Noble, Onyx, Rollo, True, Wilder, Zephyr, Zeppelin, Ziggy

Celebrity Baby Name Predictions: Volume 18

I've been making predictions long enough that now I'm forecasting the names of siblings for children whose names I've made predictions for. Such is the case with Chrissy Teigen and John Legend. In my very first set of predictions, almost two years ago, I suggested potential names for their baby who would eventually be dubbed Luna Simone. Now they are expecting baby number two, and I get to try my hand once again!

Likewise, I predicted (correctly, I might add) the name of Hilaria and Alec Baldwin's second son back in April of 2016. They recently announced that they will be having another baby boy in 2018, so we will see if I can get his name right as well.

Bethany Hamilton and Adam Dirks

Gender: unknown

Siblings: Tobias

Faith is very important to Bethany Hamilton and Adam Dirks, so it was no surprise when they gave their son the biblical name Tobias in 2015. Now that they are expecting their second child, it's almost a given that his or her name will also have biblical and religious significance.

Girl: Abigail, Ada, Eve, Dinah, Lillith, Naomi, Ruth, Susannah, Tabitha

Boy: Abel, Ezekiel, Ezra, Gideon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Judah, Nathaniel
*Update* It's a boy--Wesley Phillip!

Crystal Smith and Ne-Yo

Gender: unknown

Siblings: Madilyn Grace, Mason Evan (previous relationship), Shaffer Chimere Jr. 
Although Ne-Yo's youngest son is a junior with an uncommon name, his older two children have names that rank pretty high on the popularity charts. That makes me think his next child will have a name more in-line with his or her half siblings, rather than their brother. I like the idea of honoring Crystal with the name Gemma if the baby is a girl--it's a subtle honor name, but works well with the blended sibset. 

Girl: Arianna, Aubrey, Chloe, Gemma, Georgia, Kylie, Savannah, Sofia, Zoey

Boy: Asher, Camden, Carter, Jackson, Landon, Logan, Luke, Nolan, Owen
*Update* It's a boy--Roman Alexander-Raj

Hannah and Eddie Redmayne

Gender: unknown

Siblings: Iris Mary
Iris Mary is a sweet and understated name, which feels rare for celebrities these days. That was not a surprising choice coming from Hannah and Eddie Redmayne, who keep very quiet about their private lives. It's likely that their next child will be given a name with a similar feel--something vintage, slightly British, and nothing too outlandish. 

Girl: Clara, Coralie, Gloria, Lydia, Matilda, May, Phoebe, Ruby, Vivian, Willa

Boy: Callum, George, Henry, James, Miles, Oliver, Peter, Reid, Simon, Spencer
*Update* Welcome, Luke Richard!

Hilaria and Alec Baldwin

Gender: boy

Siblings: Ireland (previous relationship), Carmen Gabriela, Rafael Thomas, Leonardo Ángel Charles 

It's the third boy in a row for the Baldwins, and rumor has it they're sticking with the same theme for this baby--romantic artist names. There are plenty of stunning options to choose from, so even if they end up having three more boys, the inspiration will never run dry.

Boy: Antonio, Diego, Domenico, Eduardo, Francisco, Joaquin, Pablo, Ramon, Salvador, Sandro
*Update* Baby boy is Romeo Alejandro David!

Tia Mowry and Cory Hardrict

Gender: unknown

Siblings: Cree Taylor

Cree is a modern and unexpected name for a son. Of course, it sounds like it would fit in perfectly on almost any playground, yet it's rare to find Cree in a baby name book. It can be hard to find names in that sweet spot, but I'm certain Tia Mowry and Cory Hardrict are going to hit the nail on the head once again with baby number two.

Girl: Aura, Bay, Coco, Echo, Ever, Indie, Moon, Season, Sol, Zuly

Boy: Beck, Blue, Bram, Dax, Ford, Joss, Link, Quince, Rex, Van
*Update* A girl—Cairo Tiahna!

Jordin Sparks and Dana Isaiah

Gender: unknown

Siblings: none

Jordin Sparks and her husband Dana Isaiah are both quite religious. Unlike Bethany Hamilton, I don't think they will go the traditional biblical name route. Something contemporary feels much more appropriate for this couple. I have a feeling Jordin and Dana will choose a fresh spiritual or virtuous name for their son or daughter.

Girl: Easter, Eden, Faith, Galilee, Grace, Heaven, Keziah, Mercy

Boy: Boaz, Ezekiel, Jethro, Jude, Justice, Loyal, True, Trust, Zion
*Update* Hello, Dana Isaiah Jr.!

Miranda Kerr and Evan Spiegel

Gender: girl

Siblings: Flynn Christopher (previous relationship)

Almost seven years ago, Miranda Kerr and then-partner Orlando Bloom named their son Flynn, catapulting the name into the top 1000. Now Miranda is expecting a girl--I'm hoping she and husband Evan Spiegel will choose a similarly dashing, under-the-radar name for their daughter.

Girl: Blythe, Bryony, Darcy, Harlow, Laney, Lark, Romy, Ruby, Waverly
*Update* The rumors were wrong--it's a boy! Welcome, Hart!

Chrissy Teigen and John Legend

Gender: unknown

Siblings: Luna Simone

Chrissy Teigen and John Legend are about to become parents of two! I feel confident about my grasp on their girl name style, but if the're baby is a boy, who knows what they'll pair with Luna? I could forsee them going in a few different directions, like music-inspired (Miles), word names (Gray, Wolf), or modern (Arlo, Knox). They gave their older daughter the very well-received name Luna Simone, so either way, I have no doubt that they'll hit all the style marks again.

Girl: Celeste, Cleo, Coco, Elle, Esme, Fleur, Nova, Scarlett, Wren, Zadie

Boy: Arlo, Gray, Knox, Miles, Remington, River, Rocco, Wilder, Wolf

*Update* An on-the-nose prediction—welcome, Miles Theodore!

Literary Namesake Names

Image Credit

November is National Novel Writing Month, and seeing as the month is coming to close, it's only fitting that we take a look at literary namesake names today. There are so many wonderful authors that you could look to for naming inspiration. I've only coved a few in this post--mostly writers with distinctive names or ones who are heavily associated with their names. Which ones would you add?

Agatha--Agatha Christie
Alcott--Louisa May Alcott
Anais--Anais Nin
Angelou--Maya Angelou
Astrid--Astrid Lindgren
Austen--Jane Austen
Beatrix--Beatrix Potter
Bronte--the Bronte sisters
Carroll--Lewis Carroll
Eliot--T.S. Eliot
Ernest--Ernest Hemingway
Fitzgerald--F. Scott Fitzgerald
Flannery--Flannery O'Connor
Franz--Franz Kafka
Gertrude--Gertrude Stein
Hawthorne--Nathaniel Hawthorne
Joan--Joan Didion
Jules--Jules Verne
Oscar--Oscar Wilde
Roald--Roald Dahl
Salinger--J.D. Salinger
Sylvia--Sylvia Plath
Tennessee--Tennessee Williams
Truman--Truman Capote
Wharton--Edith Wharton
Wilder--Laura Ingalls Wilder
Woolf--Virginia Woolf
Zora--Zora Neale Hurston