Be My Valentine

Jackalope Chachkes (Tchockhes!) my son turned four today, Emily. His middle name is Ronan- which is Gaelic for little seal. He was so busy in my tummy! Jackalope Ronan Chachkes is quite the name! We sometimes call him 'Black Jack' Chachkes- after the villian in an old Warner Bros. cartoon called 'Black Jack Shellaque'. My Jackie is blonde, with blue eyes and a sprinkle of nutmeg freckles. He looks like a Norman Rockwell painting. But, a Norman Rockwell painting that likes to talk about 'bums'.....

Anyagirl · February 07, 2007 at 06:36 PM

Isla View? Isla Vyorart? Is that sucky? x

Janet · February 07, 2007 at 06:41 PM

One of my all time favorite girl names is Fiona. I've kept a personal journal since I was 8 years old. And I've always kept a running list of my favorite names inside the jacket of my journals! I love cool, unusual names! I'll have to go back for the last few years and see what other names I've got listed!

Heather · February 07, 2007 at 06:45 PM

Hmmmm...Alice Lookinglass. :o)

Jenny Rebecca · February 07, 2007 at 06:47 PM

ok first, that strawberry is beautiful...though I am deathly allergic, hence why I eat raisin bran for breakfast every morning, they are nature's candy you know...

ok names....I love them too, but I am torn over which to give you....

I am going to give you two names.

1- this is the name the leading lady of the comic I write is going to give to a gentleman caller when he approaches her is a bar...it is her pseudonym "Chesty McTitterson"

2- this is the nickname for my bf's little girl "mean cheese" I will not give you the lengthy explanation here, but it is in my blog in the post titled "The Mean Cheese"

stilettoheights · February 07, 2007 at 06:53 PM

Miss LeeLoo Bedelia

Morgen · February 07, 2007 at 06:54 PM

My maiden name was Dayna Day, I always got a lot of compliments on it.

Dayna · February 07, 2007 at 06:54 PM

Oh i love thinking about names. While we don't have children on the way right now, my husband and I talk about names (got to be prepared and all). He is fine with my boy-names but vetoes the girl ones (because they are more unusual, i think). Our hypothetical daughter may not be *legally* named Astrid Aurelia Winterbloom, but I will probably call her that when we're alone together.

Nancy · February 07, 2007 at 06:56 PM

Ah, well, it must be Persephone.

telfair · February 07, 2007 at 07:03 PM

I had a partner in one of my design classes whose name was Sunny followed by her middle name Rae = Sunny Rae. She was short, blonde, and cute so it was very fitting.

Steph · February 07, 2007 at 07:04 PM

Oh! I love names too. I was obsessed with names while pregnant - we had a little Stella. But if I were bold enough, I would have named her Plum. So sweet. So round. So perfect. Plum.

Ginger · February 07, 2007 at 07:06 PM

Miss Emily, what can I say? Every time I read your post I feel like I have just tumbled down the rabbit hole. Always magical, always inspiring, and it always feels like home. Thank you sweet, sweet girl. My daughter's name is Ruby Sue, named after my husbands mother and my mother. She has red hair to boot. My husband's name is Bigg. That's it that's all. No middle name. Always thought it would be interesting if our last name was Johnson. Maybe in another life. :)

Stephanie · February 07, 2007 at 07:06 PM

My favorite should-be-a-name for a girl is "Ampersand" (the name of "&"). I sounds like a lovely name, and you could use & on all of your things. My husband has already vetoed it for future children, but will allow it for a pet.

Fox in the Snow is probably my favorite work of yours yet!

Tiffany Harvey · February 07, 2007 at 07:06 PM

My baby is named Della Fern. You sort of have to say it with a Southern accent. I wanted to name her Fern as a first name. Hubby is a wildlife biologist and we wanted a botanical name (Lily, Violet, Iris, but Maude was in there too.) I thought Fern was nice because Ferns thrive in the shade, just like a little sister thrives in the shade of a big sister (her's is Lulu). Hubby couldn't do Fern as a first name so we compromised. Della came from the play "Della's Diner" which I've seen in Atlanta for years.

Merrill · February 07, 2007 at 07:06 PM

Edited to add that our boy name this last time was Leo Ulysses.

Merrill · February 07, 2007 at 07:07 PM

for my future daughter, little Ruby Raymond.

brooke · February 07, 2007 at 07:07 PM

Oh, how I love unusual and unlikely names! Most people are astonished at one of my favorite names, Lucifer Romeo. A bit of a devil with a truly sweet side. The perfect combination!

Catherine · February 07, 2007 at 07:11 PM

My name is pretty unusual in the way it's spelled. It's all one word, one name despite the space in the middle : Mari Ines.

It's Spanish for Mary Agnes. My daughter is Nora Ines, and Ines is intended as a middle name. This is so that she won't have to explain her name each and every day as I do.

Love love your blog and your shop.

Mari Ines · February 07, 2007 at 07:14 PM

Okay, two for me, too, though it may be cheating.

1. Annabelle Crowe. This is my daughter's name, and it's not strange or anything, but I think it's just plain good. I like a last name that's a thing, and what could be better than a big, noisy, black bird? Also, doesn't it sound delightfully British? Like maybe she's going to become a beautiful English librarian?
2. Eloise LaBrie. This is the name of the main character in my novel-in-progress, and when she's a girl, she gets called "Eloise the Cheese" because LaBrie means, well, "the cheese" in French (which she is, obviously).

I love names, too, and--loving the planet as I do--have decided to have only one child, which just stresses me out because there's no one else to name...maybe that's why I'm a fiction writer!

Cheers--
Melissa

Melissa Crwe · February 07, 2007 at 07:15 PM

i just typed this out then lost it and had to start agian, dammit!

ok!
Charlotte Cherry (was the name of a little lassie in an old story i never finished up writing. she was a rather naughty child who had kleptomaniac tendencies)

Tequilla Snow (another character from a story idea, she was a fickle young woman from Devon, England)

Persephone Waffle (name of a blythe dolly i used to own, sadly now deceased!)

lookin' forward to the next shop update,,,,:)

artandghosts · February 07, 2007 at 07:15 PM

I love thinking about names! So much fun. I have always liked Lakshmi. It's just so much fun to say.

I also adore Saule and Zhanna.

myra · February 07, 2007 at 07:18 PM

I had a sixth cousin who was a librarian named Belvia Ivajean Landers. She was a Graven before she was a Landers which means she was B.I.G. before she became B.I.L.

KiWi · February 07, 2007 at 07:18 PM

Growing up everyone called me Mariquita...which means ladybug in spanish. I always loved it, and to this day whenever I see anything ladybug I must have it!

Have a Cozt evening,
Maria

P.S. I love your Bella print...that is my little girls name!

Maria M. Arnold · February 07, 2007 at 07:24 PM

Cute strawberry.:)

I have always loved the name Azarine...it's so pretty and floaty sounding on the tongue. And if this were a storybook, she would be Azarine Klinkhammer. I'm a writer so I always have names in my head too. :)

Melissa · February 07, 2007 at 07:24 PM

one of my favorite names for a girl is poppy - so cute! and also pippa, but my husband won't allow that one. he says she would be teased and get called salt and pippa...but i still love it!

melissa · February 07, 2007 at 07:25 PM

Well, I like Mary Adelle. And it could be a sentence, couldn't it?

Ellen · February 07, 2007 at 07:27 PM

I'm having a baby girl in March and her name is Daphne Johana. So I'm in love with that name right now, and forever. =)

Angela · February 07, 2007 at 07:28 PM

Ohh, fun contest. Long time blog reader, first time poster!
This name is a charater in a story I'm writing, and I hope it will please!
Mehetabel Flint.
Its odd, but I find it strangely charming.

Cameron · February 07, 2007 at 07:30 PM

Hi, I love visiting your blog,I check it everyday, it's one of my favourites.
funny this contest about names as I'm now expecting my third child and very much concerned about giving my child a name for his / her entire life. We called the eldest "Balthazar Elliott Sacha" and his little sister is "Mélusine Viviane Margaux". If this one is a girl, she will be called Bethsabée Alienor but we are at a loss for a baby boy... any good idea?

Caroline · February 07, 2007 at 07:30 PM

my very favorite name for a girl is Lotus Blythe. If I ever have a daughter that will be her name. :)

LaurenSmash · February 07, 2007 at 07:31 PM

As for names as sentences, I was always amused by actress Dee Wallace Stone (the wall is stone).

KiWi · February 07, 2007 at 07:31 PM

My boyfriends name is J. Mercer Crenshaw. It always reminds me of someone from a Dicken's book. I imagine him in a dusty old consignment shop, surrounded by old hankies and teacups, smoking a cigar, twisting his mustache, and talking to himself.

Katie · February 07, 2007 at 07:31 PM

Love Valentines Day, and this idea. I'll be sharing (over at my place) next week how my girlfriends and I spend the day each year.

For names, I'd have to say:
1. Justice...guy (something sexy about it)
2. Fernrose...girl(my garandmother's names, together)
Thanks for the fun!

heather · February 07, 2007 at 07:31 PM

A friend of my grandmother's, whom she took me to visit on several ocassions... Olive Glass. I thought it was always so perfect.

And my favorite name right now for a little girl would be Molly Philomena, after my grandmother (philomene).

Elizabeth · February 07, 2007 at 07:31 PM

I have 2 names to share (and I adore names, as well).
First, my daughter's name is V Elizabeth. Her first name is V. I assume anyone who reads my blog thinks I'm abbreviating it, but I'm not, because V can't be abbreviated very well. We gave her Elizabeth for family reasons, and if she ever wants to be called anything else, Elizabeth has so many derivations. But V? I love the alphabet, I love roman numerals, and it fits my daughter perfectly.

Second, my father was a farmer and he rented land from some older farmers who had retired. One couple had moved away, even, but continued to rent to him, and when the husband died the wife came to settle the estate and I got to meet her. Their name was Turnipseed. But the best part? They had the same first name. No one believes me when I tell this story, but my dad used to work for a couple named Winnifred and Winnifred Turnipseed. Just saying it outloud makes me happy! (and it really is true).

Jennifer · February 07, 2007 at 07:31 PM

Okay, 3 names:

1) Poeme. There should be an accent (\ this direction) over the first "e". Pronounced poe-ehme, it is french for poem. I always thought it sounded beautiful, like a sigh...

2) If I ever had twins, I would name one Daphne and the other Laurel, for the greek myth of Daphne being chased by love smitten Apollo and then her father turns her into a laurel tree to save her. Hence Apollo's crown of laurels around his head.

3) Love Lies Bleeding. I don't know if this counts, but this is actually a name of a flower which I always thought super romantic--think of the 1001 romantic possiblities this could be depicted! (and I don't mean in the homicidal sense).

Okay, don't know if 3 eliminates me, but I had to share. I love names too!

Jenny · February 07, 2007 at 07:33 PM

favorite goofy names: slutty mcbutterpants (as in: "she's quite the slutty mcbutterpants) + chesty mcbusterfield (as in: "does this top make me look all chesty mcbusterfield?")
favorite real names: buffy boden (girl from high school), dr. rollo-koster (aka: rollercoaster, college prof), holly april (girl i knew in elementary school), condie tolliver (john's great uncle). i'll resist the urge to come back and name others i've forgotten. that was fun!

meg · February 07, 2007 at 07:34 PM

My all time favorite name for a girl is Adeline... it's so sweet and charming.

Also when I first met my partner he said if we ever had a boy child his name would have to be Gumby!

http://www.gumbyworld.com/

That strawberry is absolutely yummy looking and if I wouldn't break out in rash I would drive into town to buy some.

xoxo,
Jenna Lou

Jenna Lou · February 07, 2007 at 07:35 PM

I work for a British company and I've come across some great English last names. Here are a few:

Flowerday
Littlechild
Mainprize

Also my grandma had a friend named Hazel Hazel, I don't know what her maiden name was but how funny to end up with your first name as your last name. :)

Jenny · February 07, 2007 at 07:35 PM

oh crap - i do have to come back. my all time favorite name is my grandmothers...helena genné.

meg · February 07, 2007 at 07:35 PM

Oh, my all time favourite girls name is Elsie (though, I truly love Ettie too!). I have a thing for old fashioned names, but Elsie is special as I once bought a photo album of antique photos and this girl called Elsie appeared quite frequently - she looked 'away with the faeries' in every photo - having little tea parties and such....it was just magical...I gave it away to another blogging friend.

I'm also fond of Angelica, as that is the name of the girl in the 'Lady Cottington's Pressed Faerie' books.....Angelica Cottington - how quaint is that?

Shell · February 07, 2007 at 07:36 PM

My great-aunt was named Kari Swanhild Venezuela. (called Swanie) My great-grandparents were Norwegian which explains Kari Swanhild, but my great-grandfather chose Venezuela because he loved the sound of Spanish (which he couldn't speak) and didn't really know any Spanish names.

My father calls me Jesusa and Josephina (both pronounced the Spanish way, with a h sound for the j) even though neither is my name. Sometimes they get merged into Jesusafina.

Oh, and another great-aunt had the middle name "Herberta", because Swanie had a crush on a little boy named Herbert when her sister was born!

Jessie · February 07, 2007 at 07:43 PM

When I was 19... oh, 10 years ago, I was a counselor at a camp for 2 weeks, and on one of the beds were written the names "Emma Dane" and "Lily Dane" and I thought they were so pretty. And sometime in 2000 I wrote the name "Annalyn Carlyle" in a book I frequently read, because I thought that it truly could be the most prettiest name possible.

Now, thinking of those two real girls and the one imagined, it always makes me smile. I love the beauty of names.

michelle · February 07, 2007 at 07:44 PM

I think Daisy is the best name for so many occasions. I named my Rottweiler Daisy in order to soften her image (the daisy collar helps, too!). I'm hoping that my next dog will be a black and tan Dachshund (exact same markings as a Rottweiler) and I will name her Minnie (Mini-) D.

kay · February 07, 2007 at 07:44 PM

my favourite name is Kit, for a boy or a girl. It all stemmed from one of my favourite books Cue for Treason.

Donna · February 07, 2007 at 07:45 PM

My daughter's middle name is Queta (pronounced Qwee-ta). It was my beloved grandmothers' name, and we always thought it was of Spanish origin, but could never find proper reference. We knew that her father had changed the spelling from Quita, because it looked like "quitter"! I did find something that indicated it was a pet nursery name. I just read a comment here from Maria M Arnold about being called Mariquita (Spanish for ladybug)as a child, and I am delighted! My daughter's given name is Lily, and we have always had a special place for ladybugs in her realm, so it feels like it's all come together! Thank you for your inadverent help - it's made my day! chin chin, Kylie

Kylie · February 07, 2007 at 07:48 PM

Browning, Morgan, and Auden.

Rachel · February 07, 2007 at 07:48 PM

Ok, I have to get in on this. I have to say that I love your little blog. Here are my names. Some are just quaint little names that I love. Some are ones that I would actually name a future daughter:

Mopsy Belle
Lollie Louise
Ida Frances
Dorothy Daybreak
Lavender Mae

Stacy · February 07, 2007 at 07:49 PM

I have now officially de-lurked....I'm obsessed with names! I talk about them constantly and have lists all over the house. I am so happy to share some of my faves (my husband has pretty much had it with the name game). If we had a boy..August Emery...girl a little bit trickier..Maisy Jane,Zinnia Jane,Delia Jane? Cats are Olive and Clementine and I would love love love to name a dog Baby Bok Choy, crazy I know! Thanks for your posts..they always make my days brighter!

melissa · February 07, 2007 at 07:51 PM

Naming things is one of my favorite pasttimes. Seriously. I name everything. I think I might be touched. I have my first 4 imaginary children named. Oh yeah. Definetly touched.

Grayson Rose. The name of my first little girl. Whenever she decides to find me.

Sarah · February 07, 2007 at 07:54 PM

I am obsessed with names...obsessed. I think you would like a lot on my list.
Must I only pick one?
If I think too much I won't get to my sewing tonight...
Okay, deep breath, one name....
Scarlet

Nancy · February 07, 2007 at 07:54 PM

I really love the name Stella.

I love the way it looks when written; the pronunciation when spoken. It's so feminine yet strong.

natalie · February 07, 2007 at 07:55 PM

By name is Arianne, after the greek Ariadne mythical character. I hated it when I was young, but now I love being different.

I'm pregnant, and if its a girl her name will be Suki Pearl. Pearl is a family name, and I've always loved Suki (pronounced like Sookie). It sounds a little Asian and a little whimsical, sort of like how I see some of your dark haired girls (esp. the print I just got with the girl in a sea of tears).

Love this contest! Love all the other names!

Arianne · February 07, 2007 at 07:56 PM

I have a few names, and they are ALL real! I've kept a list of cool ones I've seen lately.

Kittel Kittelsen (it's Swedish)
Ann Argyle Vest (Vest is the married name :)
Gift Fabulous F. Elijah
Sheriff Bobo Iyama
McKay Captain McVey
Dulce Fany (could that mean "sweet bottom"?)
Stringfellow Cassiopiea Hawke
Dazzlin DeAnne
Bluedolphin Crow

Robin · February 07, 2007 at 07:58 PM

Wow-I don't know if I can compete with all the beautiful names up there. While I was pregnant, my husband vetoed tons of names I adored. He's more conservative in naming than I am. However here are some names I liked:

Campbell Rae
Avery Jane
Isabella Sophia
Julian James
Jackson Nickolas

and here are names I just find charming:
Jensen Blue
Eleanor Esther (Esther is one of those names I love and hate at the same time)
Ava Leigh
Annelie
Zoe
Paisley (I don't think I could be brave enough to name a kid Paisley-but sounds like the name of a sweet little girl)

Jen · February 07, 2007 at 07:59 PM

A friend of mine at work and myself are always creating odd pseudonyms for ourselves and then paint elaborate, over-the-top nametags with only our fake names. He's currently going by "Return of Wet Brain 2000" while I'm "The Eggman Cometh". Working at a ceramic studio, it's always hilarious seeing folks actually take the time to check out our nametags and figure out just *why* either of us would want to be called something like "Return Of Wet Brain 2000".

