The Baby Name Wizard

I just remembered that I know a toddler named Oscar, and he's adorable, but I don't think people make the grouch connection with him because he's Mexican and so the pronunciation is different (long O).

I like Delphine, too, or you could get a little more dramatic and go for Delphinia or Delphinium.

Re: geographical names--I think some sound bad, and some are ok. I personally think the example of Rowan Hill would be fine, because most people outside of this board don't seem to have any idea that Rowan is a tree. On the other hand, Rose and Violet, etc. seem very obvious to me--it could still be cute, but I think it does have the sound of a stage name, which could be either positive or negative for you. I might go with something more subtly botanical, like Rosalie or Olivia or Sylvia, but that's just a personal preference.

And yes, Oliver "Regal" does sound like Oliver Eagle. If your name were something common and clear like Randall, I think Oliver could work.

Muriel?? Oy.

I say oy to both Kensington and Muriel! Thank god they're not sisters... I know people have varied views on the "matching" sib set issue... but Kensington and Muriel really pushes the limit for me!

I think the real issue with Oscar isn't that he's the name of a Muppet or anything like that, it's that the name is affiliated with a general perception of rudeness and messiness - I believe Oscar the Grouch was named after Oscar Madison from The Odd Couple. People will make these subconscious references in the back of their mind when they hear the name, even if they've never heard of Oscar Madison, or the Grouch. The perception is out there floating around in the collective unconscious.

If you like another name, I would use that instead. If Jonah doesn't work for you, how about Jonas, Joss, or maybe even Austin - though many may think Austin might've outlived its time in the sun, I've seen the spelling Osten which seems fresher somehow.

Good luck!

On the topic of girls' names, for me, Delia is far and away the best choice. Daphne and Penelope are second - they are cute, but may be a little too cute, if you know what I'm saying.

Greta, Lena, and Helena are not at all good for me. Ophelia is pretty, but the connotations are just too much.

Delphine and Damaris, to borrow another poster's clever turn of phrase here, totally smack of effort. It's like you're trying way, way too hard.

I know a Michael Jackson and a Michael Jordan - both went by Mike, of course. I think the Michaels are still out there, but are using mns or nns to distinguish themselves.

I know this was mentioned a while back, but regarding Monty - Where I grew up, Monty was a white trash name big time, along with Travis, Wayne, and Ray. These were guys who were grown up but never seemed to go to work, hanging around smoking and drinking, working on dirt bikes, and chasing after the local troubled teen girls...

Aww, I don't think Damaris and Delphine smack too much of effort (I can't take credit for that--it's a Simpson's quote). They're both good, ancient names with both historical and biblical/religious connections. Also, I could imagine them as an adorable pair of siblings with Greek heritage. Personal opinion, of course--I'm just saying. I knew a girl with Greek parents named Athena--I thought that was a little bit much to pin on a person, but she was very feisty and no-nonsense and she pulled it off--she's probably in her late 20s now. The thing that might turn me off to Damaris is the derivation--heifer. It also supposedly means "gentle", though, and has positive biblical connections, so it might be ok.

The thing I don't like about all of the -elia names (Delia, Amelia, etc.) is that the eel-ya sound sounds mealy-mouthed to me. I also knew an Amelia who WAS very mealy-mouthed and mousy, so that makes it worse. Maybe I'm the only one who sees this....

Thanks for the feedback on mixing a geographical surname and nature-based first name. You mostly gave thumbs down, as I expected. I'm thinking something like Linnea might work, as it's not obviously a flower name... and I love it!

So Valerie, does this mean you're expecting? Or expecting to be expecting?

Thank you to all who gave feedback on Oliver. Reviews seem to be mixed depending on how "recognizable" my last name is. It's not a terribly common last name, but is familiar to many people from the stemware company. Since anyone that knows me would have already "found me out" from the description I gave of myself: my last name is Riedl (prounounced REE-dul). With that additional piece of info., would you do it if you really loved the name?

To add to the Oscar debate, I think that it's a very stylish name, and it's really unfortunate that the Grouch and hot dog connotations exist in this country. I think it would be a lot to saddle a kid with. A name that I think has the same sort of "European panache" as Oscar without all the negative associations is Bruno.

Sharon: I think you should go with Oliver if you like it. I love Oliver Riedl - I think it looks elegant and could be very mobile. I don't think the double "r" in this case is an issue. I have a very uncommon last name and often have to repeat or spell it when meeting people, and it's never bothered me or hampered me in any way. I don't see it as an issue if someone accidently thinks the last name is "Iedl" and must be corrected. I don't think that this would happen so often as to be problematic.
Best of luck!

