Genie's Mailbag
Can't find your message? Some mail not answered by the Baby Name Genie is submitted to our community of baby namers for answering.
Samantha in Arizona
Hi, my hubby and I have been blessed with 5 beautiful children: London Mae, Austin Matthew, Houston David, Britten June, and Paris Rose. We have baby number 6 due late July and want a destination name for him/her. Thank you.
Baby Name Genie:
Some say that the journey is the destination, but in your family the destination may be the one who needs changing. For a baby boy, name him Dallas Mark so that they boys can all be Texans. For a baby girl, you've chose European locales for her sisters, so I give you Chelsea Grace.
Carina in Canada
Dear Genie, I need you to help me find a Greek name for a girl. I've already used Theodore and Sebastian for her siblings. But every other Greek girl's name I see is either too pretentious, hard to pronounce, or just too popular now. The only name I can picture using is Caroline, but it's not Greek!
Baby Name Genie:
The Greeks would name her Charissa Zoe. Then, they would stuff her in a wooden horse and give her to the Trojans. So, my advice would be to borrow the name but not the rest of their tactics.
Molly Lee in Virginia
We just found out we're having a baby boy, so we need help with a name. Our last name is Lee, which is a difficult name to work with. We'd love a J name somewhere in there, but middle name would be fine. Many thanks!
Baby Name Genie:
The only thing that makes Lee difficult is that it turns every first name into an adverb. But a carefully crafted name, like Justin Cameron, would be an excellent choice.
Ava in New York
Hi, can you give me a really unique name that'll go with a second name that is Nouvelle? I'd like it to be something that no one has ever heard of, but, likewise, a beautiful first name.
Baby Name Genie:
While I can't promise this name is wholly unique throughout the entire world, I do have a name for you that flows well and is, as far as my genie powers can tell, unique amongst English speakers. Your child shall be known as Olyvita Nouvelle. Pronounce is (Ah-leh-VEE-ta Noo-vell.)
Emma in Western Australia
We have a boy named Tyler James and a girl named Gypsie Jade. Expecting our 3rd, which is a boy. I'm in love with the name Olly, but my partner thinks Gypsie and Olly are unique names and Tyler is not, so it won't feel right. So he wants an ordinary name. Please help with something unique but ordinary.
Baby Name Genie:
In the space between unique and ordinary is a special category of names I think of as "antiques." They are familiar and well-used names that are not widely in use these days. For your son, I give you Oscar Jude - a perfectly ordinary, unique name.
Graceyn in Los Angeles
Name needed for our second baby girl! Must fit with the name of our 1st child, Aviator Graceyn. Airplane themed name maybe?
Baby Name Genie:
You've brought your concerns to a qualified genie. Some of my closest genie friends are avid flying carpet aviators. For a name that will really takeoff, I suggest you name your daughter Amelia Piper.
Drt in Wyoming
I'm looking for a rustic cowboy name that will go with the middle name Wade. I'm trying to keep it unique but not too weird.
Baby Name Genie:
Howdy, tenderfoot. Sit a spell. The trouble with whacha might call a classic cowboy is that their parents didn't know those boys were gonna be cowboys. So most of those rustic cowboys were given good Christian names like William and Richard, which is, 'less I miss my guess, not exactly what you was after. Your little cowpoke shall be named Emmett Wade. Now skedaddle 'fore yonder townfolk take you for a namby-pamby yokel.
Caleb in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
There was a big surprise a few weeks ago. In the middle of dinner, my mom told us that she was going to have a baby next year around April Fool's Day. We don't know if it's a boy or a girl yet, so give us what you got.
Baby Name Genie:
This is either a wonderful blessing and miracle, or it's the longest set up to an April Fool's joke in history. Assuming your mother isn't pulling your leg, I give you Derek Wayne for a boy and Laura Belle for a girl. No foolin'.
Mark in Virginia
We're looking for a girl first name. The middle name is Hayes. Wife's rules: No A's or M's. Must be feminine. My Rule: Reference to famous person in the arts or science is a plus. Thanks!
Baby Name Genie:
Have you heard of the astrophysicist who discovered pulsars, among other things? Her name is Jocelyn Bell Burnell. I recommend reading up on her so when your daughter Jocelyn Hayes asks you about her name, you'll be ready.
Stephany in Kentucky
We are having another girl! And I already have a name picked out - Briella Rose. I love it so much, but I told my parents of my name choice and they HATE it. But I am so in love with it that I can't seem to pick another name out for a little girl that isn't used very often. Please help!!!!
Baby Name Genie:
I'm sorry. You've mistakenly reached the Baby Name Genie. You're looking for Overbearing Parents Genie. He may be able to help you remind your parents that they got to pick your name, but you get to pick your daughter's name. If you'd like advice on the name itself, I can help with that. Try the more traditional Gabriella Rose, and save the pet name Briella for informal occasions.