What can I say? We're a couple of oddballs. :)

--Michelle

Eggman Studios · February 07, 2007 at 08:00 PM

OMG! I forgot to comment about how much I love your work. The paintings, dolls, prints, pins-they are all beautiful.

Jen · February 07, 2007 at 08:00 PM

well, my two little guys are sebastian olivier and nicolai augustus. nico was predicted to be ingrid aki but obviously things worked out differently. i still like ingrid though. and stella, isla, lotta and letta, soren, lola (we read a lot of lauren child books around here). oh i do like henry as well though i used it on my orange tabby atticus henry. but it reminds me of that book the time traveller's wife and how they named their daughter alba, which i am keen on. and alma is good too. take care. xo

tiffany · February 07, 2007 at 08:02 PM

Ok-this is the last comment for this post, I promise! I forgot to tell you that in college, I had the nickname "Secret Agent Sasha Foo". It's a stupid story, but I thought that might be fun for your book. :-)

Jen · February 07, 2007 at 08:03 PM

Well I think my older daughter's first name is the most beautiful name I have ever heard (and I know no one with that name) It is Aubern'e, pronounce aub-er-nay. Kind of like the red wine cabernet. My sister came up with it. She was playing with the names auburn and renee. Her middle name is rose. So to us she is our red rose. When she was a baby having open heart surgery there was a huge print of a red rose and I knew she would be okay. Clarice

clarice · February 07, 2007 at 08:03 PM

Our son's name is Caden, I foolishly thought I was so original, but, alas, not so. In addition to Caden, there is a Jaden, Braden, Aiden and in his Sunday school. (I still love his name, it fits him, it means little warrior in Irish and his middle name is Michael which, of course, is an angel, long story short we were very blessed to have him because we were told that I couldn't carry a child, he is our warrior angel)

I love names too. For a girl I have always loved Addison Bleu. I like bleu or blue for the middle name. Thanks for brightening my day! I adore your blog!

michelle · February 07, 2007 at 08:03 PM

I have delurked too! When I was growing up in suburban Brisbane I read avidly and there were certain names that just transported me - Heidi, Anne and even Trixie. But the names that I loved above all else were Meg, Amy , Beth and of course Jo (feisty, quirky, softhearted)- aren't you immediately taken far far away to another world?!! and now I have a Joe of my own.

Mary · February 07, 2007 at 08:04 PM

I am in lurve with your blog!!!
Cheers love,
Claudette Featherbottom

katie · February 07, 2007 at 08:05 PM

My husband's pen name is kind of cool.
Tallahasse Grimstone.

Diana · February 07, 2007 at 08:05 PM

btw somehow Michelle and I have been mixed up - her comment is much funnier than mine!

Mary · February 07, 2007 at 08:09 PM

Oh,my, I can't pick just one name. Someone already said Fiona?? That is the first one on my list. I just named my new kitten Fiona. So, here are some of my faves:

1)Fiona
2Genevieve
3)Adora "uh""door"uh"
4)Luxe
5)Penelope
6)Bridget
7)Nigel-boy name
8)Avery-boy or girl name
9)Mia-Bella
10)Mattea "Ma""tay""uh"

Lonnie K. · February 07, 2007 at 08:10 PM

I have a daughter named Autumn Breann. I always thought Autumn Breeze evoked lovely images. If I had a boy, I had thought of the name Peyton Levi. If I had another girl, the name Sierra Eve.

Melanie · February 07, 2007 at 08:11 PM

Rick O. Shay is a good word + name.

Deidre is one of the best, O'Shaughnessy from Breakfast at Tiffany's, Jamie as an abbreviation for James, Lionel, Adrienne, Lorraine, and Quillow from a James Thurber story.

Edith · February 07, 2007 at 08:13 PM

i used to work with this sweet girl named Sunshine. and she was very much it, i can't imagine anyone who fits their name so well! she's always cheerful and positive, even when she had to deal with difficult people or situations (she works as an HR person, that does involve many eeky situations), and everyone loves her.
so that's my name for you, hope you enjoyed my little story!
Michal

michal · February 07, 2007 at 08:14 PM

I worked with a gal named Silver Scarborough. It's the best name I've ever heard. I wish I was named Silver...

Kelly · February 07, 2007 at 08:17 PM

Goodness, I too am in love with collecting beautiful names. Being a voracious reader (and an English major), many of my absolute favorites come from books. My very favorite right now is...

Alma. From the wonderful book, "The History of Love." And this is a long quote, but it's so beautiful:

"The first woman may have been Eve, but the first girl will always be Alma. Maybe the first time you saw her you were ten. She was standing in the sun scratching her legs. Or tracing letters in the dirt with a stick. Her hair was being pulled. Or she was pulling someone's hair. And a part of you was drawn to her, and a part of you resisted--wanting to ride off on your bicycle, kick a stone, remain uncomplicated. In the same breath you felt the strength of a man, and a self-pity that made you feel small and hurt. Part of you thought: Please don't look at me. If you don't, I can still turn away. And part of you thought: Look at me.
"If you remember the first time you saw Alma, you also remember the last. She was shaking her head. Or disappearing across a field. Or through your window. Come back, Alma! you shouted. Come back! Come back!"

That books just gives me chills. And Alma feels so warm and full when you say it. And from Spanish, Alma means "the soul." So pretty...

Christy · February 07, 2007 at 08:21 PM

When I think of beautiful names, I often think of girl names, which is funny. Interesting funny, I mean, not ha ha funny.

Helena (my daughter's name)
Freya (what we nearly named her)
Francesca Valentina
Henrietta Elisabetta

Oh what mysteries names suggest! What secrets they promise! What promise! The whole of the self and only a shred of it.

Francesca (Stuntmother) · February 07, 2007 at 08:21 PM

I get comments on my name:
Tara Elizabeth (pronounced TAR-a...not Tair-a)
I was going to name my (at this point imaginary) daughter:
Zionne Rose (rose of Zion)
Elizabette Anne (note: Anne with an 'e')
And my undergrad thesis was on:
Simone de Beauvoir (beautiful sight)
And you didn't specify girl names...so:
Bryant Cash
Judah Nathianel
Andre Paul Ramone (my cat's name, be sure and roll the 'R')
And I just heard it on the TV
The Fabulous Moolah!

Tara · February 07, 2007 at 08:25 PM

adah skye
emery anshell
jovanella

jennifer · February 07, 2007 at 08:26 PM

My first little boy already has a name, but if we have another he'll be named Elliot Orelian after his grandfather. If we have a girl, her name will be Calliope. Hopefully, by the time she comes around I'll be able to figure a middle name that matches :)

Jamie · February 07, 2007 at 08:27 PM

Oh yes, I forgot one that I like a lot. I used to have a close friend named Aviva "uh-vee-vuh" I think it's clever how this name is spelled the same forwards or backwards.

Lonnie K. · February 07, 2007 at 08:30 PM

On my favourite breakfast radio show last year, they revealed the funniest real name they've ever heard:

Terry Towel

And the hosts went on to say that even if Terry used his initials, he would be T. Towel.

Beautiful paintings by the way!

Sara · February 07, 2007 at 08:32 PM

I second the Poppy and Ruby notions, add Lola and finish up with my flickr and etsy name....Sadie Clementine!

sarah · February 07, 2007 at 08:32 PM

my middle name is anne. I also like the name mary.

Julie · February 07, 2007 at 08:35 PM

I've been saving the name Francis Fishburn for a story. I think maybe he's a southern farmer who dreams of visiting the Antarctic, but I'm not sure.

Side note. When I was a little girl I had a blanket named "The Grunge" that I carried with me until it disintegrated.

Laura Koritz · February 07, 2007 at 08:36 PM

I used to work in the Customer Service department at a call centre, a department of 4 staff. We were all young 'uns and pretty, um, disenchanted with the whole thing and invented all sorts of games to amuse ourselves. One was keeping a collection of the best names we came across in the course of our work. I had these three scrawled into my day planner when I left:

Mortimer Spinks
Bernard Winkelman
Whitfield Crump

I have always planned to write a short story about these fellows. Meantime, I hope one of them will be your Valentine!

rita · February 07, 2007 at 08:38 PM

this is so much fun! Here are my two names!
Karin
Ms. B (my little tweety's name)

tomoko · February 07, 2007 at 08:39 PM

names! great idea for a contest Emily, i loved reading through all the comments.
when i had my eldest boy Finn, I hadn't picked out a boy's name, had he been a girl, his name would be Penelope Yellow. My second son, Archer (his great grandfather's name) would have been Ivy May. And then I had a baby girl and that is her name. I was also very keen on the names Olive (after Olive Cotton, the Australian photographer) and Fergus. My husband hated them both, such a party pooper!
The most enjoyable part of choosing names was thinking of the nutty ones. Crazy names that clash with our surnames, my favourite of these? Diggory. Diggory Duggan!
Happy valentines Miss Emily.

Justina · February 07, 2007 at 08:42 PM

How can I resist joining in the fun? My favorite someone already thought of it name is Cindy Lightballoon (from Arrested Development). And I've always thought Hortense is a hilariously awful name, but kind of cute at the same time. It would require a cutesy last name to soften it up, something like Hortense Feathercap.

Cara · February 07, 2007 at 08:45 PM

azura
ahZOOOrah

rachzel · February 07, 2007 at 08:47 PM

Aurora.... like from Sleeping Beauty

Samantha · February 07, 2007 at 08:49 PM

A favourite name of mine is Genevieve Julia Harriet Harris - which I named my daughter - but my husband baulked at the Harriet part so officially its only three of the names. I love the way it sounds out loud.

miss scruffy · February 07, 2007 at 08:52 PM

Some really great ones already, but want to add a couple. Since I am a recruiter and talk to people all day I hear some great ones! We won't even talk about the e-mail addresses people use when job seeking...one word people...think!

My great Aunt was named Wilhelmina Minerva Harris. She was the best baker and made chocolate chip cookies that were very thin and ALWAYS chewy! No matter how long they sat out on a counter. And did I mention her chocolate cakes? Made me the mound of girl I am today! She and I used to stay in her room and watch the soaps, eat Whitman chocolates and drink apple juice.

She never ate properly, had eggs, sausage, hominy and coffee daily and lived to the ripe old age of 102! She broke her hip at 98 and they replaced it and told her she would never walk without her walker and from her 2nd floor bedroom window she pitched it out in the street and never used it again! Her doctor was aghast!

We called her Minnie for short. She was as deaf as a person can be and if she was not wearing her hearing aide you could set off a large bomb and she would never hear it. My Grandma Lottie (short for Charlotte) was known to fuss at people and Aunt Min would quietly remove her hearing aide in order to avoid listening. Grandma would get mad and she would remind her "Lottie, you know I can't hear a d#mn thing without my ear in!" Then she would smile at me and wink.

Now some of the names I have come across in my work:

Angina (I thought chest pains, but no pronounced Ohn Geena)
Aquanetta (As in the hair spray)

My favorite that my friend had to prove it was true:

ABCD (Prounced absedees)

Cindy · February 07, 2007 at 08:52 PM

Mademoiselle Broceliande LaBelle.
Her friends call her Cil- only her mother (a folklorist) calls her Broceliande. As a child, she was often called "broccoli" by her classmates. :(
Broceliande is the old name of a forest in Brittany where faeries are though to dwell. It is said that 'twas in the forest of Broceliande where Nimue the Enchantress beguiled Merlin and locked him away into a tree...

Caitlyn · February 07, 2007 at 08:52 PM

I am sharing my non existent children's names once. And never again. Of course, I detest names that get overused.

I would say, Talulah & Finnigan.

Una is cute too...and Grainne. Pronounced,
Gra-nee-ah.(au as in Aussie)

I can't give a last or middle. The middle will be chosen during labor and the last will be chosen? 9 months before that? hee hee.
ps: I was just here 8 comments. I go have dinner and seventy people show up!! WOWsa

Vanessa · February 07, 2007 at 08:54 PM

Hmm, cool! If I had a baby girl now, I would think about...Rebecca,Olivia,Madalaine,Audrey,Claire,Victoria and Bianca.
I have 2 boys..Erik and Daniel Christian.
And I have 2 cats named: Tobias Malaquias and Frederico (both spelled in portuguese).

Zabrina · February 07, 2007 at 08:55 PM

Oh my, this is a hard contest! So many choices... I always liked "Sarah Laughs" (OK, it was the name of a house from a Steven King book, but still...) And I loved the girl name "Isabel June K." (but we had a boy, Maxwell Lewis K.!) I've been enjoying your lovely blog and artwork for several months now, thanks for having this fun little contest!

Amanda

amanda bel · February 07, 2007 at 08:56 PM

Don't forget my secret alter ego and probably one of your loves too.
Pipalara Delicatessa Longstocking.

Pip-ee

Vanessa · February 07, 2007 at 08:57 PM

first of all, my mother dated a guy in college named Harry Arms. I'm glad that relationship didn't work out...I'd be Molly Arms, now I guess...
And my daughter(Emma Frere) comes up with the best made up names for her imaginary playmates...and of course, the only one I can think of is "Clavica". I just wish I could remember clavica's last name...I also like the name Harriet or hattie for short...
Man, I'm excited about this contest, I might have to come back with some more ideas...is that allowed??!!
PS. I want a strawberry now. preferrably a heart-shaped one.

molly · February 07, 2007 at 08:59 PM

Fanny Magnolia Winsome
Paisley Belle True
Valentina Sian (pronounced "shahn")
Scarlet Francesca
Cecily Violet

Kat · February 07, 2007 at 09:00 PM

Hello!

I hope you'll like this name, because it's one of my favorites:

Aubergine (Oh-bear-gene with a French accent, if you please!), which in French means eggplant, but it's a beautiful name nonetheless!

Jeannie · February 07, 2007 at 09:00 PM

Doris...plain and simply the best!

Lesley-Anne Green · February 07, 2007 at 09:00 PM

my boyfriend's great(multiple times?) uncle is kennesaw mountain landis, the first baseball commissioner - but that's my personal favorite name. very manly and romantic.

katie e. · February 07, 2007 at 09:01 PM

Oh so hard to pick one name...we had a really hard time picking out names for our little one...my faves were the girls names (none of which my hubby liked, thankfully we ended up having a boy):

Tallulah
Emmaline
Annalise

But one of my all time faves is the name of a character I played in a play in high school. It's from the play "The Little Foxes" by Lillian Hellman. The character I played was:

Alexandra (nickname was Zan)

Paulette · February 07, 2007 at 09:01 PM

Hi my name is Nyasha Shani Moore. I love you blog, your art and hence would love to win your contest. My first name means "compassion" in zimbabwe (I'm not from there,im from Barbados,have you ever heard of it,its an island in the caribbean). Shani means "nice" ,I've not always know the meaning of my names but i hope live up to their meanings. I'll continue reading your blog and I hope you continue making it special.
Nyasha

Nyasha · February 07, 2007 at 09:04 PM

If you can get through the long list, I hope you like my daughter's name, it is:

Tilly Louise

Our second child is due on the 16th of Feb (but who knows, we could get a valentine baby!). We don't know if we are expecting a boy or a girl, but we do know we are expecting a Frankie. Francis for a boy, or Francesca for a girl.

I love the name Francis. A small child is cute as Frankie, a teenager is masculine and rebellious as Frank, and then when he grows into a man, he can return to a wiser and more wordly Francis.

Allison · February 07, 2007 at 09:05 PM

Petunia Caliope Twitterly

Veronica · February 07, 2007 at 09:05 PM

My favorites are Hadley Anne (Haddie for short) and Cadence Abigail (after my dear friend's baby girl- a miracle baby).

brandi · February 07, 2007 at 09:06 PM

Ooh, this is fun!

Ok, we named our daughter Quinn Charlotte, but a name I often call her is Quinnifer McSqueezy Cheeks (she's very cheeky). If I were to write a children's book, maybe one of the following would be the girl character's name:

Scarlett Vienne Funderburke
Sabine Louise Krinklesticks
Millie Cosette Valentino
Lolly Q. Capri

Sarah M. · February 07, 2007 at 09:11 PM

Okay Emily, this is addicting (in a good way. I also like:
1)Liesel"lee-zel"
2)Moxie.. just a cool sounding name
3)Amalya "uh-mall-ya"
4)Leo
5)Ari....I have twin nephews named Leo and Ari. Ari means lion, also.

I have to stop thinking of names now or else.. I might be back:)

Lonnie K. · February 07, 2007 at 09:16 PM

OK, I'll throw mine in there if you promise not to laugh. My name is Heidi Schlumpf. When I asked my parents why they named me Heidi, they said, "Because it goes with Schlumpf." Schlumpf ("Can I buy a vowel, please) actually means a little troll in German. It's what they call the Smurfs!

Heidi · February 07, 2007 at 09:25 PM

Patricia Petticoat Pumpernickle

I love it, it sounds very proper!

Christie · February 07, 2007 at 09:27 PM

Carmina, for the red color in valentine's day, or others like Amaranta or Mandragora...

Carmen · February 07, 2007 at 09:28 PM

If I had it to do again, I would name my daughter Amaryllis.
Amy for the days she wanted to blend.
:-)

jenny · February 07, 2007 at 09:29 PM

OK I know your inundated with comments but I though I would throw a few names out there...

Here are my Girl names:
Turnip
Eveie (short for Evelyn)
Ana
Natalie
Ophelia

Boy names are:
Thatch
Nate
Noah
Oden
Wyatt

Stephanie · February 07, 2007 at 09:33 PM

I knew a girl, in second grade, named Linda Zipper...
my father knew Bella Zass, and her best friend Gussy Astriff, my son knows Austin Schlaffkowitz.

blackbird · February 07, 2007 at 09:37 PM

OOOH I cant stop! I forgot the name that we always use around the house...
June berry smoo pop

melissa · February 07, 2007 at 09:39 PM

One of the most beautiful names I have ever heard was Alyxandrya (and it was spelt like that too). She was a Ukrainian girl I met back when I was 15 or so. I always thought that name belonged in a fairy-tale.

