Poppy, Persia and Clark: Baby Names in the News
by Abby Sandel of Appellation Mountain
Congrats to Kim and Kanye on the arrival of their daughter! There’s been no name announcement as of Sunday night. Is the couple still deciding, or have they realized that delaying the name announcement can generate twice the headlines?
Let’s give the famous duo the benefit of the doubt and assume that they’re still deliberating. If Kimye is stumped, they’re not the first parents to find themselves uncertain about The Name.
Could they be stuck because they’ve limited themselves to K names? Or have they fallen for a choice that doesn’t start with K and fret that breaking with the family tradition might cause problems?
While we wait to learn the name of the newest member of the Kardashian family, let’s check out the other baby names in the news this week:
Poppy – Speaking of delayed baby name announcements, Stephen Moyer finally revealed the names of his twins with Anna Paquin. Daughter Poppy’s name is popular throughout much of the English-speaking world, but rare in English. It’s also a nice connection to Lilac, Stephen’s daughter from a previous relationship.
Charlie – Poppy’s brother is called Charlie. No word on whether that’s short for Charles or not. Something tells me not. Stephen has an older son named Billy, not William. Plus Charlie is a chart-topper for boys in the UK, just like Poppy. Together the kids sound more than a little bit British. While Stephen and Anna are famous for their roles in Southern vampire series True Blood, he’s British and she grew up in New Zealand.
Sonia – From television to the stage, let’s talk Tonys. Lisa Milbrand wrote about Sonia, as in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, the Anton Chekov-inspired Best Play winner. Like Vanya and Masha, Sonia is a Russian diminutive. She’s related to the chart-topping Sophia. It’s tempting to predict that she’ll make a comeback, but Sonia has been fading ever since she had a brief spell of popularity in the 1960s.
Stephen – Speaking of fading, I was pleasantly surprised to see a birth announcement for a baby Stephen! Young and the Restless alum Julia Pace Mitchell and husband Stephen Hightower were sticking with tradition when they named their son. Baby Stephen is a III.
Gracie Elliot – Is Gracie with a masculine middle a new trendlet? Last month we welcomed Gracie James, a new daughter for Ron Livingston and Rosemarie DeWitt. Now singer Selena Gomez has a new baby in her life – little sister Gracie Elliot, a daughter for Selena’s mom, Mandy Teefey. Let’s look out for birth announcements for girls called Sadie Thomas, Hattie Arthur, and Katie Jude.
Persia – As much time as we’ve spent talking about place names, I’m always surprised at how many great possibilities go unused. I’d never heard this one until it popped up in a recent birth announcement. A historical name for the country that we now know as Iran, Persia brings to mind the history and artistry of ancient empires. Headlines about the political situation in the Persian Gulf might give some parents pause, but she’s as wearable as India, or many a place name.
Berlin – Kelli challenged herself to list place names she’d consider for her children, based on locations with significance in her life. I’m charmed by her globe-trotting choices. Berlin tops her list. Ever since Jeremy Renner welcomed daughter Ava Berlin earlier this year, I’ve been wondering if we’ll hear more of is name.
Angus – Do you remember MacGyver, the 80s television hit about a guy who could do anything with duct tape and whatever else happened to be on hand? Baby Name Pondering reminded us that the title character’s seldom-heard first name is a great one: Angus.
Clark – Man of Steel opened this weekend, with near-record box office revenue. I suppose the flick could inspire more babies named Kal–El, but I’m hoping the name that sees a boost is Clark. Henry Cavill is dashing in the superhero gear, but equally handsome when he’s trying to blend in. Clark Gable, Lewis and Clark, Clark Kent – there’s much to love about this surname name.
Spotted any interesting names this week? Have any guesses for Kimye’s baby name?