Sharon, I say go for it if you love it. It flows nicely and sounds good, and chances are he's going to be spelling Riedl anyway for people, so it's no extra burden. It looks like a very dignified, smart name to me. Oliver is one of my favorites, too.

With DH and my one syllable S- last names, some of our favorites were knocked out because they were tongue twisters (two last names, so think either Sage or Hyacinth with Schultz or Sul--similar to our names). We also like Silas, but with our names, it really sounds like some sort of brand name medicine--you know, Singulair, Sominex, Silasol? :o)

For some reason Bruno has more negative associations to me than Oscar, Grover, Elmo or even Ernie and Bert. That said, I do admire singer Tom Chapin's Bruno.

Link to lyric- http://members.aol.com/chapinfo/tc/ldpwb.html

Sharon, just wanted to say that I agree with what Lily and hyz said: he's going to have to spell out his last name anyway so I don't see any problem. I think it sounds really nice!

Regarding more "naming rules" a la Oliver Regal — our last name has a strong "r" sound in it and I can't decide if a first name with an "r" sound is too much. I really like the name Alistair, is it too much with a last name like Orton? Alistair Orton?

Marta-I think Daphne and Penelope are both lovely. I actually think both may be up and comers, based strictly on the fact that Daphne has come up on this board lately, and a very hip couple I know has picked Penelope for their new daughter (their second choice was Beatrice).
I really don't think Daffy will be much of an issue. If you're really concerned about it, I'd just embrace it. I know that sounds odd, but I have a friend with a son named Tate. They just decided to call him Tater Tot affectionately, and it does seem to work.
Oh, Penelope/Penny is also a character on Lost, for those of you who subscribe to the Lost/Grey's Anatomy school of trend prediction.
As to others that are similar, I adore Cecilia, which you have as a mn choice. I think someone may have already mentioned Cecily (I like sess-a-lee). Also from your mns, Belinda and Marcela seem to fall somewhere in the middle of Penelope and Dahpne. I also adore Greta, Delia, and Helena from your list.
How about Claudia, Sabine, or Cosette?

Just have to put my vote in for Oscar. Of course, I have always loved an avid misanthrope! But really Oscar has lots of validation beyond hot dogs and muppets. (What other Elmo is there? It's just a red monster to me)

Oh, I have a name mystery I'd like help solving:
DH and I have been looking at houses to buy. One house we saw obviously has two young girls in it. The older one's name is displayed, and it's Kennedy. The younger one only has an initial, B. What is her name? The neighborhood is borderline middle/upper middle class, btw. I have been racking my brain and can't think what Kennedy's little sister might be... Any ideas?

Blair? Bridget? Brooke? Bethany? Bryony? I think we need more clues....

Brinkley or Braleigh. Or Bush, if they're keeping with the presidential theme. :)

Brooklyn? Brecklin?

I'd guess Bailey or Bryleigh.

I know two sisters named Kennedy and Reagan.

me: "bad subdivision names" - hilarious!

Bailey, Brighton, Blythe, Brynn, Brett, Braden/Brayden,... Or maybe it's one of those cases where one parent named the first one and the other parent named the second one. Could be Bella, Beatrice, Brianna, Barry, Betty, Betsey, or Barbara! Well, okay, I'd bet a million bucks it's not Betty or Barbara, but I guess you never know. Fun puzzle.

Kristi- I'm hoping to be expecting but it's taking a while....

Valerie-
All the more time to ponder wonderful names. All the best to you.

Just a reminder - there was a fine British actor called Oliver Reed.

Ah - I didn't think of Bailey and that sounds about right. Runner ups to me would be Bryleigh, Brynn, and Brett.
Thanks for the guesses! Wish I could find out for sure :(

My first thought was Brynn, seems to fit with Kennedy.

cb--maybe O'Hare or Logan :)....no, I think Bailey sounds right. Rest easy.

Another naming mystery -

Does anyone out there read MetroDad? I've been wondering for ages what his little girl might be named.

Here are the clues - it's a boy's name, but it's rarely used these days and is of English origin. Also, it sounds somewhat like a Korean last name.

I'm not going to post the link to his site in case we somehow figure out the name, but just Google MetroDad if you want a funny read in the daddyblog category. Excellent writing.

My guess has long wavered between Dale and Dane (similar to the ln Dae).

