Sound Off: 2008, The Year in Baby Names
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We saw it all this year — from Naviyd and Viggo to Sunny and Harlow — and while we loved many of the names celebrities bestowed upon their children in 2008, there were a few we perhaps questioned, too. Our friends over at Nameberry, authors Pamela Redmond Satran and Linda Rosenkrantz, took some time to analyze the best and worst baby names of 2008, and are sharing the results with CBB! While we don’t judge — every parent has a solid reason for choosing a name that’s special to them — it is fun to take a look back at the year that was.
First for the good news. Here are the names which in their opinion had just the right combination of originality, charm and substance:
CLEMENTINE — Ethan Hawke & Ryan Shawhughes
Full name: Clementine Jane Hawke. This name projects the image of a sweet but strong, prim but pretty heroine of a Victorian novel, and brings to mind the song lyric ‘Oh my darlin’ (never mind that her shoes were number nine). It was previously a starbaby selection of Cybill Shepherd and Claudia Schiffer.
HONOR — Jessica Alba & Cash Warren
We applaud this choice that moves beyond the more common Puritan Virtue names like Grace, Hope and Faith to one that projects an even more righteous image, but is rarely heard in this country. Honorable decision!
Click ‘More’ to see the rest of the best — and some names that weren’t as inspired.
KNOX & VIVIENNE — Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt
Theaward for best twin names of the year goes to the always inventive butnever quite over-the-top serial baby namers, the Jolie-Pitts. Knoxcontinued their tradition of boys’ names ending in ‘X’ (Maddox and Pax),and also has family connections to Brad’s grandfather, as didVivienne’s middle name, Marcheline, in honor of Angelina’s mother.Runner-up twin names: Coldplay drummer Will Champion’s lively Juno & Rex.
LOTUS — Rain Pryor & Yale
Inthe name garden overgrown with Roses and Lillies, Violets and Daisies,it seems fitting that the granddaughter of the late comedian RichardPryor would have a more exotic flower name. With its languorous feel,it holds intriguing significance in several cultures.
SUNDAY — Nicole Kidman & Keith Urban
Anunusual but sunny day-of-the-week name, inspired by an Australianartist’s patron named Sunday Reed, in tune with other current calendarnames like January, May, June and August, as well as the seasonalWinter and Summer. Some people did think it strange that Sunday wasborn on a Monday.
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And this year’s less charming names are:
BRONX MOWGLI — Ashlee Simpson-Wentz & Pete Wentz
Poorlittle Bronx got nothing but Bronx cheers when his name was released,especially when paired with the name of the Disney-fied Jungle Bookboy. If his parents thought this New York borough name would catch onthe way Brooklyn has, they’re in for a big disappointment.
BUSTER — Michele Hicks & Jonny Lee Miller
Ishe a bulldog? Is he a prizefighter? No, he’s a baby, whoserambunctious name will not do much to encourage his sensitive side. Anexample of the alarming trend toward giving doggy names (Lucky,Princess) to babies.
KADENCE CLOVER — Tony & Lhotse Hawk
Itcould just as well be Cadence Klover, within the paradigm of using theinitial letters ‘C’ and ‘K’ interchangeably, leading to regrettableinnovations like Kasey, Kassidy, Karolyn, Kaleb and Kameron.Fortunately, the trend seems to be waning.
MAXX – Scott & Tracie Hamilton
Taking Max — which already means “the greatest” — to the max. INXS!
PEANUT – Ingo Rademacher & Ehiku
The General Hospitalsoap star explained that this had been the nickname he and his wifeused “when [the baby] was in mommy.” OK, good luck explaining that tohim when he’s six feet tall and applying to Princeton.
What are your choices for best names? Remember to keep your comments kind and respectful — these are babies we’re talking about!
