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

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 19, 2017

Celebrity Baby Name Predictions: Volume 13

Celebrities are the taste-makers of the baby name world. Sid and McCoy--two names that were on nobody's radar screen--now have serious style cred thanks to the Biggs and Porter families. I would not be surprised to see McCoy break into the top 1000 for 2016 (which comes out this Friday--hooray!). 

Some stars, like Whitney Port, are bound to be influential in their baby name choice. And no matter what they choose, everyone's going to be talking about what Heidi Montag Pratt and Serena Williams name their babies. So let's get into it! I've made my predictions below--how do they compare to yours?

Whitney Port and Tim Rosenman
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
Whitney Port has a self-described "New York meets LA" style. The major thing these cities have in common when it comes to baby names? They both are ahead of the curve. That leads me to believe that Whitney and her husband Tim will choose a name that is on the cusp of cool--something stylish, but relatively low on the popularity charts.
Girl: Briar, Cassia, Colette, Dahlia, Emmeline, Esme, Posey, Margot, Wren
Boy: Amos, Cyrus, Desmond. Ford, Hugh, Leland, Rhys, Sutton, Thatcher
*Update* It's a boy! Sonny Sanford

Jenny Mollen and Jason Biggs
Gender: boy
Siblings: Sid
Jenny Mollen and Jason Biggs put Sid back on the map for boys. The formerly fusty, old man name now seems incredibly dapper. Can they flip the switch on another name with baby number two? I've included some recent revivals along with yet to be rediscovered gems--whatever name they pick, I'm sure we'll be pleased.
Boy: Dexter, Ed, Frank, Gus, Hal, Ike, Len, Lester, Lou, Moe, Roscoe, Victor
*Update* He's Lazlo--love it!

Aijia and Andy Grammer
Gender: girl
Siblings: none
Family is Aijia and Andy Grammer's number one value. They have expressed multiple times that they want to honor Andy's late mother Kathy somehow in their daughter's name. My best guess is that they'll use a variation of Katherine, but maybe they will do something subtler, like choose a name that shares a meaning with Kathy.
Girl: Agnes, Catalina, Kate, Katelyn, Kathryn, Kay, Kitty, Virginia, Wynn
*Update* They did honor Mom--baby girl is Louisiana K!

Elena Samodanova and Gleb Savchenko
Gender: girl
Siblings: Olivia
Russian dancers Elena Samodanova and Gleb Savchenko gave their American-born daughter a top-notch name--Olivia. Olivia does not have Russian roots, but it is long and romantic like many Russian and Eastern European names. For their next daughter, I expect something one in the same--a multi-syllable moniker that wears well whether she's in Russia or the United States.
Girl: Alexandra, Anastasia, Arabella, Isabella, Natalia, Sofia, Valentina
*Update* Hello, Zlata!

Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt are best known for their reality TV days, but recently they've been more involved in the crystal healing trade. Perhaps their new passion will inspire them to choose a gemstone name or something similarly spiritual for their first born son or daughter.
Girl: Amethyst, Azalea, Emerald, Honor, Sapphire, Serenity, Topaz, Winter
Boy: Ever, Garnet, Hero, Justice, Noble, Onyx, Pax, Sage, True, Valentine
*Update* A little boy--Gunner Stone!

Hannah Simone and Jesse Giddings
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
This is going to be the first real baby for Hannah Simone and Jesse Giddings, but they already have three fur-babies--cats named Alfie, Jake, and Frank. Now, that's not a perfectly coordinated cat sibset, but all three of those names do share a common thread--they're very friendly. Does that mean the couple will choose a similarly upbeat and cheerful name for their son or daughter? I'd put my money on it.
Girl: Birdie, Georiga, Grace, Josie, Langley, Lola, Lucy, Natalie, Nora, Olive
Boy: Caleb, Charlie, Elliott, George, Henry, Leo, Oscar, Owen, Sammy, Theo

Kelsey Mayfield and Scott Porter
Gender: unknown
Siblings: McCoy Lee
Actors Kelsey Mayfield and Scott Porter gave their son the ultimate Country Western baby name--McCoy Lee. McCoy is on trend but not at all popular, and down-to-earth to boot. I'm itching to hear the name of Kelsey and Scott's next child, since they hit it out of the park the first time.
Girl: Brynn, Darcy, Keeley, Maisie, Paige, Quinn, Ryan, Shea, Skye, Wynne
Boy: Brody, Cord, Graham, Guy, Jethro, Len, Murphy, Roarke, West, Wylie
*Update* Welcome, Clover Ash!

Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
Tennis champion Serena Williams is pregnant with her first child, and the internet is abound with suggestions for the baby's name. Most of them center around athletics and tributes (Ace! Venus! Serenus?), but I have a feeling Serena will go in a different direction. Her dog is Christopher, called Chip, and her beloved stuffed animal is Max. I would not be surprised if she chose a milder, well-liked name for her child. Serena's fiancé Alexis Ohanian is Armenian, so it's quite possible the name will have some influence from his heritage.
Girl: Audrey, Clara, Elisa, Juliet, Layla, Lusine, Lydia, Sophia, Zabelle
Boy: Andrew, Benjamin, Connor, Jake, Lev, Lucas, Samuel, Simon, William
*Update* A girl! Alexis Ohanian Jr., called by her middle name, Olympia

Friday, February 6, 2015

Names from Children's Literature

Image Credit
Children love anything with their name on it. Thank goodness we live in the digital age, because now you can personalize everything imaginable. Even books. A whole new industry has been created--its sole purpose is to make your child the main character of his or her books. This is great (and very cute), but it's also fun to share a name with a classic character. I've compiled a list of main-character names from award-winning children's books--see if you can sense a theme.

Girls
Alice- Alice in Wonderland 
Anne- Anne of Green Gables
Charlotte- Charlotte's Web
Coraline- Coraline
Eloise- Eloise 
Frances- Bread and Jam for Frances
Harriet- Harriet the Spy
Madeline- Madeline
Margaret- Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret
Matilda- Matilda
Meg- A Wrinkle in Time
Olivia- Olivia
Pippi- Pippi Longstocking
Ramona- Ramona the Pest

Boys
Alexander- Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Charlie- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Clifford- Clifford the Big Red Dog
David- No, David!
George- Curious George
Harry- Harry Potter
Hugo- The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Max- Where the Wild Things Are
Milo- The Phantom Tollbooth
Stanley- Holes

Don't all these names sound like they belong in one big sibset? I was a little surprised to see so many classic, British names. I've read all these books (with the exception of Coraline and A Wrinkle in Time), and all of the title characters are worthy namesakes. If these names are your style, definitely consider one for your child. Trust me, it's a lot of fun.

Friday, December 9, 2016

Celebrity Baby Name Predictions: Volume 8

Brent Blossom via Dribbble
This month of celebrity pregnancy announcements was quite eclectic. We have some celebrities who go all out with their baby name choices--yes Geri Halliwell, I'm talking about you. Others lead more private lives, and choose less outrageous names to match. Neither way is better than the other--great names come out of each (Christopher Carlton Cumberbatch is an A+ name). Although I have to admit, it's pretty fun to predict the name of Bluebell Madonna's future sibling.

Christina and David Arquette
Gender: boy
Siblings: Coco (previous marriage), Charlie West
It's another boy for David Arquette and his wife Christina. They chose the friendly, likeable name Charlie West for thier first son, so I expect something along the same lines for his brother.
Boy: Alex, August, Eli, Henry, Jack, Liam, Milo, Oliver, Owen, Parker, Theo
*Update* Very close--Augustus Alexis!

Geri Halliwell and Christian Horner
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Bluebell Madonna (previous marriage)
Bluebell Madonna frequents the lists of Craziest Celebrity Baby Names. Will Geri Halliwell choose another wild name for baby number two? I hope so!
Girl: Blossom, Coco, Juniper, Moxie, Poppy, Romy, Tigerlily, Trixie, Velvet
Boy: Caspian, Huckleberry, Loyal, Peregrine, Phoenix, River, Valentine, Zeppelin
*Update--Bluebell's brother is Montague George Hector!

Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Jack (previous marriage), Liam, Stella, Hattie, Finn
The McDermotts are often considered to have the best sibset in Hollywood. Stylistically the names work really well together, and they're all perfectly on trend. Whatever they choose for baby number five, I know it's going to be great.
Girl: Dolly, Elsie, Evie, Georgia, Ivy, Lucy, Minnie, Nellie, Ruthie, Tilly, Violet
Boy: Charlie, Dashiell, Everett, Felix, Gus, Jude, Milo, Otto, Rudy, Toby, Wyatt
*Update* It's a boy! Beau Dean McDermott

Rochelle and A.J. McLean
Gender: girl
Siblings: Ava Jaymes
Ava Jaymes is a sweet and sassy name that's full of spunk. I expect the McLeans to use a similar formula to name their second daughter as they did with Ava--a well-liked first name with a spunky middle.
Girl: Chloe, Grace, Hazel, Leah, Lila, Kira, Maddie, Mia, Olivia, Ruby, Sofia
*Update* Welcome Lyric Dean!

Lea Seydoux and Andre Meyer
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
Lea Seydoux is having her first child, and I can't wait to hear what she names him or her. Lea is a French actress, so I have a feeling she'll choose a name that shares her European roots.
Girl: Amelie, Beatrice, Camille, Elinor, Emmeline, Madeleine, Silvie, Veronique
Boy: Adrien, Auguste, Charles, Henri, Julien, Luc, Quincy, Remy, Romain
*Update* A baby boy--George!

Sophie Hunter and Benedict Cumberbatch
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Christopher Carlton
Christopher Carlton is the appropriately British, classic name Sophie Hunter and Benedict Cumberbatch chose for their first child. I suspect his sibling will get an equally sophisticated and stylish name--maybe one of the ones below.
Girl: Abigail, Amelia, Charlotte, Elizabeth, Emma, Olivia, Philippa, Samantha, Victoria
Boy: Andrew, Jonathan, Matthew, Nicholas, Samuel, Sebastian, Timothy, William, Zachary
*Update* Another boy--Hal Auden!

Amber Tamblyn and David Cross
Gender: girl
Siblings: none
It's a girl for Amber Tamblyn and David Cross! They could go in any direction with her name, but I'm guessing we'll see something sweet, cute, and upbeat from this comedy couple.
Girl: Elsie, Frankie, Georgia, Gracie, Lola, Lulu, Phoebe, Poppy, Ruby, Stella, Susanna
*Update* Hello, Marlowe Alice!

Ciara and Russell Wilson
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Future Zahir (previous relationship)
Ciara's oldest son Future is named after his father. I wonder if this means a possible son will be called Russell, like his dad. For a daughter, I doubt Ciara is on the list, but maybe a fun musical or word name to match the boldness of Future.
Girl: Aurora, Bliss, Cadence, Eden, Emerald, Love, Sable, Sienna, Story, Xara
Boy: Ace, Austin, Carlton, Cassius, Chance, Justice, Maverick, Reign, Russell
*Update* I was right--baby girl is Sienna Princess!

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Olly Names

Image Credit
You don't hear a lot of -olly names around anymore. Molly was popular a while back, but other than that, they have fallen off the radar. Many of them would sound right at home with today's baby names, so why not consider an -olly name?

Expected:
Holly- She sounds slightly momish, but would make a sweet nickname for any of the Holl- names.
Molly- She's currently more popular for dogs than babies, but still holds her charm.

Unique:
Dolly- She still has that Dolly Parton feel, but she is beginning to feel more useable.
Olly- Usually spelled Ollie, I often hear this one as a nickname for Oliver. But why not Olive or Olivia?
Polly- She started out as a nickname for Mary, but she would not be used that way today. Use her to honor a Paul.

Unheard of:
Lolly- Lolly (or Lollie) is cute and spunky. I would only use her as a nickname though.
Nolly- Another Oliver/Olive/Olivia nickname that would be adorable on a baby.

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!

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

10 Italian Names You Never Thought of Using: Girls

Image Credit
Today we're talking about ten lovely Italian ladies. If you're in need of a glamorous name with a hint of mystery, these girls have got you covered. Take a look. 

Celestina- I'm a fan of any Celeste name, so naturally, I'm fond of Celestina. She's the Italian and Spanish form of Celeste, although in Italian, she's pronounced with a "ch" sound at the beginning. If you're looking for a long, romantic, unusual name, put Celestina on your list. 