Your painting "Bella" is gorgeous by the way, I love the colours!

Erin · February 07, 2007 at 09:42 PM

Miette from The City Of Lost Children :)
love tht name...
and also Ponette from the film Ponette, both girls were darling as well perhaps thats why i like the names even more

heidi · February 07, 2007 at 09:49 PM

My friend reads your blog religiously and said I simply HAD to enter your contest with my future not-even-a-twinkle-in-my-eye daughters' names. So here I am. :)

In no particular order... they are Amarise Belle, Eliana Clare, Gavriella Honore, & Saraiah Jolie.

love, me <><

LeeAndra · February 07, 2007 at 09:51 PM

**estralita, which means little star**

rebecca · February 07, 2007 at 09:56 PM

i'm going to tell you my dollies' names

The fabulous Ms. Djuna Clement (pronounced JUNE-a) named after D. Barnes and one of the best streets in SF

and Meret Bonaparte named after Meret Oppenheim and a funny little man

(oh, and there's jeanette, linnet, and zarya. They were going to feel left out if I didn't talk about them. See them on my flickr/faerygrrrl)

and just in case (though their are so many good names, how could you possibly pick!)
po box 350
ny, ny 10013

Erin Fae · February 07, 2007 at 10:00 PM

My honey is dead set on naming our first daughter Lux Malone. I guess if nothing else works out for her in life she will at least have the name of a super hero/private eye.Other names I like nickname or otherwise.... Ramona Marie,Amelia Ophelia,Willy Lumpkins,Willow Rose,Baby Bea,Pickle,Hammy and Yittle guy.

Brandy · February 07, 2007 at 10:10 PM

Oh I am totally obsessed with names as well! I have the best book called The Baby Name Wizard. One can spend hours with it.

I have a little Henry myself as well as a Grace....hopefully one day will have a Julianna and/or Sam to add to the bunch. But I am currently into Tessa and Nola.
Such a lovely blog, thanks for sharing it all with us.

Allison · February 07, 2007 at 10:10 PM

When I was born, my mother was absolutely convinced I was going to be a boy so she hadn't even considered girl names. So, I became, Elizabeth Margaret Collins, named after great grandmothers and a name fit for an old english lady for sure. Afterwards, my mother decided that they would call me Bessie, short for Elizabeth (somehow), after a friend of hers from nursing school. Of course now all of my friends call me Liz because I got tired of the cow jokes in elementary school. But my family still always calls me Bess or Bessie.

Liz · February 07, 2007 at 10:12 PM

wow...reading the comments, all the name ideas are really great...
archer has always been a favorite of mine...and the good thing is, it fits a boy or a girl, yet it doesn't seem unisex to me somehow...weird huh?
miette is also a great name, feminine and kind of saucy :)
great idea...love your blog!

rachael · February 07, 2007 at 10:19 PM

My youngest daughter is "Bella" so I can see from your latest painting you know that name. Love the painting, will look for it when you update your shop. Here are my entries although my first was already mentioned which is Mehitabel which is a bibical name, but also is the name of a cat in Don Marquis Comic strip from the 1920's love story about a cat named Mehitabel and a cockroach named Archy Here is the link, because this I think might something you would appreciate.
http://www.donmarquis.com/readingroom/archybooks/song.html This is a direct link to the song of Mehitabel, but please see the rest of the site, even better find the book it truly is a quirky delight. Okay, Here is my entry though since, my first two choices are taken. ******Hazel****

Kelly Colucci · February 07, 2007 at 10:22 PM

I have a few names for you, all of them belonging to children I have had in my classes.

1. Queen Nile of the Asia Earth - that was her full name. She also had two brothers - King Majesty and Supreme Being.

2. Wynter Naloni

3. Keinan (pronounced Kay-non)

4. Solveigh

But my personal favorite (and my daughter's name) is Madeleine. But Madeleine has to be spelled "Madeleine" not Madalyn or Madeline or Madalynn.

abby · February 07, 2007 at 10:23 PM

My mom used to tell me she had thought of naming me October. I would have gone by Toby. We had an "uncle" Toby who was best friends with my (real) uncle Icel (who went by Ike) and cared for him after he went deaf. Uncle Ike always gave us a 50 cent piece when we visited. Toby was short for Thoburn (or Thobern, there doesn't seem to be a consensus). I would love to name a son that. I want to name a daughter Caelyn or Caelynne. Caelum is the Latin word for sky. And Lynne comes from linda - Spanish for pretty. My boyfriend prefers names more like Jane though, and I really want to keep my mom's and my middle name (Mae) in the family, so I might have to concede on Caelyn. Oh, and the ae is pronounced like a long I, though I figure if I did name a daughter that it would get pronounced like a long A all the time.

Also, I used to babysit for a woman named Melody. Her children were Sonnet and Gaylen.

ellie · February 07, 2007 at 10:24 PM

I forgot to mention my ex's friend who's son's name is Hunter Orion. And my brother used to want to name his daughter Star.

ellie · February 07, 2007 at 10:27 PM

Hello dear Emily! This contest is just as cute as you are! My name for you is Tanaquil LeClerc. She was a real person - a famous ballerina whose career was tragically cut short when she was paralyzed by a bout of polio from the waist down. She was oddly gorgeous, just like her name :)

geek+nerd · February 07, 2007 at 10:29 PM

Holy crap. You have quite the competition going here. It seems there is a similar fascination with names within us all.

My favorite name is Kenzie. That's my daughter, and the name is perfectly "her." I have a name collection ready for naming Child #2, whenever that day comes.

My name is Stacy. I wish it was fancier. I would really like to be a Stacia instead.

I usally avoid posting my last name on the internet, but I doubt any stalkers read your blog, right? When I was younger, I used to dream about the day that I'd get married and rid myself of my maiden name. It was Bieker (and earned me many a muppet joke). And, then what to I do? I marry a Dinkel. (which earns me a lot of "do you dinkel when you tinkle" and other jokes that make virtually no sense). So, when I got married - everyone got the biggest kick out of suggesting that I hyphenate. Stacy Bieker-Dinkel. Uh, yeah. That didn't happen.

Stacy · February 07, 2007 at 10:31 PM

wonderful new paintings!!! love the tea time girl.

In high school I went on a few dates with a boy named Christopher Makon Coats. Whenever I would think of him, I would have this picture of him in my head slumped over a sewing machine making coats. hah!

freelisa · February 07, 2007 at 10:35 PM

Emily, I've been reading your blog for a while, I love it. I wish I knew someone in my immediate surroundings just like you. Anyways, I love the name Blythe Velvet and might just name my daughter that ( if I have a daughter, that is.) Hope you like it too.

lara · February 07, 2007 at 10:37 PM

Mr. Bob N. Apples told me that Olive Yew and Rose Budd will see you on Valentine's Day. Lucky Girl!
Am I dorky, or what?
Then there is my beloved dog and best friend, Miss Hattie B. Saucy aka. Snooticus Eruticus (her Latin name)

cynthia · February 07, 2007 at 10:38 PM

Okay girlfriend, I have a couple:

Growing up I had a neighbor named JUSTIN CASE.

Say it out loud.

"We'll bring him along JUSTIN CASE". We had a field day with that one.

The next two are former students at my husband's middle school. He teaches in a totally urban-ghetto-ish school.

I kid you not, Twin African American boys named:

Oranjello and Lemonjello

BUT!!! You pronounce it Or-ON-sha-lo and
Lem-ON-sha-lo with the emphasis on the ON (like as if I put an accent over it)

Hopefully you get the point. I guess their mother was really young when she had them and decided to name them after her two favorite jello flavors. Craziness.

Tiffany · February 07, 2007 at 10:40 PM

WOW, this was a can o' worms, huh? I give you my children, born and lost:

Sage Josephine
Forrest Alexander (Zander)
Lazslo Valentine

the Valentine wasn't for this contest, it was to be his name in honor of St. Valentine, shared by his own Opa. Sadly, I didn't get to use that one.

Love your blog- keep on truckin.

HVM · February 07, 2007 at 10:41 PM

What a fun collection of names! However will you choose just one?

I'm currently enamored with the name of a friend's newborn daughter: Valentine Rose.

marielle · February 07, 2007 at 10:42 PM

Well I must start out by saying that I love your blog and your artwork.

Well I think my own name is pretty interesting. My name is Jennalee. My mother was home watching t.v. late one night while pregnant with me and happened to see the name on the closing credits of a show. Sadly she can't remember what show. But I love that I don't know 20 other people with the same name. I ve only met one other Jennalee in my life.

As for names that I would love to name my own child some day I love the name Xavier James for a little boy and Lola Grace for a little girl.

Jennalee · February 07, 2007 at 10:47 PM

A nice name for a girl born in winter:
Mae Snowdrop.
And my daughters name, Isabelle Maria.

Annie · February 07, 2007 at 10:47 PM

I have two names for you. They are the names of my two daughters. My first child in Kngaio (pronounced Ny-O). We added the "K" because I love K's & her dad has a "K" at the start of his name (because I kind of got to name her, I had to give him something!)

My second daughter is named, Ideya. Because she was the best idea at that point in my life. Funny thing is, she always comes up with the most brilliant "ideas". She thinks it has something to do with her name. (she is five) She always says Ideya/Idea after she comes up with that "great idea".

They both have 2 middle names each, but I will leave you with these two! ;)

Jenelle · February 07, 2007 at 10:47 PM

I think your contest is Truly Scrumptious!

Michelle Bass · February 07, 2007 at 10:53 PM

Oh goodness, oh deary me! I have to prattle off a list of names (mostly girly), even if it disqualifies me!

I once had a roommate who wanted to name her future daughter Strawberry Chapman! How fitting for this post, eh?!

Here are some names that I've come across; most are dear friends: Fressia, Daria, Esmé, Bonny Brae, Cambrie, Téa, Rhea, Ira Ames, Bryleigh Ann, and Trieste. All names that I've collected into the catacombs of my mind!

As for me, my birth name is Barbara Elizabeth Borgia, but now I go by Beth Summers. Our future daughter's name will be Elizabeth Rae Summers {although Elizabeth Rae Borgia sounds gorgeous...}. And we would call her Ella-Rae and/or Ellie-Rae. As for our next boy, I'm sneaking & passing my *name* along in Peter Borgia Summers (spoken like Wendy calling out for Pan).

I'd better quit! No, wait, I lied, one more! I actually found a Marie Christmas in the phone-book years ago! What fun, the name itself, along with the names listed, the post/challenge, and THE girl herself-Emily!

*Borgia* is my maiden name, btw, and no, it's not French, it's Italian and pronounced like Georgia, with the 'g' slightly slurred...

Beth · February 07, 2007 at 10:54 PM

Lucy Dot (future daughter)

Caribou Xing (baby name I liked in High School)

Calvin Pennington (2 year old neighbor)

Anderson W. Moore (note the awesome monogram... that's my baby's name)

Bo Dryden ("porn name"; first pet plus street you grew up on)

Eartha Highland (My last "porn name"... also worthy)

Cappie McDoodle (name I just made up... Sort of a 1940's cartoon name I guess)

Sarah Moore · February 07, 2007 at 11:00 PM

I'm totally enchanted by names too. If I'm ever so lucky as to have a little one of my own, I would need the entire 9 months just to select the perfect name. It must hold both meaning and beauty, and at the moment it is Aletheia - a word which, in the writing of Heidegger, is the emergence of an entity into the unconcealedness of its being . . . truth.

megan · February 07, 2007 at 11:02 PM

Ok, I have looked through all the names. My given name is Gregg Louise Casper. I have been married for 17 years. Now I am Gregg Casper McCormac. I have yet to meet or hear of another woman named Gregg. I assure you that Gregg was a girl choice as was Douglas Ann, and Leigh Paige. I used to hate it when I was younger, and wanted to change it, but now I love it because it is different and people always remember it. My boys thought for years that it was a girls name until they saw the brady bunch, they wanted to know why greg brady had a girl name? I had to break it to them that it was I with the boy name. I recently paid off a credit card and cancelled it. The credit card company would not let me cancel it because they didn't believe that I was Gregg. They were convinced that I was pretending to be him. They told me I would have to go to my bank and then have the bank call them to cancel the card!! Huh?? weirdo! My sister's name is Grayson which has really caught on as a girls name in recent years, why didn't mine?? hmmm.....

gregg · February 07, 2007 at 11:06 PM

I was so in love with my dearly departed cat, Bitsy Doll Brains, that I took up her nickname, La Bitessa, as my own. I smile every time I write it out because she was such a wonderful gal.

I also used to be convinced that I needed to name someone or something Helena Grace. It has always sounded so prim, yet whimsical to me.

bitessa · February 07, 2007 at 11:09 PM

I'm fond of my great-great-grandmother's name:

Maria Immaculata.

Melissa · February 07, 2007 at 11:13 PM

When I was a girl, our next door neighbor was this wonderful elderly woman with the delightful name Gladys Horny. I still think it's the perfect name for an old Southern lady.

Erin O. · February 07, 2007 at 11:15 PM

Beatrix Trixie, it was the name that my Cabbage Patch came with, back in the early 80's.

robyn · February 07, 2007 at 11:16 PM

ezekiel teagan poe, nice to meet you.

sonia · February 07, 2007 at 11:20 PM

Do you by chance listen to CarTalk on Saturday mornings on NPR? Listen to the last 5 minutes for a whole host of sentence-names. I really can't compete with their silly humor so I will share my daughter's name which I like: Paige Irene but lately we've been calling her Grumplestiltskin 'cause she's grumpy.

Thanks for the contest. Now when I get a goldfish I'll have lots of name options.

Melissa · February 07, 2007 at 11:21 PM

I remembered another name "Christmas Snow".

Michelle Bass · February 07, 2007 at 11:21 PM

My cats names are: Mr Poopy Pants Paschall, Vinny the Hammer, & Knuckles McGee. My next 2 cats will be named Mikey Bagels & Bartonella Henselae (which is the bacteria that causes cat scratch fever).

At a previous job, my nickname was Tapeworm - because I would eat alot & not gain weight.

I love your blog!
Virginia Geneva

ginger · February 07, 2007 at 11:34 PM

I always tell my husband that I want a little black and white dog so I can name him Tuxedo Bumper-buckles. I don't know where I came up with it. My husband had a dog tag engraved with that name for me for Christmas one year, which was very sweet of him but I am still waiting for the dog. I love naming dogs - I named my old roommate's dog, a Shih-Tzu, Moonpie Pupkins.

Melanie Taylor · February 07, 2007 at 11:39 PM

mmm, i love your page, i visit quite often! my sons name is "finneas edward" (which could also be spelled phineas)

my very favorite name for a girl someday would be "cecelia."

my mom's name is "dee adele lynn" and i've got "corrie laura" on my BC. my mom named one of her boys, "strider," who died just a bit after he was born - like from LOTR

and to wrap it up, there is always "rosie cotton" a favorite character.

Corrie Easley · February 07, 2007 at 11:40 PM

Hi Ms. Emily,
Not that I can compare with any of the above & wonderful names. Yes Ms. Em it's always a wonderful rabbit hole with you. I have a Stella Blue & Loose Lucy to most reasons known... their personalities actualy go w/ there songs it's to funny.

Natalie · February 07, 2007 at 11:46 PM

trixie peanut.

sadira · February 07, 2007 at 11:46 PM

I once met a girl named Cassandra Ricotta, and I always liked the way that name rolled off the tongue. Names that are fun to say are my faves, which is why I loved that the little girl (Anouk! another fun name) in the film "Chocolat" called her invisible kangaroo "Pantoufle." (And, really, an invisible kangaroo? Delightful.)

My favorite fictional name, though, is my dad's creation. When I was little, he told me I should have a circus of my own some day. He decided it should be a frog circus (I'm not sure why), but instead of using my own middle initial and last name, which is nice and Swedish but not very circus-y, I should have a stage name. He came up with Emma P. Fruehoff. It's difficult to explain how great I thought that was--even typing it out now I guess it comes across as just silly--but I remember being absolutely in love with the idea that one day, when I was grown up, I would be the proud owner of Emma P. Fruehoff's Traveling Frog Circus.

Emma · February 07, 2007 at 11:50 PM

my name is oona moon baker, which only in the past few years have i become extremely proud of (i used to be terribly ashamed of my "yes, my parents lived in a tent" name and once in a painful fourth grad year, changed it to stacy

my daughter's name is ramona isabel (after the illustrious miss ramona quimby)

my imaginary friend's name is genevive alabaster. she is very shy and sulks in the cloakroom.

oona baker · February 07, 2007 at 11:58 PM

my all time fav! Pickleddy pinklepig the fourth! :)

cookie · February 07, 2007 at 11:58 PM

The only thing i can think of is a character that was on a children's show i watched when i was little. He was quite scary, actually. He had a hat, mustache, beard and a long white coat. He would pull on a big rope that hung from the ceiling and it would usually just fall and hit him in the head. (did i dream this?)
Anyway, his name was Nosmo King. Not until much later did I realize that if you emphasized it differently it was No Smoking.
Sounds odd...but there it is.

Diane Duda · February 07, 2007 at 11:59 PM

My baby girl dachshund is Magnolia Morning Glory Wigglebottom. Her brother is Ernst Copernicus Von Pantz.

Squeaky Wheel · February 08, 2007 at 12:01 AM

Well I have a thing for names too.
My name is VALENTINA from Italy, quite a common name over there, but still uncommon here.
I have a daughter and we named her:
TEA JOSEPHINE ( sorry I can't type the accent over the e in Tea so that you would not pronounce it as the beverage and over the e in Josephine, dad is french!)
Then I have a boy name that I am enamored with and that is :
RUFUS
and for another girl I would chose:
VESPERTINE.
How about COUS-COUS for a dog?!