Thank you all for relieving my mind with regard to Oliver. My mom and sister both told me that the double R didn't bother them, but having an impartial audience to bounce it off of is enormously helpful. And perhaps, besides teaching him early to enunciate his name (hyz & Meegan were 100% correct in that I'm constantly repeating and/or spelling out my last name anyway), he could also use a middle initial to break up the R's--I'm thinking Charles for a mn. The Oliver Reed association doesn't bother me. I also found out via a Google search that there's an Oliver Riedel (slightly different spelling of ln) who is a bassist in a German band. But since he's not super well-known, I don't think it's a problem.

roundabout: I don't see any problem with Alistair Orton. I think it has a pleasant alliteration.

Here are my guesses for the name that sounds somewhat like a Korean lastname. Excuse my ignorance if some of these are not of English origin. Here we go:

(I'm assuming it's not Lee, since that sounds more than *somewhat* like a Korean last name).

Clark, Shane, Kip, Don, Chip, Chad, Ray, Cole, Ken, Tim,...

Dale and Dane are good guesses.

cb-Definitely Bailey or Brooklyn

Valerie-On the nature ln issue, I do think it depends on the name.
Our ln is pronounced like the name of a color, so I can sympathize.
I think a solid ln like Hill or Stone sounds fine with most nature fns, but something a little "softer," could be too much.
Violet Rivers, for example, sounds too much like a stage name, if you know what I mean. I'd also avoid anything that could sound like a subdivision-Autumn Woods, let's say. Linnea is a lovely option in any case. I'll look forward to your good news!

Love Phoebe as a possible Daphne alternative. I also thought I'd mention Gwendolyn, just for fun.

I am amazed by sisters named Kennedy and Reagan. Were their parents trying to cover all political bases? These sound like the children of James Carville and Mary Matalin!

I've loved Oliver since the Sixties-- wonder if the movie musical adaptation of Dickens' "Oliver Twist" had anything to do with that? Oliver Twist, Oliver Reed, Oliver North-- (but not Oliver Stone-- too loopy). All kinds of interesting associatians. Like the nickname "Ollie" for a little boy. An even older nickname is "Noll" (same principle as "Ned" for Edward). It's amusing but maybe sounds too much like for a girl?

As one of the "older", aging Baby Boomer (aaagh) name fanatics, I've seen them come and go, and am getting a bit nervous about Oliver, as I have been about Henry. Are they going to go crazy-popular? Some would say they already have, in some circles...

Ten years from now, will my other faves, (which used to be 'out there'), Barnaby/Barnabas, Balthasar, Columbus, Augusta, York, etc., be almost commonplace? It could happen.

I think Edward will come back. Was reading "SpongeBob" (sp?) with my little guy, and we both loved saying "Squidward" so much!

Omigosh--I just ran across a baby (born this month) named Dresden! Dresden!? Either these people are NOT history buffs, or they ARE history buffs with some very interesting naming philosophies....

Back on topic, I like Alistair Orton, and I think Linnea "Hill" sounds lovely, too. Mn "Charles" with Oliver Riedl is nice, sticks with a very distinguished sound, and I like Charles a lot.

Off topic again, I was talking to some people about superstitions and old wives' tales, and someone said that a woman named Mary will have a hard life. I thought that was an interesting one, never heard it before--have you heard this, or other naming superstitions?

name game: Bennett? But that would be a very young girl I think.

I think Alistair Orton sounds fine too.

I finally broke down and emailed my mother-in-law our potential name list, and she seemed distinctly underwhelmed. Her suggestions? Kaylee and Leslie, which are really not to my taste. Really. Not.

I've noticed I really hate talking about our potential names to anyone in the real world - do you think it would be disingenuous to just tell people some really common name no one could possibly have a problem with? Not family, of course, because I'd like them to get used to whatever name we pick in advance, but people like the receptionist at the dentist's office, girls at the grocery store, etc. who really have no bearing on anything but still seem to feel compelled to offer their opinion?

On the other hand, maybe if I like the name, I should 'own' it proudly?

Maybe the Dresden family are antique buffs? In which case they're thinking of Dresden china and not Dresden, the bombing?

Though Dresden sounds awfully like dreary and depressing to me.

kristin dawn--I can understand wanting to give family time to get used to a name, but as for relative strangers, why not just tell them you haven't decided yet, or that you prefer to keep it to yourselves? No matter how innocuous a (false) name you come up with, someone will have an opinion on it, which they will insist on sharing with you.