Cosetta- Cosetta is an extreme rarity--she was given to four or fewer girls in the U.S. last year. For those of you searching for an almost unique name, Cosetta is a pleasant option. She's the Italian variation of the French name Cosette--almost instantly recognizable from the character in Les Miserables. 

Dicembre- Need an Italian name for your December-born baby? Dicembre would be perfect. She's scarcely used--both in America and in Italy. Like Cosetta, Dicembre is an almost unique choice. 

Domenica- Domenica is a lively, refreshing alternative to Dominique. She's a feminized form of Dominic, and works to honor any of the Dom- names. Nica makes a cute nickname, and is much more modern than Nicki. 

Eloisa- If Eloise is a little too "Plaza Hotel" for you, Eloisa could be the answer to your problems. She's just as sassy and retro, but doesn't carry the same mischievous little girl associations.

Graziella- Graziella is one of those names that is just so fun to say. She can be said with either three or four syllables, but in the U.S. it might be easiest to do four--grahtz-ee-EL-ah. She's a diminutive of Grazia, the Italian form of Grace. 

Isabetta- Elisabetta is a five-syllable mouthful, but fortunately her nickname Isabetta is more managable. She's very charming on her own, but Isabetta can also be used as a nickname for American favorite Elizabeth. She is perfect for families that pass down the name Elizabeth, but want a more distinctive nickname.

Leonida- There's been a lot of love for Leo names lately, especially on the boys side. Leonida is a gorgeous option for a girl. She's the Italian version of Leona, and also stems from the Greek Leonidas. 

Simona- Simona is a name used throughout Europe, particularly in Italy, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, and Bulgaria. She's a nice option if you want a name that can honor a Simon, but is longer, or a bit more exotic than Simone. 

Vivia- No doubt about it, "V" is the hottest letter of 2015. We love names with Vs in them--Olivia, Vivian, Ava, Evelyn, etc. Vivia an undiscovered gem that will blend right in. She seems like she could have been made-up--essentially a mash-up of Olivia and Vivian--but trust me, Vivia is one hundred percent Italian.

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: ChloĂ©, James
Elizabeth Smart and her husband Matthew Gilmour chose the enduring, modern staples ChloĂ© 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 ChloĂ© and James are so well-liked—they are tailored, straightforward, and perennially stylish. It's likely that James and ChloĂ©'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!

Monday, March 5, 2018

Celebrity Baby Name Predictions: Volume 21

Patterns in sibsets can be very cute and add cohesion when done right. But sometimes it can get you into trouble. Take Ayesha and Steph Curry. They have two daughters named Riley and Ryan, and now Ayesha is pregnant with their third child. Ryker or Ryder seems like the obvious choice for a boy, but if they have another daughter, this could be the end of the Ry- pattern.

Kimberly and James Van Der Beek are also in a predicament if they have another baby girl. Each of their children has a 3+ syllable name, and their daughters names all start with different vowels—O, A, and E, which leaves I and U. My top choice for them is Isla, which follows the different vowel pattern, but not the syllable count one. 

All this to say—patterns can be great, but if they're too restrictive, be prepared to give up some of the requirements as more children are added to the mix. I'm excited to see how these celebrities handle the challenge, and I've weighed in with my advice below. 

Laina Rose Thyfault and Chris Klein
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Frederick Easton "Easton"
Laina Rose Thyfault and Chris Klein's son Frederick is named for Chris's dad, Fred. The kiddo actually goes by his middle name, Easton, which gives us a better sense of his mom and dad's naming style. However, I'd love to see them follow a similar pattern of using the honor names first. Chris's mother's name offers some great possibilities—her maiden name, Bergen, would be darling on a son, and while slightly dated, her first name, Therese, lends itself to the sweet (and not at all dated) nickname Tess.
Girl: Addison, Delaney, Hadley, Harper, Piper, Quinn, Sydney, Tess, Therese
Boy: Beckett, Bergen, Carter, Clayton, Greyson, Landon, Lincoln, Tucker
*Update* It's a girl--welcome Isla Rose!

