Babies Having Babies: Celebrity Names Reflect Broader Trends

At the risk of being so last week, let’s recap recent naming in the celebrisphere, shall we?  I’ve been pleasantly surprised by many of the lastest babes’ names.  Babies are having babies, and these young parents are a good indication that many of our favorite trends, as well as our least favorites, show no sign of slowing down.

TREND #1:  Homespun Granny

We have a Pearl!  Yes, that’s right, Pearl.  Black Sabbath baby Jack Osbourne and his wife Lisa had a baby of their own, who they’re calling Pearl.  Grandmother Sharon promises to spoil her rotten.  I have no doubt she’ll keep good on that promise, but oh how I adore Pearl.

Also in the homespun category?  Mabel, sister to Rumer, Scout and Tallulah.  Think this has had a hand in sending Demi over the edge?  I hope not.   In fact, I hope it helps her.

Felicity Keri Russell now has a daughter named Willa who joins big brother River.

Maggie Gyllenhaal is surely past due with baby number two.  Perhaps like Ramona, we’ll get a gently old fashioned name out of this one as well.

TREND #2:  Short and Sweet Son

Luca Cruz is seriously the new sensitive, sexy and smart  boys’ name.  That’s what former child star Hillary Duff called her progeny.  He’s in good company with Milo, Alyssa Milano’s boy, and Leo, son of Kaitlin Olson and Rob McElhenney, brother of Axel (himself a member of the Badass Crew).

TREND #3:  Boys’ Names on Girls

As of two days ago, Jessica Simpson was STILL pregnant.  We’re expecting a girl called Maxwell nicknamed Maxi, but if she’s  given any consideration to what the nickname “Maxi” will do this child in middle school, hopefully they will rethink. Elliotte Anne and Dylan River are among celebrity daughters whose parents I’ve never heard of (Marla Sokoloff and Joe Nichols, respectively).  I’m sure that says more about me than it does them.

TREND #4:  Surnames Reign Supreme for Boys Too

Simpson’s former beau, Dallas QB Tony Romo, now has a son named Hawkins.  It’s probably a family name, but these days, opening up the white pages will do in a pinch.

TREND #5: Newfangled Spelling 

This trend often overlaps with Trend #4.  Zany Mindy McCready has given birth to her son ZAYNE.  I’m sorry but she opened herself up to that.  He joins big bro Zander.

Then there’s Merrin.  I don’t know who this dude Bo is but I read he just had a baby girl who they call Merrin.  The spelling is new to me, but the sound is pleasantly familiar while being relatively uncommon.  That’s a tricky balance many people are after, but few obtain.

Katherine Heigl and Josh Kelley have adopted another baby girl from Korea.  No word yet on the name.  If they don’t announce it, feel free to blame me.  I ripped on Naleigh pretty hard, but if they’d just called her Nancy or even Nancy Leigh I might have been ecstatic.  The -eigh trend has run amok.

EXPECTING

Guess the Name:

Taylor Hanson, of musical brother fame is now 29.  You may not have heard a recent song from the Hanson Bros, but nonetheless?  He has been busy.  He and his wife are expecting baby #5!  Who will soon join Ezra, Penelope, River, and Viggo?  Dunno but I can’t wait to find out.  I like to think of their trend as Naturoarty…  Thalia?  Wren?  Dermot?  Jude? 

My beloved Anna Paquin, who is expecting with her True Blood costar Stephen Moyer.  Stephen already has two older children, Billy and Lilac, so I have high hopes for this one.  Something British-y and lithe would be fun.  I hope they have a girl.  Cecily?  Isolde? 

On her third child is Reese Witherspoon.  What will this fine Southern woman choose?  Ava, Deacon, and… Flannery?  Mary?  Draper (her father’s middle name)?

Within weeks after giving birth to third child Hattie Margaret, Tori Spelling is preggo. AGAIN!  Tori managed to come out from behind the trends and be one step ahead all Homespun Granny for her last child.  Liam, Stella, Hattie and who?   Rhys?  Reid?  Frances called Frankie?  

Melissa Joan Hart (any more Clarissa Explains It All fans here?) is expecting baby #3.  We’re thinking Surnamey again, yes?  What do you name Mason and Braydon‘s brother?  Gage?  Drake?  Theron? 

Another Mason is also expecting a sibling, this one a baby girl.  Don’t expect any more K names from Miss Kourtney Kardashian.  I bet they’ll just choose something they like the sound of.  Maybe Lila or Georgia?

Levi Johnston, Sarah Palin’s first grandchild Tripp, is expecting again.  Girlfriend Sunny has brought the sunshine back into his life, and to the state of Alaska.  This ought to be a good one.

I have an inkling these last few will stick close to their Latin roots.  It’s no surprise that Snooki got knocked up.  I have a feeling the name will be fairly predictable. Gia or Gianni anyone?

Giuliana and Bill Rancic are finally having a baby of their own, y’all.  A surrogate is currently carrying their biological child.  I think/hope she’ll go old school Catholic Italian.  Luisa?  Rocco? Valentina? 

A real life Valentina, Adriana Lima’s daughter, will be getting a sibling later this year.  Lima hails from Brazil.  I like Yasmin and Matheus for them, maybe Lucas.

Lima’s fellow Victoria Secret model, Alessandra Ambrosio, is also expecting her second.    They chose Anja for their first.  What do we like for them?  Adrián?  Arturo? 

What do you think of the latest celebrity baby name choices?  Any births you are eagerly anticipating?

Image: Alessandra Ambrosio