Celebrity Baby Name Suggestions: Volume 5

Chloe Ferres via Desktop Mag

This month's set of celebrity naming styles is very eclectic. There's Katherine Heigl and her husband Josh, who loves honor names; Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher, who famously made Wyatt a unisex name; and Mira Pak and Terrence Howard, who create their own names. We'll have to wait and see if they follow the same technique or take a wildly different approach. For now, these are my predictions for the names of eight upcoming celebrity babies.

Savannah Guthrie and Michael Feldman
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Vale Guthrie (g)
Savannah Guthrie's baby's name was big news the first time around--and not just because she's an NBC anchor. She gave her daughter Vale an interesting and unique name that was very stylish. For baby number two, I bet she'll choose something as equally short and snazzy.
Girl: Bay, Brynn, Cleo, Greer, Lane, Navy, Rae, Romy, Sage, Scout, Seren, Wren
Boy: Beck, Bram, Cord, Drew, Gray, Hart, Joss, Jude, Lake, Lev, Reid, Ryne, Tate
*Update* A little boy! Charles Max, called Charley.

Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Wyatt Isabelle
Where do you go after Wyatt? These gender-bending celebrities are throwing me for a loop. The choices below could probably work for either gender Kutcher baby--Wyatt is just as likely to have a brother or a sister named Sawyer, Walker, or Logan.
Girl: Bo, Darby, Evan, James, Logan, Max, Micah, Noa, Reid, Rory, Sawyer, Shane
Boy: Colton, Dempsey, Grady, Levi, Maddox, Owen, Ryder, Tucker, Walker, Weston
*Update* Hello, Dimitri Portwood!

Katherine Heigl and Josh Kelley
Gender: boy
Siblings: Nancy Leigh "Naleigh" Moon and Adalaide Marie Hope
Katherine Heigl and Josh Kelley love family names. All of daughters' names are of significance, so I'm certain that their little boy will have a meaningful name as well. Naleigh and Adalaide's names heavily honor Katherine's side, so I wouldn't be surprised if Josh's family had the most influence on this baby's name.
Boy: Bishop, Charlie, Cooper, George, Henry, Jasper, John, Paul, Sebastian, Theodore
*Update* Joshua Bishop--another honor-filled name!

Dylan Dreyer and Brian Fichera
Gender: boy
Siblings: none
It's a boy for this NBC News couple--Dylan Dreyer is the meteorologist on the Today Show, and her husband Brian Fichera is a cameraman. I wonder if their professions will play a role in his name--a weather-inspired name, perhaps?
Boy: Aidan, Andrew, Caleb, Charlie, Lucas, Owen, Sam, Skylar, Storm, William, Zachary
*Update* Welcome, Calvin Bradley!

Teresa Palmer and Mark Webber
Gender: boy
Siblings: Isaac Love (Webber's previous marriage), Bodhi Rain
Australian actress Teresa Palmer is going to have a houseful of boys! The couple seems to like pairing mainstream names with bold middles. That being said, I think this little boy might have a tranquil, zen name like his brother Bodhi.
Boy: Asher, August, Finn, Holden, Jude, Julian, Kai, Landon, Nolan, Soren
*Update* Baby boy is Forest!

Mira Pak and Terrence Howard
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Heaven, Hunter, Aubrey (all three from a different marriage), Qirin
Qirin, pronounced like Kieran, is a name that Mira Pak and Terrence Howard created. They were inspired by the Qilin--a Chinese mythical creature. If they go that route again, I've got my bases covered. However, I wouldn't be surprised if the went a completely new, yet just as creative route.
Girl: Ariana, Autumn, Bixie, Chimera, Eden, Melody, Nadia, Scarlett
Boy: Axel, Blaze, Dominic, Gannon, Hayden, Kingston, Talon, Yeren
*Update* It's a boy--welcome Hero!

Vanessa and Kobe Bryant
Gender: girl
Siblings: Natalia, Gianna
It's a third girl for the Bryants! I'm excited to hear how they round out their already fantastic sibset. My guess is they'll go for another feminine, classy choice.
Girl: Allegra, Angelina, Camilla, Cecilia, Eliana, Emilia, Francesca, Lucia, Marina, Victoria
*Update* Bianka Bella--perfect for this sibset!

10 V Names You Never Thought of Using: Girls

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V names for girls are having a moment. Violet, Vivian, and Valentina are all very trendy, and will continue to climb the charts. Not all the good V names are popular--I have a great list of ones that don't even break the top 1000.

Vale- I wrote this post about Vale right after Savannah Guthrie gave the name to her daughter in August. She will probably get a boost as a celebrity baby name, but I wouldn't expect her to be in the top 1000 for next year.

Verona- This romantic name is one of the best for honoring a Veronica. Verona is the Italian city where Romeo and Juliet takes place, so it would be a lovely choice for a Shakespeare fan.

Veronique- Veronique is the French form of Veronica, and much more current. I've heard it on a few American children, and she is definitely wearable in the U.S.

Vesper- Vesper is a cool, mysterious name that means evening. She's perfect for parents looking for a baby name with an edge. However, a Vesper is a type of cocktail, which may be off putting to some parents.

Vida- Could Vida make it into the top 1000 this year? She is currently at #1308, but she's rising quickly--possibly thanks to Matthew McConaughey's daughter. Vida is a super sweet name, and she has the best meaning--"life."

Vienna- Vienna will definitely break the top 1000 in May. She's at #1004, and is experiencing a rapid rise in popularity. She's one of my favorite place names, and is wonderful for honoring Austrian heritage. Want a subtle connection? The popular surname Wiener means "from Vienna," so she'd be the perfect pick if that was your maiden name or on your family tree.

Viola- There are two pronunciations of Viola. The first (and most popular) is like Violet--vie-OH-lah. the second is like the instrument--vee-OH-lah. Take your pick. They are both beautiful (and make a great alternative to Violet).

Vionnet- Vionnet is another French name, pronounced VEE-oh-nay. She's absolutely stunning, and would make a lovely, unexpected middle.

Viveca- Viveca is my favorite alternative to Vivian, I am constantly suggesting her. She's a Scandinavian name, and like Vida, means "life." Viveca can also be spelled Vivica, like the actress Vivica A. Fox.

Vrai- Looking for an exotic virtue name? Look no further. Vrai is the French word for "truth," and she could definitely work in America. If you're not brave enough to use her as a first name, she'd be a unique pick for the middle position.

Alternatives to Vale

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Hey everyone, I'm back! I had a great time in Italy (the best name I heard was Ultimo- for a dog :). While I was gone, Today Show host Savannah Guthrie had her baby, whose name is getting lots of attention. Vale is such a great name because of her uniqueness yet familiarity, which many people are going to want to replicate. So, if you want a name similar to Vale, whether it be by sight, sound, or style, I have some options for you.

Sight
Val- Not quite as stand-alone as Vale, but she makes a great nickname for Valerie and the like.
Valla- Very feminine, but I would stick with Valley.
Valley- I've been hearing this name more lately, her nature ties are trendy.

Sound
Valencia- Vale could easily be a nickname for the beautiful Valencia.
Valentina- Valentina is ultra-girly, using Vale as a short form makes her more even-keel.
Sail- Why not? Sail fits right in with all of our water names, and would make a cute nickname for Sailor.

Style
Lux- Just like Vale, Lux is a short and sweet word name.
Prairie- She's a little more obvious than Vale, but Prairie is a great name.
Wren- Wren would be the perfect sister name for Vale (take notes, Savannah!). She's calm and serene, plus not too girly.