Rachel Griffith & Clementine

About a month ago Rachel Griffith had a daughter. Sarah and myself were deadly curious what she was going to call her baby, as so far all of the names have been dead Australian. She had Banjo Patrick and Adelaide Rose. Banjo, of course, is the Poet and writer Banjo Patterson and Adelaide is the city. We were talking about names she might use (as said in an earlier post) such as Perth, or Melbourne. Matilda was a possibility for a girl. So we were surprised when she called her daughter Clementine Grace. There is no doubt that its a beautiful name- meaning 'my merciful'. But this brings up the whole issue of sticking with naming patterns by default of your first child. In my opinion if two are at least in the 'theme' then the rest should follow. For example Jamie Oliver, whose children all have botanical related names. (Poppy Honey, Daisy Boo and Petal Blossom Rainbow). For each name it is the parents choice and I don't think names should necessarily be decided by themes. My children certainly couldn't be more different- Kirsty, Aurora and Blake- but it never was an issue. I guess what ever pleases the parent!

Aussie Aussie Aussie

Well we've just finished the labor day weekend here in Perth and recently myself and Sarah have been debating over some Australian names for babies. Whether you love them or hate them there are a lot of "Aussie" baby name choices out there, so if you want to go down under with your name choice here are some names derived from people and places.

Adelaide is cute girls name which has been used by Aussie Actress Rachel Griffith. This of course is the name also of the capital city of South Australia.

Victoria is a state within Australia its capital being Melbourne. Victoria as well as being a state is widely used by Royalty in England (Queen Victoria).

Melbourne is the capital of Victoria and is a male name. Its been used by Prime Ministers (Stanely MELBOURNE Bruce pm from 1923-1929)

Sydney is a common enough boys or girls name and a city within Australia. Such monuments associated with Sydney include the Sydney harbour bridge. It can also be spelt Sidney or Cydney

Banjo of course is listed here because of the poet Andrew Barton "Banjo" Patterson and is also used by Rachel Griffith for her sons name (really continuing Aussie spirit :D). He was a poet and author stylistically renounced for his bush culture stories such as the Man from Snowy river.

Edmund Ive put this name here because it is the name of the first prime Minister of Australia Edmund Barton. And is not that bad a name. A variant of the ever so popular name Edward.

Billy This is a variant of William which is popular in Australia. It reflects the larikkin and playful identity of Australia. Also was the nickname of a controversial p.m William "Billy" Hughes.

Dingo an Australian animal which is also able to be a male name also. Would defiantly not be my first choice but every ones different

Matilda though of German origins this has become as "aussie" name through the song Waltz sing Matilda. Nick names being Tilly or Tilda this name has been used by celebrities such as Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams and constantly graces the pages of birth announcements.

Australia and to be totally unoriginal if you really want an Australian name for your daughter why not choose Australia? they will definitely get the message.

If there are any other names you love which are Australian let us know!

Oh My! Darling Little Names that End in Oh

What is it about short little 'Oh" ending names that makes them absolutely adorable!



On boys especially I can't resist them!



On girls to they are adorable! I love the name Shiloh -not just because of Brangelina but because it is a lovely name. If I weren't to worried that people would immediately associate it with little miss Jolie-Pitt I would use it.



So now a list of Darling Little O names; inspired by Laura's suggestion of Rio.



Rio - A darling little name. It is supposed to be unisex but I say its masculine. Meaning river and originating in Spain I am definately putting this on the list for future children.



Theo - The short form of the more classical sounding Theodore. With simmilar qualities to the oh so popular Max I think thisname is one about to climb the ladder.



Leo - Leo, Cute, Short, Sweet. Literally means the Lion.How special willit be when your little Leo grows up to watch playschool and hears that song! He really will be the King of the Jungle!



Ringo - Any beatles fans? It means Apple in Japanese. NeedI say anymore?!?!!



Banjo - For the Aussie's - Banjo Patterson wrote the man from Snowy River. It was chosen by Rachel Griffiths for her little boy. I might be biased, being an Aussie and all, but I love it!



Mateo - Meaning Gift of God in Spanish as a form of Matthew this name is ranked 283 on the most recent American Social Security List - a name on the rise.



Indigo - Okay this is the third time we have suggested this name. But why not - my experience of this name is that it grows on you the more you hear it. Indigo, Indigo, Indigo, Indigo, Indigo, Indigo.....



Milo - The short form of Miles. This named peaked in the 1910s when it was ranked 408th. However, it is making a come back and was ranked 548 last year.



Cairo - Yes the capital of Egypt. I'm undecided but what do you think?



Romeo - This just rolls of the toungue. Romeo Oh Romeo! Give your little boy this name and he is sure to become a romantic like his namesake.



Cosmo - Forget the cocktail, and the magazine, and the seinfield character, and the Jeston's character, this name has a long history prior to these accociations. This name has barely cracked the Top 1000, briefly appearing in the years 1913, 1921, 1925 and 1926 before returning to obscurity. A daring choice.



Orlando- Mr Bloom. Use this name and hopefully your son will turn out to have half hi charm.



Marlow - This ties in with the whole surnames as first names trend. A much preffered version to the modern Harlow It doesn't remind me of harlot for a start and it reminds me of my favourite character in the book "Cold Mountain", Ada's father Munroe.



Diego- Yes I came across this name while Edward was watching TV. It's Dora the Explorer's brother. Diego is the spanish version of James and cracked into the top 100 ranks in 2002. I like it for its adventurous vibe!



Munroe- as previously stated Munroe is my favourite character in cold mountain. Originating in Ireland this name means 'mouth of the river'



Primo - So maybe this is a little over done. It might be usable as the name of the first son. A deriviatve form of Primus which was sort of like calling someone Junior today (Hey Peter Andre and Jorden did it!)



Bruno - a very masculine choice. It simply means "brown" ans was chosen bu Nigella Lawson for her son.



Marco - a little more mainstream for you. Not as chart topping as Aiden perhaps but its up there. Last year it ranked 209th in the US.


There you go! Did I more than make up for my lateness!