Classy Classics Picked by Celebs
By Linda Rosenkrantz
John and Mary? Not exactly the starbaby names that hit the headlines. And yet, under the radar, there are a number of celebs who have quietly chosen from the canon of traditional names–not the trendier classics like Beatrice and Charlotte, but the solid old historic stalwarts, the most established of the perennial classics. Which kind of makes John and Mary and Jane and Joseph register surprising picks today.
ChristopherThe baby son of Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter is Christopher Carlton. Christopher is the name of a character Cumberbatch played in a Tom Stoppard play, and Carlton is a family middle name worn by Benedict, his dad and grandfather. This saintly Greek name was second only to Michael for 16 years straight beginning in 1979, is now at Number 26.
EdwardCzech model Eva Herzigova is clearly a classics fan—she has a George and a Philipe as well as an Edward. Popular in England since the Norman Conquest of 1066, with a substantial royal heritage, Edward was a Top 10 name in the US until the 1930s, and recently came back into the limelight via _Twilight’_s Edward Cullen.
GeorgeThe young Prince George of Cambridge has brought a cute, cuddly, chubby-cheeked image back to this regal classic that’s been shared by six British kings. In the US Top 10 until 1940, it has now fallen to 157, though little Georgie may reverse that tide—it’s now back at Number 7 in England. Zac Hanson is the latest celeb parent of a George, but Tina Brown and Kristin Scott Thomas also used it for their sons.
JaneWe’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Jane is not plain. This short-one syllable classic choice of Jimmy Kimmel (who also has a daughter named Katherine) projects a rare combination of sweetness and strength. Once so common it became generic (as in Jane Doe), Jane is now down at Number 322—though it’s in the Top 50 on Nameberry.
JohnActress Bridget Moynahan (born Kathryn Bridget) went triple classic when she named her son John Edward Thomas. Now at Number 27, this most archetypal of traditional English names, after being in the Top 10 for well over one hundred years, has dropped to Number 26. Other celeb parents who took this well-traveled route include Michelle Pfeiffer, Denzel Washington and Rob Lowe.
JosephAfter picking the elegantly frilly vintage Arabella Rose for her first child, Ivanka Trump went much more conservative with son Joseph Frederick’s name. Biblical, multi-cultural and regular Joe, Joseph has always been in the top echelons of the popularity list, now in 20th place.
Mary
James Marsden’s daughter Mary James was named for her mother, born Mary Elizabeth but called Lisa. Marsden’s classically-named family also includes son William, father James, sister Elizabeth and brother Robert. The venerated New Testament Mary was the top girls’ name from before records were kept through 1947, when she was toppled by Linda, and has since dropped precipitously to 120.
RobertAlthough Owen Wilson honored his father by naming his son Robert after him, the boy is called by his middle name, Ford. Robert has been a common English name since the Middle Ages, a Top 10 choice in the US for 110 years straight, twice hitting #1. Today, Robert and Richard are among the less stylish classics.
ThomasSince both Jack Black and his father were born with the name Thomas, it doesn’t take Sherlock Holmes to figure out where his second son Thomas‘s name came from. Another of the most enduring male classics, Thomas was a Top 10 name for over a century, though he has now slid down to 54, while it’s 6 in England and 7 in Australia.
WilliamAnother classic name chosen by James Marsden, for his third child, William was second only to John in the English-speaking world for centuries, and popular Prince William has added some contemporary charm to its image. Mary–Louise Parker also chose it for her son, as have Billy Crudup and Colin Firth. It’s a popular Nameberry classic as well, standing at Number 18.