Valentina · February 08, 2007 at 12:02 AM

Hi! I do so enjoy reading your blog; your pretty little treasures brighten my day. I have three names for you:
catkin grace-- this is my favorite name; a catkin is a thin, cylindrical flower on male willow trees. paired with grace I find it delicately feminine.
talitha kouhm-- hebrew for 'little girl, get up!'
autumn baughn-- i really like the assonance of this name; it feels like marshmallows in your mouth!

katherine dear · February 08, 2007 at 12:04 AM

I was in Brownies with a pair of sisters called Ideata and Yulove. Ideata was the elder - because "Isn't it a good idea to ('ideata') have a baby?", and "Wouldn't you love ('Yulove') to have another?".

Also I knew a policeman called Fraser McQueen, which I thought was pretty fantastic.

Jane over at Yarnstorm has a list of goodies gathered from birth announcements. I remember an Ophelia Plum making the list.

rita · February 08, 2007 at 12:04 AM

I have had so many jobs in office environments and it's always plagued me that my name is so...unfitting. Ive always wished for a more librairian sounding name....like Ruth Ellis-Brown. Perfect cuteness.

barker · February 08, 2007 at 12:12 AM

Adelaide Kincaid...

sorry to be completely random, but I just started reading your blog, and I admire your ideas. ;)

Blair · February 08, 2007 at 12:21 AM

Well, as an adult I finally like my name, it is Cerri. Pronounced Siree. I hated it as a child as I was called all sorts of other names.
My Momma, who was a sweet little hippie when she had me, says that she made it up, but I have done some research and found two various meanings of it. One is goddes of poetry, (spelled slighly different) the other is goddess of the cauldron. Yep, witch! The story of the goddess of the cauldron is an interesting one too, if you ever feel like it, you can google it and find lots of references to it!

The top painting I believe is my favorite one you have ever done! It's beautiful!

Cerri · February 08, 2007 at 12:21 AM

You are such a dear! I am going to cheat and leave you with four names that remind me of your art:

Emmeline
Beulah
Gwendolyn
Louisa

Teresa Sheeley · February 08, 2007 at 12:40 AM

I've always loved this very very old fashioned (and unfortunately rarely used)Dutch name: ZWAAN. It means 'swan'. Isn't that lovely?

susie · February 08, 2007 at 01:01 AM

I am very slowly writing a book where several characters named are as follows:

Sable
Xanthe
Chaudron (a French color name for a red like dried blood)

Also among my favorites are
Villanelle (after the poem form)
Ravenna
Domino
Merlot
Oryx (two Rs also look quite nice, though I know the animal only has one...)

Villain Extraordinaire · February 08, 2007 at 01:11 AM

Bartending I always took people's credit cards to start tabs and my all time favorite-I-can't-believe-this-is-your-name was First name: Veronica last name: Guitar. "Veronica Guitar".

ashley g · February 08, 2007 at 01:20 AM

Oh yeah.. How could I forget? I once knew a family with the last name of Seed. Their kids were named Huckleberry, Carroway, and Rye.

Delia "Deal-ya" is a sweet girl's name.

Lonnie K. · February 08, 2007 at 01:22 AM

I love names too!

My 'real' last name is Devine (pronounced divine.) When I was in the second grade, I saw National Velvet, with Elizabeth Taylor for the first time and was craaazy about this movie. I immediately started calling myself Velvet Devine. In fact, I started writing this name on all my schoolwork. Which, of course, necessitated a phone call home from the teacher. I still remember the sombre talk with my mother, explaining to me that I could no longer use the name, Velvet. "Because, Dear, that's what strippers are called."

Oh and my cat's name is Philadelphia Cream Cheese Devine. Because she is the same colour as Salmon cream cheese dip.

Lady K · February 08, 2007 at 01:31 AM

There was a Korean woman I went to University with. We were both pianists doing music degrees. Her name is Remi Do. If you put the last name first, her name would be:
Do, Remi.
Do Re Mi -- get it?
[Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Ti Do - the solfege for the major scale!]

A good male name in my family is Basil. Mmmmmm, how "tasteful."

Bonnie M · February 08, 2007 at 01:32 AM

I love my name Alice Ann I also lived on Alice Lane growing up. I knew no one with this name and still do not come across to many. Mostly little old ladies...then the comments go Alice in Wonderland, Alice doesn't live here anymore, Go Ask Alice, ALice Blue Gown. When we are blessed with a child the names are as follow. Girl- Margaret Avery. Boy - John Walter (but we will call him Walt). You are such a little doll...I want to put you in my pocket and fed you teacakes. But not in a creep stalker way. hehehe xoxox unbirthdaygirl

Alice Ann · February 08, 2007 at 01:37 AM

Serendipity Hope

lsaspacey · February 08, 2007 at 02:19 AM

Another one, referenced from Donnie Darko, Cellar Door, but read it as Cellador.

lsaspacey · February 08, 2007 at 02:21 AM

Hi Emily!!
Love the new stuff!! (Especially Bella!)
We'd love to actually cast an entry in this contest but up towards the top we saw two names that just seem so good that we'd instead like to vote!
1. Annabelle Crowe.
2. Eloise LaBrie.
both posted by Mari Ines. We just can already see them as two fab new paintings. Oh and way back when, we read an editor's name at Country Living magazine:
Apple Clover.

Thanks bunches for the fun fun post!
xoxo Jenny & Aaron Holiday

jenny holiday · February 08, 2007 at 02:30 AM

I love my last childs name:

Journey Meira

it means a journey to light (meira is light in hebrew!)

joy · February 08, 2007 at 02:34 AM

girl, i think you set yourself up for some thinking!

Miss Fauna Wren Sable Dwyn

jill · February 08, 2007 at 02:36 AM

Dee Dee Roxirox

A wild and crazy singing woman and my alter ego when I was 4. She was lovely, but you couldn't always trust her to do the right thing.

Jen

jen · February 08, 2007 at 02:43 AM

My daughter Lily does this all the time!I must find one of her lists to share with you.She is always writing fantasy letters to her little sisters from ficticious charcters inviting them to join in adventures!
For now I'll leave you with my daughters names.Their Daddy chose the first names,all related to family ancestors in some way, and I picked the middle ones to preserve their Irish heritage.
Lily Roisin Connaghan
Maisie Orla Connaghan
Kitty Aine Connaghan
Josie Aoife Connaghan.
They all have accents somewhere but my keyboard won't let me!
I will be back when I find that list! xxx

Kristy · February 08, 2007 at 03:17 AM

My little girl's name is Audrey Isabelle and my son's name is Elton. I have loved the names ever since I was 17 years old and never swayed away from the names. Lucky for me, my husband loved them too.
When I was in my early years, I would get pretty tipsy and my friends would call my Slushy Galore....which would also be a pretty good drag queens name!

Toni · February 08, 2007 at 03:26 AM

Wooooah Emily!

You've got a few to choose from! Hee heee!

o.k. here's my contribution...

Dame Raspberry Von Der Fleb

(she's a character from one of my books....)

GOOD LUCK Everybody!!

love Erica

xxx

Erica · February 08, 2007 at 03:30 AM

My all time favourite girls name (welsh of course, me being welsh) is Nona Eleri, I simply adore this name.

Rhian Dennis · February 08, 2007 at 03:36 AM

Okay here are a couple

My Great Grandparents were named - Gertrude and Bert (Gert & Bert - sweet hey)

My Fathers name - Wilhelmus Theodorus Leonardus Lambertus (The only boy in a very dutch family so he had to have all the fathers and grandfathers names - still doesn't fit on his passport)

My Grandmothers name - Merla (means Blackbird in French) I like it because its different and she's the only one we've ever known

My Sons name - David Marshall - (David for his fathers brother who only lived for 8 days, Marshall for My grandfather who lived until he was 80 and was forced to change his name when joining the air force as you couldn't be Air Marshall Marshall!)

Thanks - It will be interesting to see who wins :)

NaomiM · February 08, 2007 at 03:50 AM

Oooh I adore Tea Time Girl. I hope she makes it to the shop.

My favourite names:
Sydney(also my favourite city)
Marisela
Marianela
MariEstella - star of the sea
Amalia - can be Amy or Lia or Mali for short.
Grace - as a middle name for any of the above.
Aidan Hana - Aidan is celtic for little fire and Hana is japanese for flower. So 'she' would be my little fire flower!

Nathan Christopher

Names as sentences
Eileen Inward - I lean inward
Ina Mardhari - In a mad hurry
Emma Chisitt - How much is it
Daisy Meanet - Does he mean it
Preston Arde - Press down hard

Rachael · February 08, 2007 at 03:53 AM

Your new paintings are gorgeous! Fox in the snow is apt for today as we have snow here in the UK. And the whole country has ground to a halt as we can't cope with snow!

Anyway, on to names. My middle name is Nancy which I used to hate but I love it now as it's a bit different. I also like Flora and Flo for short. Lucy or Lucie are two of my all time faves and I'd quite like to call my future daughter (if I ever have one) Lucy Jane. May and Mai are pretty as well.

Have fun choosing a favourite from all the wonderful names peeps have posted.

Christine · February 08, 2007 at 04:02 AM

Ooh I just thought of another- My Grandma was Roberta which I like as well but everyone called her Hetty which I think is a great name!

Christine · February 08, 2007 at 04:04 AM

In England, the springtime brings such wonderful sites consisting of fields full of bluebells. They are literally breathtaking when you are not expecting to see a field of them and the colour leaves you breathless. I have never seen anything so beautiful. My husband and I are adopting a little girl and we shall name her Lola Bluebell. Named after my grandmother and a flower breataking enough to name the miracle of our newest family addition! :)

London Southern Belle · February 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

oboe elixir.

or tuesday bluish in the hollering sun...

and
taffeta darling.

julie R · February 08, 2007 at 04:21 AM

Hi Emily,
i think names are soo important that it just seems like so much pressure for a mum to choose a name for her little lovelies that will make them for ever! i think my mum has done pretty well so i thought i would share just in case you liked them.

I am called Calico- i love my name but it was annoying in textiles class!

my little sister is called Hero- May ( so cute i am kinda jealous!)

and my little baby bro is called Hardy and it totally suits him- in fact all our names do! any who thanks for doing your blog!!

calico · February 08, 2007 at 04:35 AM

Oh that strawberry looks divine! Well, i'd like to second an above name already mentioned- love lies bleeding - not only a beautiful romantic name, but also an amazing flower.
As for human names....Eva, Rubina and Anna are my current favourites. Eva is my niece, Rubina was my great aunt and Anna is just a pretty name!
I love Polish names. I went to school with a Bartek Lopotovski and a Kerry Nicoperivich - hope i got the spelling right - and I especially love those names.
I'm Scottish, so when fantasising about baby names with my man, we have to consider the strong accents that would shout/speak the names. My man's previous neighbour used to shout her kids in the most foul accent (think the strongest Scottish accent, with 100 cigarettes smoked)so we always test names with her shouting voice!
Pearl is another fave, in USA this is pronounced Purl, but in Scotland is Pe-ral with a strong focus on the Pe sound. Not so nice.....

Catherine · February 08, 2007 at 05:04 AM

Wowsers! This'll take you days to sort though...I was going to write and thank you for our parcel that arrived today - so exciting!
My sister's name is Fiona Darlene, which is cute.

My future son will be called Banjo Bamford Murphy (Banjo could be shortened to BJ) after a famous Australian poet, Banjo Paterson. Bamford is my surname, and Murphy is the hubby.

sally · February 08, 2007 at 05:06 AM

My name is Cherith Eaton: i always get called cherry-pie, cherybaby or most recently Ubercherryred x i love it x
Funnist moment when i went in to collect our Christmas turkey from the butcher. He asked "how can i help you?" and i said " i'm here to collect a turkey for eaton"

read it out loud. Har Har
How we laughed.

I love your Blog

Cherith · February 08, 2007 at 05:28 AM

It would have to be CANDELA. Obviously, I'm not being objective as it's my beautiful grandmother's name. It's an old Spanish name that has connotations with the words light, purity, innocence...The surname would have to be Quincampoix, the one I have adopted myself. It's from the film Amelie. So, Candela Quincampoix (ok, maybe a little difficult to pronounce...)

yquincampoix · February 08, 2007 at 05:29 AM

I intend to call my son Archibald Peregrine Pirate McCloud. My own name is Olivia Louise Hardy Laing, which I love, though I also answer to Houdini and Treacle. I'd also like a whippet called Dora St Aubyn and a French bulldog called Charles.

Olivia · February 08, 2007 at 06:01 AM

My favorite unusual name is that of a little boy I met in a Bellevue Hospital waiting room years ago - Infinite Person. My all-time favorite girl's name is Genevieve. Alas, my husband (and father of my daughter) doesn't like it as much!

helen · February 08, 2007 at 06:14 AM

I knew a very beautiful boy in high school named Blue Sky Faulkner. He was lovely.

Lorianne · February 08, 2007 at 06:17 AM

I must add my second favourite....

Wenderlynn.

London Southern Belle · February 08, 2007 at 06:24 AM

I also have a thing for names, when I was a kid I collected names in a book and made up families in my mind, and everyone had the most intriguing of names.
My youngest daughters name is Polly Esmeralda, so thats one of my favourite combos of names at the moment. My sons name is Nemo, and his middle name is Måne, which means moon in english (and they almost become an anagram, but we didnt realize that until he was over a year old). My eldest daughter is Alicia Linnea.
I love your blog and your art!
Alexandra

Alexandra · February 08, 2007 at 06:30 AM

Florence Maud Abram

Wow, LOTS of comments! You have your work cut out for you.

Kaye · February 08, 2007 at 06:36 AM

Our three names

Tatania, Violet, and Ridgley all girls.

Tatania · February 08, 2007 at 06:39 AM

Hi Emily. I love your new tea time painting.

A friend of a friend of mine was called Iain T. Smart which, when you break it down into a sentence, spells out "I ain't smart" - a true story of cruel or unwitting parents...?

I love two Japanese names, Shoko and Suki, but wasn't even allowed to use them for our cats so definitely won't be allowed to use them for any future children. The names on the short list for future children that may never exist are Madeleine or Dulcie for a girl and Grover for a boy.

Dulcie is a name from my family's past with a nice story behind it. Back in the days when it was very much frowned upon not to name your children after family members, a relative of mine who was a civil engineer broke with tradition and named all his children after bridges (a passion of his). In the north east of Scotland (where I come from) there is a smallish bridge called Dulcie Bridge and so he named his daughter after that. I think it's great how he got such a beautiful name for a girl from such a masculine passion, and a name that was old fashioned/traditional and yet chosen for a controversially modern reason.

Sorry this comment got a bit rambly - I've been spying on your lovely blog for a long time and was obviously bursting to say something!

Laura
xx

Laura · February 08, 2007 at 06:43 AM

Margus Pocrot!

Susanna · February 08, 2007 at 06:45 AM

Hand to God, I went to camp with a girl named April May Showers.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Melissa (crazycatladymel) · February 08, 2007 at 06:48 AM

Hello Emily
My Grandma was called Beatrice (after guess who!) Jessie Pugh...we all called her Trixie for short. It suited her sooo much; she was such a happy soul. She died recently and now, more than ever, I'm certain that if I have a little girl she will be a Trixie :)
Emily x

Emily · February 08, 2007 at 07:26 AM

Oh I also love Roisin (pronounced Rosheen) - I think it's Irish

Lovely!

x

Emily · February 08, 2007 at 07:29 AM

Oh I also love Roisin (pronounced Rosheen) - I think it's Irish

Lovely!

x

Emily · February 08, 2007 at 07:29 AM

A fantastic post! To add my favourite names -

- Alfalfa (my favourite baby name but I recently gave it to my little puppy as I was too impatient.)
- Audrey (I just looked after a litter of puppies for a rescue centre and one bat eared, big footed, scrawny pup was called Gail and I just had to call her Audrey. I hope she remembers her glamourous name in her new home.)
- Ena Medina Gardiola (I once worked typing for a day in a fancy property rental place in South Kensington in London and in a file I found all these beautifully handwritten letters from a very polite lady named Ena Medina Gardiola complaining about the damp, cockroaches and floods in her house. She just seemed so sweet about it all. I wrote the name down to save it for something special.)
- Milly Pink (a friend had a five year old in her class with this name.I had never heard of Pink as a surname before but is an awfully cute name for a little girl.)

Amy Lou · February 08, 2007 at 07:31 AM

I have three....

1)Falula Bojangles

2)Azrael Merriweather

&

3)Frederick J. Pilkington

Nicole · February 08, 2007 at 07:47 AM

Fonda Dicks...actual name and sometimes when you marry you should never take your husbands last name but then her birth name was Fonda Peters ...sometimes ya just need to go out and get a court ordered name change.

peggy · February 08, 2007 at 07:49 AM

one of my favorite literary characters is scout finch, daughter of atticus, sister of jem -- even the author's name is awesome -- harper lee...just one? i'll always go with scout...

patricia · February 08, 2007 at 08:16 AM

I haven't found the list yet but I did just get an email from Lily sent from her Grandmas asking me to print off a letter to her sisters.It's half term next week and she is setting up a little fantasy to keep them all entertained.Something she loves to do.
This letter is from a one
Mr Arthemus.J.Rogue
He is one of only 30 survivors of the Damdrids who perished under a terrible forest fire in their native Animian Mountains of Elswos incase you didn't know!
Thanks for the nudge I really will have to post about this later. xxx

Kristy · February 08, 2007 at 08:19 AM

so my contribution is my baby's name
Franka Susan

heather herman · February 08, 2007 at 08:20 AM

What a splendid idea! I love discovering new names and wonderful meanings. I have several that I absolutley love...