Ayesha and Steph Curry
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Riley, Ryan Carson (g)
Golden State Warriors player Steph Curry and his wife Ayesha are expecting their third child, but after daughters named Riley and Ryan, which name comes next? There are only so many Ry- names left (and many of them rhyme with Ryan), so my best guess is that they might give up the Ry- sound pattern for the broader R initial one.
Girl: Raelyn, Raven. Reagan, Reese, Rhiannon, Ria, Ridley, Ripley, Rissa
Boy: Rayden, Raymond, Rico, Rigby, River, Roman, Rowan, Ryder, Ryker
*Update* They didn't go with another Ry- name--it's a boy named Canon W. Jack!

Luisana Lopilato and Michael Bublé
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Noah, Elias
Noah and Elias are both gentle names for boys that have a religious bent. They also work well in Luisana Lopilato's native Spanish, an important factor to consider when naming cross-cultural babies. Luisana and Michael obviously aren't afraid to use names higher up on the popularity charts, so I imagine they will use another well-liked moniker for Elias and Noah's baby brother or sister.
Girl: Amelia, Annabella, Eden, Grace, Hannah, Isabel, Lily, Mia, Olivia, Sofia
Boy: Asher, Benjamin, Caleb, Ezra, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, Levi, Micah, Samuel
*Update* A little girl--Vida!

Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent
Gender: boy
Siblings: Poppy
Interior design superstars Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent are adding a baby boy to their brood! They named their daughter Poppy back in 2015—a stylish choice that's underused in America, but quite popular across the pond. In all likelihood, they'll choose a similarly friendly and fashionable name for her younger brother.
Boy: Graham, Felix, Jack, Jasper, Leland, Lyle, Milo, Oliver, Otis, Theo, Toby
*Update* Welcome, Oskar Michael!

Michelle Branch and Patrick Carney
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Owen Isabelle (previous relationship)
Singer Michelle Branch gave her daughter the gender-bending name Owen over a decade ago. Now, twelve years later, she is expecting her second child. Have her tastes shifted over the years, or would she go for another masculine name for a daughter? Whatever she picks, I'm sure it will be modern and stylish.
Girl: Elliot, Finley, James, Jude, Kit, Mason, Noa, Parker, Rory, Sawyer
Boy: Beckett, Camden, Dashiell, Griffith, Jack, Magnus, Sullivan, Wyatt
*Update* Hello, Rhys James!

Rachel McAdams and Jamie Linden
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
Rachel McAdams may be best known for her acting, but she's also an active environmentalist. That makes me wonder if she'll choose a nature name for her baby, although with a surname like Linden, it could become too much of a good thing. Perhaps a name with subtle nature ties, like Cyrus or Daphne, might be better for Rachel and Jamie's son or daughter. 
Girl: Clover, Daphne, Flora, Laurel, Magnolia, Mavis, Rose, Violet, Willow
Boy: Canyon, Cyrus, Danner, Dune, Field, Forest, Fox, Grove, Lachlan, River

Kimberly and James Van Der Beek
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Olivia, Joshua, Annabel Leah, Emilia
After four children, the Van Der Beeks have clearly defined preferences when it comes to baby names. Long, soft names are a must for either gender, and for their daughters, they like names that start with different vowels. Some of these requirements are easier met than others, so I'm eager to see which ones Kimberly and James value the most when they name baby number five. 
Girl: Adeline, Audrey, Elena, Elodie, Camilla, Grace, Iris, Isla, Ivy, Lilia, Lucia
Boy: Adrian, Benjamin, Elijah, Elliott, Jameson, Noah, Samuel, Silas, Wesley
*Update* Another girl, but not another vowel name--baby girl is Gwendolyn!

Sophie Flack and Josh Charles
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Rocco
The friendly, charming name Rocco was chosen by Sophie Flack and Josh Charles for their son back in 2014. Although the name is Italian in origin, neither Sophie nor Josh have Italian heritage. That makes me think they chose Rocco more its style cred than its backstory, so I don't think we should expect another Italian name from Sophie and Josh. Although who knows? Rocco and Luca makes a pretty darn cute combination. 
Girl: Adele, Alma, Cleo, Della, Evie, Frieda, Gemma, Luella, Stella
Boy: Arlo, Benji, Cosmo, Duke, Hugo, Julius, Luca, Maxim, Nico, Otto