Behind our favorite celebrity baby names
Baby Name Bible co-author Linda Rosencrantz spoke to the Chicago Sun-Times about unusual celebrity baby names. Here are the stories behind some of our favorite celebrity babies.
Moxie CrimeFighter and Zolten Penn Jillette
Dad Penn Jillette has been quoted as saying "We chose her middle name because when she’s pulled over for speeding she can say ‘But officer, we’re on the same side, my middle name is ‘CrimeFighter.’ " Younger brother Zolten was given his mother’s maiden name as a first, but it also happens to be the name of Dracula’s dog.
Dad Penn Jillette has been quoted as saying "We chose her middle name because when she’s pulled over for speeding she can say ‘But officer, we’re on the same side, my middle name is ‘CrimeFighter.’ " Younger brother Zolten was given his mother’s maiden name as a first, but it also happens to be the name of Dracula’s dog.
Brooklyn, Romeo, and Cruz Beckham
Victoria Beckham was inspired by the name Brooke for Brooklyn (it’s not true that it’s where he was conceived); Cruz was picked when David Beckham was playing for Spain’s RealMadrid soccer team and there are rumors — it’s a stretch — that Cruz was also a tribute to family friend Tom Cruise.
Victoria Beckham was inspired by the name Brooke for Brooklyn (it’s not true that it’s where he was conceived); Cruz was picked when David Beckham was playing for Spain’s RealMadrid soccer team and there are rumors — it’s a stretch — that Cruz was also a tribute to family friend Tom Cruise.
Ava Phillippe
Aidan Quinn chose Ava in 1989 and Heather Locklear did in 1997, but it wasn’t until Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe picked it in 1999 (followed by Martina McBride, Hugh Jackman, Kevin Dillon and others) that it began to resonate with the parental public at large.
Aidan Quinn chose Ava in 1989 and Heather Locklear did in 1997, but it wasn’t until Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe picked it in 1999 (followed by Martina McBride, Hugh Jackman, Kevin Dillon and others) that it began to resonate with the parental public at large.
Kal-el Cage
It seems that when Nicolas Cage suggested the prosaic Kyle, wife Alice Kim opted for something "more unusual but beautiful." Referring to Kal-el, he said, "I wanted a name that stood for something good, was unique and American and that’s all three. I just thought it was a beautiful name and had kind of a magical ring to it."
It seems that when Nicolas Cage suggested the prosaic Kyle, wife Alice Kim opted for something "more unusual but beautiful." Referring to Kal-el, he said, "I wanted a name that stood for something good, was unique and American and that’s all three. I just thought it was a beautiful name and had kind of a magical ring to it."
Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt
Shiloh’s middle name, Nouvel, is also the surname of one of dad Brad Pitt’s favorite architects. Of her siblings’ names, Maddox is already climbing the popularity lists and Zahara has an appealing, exotic quality, which could boost it as well.
Shiloh’s middle name, Nouvel, is also the surname of one of dad Brad Pitt’s favorite architects. Of her siblings’ names, Maddox is already climbing the popularity lists and Zahara has an appealing, exotic quality, which could boost it as well.
Suri Cruise
This obscure multicultural name provoked heated debate among name experts as to its actual meaning. Is it "princess" or "go away" in Hebrew? "Point nose" in an Indian dialect? "Pickpocket" in Japanese or just a breed of alpaca?
This obscure multicultural name provoked heated debate among name experts as to its actual meaning. Is it "princess" or "go away" in Hebrew? "Point nose" in an Indian dialect? "Pickpocket" in Japanese or just a breed of alpaca?
Kingston Rossdale
Several years ago when No Doubt was recording its "Rock Steady" album in Jamaica, Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale were intrigued with the name of the capital city as a possible future baby name. They even bought a hat with the name Kingston on it, which is now worn by their son and heir.
Several years ago when No Doubt was recording its "Rock Steady" album in Jamaica, Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale were intrigued with the name of the capital city as a possible future baby name. They even bought a hat with the name Kingston on it, which is now worn by their son and heir.
Magnus Ferrell
Rarely heard here, Magnus is a common name in Sweden, where Magnus’ mother has her roots.
Rarely heard here, Magnus is a common name in Sweden, where Magnus’ mother has her roots.
Ocean, Autumn, Sonnet, and True Whitaker
Forest Whitaker has explained that he wanted his children’s names to be their destiny, for his daughter (True) to be honest and his son (Ocean) to be expansive. Of his own name he has said, "I try to be like a forest, revitalizing and constantly growing."
Forest Whitaker has explained that he wanted his children’s names to be their destiny, for his daughter (True) to be honest and his son (Ocean) to be expansive. Of his own name he has said, "I try to be like a forest, revitalizing and constantly growing."
Sean Preston and Jayden James Federline
The bald soprano played name games with the media and the public for weeks after her second son was born, suggesting that his name was to be Sutton Pierce, so that he’d have the same initials as his brother.
The bald soprano played name games with the media and the public for weeks after her second son was born, suggesting that his name was to be Sutton Pierce, so that he’d have the same initials as his brother.
Pilot Inspektor Lee
Pilot was inspired by the band Grandaddy’s song that begins "He’s simple, he’s dumb, he’s the Pilot." Talk about high expectations.
Pilot was inspired by the band Grandaddy’s song that begins "He’s simple, he’s dumb, he’s the Pilot." Talk about high expectations.
Filed Under:
co-author Linda Rosenkrantz about celebrity baby naming trends and how they trickle down to the mainstream, the average Joes and Josephines. (Linda and Pamela Satran have also written 