1) Balian Ronan
2) Fiona Isolde
3) DeMarious Annie

Amy · February 08, 2007 at 08:21 AM

Tallulah True "insert cool last name here"

Tallulah True Martin is yummy, don't ya think?

Terra · February 08, 2007 at 08:23 AM

Your new paintings are adorable. I love reading your blog everyday. It is so inspiring!!! I am in love with the name Lorelei mostly for its definition "1. a quasilegendary nymph of the Rhine who lured sailors to shipwreck on her rock by singing: a creation of Clemens Brentano in a poem of 1800". I am in love with sea nymphs, as a child I wished to turn into a mermaid but alas it never happened. Take care.

Katie Huggins · February 08, 2007 at 08:30 AM

I feel lame saying this, but how about Abigail Raine? That's my dog's name & everyone teases me about it relentlessly. I guess b/c having a middle name for your dog is lame!?

Jessica Hood · February 08, 2007 at 08:31 AM

I am delurking and just want to say how delightful your blog is.
I once knew a lady named Kayanne Pepper. My mom went to school with a Rosie Butts (yikes!). But the name I really love is Phineas and call him Finn for short.

Kelly · February 08, 2007 at 08:42 AM

My daughters name is Yasha. I love it so much.. It is a russian boy's name but it has mening in india and japan too. It is also pronouncable around the world. (My son is a Stijn and he has a problem ;-)

We had to think of a name for our new puppie and she will be Nova. We had talked about the new puppie for so long we actually named her New!

mijk · February 08, 2007 at 08:43 AM

Hi Emily! I've been painting this little character, she's a rag doll, for years. Like 10 to be precise. Anyhoo, I just named her in the last couple of months. Ephigine Stitch or Effigine Stitch. I've yet to settle on the spelling.
Love your blog!
Jen

Jen Angulo · February 08, 2007 at 08:51 AM

wow what a response. I am impressed. and the new paintings are incredible.

I went to school with a girl named
Seena Robin

And since you live in Athens I thoguht I would toss in a customer of mine - C. Keen Zero - he lives at 128 Odd Street here in Athens.

Have a great day -

teresa (maggiegracecreates) · February 08, 2007 at 08:51 AM

Here made-up names I love. They're first and middle names. Say them out loud. :)

Isabelle Necessary

Isabella Bird

I love the idea of "Necessary" as a middle name for some reason.

emma · February 08, 2007 at 08:52 AM

What about: Gretel Stockfish, ok. it sounds sorta weird translated (from dutch) but I heard the name on the radio once and wrote it down, if I ever write a book Gretel will most definatly make an aperiance.

Also, let me join the great club of admirerers and say: love your blog and work!

Esther · February 08, 2007 at 08:59 AM

You've made me come out of lurkdom. I love names!Here are my top 3:
1. Mavis ( for a girl)
2. Cora Inez ( for a girl )
3. Darius Conrad ( for a boy)

Jamie · February 08, 2007 at 09:03 AM

My daughter's name is Jordyn Kali.

I wanted to name her Jordyn Taylor but my husband said it reminded him too much of the department store Lord & Taylor.

So Jordyn Kali it was!

Jennifer · February 08, 2007 at 09:03 AM

My name has to Emmie Rose, it's the name of my favorite 2 years old but I also think it would be a sweet name for a fairy.

Gina · February 08, 2007 at 09:07 AM

I'm not sure how anything could possibly compete with Winnifred Turnipseed...

but my favorite name has always been my own, Jenica Rachel. I simply love it when someone hears my name, stops, thinks it over, then says "what a beautiful name." Being that it's the Romanian version of Jane, I hope to name a future daughter Ava Jane, which would easily surpase my own name as my favorite.

The most interesting names I know: Sandy Butt (my best friends mother) and Penny Nickels (she married into that name.)

Jenica · February 08, 2007 at 09:25 AM

I recently happened upon your blog and absolutely adore it! I,too, love names and wanted to share my daughter's first and middle: Paisley Fontaine

She is fantastically five and wears her name well, if I do say so myself.

Karissa · February 08, 2007 at 09:27 AM

Wow. What's the record for most comments? Here's my favorites:

Kaywinnett Lee Frye (Kaylee)

Inara Serra

Stephanie · February 08, 2007 at 09:33 AM

Wow. What's the record for most comments? Here's my favorites:

Kaywinnett Lee Frye (Kaylee)

Inara Serra

Stephanie · February 08, 2007 at 09:33 AM

Wow! I am amazed that there are already 200+ comments here. But I'll still give the favorite name(s) a shot since I would absolutely LOVE to win the very special Valentine package from you!....

1. Madilynn Rae

2. Calvin Bryce (boy)

3. Virginia (Ginger) Belle

Erika · February 08, 2007 at 09:48 AM

hola :)
i think the most beautiful names are:
isadora for a girl &
faustino for a boy :)
oh & i also like cielo, which can be used for both and means "sky" in spanish, and i like domingo for a boy too, because sundays are such happy days!
renata, i also like renata...
:)

Ana · February 08, 2007 at 09:54 AM

Oh and i just remembered, there is a rumour amoung local teachers (my friend teaches high school english)that 5 year old twins have started school this year called.....Versace and Armani.....We're not sure if it's a teaching urban myth!

Catherine · February 08, 2007 at 09:56 AM

Howdy Emily,

This is the name of my alter-ego:

Esmerelda Zelda Chucklesnort III

(I used to write stories as a kid using this name)

Kate

Kate · February 08, 2007 at 10:01 AM

Hi! Blogging and the internet are strange things. I've been reading your blog now for a few months and always enjoy it, but have always been too shy to de-lurk. However when you mentioned names, I had to! I love coming up with beautiful names.

Percy Phillip
Isabella Elise
Penelope Rose
Lillian Elisabeth
Meghan Lynelle

On the silly side, my mom had a friend named Sandy Beach, one named Candy Kane and a friend named Lynn who married a fellow who's last name is Len making her Lynn Len!

RAS · February 08, 2007 at 10:04 AM

I friend of mine was toying around with names to use as his drag name and this is what he came up with:
Bofreda Shaneekwa Hightower.
Not the best drag name but you must admit, funny!

Ronni · February 08, 2007 at 10:05 AM

I love coming up with names... and one of my favorite ones lately is: Mariagnes Mench. I picture her as a spinster school teacher... with a long white coarse hair escaping a black mole on her chin. She can be sweet, but is very abrupt... and some of the little children are frightened of her... especially at Halloween... where the thought of witches floating high above dance through their heads.

Angela D · February 08, 2007 at 10:13 AM

my favourite sim when i was playing sims (2) was named Persimmon Polemic. she had dark hair and brown eyes. :D

sereneonion · February 08, 2007 at 10:22 AM

Love this idea!
While I am no where near being a mother, I do keep a list of names that have me smitten. I heart different names and ones that just sound good tumbling off your tongue.

Girls:
Meade (honey wine with a feminine "e")
Cricket (so fun)
Ella (musical and my great gram's name)
Ava (cute and powerful)
Quinn (just in love with it)
Skye (my parents almost named me this)

Now you can mix them....Quinn Cricket or Ella Meade or Ava Skye

Boys:
(I like the old-timey names. Strong names that can also be converted to cute nicknames)

Phineas (already taken by my furry child, my cat)
Josiah
Colby
Calvin

Olive · February 08, 2007 at 10:26 AM

Well, this isn't original or anything (and my comment is #237!) but my favorite name is Violet. It was my grandmother's name and should have been my daughter's name, and it's oh so British and old-fashioned.

Viv · February 08, 2007 at 10:27 AM

I love the names Cyan for a boy or girl. I call my cat Waffle. :)

stevie · February 08, 2007 at 10:31 AM

Miss Sadira from Foolsewoode and I call eachother "Lovey Puss" and "Pussy Face" and have been doing so since way before we thought it could me misinterpreted.

My son has been called "ShooShoo Faluna" since conception. Poor kid. He's really Nicklas Speare, but doesn't know it. Shhhh.

Dina R · February 08, 2007 at 10:31 AM

Once I was taking a friend's grandmother her mail, and the letter on top (a perfectly square cream envelope) had the completely captivating return address of
"Ms. Lotus Ruckle
Salt Spring Island, BC"
which has stayed in my mind ever since. Apparently Lotus Ruckle is my friend's great aunt, and like many in her Quaker family, a lifelong peace activist.

Justine Alexandra · February 08, 2007 at 10:49 AM

Twinkle Van Winkle... I actually know of a girl named this.

Zazazu · February 08, 2007 at 10:52 AM

Here's my someday daughter's name, Lomance Romantier. (soft "a's" as in "en France")

Alesha · February 08, 2007 at 10:53 AM

Wow! This is a lot of posts!
My submission is:
Rhionnnan Nollaig which is Irish and you say it Reeanon Nullig and it means, The Little King of Christmas

tiffany · February 08, 2007 at 11:01 AM

Could you please publish a list of all these wonderful names? I become "magpieish" not only with glittering things... but I'm too busy to copy them now..
My favorite names:
Marlo and Marzipn
(a girl and her cat)

honeyspy · February 08, 2007 at 11:02 AM

Harold P Hoover

Isabelle Under

Cappy Vickers

Slope E Kade

These are some of my faves. You have quite the list to go through!

Crystal T · February 08, 2007 at 11:08 AM

Harmonie Melodee

Bint

Cozie O. Tea

missy · February 08, 2007 at 11:10 AM

I love this idea...and look how many comments you have already! Oh my!

My maiden name, as well, got me lots of comments and remarks. Nichole Cole. And to add to the confusion, my middle name is Lee. Nichole Lee Cole. Usually people ran the first two together so it sounded like, "Nicholey Cole" and I actually started calling myself Nicholey there for a long time.

Also, my mother-in-law's full maiden name was Donna Juanita Farley, and people used to call her "Donna wanna fartie".

I originally wanted to name my daughter Lillian Lynn so her maiden name would be rhymey, or sing songey like my maiden name. (Then it would have been Lillian Lynn Pennington)...but we went with Eleana Lynn instead. Still beautiful, and I loooove her name. I always said if I become an author and need a pen name I'll choose Lillian. :P

PS: I'm head-over-heels for your tea time painting. Just beautiful! I feel like I can never say enough kind words about your work!

Nichole · February 08, 2007 at 11:12 AM

i love your heart-shaped strawberry. it reminds of once when i was having a beer with jordan at a local bar in brooklyn and my glass of lager ended up with a perfect foam heart on the side. it ended up being pssed through the whole bar and many people couldn´t believe we didn´t create it ourselves.
and speaking of new york one of my all time favorite names came from an old new yorker article about the author´s daughter´s imaginary friend, charlie ravioli. the giil was like 4 or 5 and yet she would always call charlie through his secretary and in the end he was always to busy to ever meet up with her. :)
i´m also a big fan of jewish names such as shlomo, shlomo glickstein. he helped us with our ketubah for our wedding.
i entered, but think you should choose one of the lovely names of an actual child and send him/her the package.

risa · February 08, 2007 at 11:16 AM

Una Bella (my beautiful little girl)
Mia Daisy (my soon to be beautiful 2nd little girl who's still in my tummy right now ;-D)
Marmalade Isadora (a name I just love)

Melissa · February 08, 2007 at 11:17 AM

Una Bella (my beautiful little girl)
Mia Daisy (my soon to be beautiful 2nd little girl who's still in my tummy right now ;-D)
Marmalade Isadora (a name I just love)

Melissa · February 08, 2007 at 11:17 AM

You've got so many great comments - making a choice will be difficult! I work at a university, and one of the professors here is called Talbot Sweetapple. I just think it's the nicest name.

Cheers (:

Trudi · February 08, 2007 at 11:19 AM

ooops! There's a letter missing..correct is:

Marlo and Marzipan
(a girl and her cat)

honeyspy · February 08, 2007 at 11:20 AM

a mix of my hubby's grandmother's name and a favourite of mine creates a classic for a little girl: Elsa Ophelia. so pretty!

and for my future son? I'm in love with Benjamin Bruce

casey b. · February 08, 2007 at 11:22 AM

a mix of my hubby's grandmother's name and a favourite of mine creates a classic for a little girl: Elsa Ophelia. so pretty!

and for my future son? I'm in love with Benjamin Bruce

casey b. · February 08, 2007 at 11:23 AM

I fired off a silly name that I just love last night, but thought I would add the unusual names we have in the family...My 93 year old grandmother's name is Noxie Loraine (which has always resulted in some hillarious mail mistakes...my favorite being Foxy!) My name: Sadira Kathleen, and my sister's name is Thais Amelia...I love them all...they've been a bit hard at times, but I feel quite lucky the older I get and the more I'm able to appreciate them!

sadira · February 08, 2007 at 11:30 AM

Wow, so many cool names! Leeloo? Elsa Ophelia? Astrid Aurelia? Just wow.

My name is partly joking, but a true submish. My bf's joking nickname for me is Princessa Empriss. He's from Kentucky & tries to maintain that these are the names folks give their kids in the south. Because he's a jokester like that :)

ambika · February 08, 2007 at 11:31 AM

My British alter ego:
Bufflendoquin Hightower.

Just call me Buffy, dahling.

Tomoe · February 08, 2007 at 11:32 AM

Ok, so here are a few names up for your offering...the first is one in wich Ive always felt is very delicate and beautiful, SARAH JADE CRAFT.
the second needs no middle name b/c it is so strong and masculine in itself, DENIRO CLEVELAND.
and the third I feel is elegant and feminine and unique is, DAHLIA ABIGAIL ROSE. I hope you enjoy the names Ive listed :)

sweetooth · February 08, 2007 at 11:33 AM

My mum named me Lillianna, which I've always been happy with (I've never met another but I know they are out there:) But I've been called Lilly all my life (only my mum calls me by my full name which makes it nice, plus I use it as my "professional grown up" name)and my last name means "Pear Tree" in portuguese.

Lilly and the Pear Tree makes me feel like I'm in an adventure story

Love the blog and all the responses with great names and great stories. I'm a sucker for a good narrative.

lillianna · February 08, 2007 at 11:41 AM

Coxie Green Hair! It's the name of a real, and very sweet, 87 year old.

Lisa · February 08, 2007 at 11:43 AM

well.

we called our daughter
emma jayne
but on her first birthday cake
it said
happy birthday, onionhead
cause she had cradlecap
and her head seemed to be peeling,
so she was
affectionately
my little onion head...

and i will
(grudgingly)
(heh)
share my secret favorite name...
if it means a chance
at winning something
you
have created....

imogene.

gkgirl · February 08, 2007 at 11:44 AM

Our friends' last name is Shurtz and they always joked about naming their daughter Polly Ester. :)

Sanna-Miina Palmer · February 08, 2007 at 11:45 AM

Such a great post!

Here are some of my favorites:

1. My dad has always called me "Apple Annie" (my name is April Anne). I'm 31 and he still gets my birthday cakes w/ Apple Annie on them!

2. My former boss's wife's name is "Kishma" which I always thought was just a wonderful, gorgeous name! And fun to say!

3. "Cricket the Magnificent" was the name of a kitten I had once. I named her that because of the "chirping" sound she'd make when she meowed. She was so sweet!

4. "Jameson." The name of my favorite Irish whiskey and our electrician!

5. "Whiskey Lyons" The name I gave a stuffed lion I have.

6. My friends recently had a baby girl that they named, "Regan Poe." I just love that.

7. and a few misc. favorites: Breandan, Aedan, Liam, Patrick, and Katie.

April · February 08, 2007 at 11:58 AM

Emily, what a neat idea! I saw someone submitted Sunny Rae earlier on...but one of my favorite names (that I came across in real life) is Sunny Knight. Always makes me think of Van Gogh's Starry Night...

Literature-inspired names are always wonderful too...I loved Sebastian and his bear, Aloisius from Waugh's "Brideshead Revisited"...thought they would be an adorable kitty name if put together-Sebastian Aloisious. Eustacia Vye from Hardy's "Return of the Native" is also nearly perfect.

rachel · February 08, 2007 at 12:06 PM

What a sweet, little valentine treat, from our Queen Apple! My darling little Parisian goddaughter is already a tried and true petite Applet, saying "Bon soir, ni-night" to her 'girl with a hedgehog print' every evening. Her name is Lucie Jane, and when i'm singing little songs about her or to her, I like to call her Lucie Jane Sugar Cane. :)

karaalison · February 08, 2007 at 12:07 PM

"EMMADINE" IN A FRENCH ACCENT! A SILENT E

ENJOY - LOVE MICHELLE

Michelle Parrish · February 08, 2007 at 12:07 PM

Oh my goodness, I don't envy you this task with all of these wonderful names. I wanted to tell you I saw Pan's L last evening and thought of you throughout. I did love it, so many wonderful visuals that still flit thru my head. On names, since so many are giving children's names, my daughter, adopted from Moscow came with such a lovely one: Darya which is a very ancient Russian name. People here is Atl. love it. My childhood nickname was deedledumpling since I am Diana, has been shortened to "deedle" alot. I have have always called my sister "Hortense Prunella" can't remember where it came from but not her real name. d

diana alexander · February 08, 2007 at 12:08 PM

My two favourites have to be:

Joy Wells - the main character in my husband's middle grade novel that comes out next year.

And:

Ernie Fluffkin - We use it when our son wakes up with his hair all on end :)

Sweet Pea · February 08, 2007 at 12:09 PM

I actually have one of those little books I jaunt cute names in. I have a feeling I'll be adding quite a few to it from all the great suggestions. I didn't read through all the names, but my favorites at the moment are MAYBLE, FLORA and MARIBEL. ARLO is a good name for a boy. Now I just have to find a decent guy in hopes to put all these names to use!!