Good point, kristin dawn. We'll have to see if they name their next kid Hiroshima or Chippendale. :)

And who are these nosy people rendering unsolicited opinions on the name of *your* child? Really. I wouldn't even think of asking expectant parents that I didn't know *very* well about their possible names, and I *certainly* wouldn't give unsolicited critiques, regardless of how awful I might personally find their choices. If someone asked me (maybe even immediate family), I might just say, "oh we don't know yet" or "oh, that's top secret for now--we're not telling anyone until the date is closer" or something like that. Really, with acquaintances, it's none of their business. And with family, if they're going to try to *cram* their $.02 in and be negative about your choices, I'd rather keep them out of any decision-making process. Too many cooks spoil the broth, and makes for a stressful time in the kitchen. It's hard enough for DH and I to agree--we don't need 5 more people to try to please.

On nature/geographical names, this is surely the place to (re) mention my litle cousin Spike Rock.

We have a naturey surname and any flower name at the front sounds exactly like an air freshner. Especially Violet, sadly.

There's at least one Edward in the nearby second-grade class--he was in my daughter's K class.

Hey, and don't forget Squidward's brother, Squilliam! And if I meet a family in 20 years with kids Edward, William, Robert, and Patrick, daughters Sandra and Pearl, I'll have to wonder....who lives in a Pineapple under the Sea?

Since the name Alistair has been mentioned here a few times, I'm just wondering what people really think of the name. Both husband and I like the name, but don't think it translates quite as well in *American* - I much prefer hearing it from a British tongue. My other reservations are a lack of a good nickname both of us like and it sounding slightly too pretentious. Any ideas?

I knew an American boy named Alistair, he's probably 25ish now--great kid, great name. Everyone pronounced it basically like "Allister", no nn, and it didn't seem pretentious at all. I think Alec or Alex could easily be nns, if you like them.

I just came across a very interesting name. In light of some American trends, I wonder if it will take off. I just met a little boy named Eden, pronounced like the Hebrew -- Ay-den rather than the English Eee-den, so that it sounds more like Aidan. Between the Aidan trend and the religious trends, I wonder if this new pronunciation will take off... I just throught it was interesting to share.

Alistair sounds wonderful to my American ears. It does sound very British to me (I can see an Alistair with a brother named Nigel and a sister named Imogen), but that's not a bad thing at all. I see it taking off in the States.

I have never posted anything here, but I love reading everyone's comments. It's good to know there are people out there as name-obsessed as I am!

I would love to get your thoughts on my boys name issue. My husband's favorite name is Thatcher - it is a name from his family and he has always wanted to use it. I like it, but fear it's a little much since I want to give our son my last name as his middle name. Both my last name and my husband's last name (which will be son's last name) are very WASPy sounding. So I fear Thatcher is too much too tack on. I feel like we need a short, strong one-syllable name (both my ln and DH's are 2 syllable) that is not "last-name" sounding. I am extremely partial to Tate and also like Hugo. What does everyone think?

Also, DH likes Tate but thinks it sounds like a nn. What about naming him Thatcher and calling him Tate? Is that weird?

I'm really loving the Allister pronunciation of Alistair! Very sophisticated! Go for it, roundabout!

Oh, I really like Thatcher, with or without nn Tate (and I do think Tate works as a nn). I mean, I'd have to hear all three names to say if it was really too much (Winchester Thurston Howell III, e.g.), but I like it. Honestly, if you're worried about sounding WASPy, I don't think switching from Thatcher to Tate really helps all that much. I don't personally care for Hugo, but it does sound less WASPy if that's a big worry for you. I'd just embrace the WASPiness and run with it! lol :)

p.s. I once knew a dog named Thatcher--a very handsome little Jack Russell with a fancy leather collar who lived at a riding stable--Thatcher either makes me think of that dog, or Margaret--both fine associations.

I think about Margaret Thatcher, and I would avoid the name because of that association.

But if that doesn't bother you, it's not that awful. Not my style, but if you like that style you could do a lot worse IMO. And I don't think Tate as a nn would be weird at all.

Good point about the WASPiness of Tate, hyz. I guess the thing that bothers me is the 3 last names in conjuntion with the extreme WASPiness of them all. I also think I just don't LOVE the last name as first name style. I keep telling DH it is too "on trend" but he points out that Tate and Hugo are more popular names than Thatcher is.

I have such a hard time with boys' names. Here are some names that I do like (some more than others) - would love any suggestions for adding to the list -

Ames
Xavier (though probably too popular)
Roscoe
Hugo
Tate
Irving
Ike
Evander
Oscar