Unique baby names are the power accessory of the newly born rich and famous.
So traditional and retro, they’re hip again
Of course the brood in Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s household comes to mind first, with boldly unusual names Maddox, Zahara, Pax, and Shiloh.
For the well-heeled and the well-known, creating a splashy and unique baby name is not just a birthright but a tradition. Witness the recent crop of baby names to adorn celebrity offspring: Pirate (Korn frontman Jonathan Davis’ son), Moxie Crimefighter (the daughter of Penn and Teller magician Penn Jillette) and Lola (Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards’ newborn). They’re in good company: Chris Rock, Madonna, Carnie Wilson, and Jennie Garth also call their little girls Lola, whether it’s on the birth certificate or not (in Madonna’s case, Lola is a nickname for Lourdes).
Even veteran Live 8 musician-activist Bob Geldof has a full house, flowering with daughters Fifi Trixibelle, Peaches Honeyblossom, and Pixie, and their half-sister Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily.
Note to Britney Spears and Kevin Federline: There’s a method to the madness, and plenty of room to grow. Just check out the playful and friendly categories below or check out this baby name finder to find your prefect name.
If you don’t fancy calling your tyke Orlando or Bloom, don’t despair. This trend toward sensible names is actually quite popular. Yes, Julia Roberts hit the mother lode with twins Hazel Patricia and Phinnaeas Walter, but she’s not alone. Many celebrities have stuck to sensible, even normal names, fit for a regular Joe. Look at what Jon Stewart named his little guy: Nathan. Former teen heartthrob and NYPD Blue star Mark-Paul Gosselaar welcomed a boy, Michael Charles.
- Who’s Done It: Plenty of people have, including Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick and their son, James Wilkie, Mary-Louise Parker and Billy Crudup and their son, William Atticus.
- The Latest Twist: Use a nickname properly; ideally the shorter and friendlier the better. That’s what worked for Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards’ daughter, Sam J., and one of news anchor Soledad O’Brien’s twins, Charlie.
- Blast from the Past: Tom Hanks’ son, Chester, and Tracey Ullman’s daughter, Mabel. Janet Leigh’s daughter is a screamer: Jamie Lee Curtis.
Twin sets
Julia’s picks brings us to our next category: twins.
- Who’s Done It: Some parents like their twins’ names to match—and some don’t. Geena Davis stuck to the letter “K” for sons, Kian and Kaiis, while actress Peri Gilpin placed a common “A” in back for daughters, Stella and Ava.
- The Latest Twist: If matching monikers don’t work for you, you can take a cue from Marcia Gay Harden, who picked the intrepid Hudson for one twin, and the striking Julitta for the other.
- Blast from the Past: Jane Pauley and Jane Seymour aren’t twins, although they sound like they could be. In 1983, Jane Pauley named her duo Ross and Rachel, while Jane Seymour named hers Johnny and Kris, after friends Johnny Cash and Christopher Reeves.
Keep it simple
Primitive vowel sounds pack major ooh-la-la and mimic baby’s first words. What’s the upside? Your future kindergartener will thank you for picking a name that’s easy to say, spell, and write. In addition to all the Lolas, other bisyllabic babes include Heidi Klum’s picture-perfect Leni, Courteney Cox-Arquette’s chic Coco, and The Passion of the Christ star Monica Bellucci’s tempting Deva.
- Who’s Done It: Both John Travolta and Ben Stiller elected Ella for the leading ladies in their lives. Celebrity moms Heather Locklear and Reese Witherspoon took the A train with Ava, and Kate Winslet named her daughter Mia.
- The Latest Twist: Other letters to consider include “O” (as in Oona and Oscar) and “Z” (for Zahra, Chris Rock’s second daughter and Zen Scott, Corey Feldman’s son).
- Blast from the Past: Steven Tyler rocked with daughters, Liv and Mia, and son, Taj.