Amanda · February 08, 2007 at 12:10 PM

Odile Deleuze

Kathy · February 08, 2007 at 12:10 PM

When I was in graduate school (a very preppy one) I was struck by how many people had last-names-as-first-names. It took me one semester to link everyone together that I could, and I ended up with this: Lisa Riley, Reilly Tirney, Tierney Temple, Temple Thompson, Thompson Barnhardt! Voila! What a trick.

amy b. · February 08, 2007 at 12:10 PM

ps ....I LIVE IN THE SAME TOWN AS BOB GELDOFF (LIVE AID FOUNDER)AND HIS KIDS ARE:

FIFI TRICKSY-BELLE
PEACHES
HEAVENLY HIRANI TIGERLILY

Michelle Parrish · February 08, 2007 at 12:13 PM

SORRY ......JUST HAD TO MENTION.....MY ALL TIME FAVOURITE FROM WILLY WONKER........

MISS VERUCA SALT

Michelle Parrish · February 08, 2007 at 12:15 PM

First thing that came to mind was my beautiful 2 y/o niece, her name is "Navani" which is Hawaiian for "Heaven Sent" and she totally is. :)

Marilyn · February 08, 2007 at 12:17 PM

I can't possibly win (but I so want to!), so I'll submit a few of the more melodic characters' names in a story I'm writing:

Kitty Tancan (is my favorite.)
Matilda Arvada
Elio i'Antahei
Goody Jude Crocus

Alexis Allen · February 08, 2007 at 12:18 PM

Michelle, you forgot Pixie Geldoff.

kiwi · February 08, 2007 at 12:18 PM

MARGO FONTAINE
MARGARET DELAINIE

MY BOYFRIENDS NICK MAMES FOR ME......WHO KNOWS WHERE THEY CAME FROM?

Michelle Parrish · February 08, 2007 at 12:19 PM

for a boy: Gideon Koi for a girl: Eponine Mei (may) i am always trying to work those names in to conversations of future children with my husband.

erin · February 08, 2007 at 12:19 PM

My two little boys are Lucas James and Peter Andrew. If wwe ever had agirl, I would name her Milly. I once knew a little girl named MIlly Poppy, and her parents called her "Milly Pop". If only my husband would let me get away with that....

Allyson Vermeulen · February 08, 2007 at 12:20 PM

THANKS KIWI---- YEP AND PIXIE GELDOFF....AND BY THE WAY THE KIDS HATE THEIR NAMES .....BUT I LIKE THEM.

Michelle Parrish · February 08, 2007 at 12:22 PM

OK THIS IS MY FINAL ONE -----THE ALL TIME WORLD FAMOUS.....MOONUNIT ZAPPA....TAKES THE CAKE.

Michelle Parrish · February 08, 2007 at 12:24 PM

My husband and I name our daughter Bronwyn (means pure heart) from an old Welsh Folk Song "The Maid of Cefn Yddfa"
"As long as the sea is salted
And my hair continues to grow
And a heart within my breast
I will always be faithful to you, Bronwyn."

Jodi · February 08, 2007 at 12:24 PM

Without a doubt, my favorite name would have be the name my mother named her china doll as a little girl. Very old Irish - Frontella Moonbeam.

I also love the name Evelina.

Love Love Love the blog.

Sasha · February 08, 2007 at 12:30 PM

'Havilah'

so strong, but breezy.

A. DeLaet · February 08, 2007 at 12:35 PM

Ava Thomas and Julian Max.

There, everyone else can simply stop trying. Hee hee.

Emily · February 08, 2007 at 12:45 PM

My sister's name is Marsala Evangeline. We have a long last name too and she could never fill in all the bubbles on standardized tests fast enough!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Sarah · February 08, 2007 at 12:47 PM

I'm gonna go with my own name....Cerella (pronounced like Mozarella.) heehee

Cerella · February 08, 2007 at 12:50 PM

i knew a girl in college named lily love. she was a hippy chick with waist long blond hair and a free spirit and the name suited her. :)

what a pretty strawberry picture, nicely done!

Meg · February 08, 2007 at 12:55 PM

My name, Jamaica, is a pretty good one. People always comment on it and ask why. It's actually very sweet, I was named after a ove song.

If I were ever to have triplets I'd name them Olive, Rowan and Hazel (all trees right?).

And my favorite make-believe name is the one my Mom used when I was little... Magnolia Bush. I always thought it sounded mysterious and witchy.

jamaica · February 08, 2007 at 01:00 PM

This is my first post and I have to say I looooove your work. You are an amazing artist. My seven-year-old daughter has requested your artwork for her room redo (we are in the process of planning a makeover since my two-year-old will soon share the room with her sister).

Anyways, I found some interesting names on Wikipedia. I was actually searching for info on Irmi Nursery Plastics (for the kids room) and was directed to "List of Unusual Personal Names." Sadly, I did not find any info on the company. I thought it was strange that I was directed to that link, and you just happen to have a name contest. I just had to leave a comment.

Let me start with my daughter's names.
My eldest is Noelle, named after her dad Noel. My toddler is Lucy Bowie. Noelle gave her the name Bowie. I would like to think she is named after David Bowie since Noelle is a fan of his music and Labyrinth, but I think she is named after an actual ribbon bow. When Noelle insisted on Bowie she said that it was a sweet name, a sweet little bow...Lucy Bowie.

Now, for those strange names.

Tarquin Fin-tim-lin-bin-whin-bim-lim- bus-stop-F'tang-F'tang-Olé-Biscuitbarrel was a candidate in a 1981 United Kingdom parliamentary by-election. Actually named after a Monty Python character. Is this even real?

Peaches Honeyblossom Michelle Charlotte Angel Vanessa[1] Geldof, (born 16 March 1989) is the second daughter of Bob Geldof and the late Paula Yates. She is a socialite and media figure in the UK. Her sister is Pixie Frou-frou Geldof.

Poppy Petal Emma Elizabeth Deveraux Donahue (born 19 June 1972 in Sydney, New South Wales) is an Australian actress.

Those are my favorite strange names. You have to check out the list on Wikipedia.

Thank you for sharing your art and your world with all of us. I am inspired.

Kristine · February 08, 2007 at 01:05 PM

My husband and I were vegans when we were blessed with our first child. We named her Veagan Ann (prounounced like Meagan) hoping to signify that against our family and friends feelings that we could have a healthy happy baby without a traditional lifestyle. Funny how time changes, our two other children are named Cierra and Jay.
Love the name game!
Carolyn

Carolyn · February 08, 2007 at 01:11 PM

My sons name is Charlie and its one of my favorite names, I also really like Oliver - our dogs' name is Mr. Oliver McPoodles.

For girls I love the name Sophie Anne. Growing up I loved the name Sachi Parker after Shirley Maclaine's daughter, I still like it for some reason...

dee · February 08, 2007 at 01:15 PM

Tulia Luna is my daughter's name. Tulia means destined for greatness. Luna is of course moon.
~cheila

Cheila · February 08, 2007 at 01:19 PM

I always thought when I had a daughter that I would name her Vivien Jade, after my love of Vivien Leigh. But as it turned out, she's our beautiful & spunky Lily Katherine.

KellyS · February 08, 2007 at 01:19 PM

I didn't used to, but now I really like my own name Chantal France (my first and middle names). When I was younger I wanted my name to be Carrie or Jennifer, but now I'm glad it's a different name. This isn't a very good entry, is it?

chantal · February 08, 2007 at 01:19 PM

Hi again Emily,

At the risk of being disqualified, I had to post again with the name of a small felt gnome that lives with us:

William Trillium Pudding-Basin Jones

(you have to pronounce William with three syllables to get the right effect)

Have fun wading through all of these great names!

kate

Kate · February 08, 2007 at 01:21 PM

Emma Lace Pattinpot (pat-in-pot): Creates small homes for baby rabbits out of leftover stockings(clean of course).

dean · February 08, 2007 at 01:23 PM

Hi! I love to visit your site very much.

Two unique names I love:

Adalsinda (ah-dal-seen-dah)

O'Maolmhuaidh (oh-mal-uh-mah-hoy-dah)

Clare · February 08, 2007 at 01:24 PM

hmmm, well I'm not altogether certain what I should be naming, but when it comes to names there are a few I could prattle off to you in my attempts to be the 300th commenter! yeesh and yowsa.
So I like to go by the name 'Bonnie Boheme of the Bst Beer Bitches'. And then there's the cat well originally Franky turned into 'Franky the Cat of the Chesterfield Puma Chans', and well my dog tends to 'Hazel McHazelsons', and the poor unfortunate man becomes 'Graeme-kins' or just 'Baella', cause he's soooo pretty (but don't tell him I said as much)
Having read the gnomey post just prior to this I remembered the gnome living on a swing in the blue room, aptly name "GnomenKlature."
so there are my secret names...
cheers and a lovely blog you create, not to mention the delightful art, reminds me of art school, where I likewise majored in photo, w/ a BFA to boot.
a Bonnie Beer Bitch!

Christa Z. · February 08, 2007 at 01:39 PM

ok,
i'm not trying to cheat,
really,
by giving more than one answer...

i just thought you might
appreciate this one,
from alice of alice in wonderland
fame...
her middle name was
pleasance.
that is a fantastic name.
pleasance.

gkgirl · February 08, 2007 at 01:41 PM

My fiance and I have already chosen our future daughter's name: Oneida Rae. We're planning on calling her Ona for short.

Kate · February 08, 2007 at 01:42 PM

My fiance and I have already chosen our future daughter's name: Oneida Rae. We're planning on calling her Ona for short.

Kate · February 08, 2007 at 01:42 PM

There is someone listed in the WW1 memorial window of Worcester Cathedral in England who is called Chevalier Cream.

Love that name :)

x alice

alice · February 08, 2007 at 01:43 PM

I forgot this one, my great grandmother

Bird Anna Chase

Clare · February 08, 2007 at 01:45 PM

Hello, the strawberry looks great. Well I love my name I think it flows well Alina Maria and my daughters is Amalia Sofia, I feel the same about her name I just love saying it. Flows like butta :)

Alina · February 08, 2007 at 01:48 PM

I'm a name lover too! We never call my girls by their true names, it's all about the longwinded nicknames that make us smile!

I love
Little Miss PB&J-WiththeCrustsCutoff

SuzyQ · February 08, 2007 at 01:52 PM

Iona Hawkins

Alexa · February 08, 2007 at 01:56 PM

I go by Violette Crumble because I love the candy bar and the name (Violet Crumble that is) but adding the "ette" to the end of Violet makes me sound even Frenchier. It also distinguishes me from the candy! I recently e-mailed Nestle to see if I could legally name my clothing business Violette Crumble but they said no. C'est la vie.

Violette Crumble · February 08, 2007 at 01:57 PM

Hello! I love Tziporah which is pronounced "zipora". It means little bird. The nickname that is often attached to it is Tzippy, obviously pronounced "zippy."

Heather · February 08, 2007 at 01:58 PM

Madeleine Emillienne (my daughter's name)

Denise · February 08, 2007 at 02:00 PM

I may as well add my daughters & husbands names as well:

Cambria Christine
Keira Elisabeth
Claude Theodore IV

Dayna · February 08, 2007 at 02:10 PM

As if you didnt have enough names to choose from, I think that my alter-ego's name is pretty swell: Jolene Avner. To me the name brings up images of adventure.

Salina · February 08, 2007 at 02:10 PM

oh my gosh there are so many names already--you will have so much fun reading these!! i like your tea time painting. so sweet. okay, i am expecting a baby in april, but i have pledged not to speak any of the names that we've chosen, so how about some other names that i love:
Ida Pearl
or
Ione Sabine

molly · February 08, 2007 at 02:24 PM

The main heroine character in my screenplay is Bleu Eeyre. The villain? Vernon Grissle. I was very proud of those. ;)

Michelle · February 08, 2007 at 02:31 PM

"Calico Jane"

Xoxoxox

Jane · February 08, 2007 at 02:36 PM

Alright, I've got it. We had a call come through today from Dixie Wissler...and that ain't just whistlin'..you get the point.

kiwi · February 08, 2007 at 03:11 PM

And my real name should be Popsy Appleblossom Bubblehead - I thought all the posts were getting mixed up and then realised that our names appear at the bottom of the post not the top!

Mary · February 08, 2007 at 03:12 PM

Oh dear, Emily! What a list you have to go through! I have had fun going through everyone's responses

I couldn't resist submitting some of my favorite names to the list.

- My aunt's married name is Dawn Waters. I like the way it makes me think of sunrise over the ocean.
- I went to school with a girl named Spring Steed. It always reminded me of a noble, white horse galloping through a field of spring flowers. :)
- My friend told me that he worked with a man whose last name was Black. He and his wife were big Raiders fans, so they named their daughter Silver Anne Black (silver and black - the team colors). I'm not big on naming kids after sports teams but I thought it was a beautiful name, nonetheless.
- When my daughter was 2 years old, I made a little ballerina doll to sell. She fell in love with it, though, so I didn't have the heart to put it up for sale. She named it Yabeanarina (Ya-bean-ah-reen-ah) Ballerina and it still makes me giggle every time I hear it.
- My very favorite name ever, though, is my grandmother's maiden name - Lenore Alice Crane. I love all the bird imagery and references to some of my very favorite literary works (Lenore - from Poe's "The Raven" and "Alice in Wonderland").

Thanks for such a fun contest!

Heather · February 08, 2007 at 03:20 PM

I had a cat named Buster Kitten. He was named after Buster Keaton, my favorite silent movie star.
Buster Kitten had a way with pratfalls, just like his namesake. He always stayed tiny (I guess because of his very rough start in life) and he was a perpetual kitten his whole nine years of life. Plus, he had a Buster Attitude - the Swaggering Kind of Buster.

Oh, and as an afterthought, my last name is Smart, and my husband was once in business with someone named Wise.....Smart and Wise.....AH HA HA. je m'amuse.....

Kim Smart · February 08, 2007 at 03:20 PM

Scarlett Ophelia.

Hanna · February 08, 2007 at 03:23 PM

I can't believe I scrolled to the end of this loooooonnngggg list.
I have more.....
Isla Vapples
Isla Veskimos
Isla Vodka
Did you get it, I hope you got it?
Me and my man have been sitting here laughing at all the great I loves.... x

Janet · February 08, 2007 at 03:36 PM

Not sure how you will ever narrow these down but thought I would include my great grandma's actual name. She was this round sweet little lady with white hair and horn-rimmed glasses and although she died when I was a little girl I will never forget that the skin along the underside of her upper arms was the softest thing I will ever feel in my whole life. She also was very crafty and worked with her hands (my inspiration).

Her name was Blanche Opal Wood.

LeS · February 08, 2007 at 03:36 PM

I love names too!

My nickname is scerin (I frighten easily) and one of my email addresses is scerin_m. When my mom heard it she promptly told me wouldn't work. When I said, "What?" She replied, "I don't think your email address will scare them."

The other name I have to say is my favorite just for the way it sounds is the name of a local singer/songwriter fellow named Ayla Brook. When I told my sister she said, "It was lucky because it could sound like a subdivision if you put it with a name like hers (Eden Brook)!

Then there is my friend who gets letters to Miss T. Shore.

scerin · February 08, 2007 at 03:41 PM

Oh My!! Look at all those fantastic names! What a response!
Anyway, my name is NATALEA (most call me Natalie, my good friend says Na-tail-ya, but I answer to whatever you want!) My daughter I named Scarlet Jasmine for the beauty of red as a color for LOVE (Happy Valentine's Day, by the way) and Jasmine because I always associate the smell with the romantic and sensual. If I had another daughter I would name her Violet Lulu- again, after a beautiful color, and Lulu after my mom. Also because Lulu in the dictionary refers to something of beauty. My favorite name for a boy is Pepper. I thought maybe Pepper Jaxon, but then people would think of PepperJack cheese. I once met a woman whose last name was Teagarden and always wished I could marry into that name!
Thaks for all the inspiration on your great blog! Natalea

Natalea · February 08, 2007 at 03:46 PM

Oh I love this game.
I made up an alias for my younger brother a few years back Darwin Lawless, Darwin has a crime fighting alter-ego named Dug Trenton.

I am at work right now and I just entered a form for a real person named Magdalena Boguszewska. seriously.

My boyfriend and I have discussed what would happen if we got married, whose name would we chose? Both being hyphenated if we both kept both names we would be the Firth-Peterson-Doherty-Nicholsons and that is a mouthful. I would shorten to the Firpetdohnics

QueenAlice · February 08, 2007 at 03:50 PM

Hi, I just discovered your blog today and I am in love!
My Granny's name was Beryl Griffin which I think is beautiful. She married William Winterbottom! I used to be quite embarrased that my mother's maiden name was Winterbottom but now I'm quite proud of it, it's unusual.
My favourite "future kids" names (at the moment!) are Lyla-Marie, Brianne, and Joseph.
And I loved a character from a book when I was young called Mustafa Biscuit! Although I think he was a dog, so not sure if that counts.

Cat · February 08, 2007 at 03:53 PM

Amanda Huginkiss

jen · February 08, 2007 at 03:54 PM

Ok darling miss emily-pie,

I will submit my my two sweet daughters names. They both have fantabulous names and stories to go with them.

First off is Miss Ivo. She is 9 and quite a interesting little old soul girlie-do. Her full name is Ivo Celeste Canterbury. She chose her name. When I was about 6 months pregnant I went through all of my cds and wrote down names I liked off of them. (one of the names was off of the Cocteau Twins cd..the song Ivo.. and the producer of the 4AD label Ivo Watts). About a week latter I had a dream of her coming to me at about 8 years old telling me she wanted to be named Ivo. So it was. She wears the cutest cat-eyed teal and black glasses and is very into squirrels and reading the Series of Unfourtante Events books.

Second is the little pot pie. She is 6 and her wonderus older sister named her Emi. Emi Sidney Canterbury is her full name. She is quite a little princess. In fact we call her princess poopy pants when she is not getting her way and also Emmer-pot-pie. She is a analytical soul. She loves doing math and helping her dad out in the garage with his chop top vw bug project. She also wears glasses, cute purple ones with rhinestone hearts on the sides.

Hugs,
Rebecca

knittygirlie · February 08, 2007 at 04:02 PM

I read your blog every day but haven't commented till now. Better no. 330 than not at all, right?

My husband and I started talking about names before we were engaged. We like to envision that our unborn children already exist in little pods and that they are flying through space to reach us.

Still in their pods: Camilla Jane (Camilla after my grandmother) and Henry Ransom (although Josh prefers Henry St. James..not James, but St. James).

paula · February 08, 2007 at 04:04 PM

Emily- Your blog is a wonderful treat I have been experiencing for a little bit now, and have finally brought myself to write a quick something.

I am working on a piece of fun randomness (collage) and will be naming the character Thaddeus McBean. Saying it out loud is the best part.

Also, years ago I started a story with the main character named Mirelle because it is so very pretty. Then a few years later I found my now-husband and my married last name is Mirell! What are the chances?

Anyway, keep up the beautiful artwork, touching blogs, and all-around sweetness!

Tanya · February 08, 2007 at 04:08 PM

Miss Emily,
I love reading your blog, and admiring your creativity.

So many responses to your request for an unusual name. Reminded me a bit of the princess trying to guess Rumplestiltskin's name.....

Anyway, my parents named me Wylie Hall Hunt, and I am just now as an adult feeling comfortable with it. Did not appreciate it's uniqueness when I was little, wanted a name like Jane or Wendy or Elizabeth.

Oh well, good luck in deciding a winner -- you have so much to choose from. Thanks again for your wonderful blog.

Wylie

Wylie · February 08, 2007 at 04:08 PM

Ella Minnow Pea

evergreener · February 08, 2007 at 04:22 PM

Scarlet Stranglejar?

Melanie Carmichael · February 08, 2007 at 04:26 PM

One of my friends has the most wonderful name: Valeska Anmarie Sophia Hykel (I'm sure I have a spelling wrong there somewhere).
Actually thinking about it I have lots of friends with great names...
Jonah Wildwood
Melody Mathiesan Mills
Alouette
Esme
Aubrey

Probably my favourite name however has to be Ezekiel Blake (that is what I would call a son, if I ever had one and I could convince my man!)

Lilley · February 08, 2007 at 04:31 PM

call me crazy, i named my daughter after a truck stop waitress.
Pearl Lucinda
and my sister once was in love with a boy named johnny pig

thanks for the fun contest!!!

joy · February 08, 2007 at 04:35 PM

My favorite online store is http://LaylaGrayce.com. I think if I ever have a girl, she might just get named that. Layla Grayce. So pretty.

Wow! Look how many people want a Valentine from you!

Lori · February 08, 2007 at 04:50 PM

My favourite name ever is Imelda Pepper, the name of a mad looking cashier at my local supermarket. She's thin and resembles a stork, but with beautiful blue eyes. She has recently given up on painting her hair in a raven shade, and now sports a platinum blow dry.

If I ever write a book, I'm putting her in.

Vanda · February 08, 2007 at 04:58 PM

my secret name is "lucrecia bevelaqua banderas". lucrecia, because it is a corruption of my middle name, bevelaqua was the name of a cardinal in the philadelphia archdioces and i always thought the "cardinal bevelaqua" sounded so lovely, and banderas because it sounds good with the other two.

i also love the last name of snunu and once renamed my cat with it. her name is "miss audrey kitty" which i also think has a pretty nice ring to it, even if it is terribly precious.

OH! and i tried to get a friend to name her child "begonia shea". she didn't think it was fitting for a boy. sigh.

ren · February 08, 2007 at 05:02 PM

My daughter's name...Harper Sadie.

Natasha · February 08, 2007 at 05:02 PM

Annie Marie
Emi
shantel
Amalie

jenise · February 08, 2007 at 05:07 PM

I have often thought about what it would be like to possess a name like Sir Cloudesley Shovell. One would have to enjoy boats and nautical things, somehow. Once I found a handwritten note on the floor of the household items aisle at the grocery, signed, in flowery writing, "Miss Eunice Poon".

Laura · February 08, 2007 at 05:15 PM

"Izeebyezee is Coming Today" the name of our sweet yellow kitty we had as children.

Oh, and "Sid" our dog...I could fall in love with a man named Sid.

Anne · February 08, 2007 at 05:17 PM

i love names and thinking about them- finding out where they came from. my dad named me Fawn- because he loves nature and the woods.. my mom changed the W to a U and now it's not a baby deer but still woodland-ish.
but if i ever change my name- doubt i will, but if so- it's going to be : Proud-Face Clever.
and my son will be Eli Reader.

have fun with all the lovely choices- i've found quite a few that i adore so far.

faun · February 08, 2007 at 05:24 PM

Maylis.

nolita · February 08, 2007 at 05:25 PM

Peep-O-Peeps

My sister's nickname and if you pick this name, she can receive the package for putting up with being called this nickname to this very day...

Anne · February 08, 2007 at 05:28 PM

Raspberry
Tate
Claire

Sally Allen · February 08, 2007 at 05:32 PM

Hesed Parlee

first name pronounced...Hes-sid. Parlee has a long "e" on the end of it.
Hesed means "loving-kindness."

sally · February 08, 2007 at 05:36 PM

i have two:

1) noblet (pronounced no-blay), it is my husband's aunt's name and i've always loved it. loved it enough to use as a middle name for one of my girls.

2) mathe (pronounced ma-tay) -- i had a prof. with a french mother, moroccan father. her name was marie-therese, etc. etc. (there was more to it) but when she immigrated and came through ellis island she shortened it to mathe. i've always loved it.

amanda · February 08, 2007 at 05:40 PM

I have two more favorites to add to my earlier Fiona post:
Addison Rose and Ruby Jane

Heather · February 08, 2007 at 05:46 PM

Emi-pooh,
you have definitely opened a can of worms, or several. So many great names. I can't wait to have another child, or several. Thought I would add another. My girlfriend named her daughter Piper Decany. Love it. And I have always loved Gatsby for a little boy. Periwinkle Blue has a nice ring to it, as well. Love to you Miss Emily and good luck.

Stephanie · February 08, 2007 at 05:55 PM

so many cute names...WOW! As for names that make complete sentences, my maiden name was Heather Bowles (I liked the present tense action verb - though i rarely am involved in the actual activity of bowling)

A friend once offer this name suggestion for a soon-to-be bundle of joy: Striker Pontoon (little too military for my taste- but again action verbage is fun)

But my favorite is my cousin's name now that she's married:

Martha Golden Billions (Her maiden name is Golden and she and her sisters were known as the Golden Girls growing up. But when she married Mr. Billions it just got so much better!)

Thanks for the contest the Comments have been such a fun read!

Toodles!!

BTW - My husband votes for Opus Zypher Epps (that's his dream name if we ever have a boy ;)

HeatherLeigh · February 08, 2007 at 05:56 PM

I have one more, too. My grandmother swears to this day that her first boyfriend was named Tucker T. Fuddpucker... i don't know if I believe her.

Lori · February 08, 2007 at 05:57 PM

One more...

Roosevelt Leigh (for a girl - that i would call Rose)

HeatherLeigh · February 08, 2007 at 05:58 PM

When I was pregnant with my son, Gabriel Sebastian, the girl name we had picked out was Charlotte Lenore. It's one of my all time favorite names combination.

Sara · February 08, 2007 at 06:00 PM

Hello Miss Emily,
I'm new to this,I don't know if has posted tiwce.
Anyway, I was lying in bed the other night, (as you do) thinking of unusual names and-HUBERT HORATIO-came wandering by. He is short, pleasantly plump, wears pinstripe trousers,(of course),squints and wears little round spectacles. He is absent minded but very intelligent and kind.
Also My most favorite surname would have to be my neighbours-CONTESSA. How romantic is that. Rosemarie Contessa...mmm
Keep on dreaming and creating sweet girl
Rose

rose senkans · February 08, 2007 at 06:04 PM

I just love the names Atticus, Georgeann,Darla, & Delmy

becky · February 08, 2007 at 06:05 PM

OHHH what a sweet contest!! Love your blog too BTW it is one that makes me happy when I click on it.
My favourite name ever would have to be what we named our daughter - Ivy Mae. I lovie love love it!!! And you can make it into a couple of sentences related to plants - ie Ivy Mae Climb or Ivy Mae Grow. IT is a fun name and people tell me it is a happy name too, and our daughter is a very sweet and fun child.
Cheers,
Lee in Australia :)

Lee Longmire · February 08, 2007 at 06:08 PM

Oooohhh, I would have to say, Tallulah Lee(from Tallulah Falls) or one of my all time faves Vienne(from Chocolat), also Loralei and let's not forget George's (from Seinfeld) Soda. This contest is way too much fun!

becky · February 08, 2007 at 06:09 PM

One of my friend's name is "Rebel". Her dad died in an accident right before she was born. The whole time her mom was pregnant with her he would pat her tummy and say "that's my little rebel" (thinking it was a boy). She was a tiny little thing (and still is), so her mom named her "Rebel Marie". I just think it's the cutest little name and it fits her just perfect.

Kathy Hardy · February 08, 2007 at 06:15 PM

I forgot about some of the best real names I've heard of. When my mother was a wee girl she went to school with a friend named Mary and her brother Douglas. (Not unusual at all.) Their last name was Tree. (Somewhat unusual.) And their full names were Mary Christmas Tree and Douglas Fir Tree.
Their parents must have been a blast!

Tanya · February 08, 2007 at 06:20 PM

I love love names!!!
I got stuck with Sarah Lindsay..boring!!
oh well!
A friend of mine use to have a dog named
LuLu Larue! My old dogs were Sadie Jane and Madison -5th avenue! ha! Let's see... my current cats name is Orange Julius,my little boy dogs name in Jasper and my other little girl dogs name is Cherry Jubilee.
My sister and I had Cabbage patch dolls when we were little, mine was named Taffy Marie & my sisters was Madge Adeline! I have ALWAYS loved the name Estella (stella for short) and my grandma is named Alice (*love*),My moms name is Anna Elaine and my aunt is Angela Irene. My sisters middle name is Monet ( the painter of course) very unique!
All pretty names!!!
Also my sister is having her first baby in September...she loves the names :Ella, Madeline ,Amelia ,Poppy ,Isabella or Eloise. If she has a boy she wants to name him : Elliot, Max, Oliver,or Levi.
I adore all these names and hope you do too!! Thanks for the contest!!!
-Sarah

Heavyeyeliner · February 08, 2007 at 06:26 PM

My parents have friends with the last name Dee. They named their daughter Bergen Dee. I also knew a girl in junior high with the last name Cup. Her first name was Dixie. Dixie Cup! I still love that name to this day.

Michelle · February 08, 2007 at 06:27 PM

Both of my grandmothers had lovely names!

My grandmother's name was Mary Valentine! She loved her name and we called her Grandma Mary. Because of her maiden name being Valentine, we celebrate the holiday full on!

My dad's mom was named Hattie Ringrose. Her name makes me think of dishes. Ringrose pattern.

When we have a daughter we will name her either Panda or Maralee. Panda because my husband brought me a stuffed panda back from China when we were dating. OR Maralee after one of my most wonderful students. This little girl glowed. She was bright and confident and friendly. I would want nothing less for a daughter!

Jane · February 08, 2007 at 06:35 PM

How will you ever be able to choose? There are so many good ones already. If I have a daughter, I plan on naming her after my grandmothers: Lily Viola, and she will be my little flower girl. I love that both of my grandmothers were flowers. A

nd then I've always liked my first and middle names: Marné Liesl (sort of like Renée). My mom watched The Sound of Music when she was pregnant with me, hence the middle name. Luckily, it's one of my favorite movies :o) Plus, there is no one else in the world with my name.

marné · February 08, 2007 at 06:39 PM

How will you ever be able to choose? There are so many good ones already. If I have a daughter, I plan on naming her after my grandmothers: Lily Viola, and she will be my little flower girl. I love that both of my grandmothers were flowers. A

nd then I've always liked my first and middle names: Marné Liesl (sort of like Renée). My mom watched The Sound of Music when she was pregnant with me, hence the middle name. Luckily, it's one of my favorite movies :o) Plus, there is no one else in the world with my name.

marné · February 08, 2007 at 06:39 PM

I met a girl once whose name was Janelle Lenore. I loved it because when you say it fast it just flows into one name......
Jan-elenore.

Also, I want to name my next cute furry pet Peppercorn Buttercup.

DancingFish · February 08, 2007 at 06:41 PM

What fun! I'll submit my two daughters names: Charlotte Rosalind and Lila Katherine. I'm also partial to Flora, but my husband immediately thinks Fauna and nixes the name.

Carol · February 08, 2007 at 06:42 PM

I once worked with a Spanish teacher, a native of Peru, whose married name was Luz Cannon.

Carol · February 08, 2007 at 06:44 PM

Fave family name: Parmalee
Fave name from fiction: Oliver Boliver Butt (Thank you, Dr. Suess)
Fave name on my friend's list of names for her baby girl that her husband had a fit about: Saffron

I have no idea how you'll wade through all these entries! A fun thing you can do - go to http://www.babynamewizard.com - type in a name, and it charts the popularity over the last hundred years! So interesting ...and yet it will fill you with dismay when you see that your favorite name is so often, actually, very trendy.

Amy · February 08, 2007 at 06:47 PM

I always liked the name Cadence. I saw it on a tombstone once and I thought it was a great name. You could call her Cadie for short.

Also, as for real life names, I have two customers named: Anita Booty and Merrily Dicks! Yep. I love it when they call. :-)

Krissy · February 08, 2007 at 07:05 PM

Oh, how fun! I've "collected" names for as long as I can remember. I knew a family growing up with sisters named: Ammons, Hollis, Junia, Warren, and, my favorite (of the names - all the girls were lovely to me) - Liadan.

Jenna · February 08, 2007 at 07:14 PM

in the neverending story (my favourite children's novel ever) the protagonist was Bastian Balthazar Bux.

i have a friend and blues singer whose full, real name is Abbe May. Abbe pronounced Abbie. It sounds so Deep South, even though she's a born and bred antipodean.

i also know of (though have never met) an ex-concert pianist and ardently religious woman by the name of Devonia Mildenhall. you can google it for proof.

Clare · February 08, 2007 at 07:16 PM

I have an aunt named Lavinia Alerose who went by the nickname "Vincent" - perhaps to counter the extreme femininty of her name and her sisters': Adelaida, Cassandra, Georgiana.

Seini · February 08, 2007 at 07:18 PM

when it came time to name my son, i really wanted to go with "king" but since his last name is kitchens, we thought it'd be a terrible blunder to burden him with a name so like an appliance store, so... we went with the latin for king, Rex. and so he is, Rex Alonzo Kitchens. brother of Oscar Hank Kitchens. ps. you are lovely. cheers!

carrie crawford · February 08, 2007 at 07:24 PM

Sacheverell Ignatious Pebblebeach (for a boy)

Florence Lauren Ottoline Wintersweet Evelyn Rosebud (for a girl - and the initials spell 'F.L.O.W.E.R')

Love your blog and your style!

x Helen
www.stripysockstudio.com

Helen · February 08, 2007 at 07:27 PM

Magritte Viridiana

Marina · February 08, 2007 at 07:30 PM

A couple of others that came to me:

My sister's best friend was named Rose Ann Bush...Rose Bush

My father's name was Cornelius Joseph (Neil for short)

One of my candidates we hired at work is named Tyler (It's a girl). I told her from the day I started talking to her as we were in the interview process that I thought her name was cool.

We have a lady that works for my company named Lloyd.

Cindy · February 08, 2007 at 08:18 PM

Oscar Henry Smith
Henrietta Penelope Rose

All children should have two middle names.

Love the new paintings!

cricket · February 08, 2007 at 08:23 PM

i've always loved the name "Ona Mia," (pronounced oh-na). Ona means "girl" in serbian and adding "Mia" as a middle name just adds a bit of charm :]

Genesee · February 08, 2007 at 08:52 PM

i've always loved the name "Ona Mia," (pronounced oh-na). Ona means "girl" in serbian and adding "Mia" as a middle name just adds a bit of charm :]

Genesee · February 08, 2007 at 08:53 PM

i've always loved the name "Ona Mia," (pronounced oh-na). Ona means "girl" in serbian and adding "Mia" as a middle name just adds a bit of charm :]

Genesee · February 08, 2007 at 08:53 PM

Wow. SO MANY amazing, fanciful names. When I first started working in newspapers, I would write down interesting names in a notebook. I still have it packed away with my journals.
My dogs are named Quentin Badass and Maggie Aldente.

My name submission is Petunia Pattycakes, a alias I used back in my raver days. Petunia liked to wear big black Roy Orbison style eyeglasses and white mod dresses while dancing til dawn.

Can't wait to see what you do with all these names.

Rachel · February 08, 2007 at 09:01 PM

I have never seen so many comments on one blog! I think you can definitely take it as a compliment that we all love your work so much!! I'd like to submit my secret alter-ego name (not secret now) "Amarantha". When I am feeling especially sparkly I embellish it to "Contessa Amarantha". Someday I'd like to write a children's story about Amarantha's adventures.

Heather · February 08, 2007 at 09:18 PM

What fun!
Everyone comments on my name, they think its so unique but go to Russia or Greece and every second girl is an Anastasia haha

If I had a girl I would have named her
Stella Alexia
but I had boys instead
Peter Thomas
Neo Markus

I also love the names
Wilhemena, Beatrix, Talulah

Anastasia · February 08, 2007 at 09:22 PM

Hello!
Your darling blog enchants me daily.

Also, your creations!

Here is a name for your list:

"Calliope Crumpet"

:)

Natasha · February 08, 2007 at 09:36 PM

I knew a girl in college named Marguerite Verville. When she came to sign up for something and I took her name down, I said, "Oh, Marguerite Verville, [saying it fast:] Margueriteverille, like Margaritaville!" And she just looked at me with empty eyes.

I felt kind of stupid, but you know, I can't believe that I was the first person to ever remark on it.

Also, when we got married and had the "name change" talk, my husband wanted to legally change his name to Corky Monkeyshines.

Sarah · February 08, 2007 at 10:15 PM

(Uhm, sorry to double post, but can't believe I forgot!)

Names of people I have had send me resumes: Elaundress and Aquanette. For reals.

Sarah · February 08, 2007 at 10:18 PM

hrm, i posted this yesterday, but alas it is not here! So i give you the name of one of my fictional characters (a rather naive, but good-hearted bicycle courier), Petunia-May Nightjar.

:)

amber · February 08, 2007 at 10:24 PM

I Love your Blog! It's great inspiraion! Do you like my name... Romy?

Romy · February 08, 2007 at 10:36 PM

I wish to capture your heart with the name of the girl that captured mine, Maya Papaya.

Linda · February 08, 2007 at 10:42 PM

Wow, so many comments. If you don't get around to reading this I shall understand. My great name is stolen from Joyce Lankester Brisley (a great name in itself). Millicent Matgaret Amanda or Milly Molly Mandy has always been my favourite of long names.

Jess · February 08, 2007 at 10:45 PM

love your blog and your art works!

fun character name: Penelope peppermint
Real names: Izzy grey and Ophelia elisa

zee · February 08, 2007 at 10:56 PM

What a fun contest! It's been fun just reading everyone's picks...there are some really good ones...if only I had thought of this when I was pregnant, it would have made things so much easier.
I love the Tea Girl painting!!!

My name for this contest: Elisa Leah

Laura · February 08, 2007 at 10:57 PM

Hi Emily,

What fun, reading everyone's comments!

The name I'm going with is Spoo Kee.

My boyfriend's last name is Kee and one evening we came up with some pretty funny names like
Spoo and Snee. (Get it, Spooky and Sneaky!) Then we adopted a cat and I named him Spoo Kee, which
is perfect, especially since we got him one week before Halloween!

You can meet him here:
http://fablehandmadegoods.com/spookee.html

xo

Jennifer · February 08, 2007 at 11:03 PM

I just couldn't resist:

Mstr. Pumpkin Bartholomew McBroome

Nikki · February 08, 2007 at 11:50 PM

I don't know if it is too late to enter your sweet little contest, but I have to try! I am in love with my daughter's name: Audrey Mae...

andi · February 09, 2007 at 12:23 AM

olive greenly

kim* · February 09, 2007 at 12:37 AM

whalin
knowlton
kovas
ensign
cissell
of course mine Jaynet
love ur blog...always inspiring to read;-)

kjaynet · February 09, 2007 at 12:42 AM

Ok, I, too will chime in. I heart your blog and love your creations.
I love my daughter's name- Caroline Rose, named after dear hubby's favorite book as a child- 'Caroline and her Friends' by Pierre Probst.
My Esther Marie was named after my great grandmother, Esther and my middle name. But I also love the name my dear friend is saving for her daughter, should she have one- Willa Bleu. How beautiful is that? Oh, and one more- Spike Isaacs, my nephew, beautiful, spunky, the name fits him to a tee.
Good Luck with your contest!

moodymama · February 09, 2007 at 12:44 AM

Hello there and Happy Valentines Day!
I have a cute name for my cat...
Secretary Bittles. She loves the printer
and tries to grab the papaer as it comes out!
I've also always loved the name
Calliope - it conjures interesting turn-of-the century amusement park images for some reason.
blessings!

Sarah · February 09, 2007 at 12:45 AM

Sye Pye ~ A little guys name? :)

Norma · February 09, 2007 at 01:10 AM

Ooh, just made the cut-off point. My favorite name (I just sold something to her on Etsy) is Tilly Bloom. Just too cute, I think. :)

cori · February 09, 2007 at 01:11 AM

My mother was known as little Mary Barry when she was a little one with funny flippy hair. There was a point that she decided to include her middle name Jane, creating Mary Jane Barry, also around the time she decided on, I think, a perm.
I tell her now that names that rhyme are nothing but charming. I must say though, that Mary Jane is and always will be one of my favourite names as well as a beloved style of shoe.

Heather · February 09, 2007 at 01:14 AM

wowzer!!! what beautiful names. i saw a couple of my faves posted but here are some of my other ones...(sorry if i duplicated):

girls: in honor of my lil' sweeties: shioban maire, sinead anabella
Niamh (Neve)
murphy (can be boy or girl-my mother-in-law's maiden name)
cassiday
avery
madison
isolde
blu
yasmina
jacinta

boys:
in honor of my lil' one-ian
basil
tristan
gunther
seamus padrig
archibald trooper
pierce
thaddeus
carson
yaeger
joaquim

thanks for such a cute contest and may the best NAME win!!! xoxo jo

jo · February 09, 2007 at 01:14 AM

wowzer!!! what beautiful names. i saw a couple of my faves posted but here are some of my other ones...(sorry if i duplicated):

girls: in honor of my lil' sweeties: shioban maire, sinead anabella
Niamh (Neve)
murphy (can be boy or girl-my mother-in-law's maiden name)
cassiday
avery
madison
isolde
blu
yasmina
jacinta

boys:
in honor of my lil' one-ian
basil
tristan
gunther
seamus padrig
archibald trooper
pierce
thaddeus
carson
yaeger
joaquim

thanks for such a cute contest and may the best NAME win!!! xoxo jo

jo · February 09, 2007 at 01:14 AM

don't know why it posted twice...sorry! one more girl name: jade (my sweet neice)

jo · February 09, 2007 at 01:22 AM

boy names

Arym...Arym Diamond...one of the funniest boys I know.

Taj

Nicole · February 09, 2007 at 01:35 AM

Ophelia, Henry (of course, my son), Olive, Finn. Makes me want to have more kids so I can name them!

Morgan · February 09, 2007 at 01:38 AM

I almost forgot- Magnolia (we'd call her Maggie)

Morgan · February 09, 2007 at 01:39 AM

Paterson for a boy... after a weed variety in Australia and a great Australian poet, A B Paterson.

And Lola for a girl.

My little one is Lily and its my favourite, although Holly and Poppy are lovely too (there is perhaps a bit of a theme?)

Love your site and Bella is gorgeous!

twitchy fingers · February 09, 2007 at 02:58 AM

ok, I did comment yesturday, but its not here :( sad, sad...
long story short -

AENEAS
MINEA
MEDINA
ASSISI
and

VANSUELA SUERTE

eva · February 09, 2007 at 03:05 AM

a 400+ cutoff is very understandable. i would still like to contribute:

i love Lotta Jansdotter's name (as well as her designs). Lotta is sweet, and i have a fondness for nordic patro/matronyms.

i've also been reading up on gillyflowers. i'd like to nickname someone in my life gillyflower.

mg · February 09, 2007 at 04:28 AM

Mairead, an Irish name, pronounced "mir - ade"...so beautiful!

senri · February 09, 2007 at 04:58 AM

My son is called Kirby, and my future daughters will be..
Loretta,
Sophia,
Ruby,
Mimi,
LouLou,
Annabella,

caroline · February 09, 2007 at 06:11 AM

My father always used to talk about his fictional friends Herkimer Higby and Hector Petie. He even vandalized my junior high yearbook with notes from those two characters, and I had NO sense of humor about it at the time!

Anne · February 09, 2007 at 08:27 AM

I just had to add this. My great grandmother's name is Gillian Minonette Black. I have always loved her name. Her real middle name is Catherina, but her family had a thing for nicknames. She comes from a long line of Tougard's from france. The original men that came over with the French Foreign Legion took nicknames as well. Seems back then they did not give you numbers in the military, just nicknames. Guillaume Tougard was thus named Guillaume Tougard dit LaViolette due to his large stature. Guillaume Tougard the violet... so, I also like Tougard and for a girl Laviolette.

Beth · February 09, 2007 at 09:08 AM

Weird, it says that someone named Anastasia made my post, and i was given credit for a post about "Marguerite Verville"...

just for the record, the Calliope Crumpet post was mine, (whatshesaid.etsy.com) not the Anastasia person's! And the one my name is attached to was someone else's!

Natasha · February 09, 2007 at 09:11 AM

nevermind, i'm stupid!

Natasha · February 09, 2007 at 09:12 AM

My mothers maiden name was Kutey (pronounced "Cutie") She hated it in grade school because it was so close to "cootie" but it fit my grandfather perfectly. He was a little round polish man and he was always smiling and was full of more encouragements than I have ever seen. He was constantly gushing over how much he loved his family and how proud he was of everyone. What else could you call a man such as this other than "Mr. Cutie"?!

Amy Penrose · February 09, 2007 at 09:19 AM

my fav names are:

tallulah jane finklestein (this is my cat's name...)
and
svevah crumb (svevah is an african name--how great is it?)

happy valentine's day emily. i love your blog and your etsy shop! so colorful and happy.

bigpinkcurlers · February 09, 2007 at 09:35 AM

I posted yesterday after reading 228 comments, all lovely names. I noticed today it is gone. *Poof*! Ah, well, even at the rish of being past the cutoff, my favorite name is Anjuli Dawn.

Iris · February 09, 2007 at 10:00 AM

My daughter's name is:

Juniper Jean.

she was named after a letter I read once in an exhibit of letters home from WWII.

see the link to the online exhibit:
http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=Minisite_Generic&content_type_id=1017&display_order=1&sub_display_order=6&mini_id=1396

She's my darling Junie.

Katie · February 09, 2007 at 10:05 AM

The names thats been in my head for a long time for possibly future child: Birdie Garland :)

Danielle · February 09, 2007 at 10:39 AM

HI Emily, I'm not sure if my favorite girls name would be in the contest but here it is:
Frida Sofia
Happy Valentine's Day!

Veronica · February 09, 2007 at 11:42 AM

A few more that I've been thinking about, even though I'm way over the 410 mark..

-Constelletta
-Felinica
-Avocadia
-Mer
-Merrina
-Terra
-Willow
-Cirrus
-Dayton
-Daelan (my son's middle name is Dae)
-Xandy "Zandy"
-Catz
-Coco
-Kohl
-summit
And a couple of funny ones...
-Figbert
-Coindexter

Lonnie K. · February 09, 2007 at 12:02 PM

All of these are old family names that I love.

Prebble Lucille loved chickens more than anything. As a young girl she insisted on tying colorful ribbons and trinkets from the rusty nails in the hen house.

ParaLee was called "Crick" her entire life. No one can remember the origins of this unfortunate nickname.

Wilma Rose was my great grandmother. She was made to work in the cotton fields as all children were in that era. I would love to have just one more conversation with her. She always let me play with her button box and keep whichever I wanted. She kept all her clothes in an old broken down deep freezer in her bedroom. She said there was nothing like it to keep the insects out.

Holly · February 09, 2007 at 12:11 PM

Hayes Lafayette Delezene

or

Andres Agres Blukis

(sounds like An-dress A-gress Blue-kiss)

Michelle · February 09, 2007 at 12:41 PM

ok I know its passed the 410 mark but i just had to add some names to the list. Theses are my favorite.

-Delphyna (delfeeena) Star - my dogs name

-Spida Luna Hialea which I made up -spida like a spider - I interpret it as weaver of the tides and the ghetto

eleni · February 09, 2007 at 01:04 PM

I know I'm too late but can't resist adding my favorite names--those of my cats:
Sula, Nina, Winnie, Joon, and the twins: Sunshine and Violet. (My daughter is Olivia, and I love that one, too!)

Amy · February 09, 2007 at 01:07 PM

Dascher(day-shur) Kittybum
Harley Quinn Storybook
Rosebud Marrington

Love everyone's names! Great idea, Emily!

andi · February 09, 2007 at 01:32 PM

oh fiddle dee dee! Am i too late to enter the contest?!!
here it is:
Honeybelles Beauchamps Fitz Hollingsworth-Huntington III.

Tricia · February 09, 2007 at 01:45 PM

My sons' names are:
Lincoln Ray and Wesley Finn

If we ever have a little girl she will be named Merritt Lee or Vivienne Tate.

Heidi · February 09, 2007 at 02:44 PM

Well, I'll just submit my name, which is Cordelia Morgan (first and middle), and I think it's the best!

I love names too, good luck choosing!

cordeliaknits · February 09, 2007 at 03:02 PM

i have to write in since i saw my hebrew name posted here as a name someone else likes. my hebrew name is tziporah malke (malkuh). i used to hate my first name (blake) when i was younger since it rhymes with practically everything, and was always asked if it was a boy's name. i now love my name, and am proud when people comment about its uniqueness. in the future i shall name my dog (who will be a girl boxer with uncropped ears) "lady daffodil boxerton."

raysongrrl · February 09, 2007 at 05:47 PM

I like Kimya Dawson's bebes name.
Panda Delilah.
or what about:
Andrewlius Cornelius con Julius.
or my first:
Elisa.
:]

Elisa Ray · February 09, 2007 at 05:53 PM

lol, too funny! I was going to share Lemonjello and Orangjello. I thought I would be unique, but I guess not! My husband came across the parents of the twins "Orangjello" "Lemonjello"'s parents child support case some years back!

Jen Higgins · February 09, 2007 at 05:57 PM

My grampa's big thing was geneology, and he found someone in our family (from around the Civil War) named Zora del Norte. And "del Norte" was not the last name. I wish I could remember his story about why she was called that.

He also traced our last name, Tillery, back to Scotland. I later heard that it means stream or brook. I think it might be a good first name for a girl. Although there are so many good ones to choose from, even right here in these comments!! wow =)

I've also always liked Matthias Orion.

kelly · February 09, 2007 at 06:06 PM

1.) Fontaine
2.) Bellou
3.) Bella
4.) Ettienne

J.Marie · February 09, 2007 at 08:19 PM

Joya

J.Marie · February 09, 2007 at 08:22 PM

Hello Emily, I stumbled upon your page by accident - and I love it! I have a huge affection for all things craft and vintage. My favourite names would have to be either Lottie Devereaux which is what my future daughter will be called or Pushkin which is what my rabbit is called. Will visit again soon.

Angie · February 10, 2007 at 12:49 PM

I had a friend in middle school whose middle name was HARTLEY (Like a heart). I absolutely loved this name and it definitely goes great with Valentines Day!!

Kim · February 10, 2007 at 06:37 PM

Stay excellent in the woild Jethroe.

Marina · February 12, 2007 at 04:41 AM

naming is very important. names are what others call you. and others like to be comfortable. my husband's name was Durant Saint Claire...how would you like that moniker? great if you'er maybe an English poet or legendary History professor but for a kid or young man ...it didnt do! he had to go to a lot of trouble to change it to Jack. our children are Nicole Francine and Claire Marie. best wishes. susan (not sue, not susie)

susan · February 12, 2007 at 12:15 PM

I just had to add the wonderful names of the three adorable little girls down the street. The oldest is Grayce (called pickle), the middle is Eilea, and the youngest born last Halloween is Olive Malyn.

My sister wants me to post her name as well because she is so smitten with it. She's called Isidore Rodgers. Rodgers is her middle name and isn't a family name.

Bea · February 12, 2007 at 03:55 PM

I just had to add the wonderful names of the three adorable little girls down the street. The oldest is Grayce (called pickle), the middle is Eilea, and the youngest born last Halloween is Olive Malyn.

My sister wants me to post her name as well because she is so smitten with it. She's called Isidore Rodgers. Rodgers is her middle name and isn't a family name.

Bea · February 12, 2007 at 03:55 PM

My name is my cousin's name. My family is Polish and she's still living in Poland, so the name is a reflection of that.

Her name is the Polish version of Agatha, which is Agata (Ah-Gah-Ta), and the family calls her Agatka (Ah-Gaht-Ka). When I met her the first time she came to visit us in the US she was this little cute 5 year old with blond hair up in a top pony tail and big blue eyes and pouty lips with missing teeth here and there. And her name was Agatka, and I thought it was just the cutest package in the world. She's still beautiful, but much older than 5 now. :)

My name, Annette, is also pretty wonderful in the Polish form. Anetka. I like that a lot as well.

Annette · February 12, 2007 at 08:20 PM

What a great bunch of comments...I, like always, am a little late:) But I thought I'd submit my name to you as I think it's pretty cool:
Raesha Diane Terry de Ruiter Zylker

Terry was my maiden name and de Ruiter Zylker is my married name. My first name, Raesha, is a mixture of my parent's first names - Ray and Marsha - it's pronounced Ray-sha. I love it when telemarketers call and say "hello is this Msss.......(insert LONG pause here)"

raesha · February 12, 2007 at 10:51 PM

I love Nigella...having a British hubby helps! I LOVE your site and the strawberry is beautiful...

My daughter's name is Emma Rose, I happen to think it's beautiful, maybe you will as well.

Michelle · February 13, 2007 at 12:05 PM

i'll have to refer back to this post next time i'm pregnant! but wanted to add that i love PENELOPE:)

j.j. · February 13, 2007 at 09:29 PM

I've just found out that I'm pregnant again so have thoroughly enjoyed reading through some fab names. We called our daughter Ava May which I just love!

Also thought I'd add that when I was young I dreamt of writing a novel. The main character was always going to be named Fufka Onions! Tee hee, that is the first time I've actually written it down and it looks so damn funny!

Thanks Emily :D

Mandy · February 14, 2007 at 05:20 AM

I love the name Arimithia. And I love words. My favorite word is iridescent. You have an enchanting blog and your artwork is wonderful. Nita

nita · February 15, 2007 at 11:39 PM

I'm in love with two names for a girl:
1.Billie
2.Nico

I like boys names for girls.

digibudi · February 20, 2007 at 06:34 AM

My son is Jordan Isaiah...love both names. If I ever have another son, I love the name Noah. My favorite girl names are: Raegan, Ivy and Elise.

I know your contest is over, but I wanted to share anyway. =]

Rhonda · March 06, 2007 at 10:48 AM