Every December, BabyCenter compiles a listing of the most popular baby names for the year. The 2011 list was recently revealed:
Girls
- Sophia
- Emma
- Isabella
- Olivia
- Ava
- Lily
- Chloe
- Madison
Boys
- Aiden
- Jackson
- Mason
- Liam
- Jacob
- Jayden
- Ethan
- Noah
These names are familiar and easy to pronounce, and we all probably know a handful of kids who answer to each of them. But the names I find most fascinating are the unusual and often contrived (or trying-too-hard) ones. Those that make you shudder a little upon hearing them. A couple which immediately come to mind: singer Gwen Stefani’s son, Zuma or actress Gwyneth Paltrow’s daughter, Apple.
But those two celebrity baby names are downright pedestrian compared to some kids’ names at a South Carolina elementary school where my friend, Carol, works as a guidance counselor. She’s actually had students named Champagne Chandelier (can only imagine what was involved in her conception), Shardonnay (like the wine except for the spelling) and my personal favorite, Abcde (pronounced Ab-suh-duh; Bless his newly-immigrated parents’ hearts.)
Which brings us to this week’s Patch Game Question on the topic of original baby/kid names.
Patch Game Question #4
The craziest, er, I mean, most unique baby/kid name I have ever heard is: _____ (fill in your response in the comment section below).
Remember there is a Patch prize at stake for the best reply. A winner will be announced on Thursday, Dec. 15 so answer early and often until the deadline.
About this contest: Entrants must be in compliance with the official Patch rules for giveaway contests.
Jennifer Hemingway
9:47 am on Thursday, December 8, 2011
My sister had a friend growing up named Candace Fudge. Yep, you got it, CANDY FUDGE!!! Just awful!!!
Beth Jarvis
4:03 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
Poor, poor girl. Thanks for sharing Jennifer.
Mary Ann Barton
9:53 am on Thursday, December 8, 2011
I knew twins in high school named...Jack and Jill; triplets named Jane, Jan and Joanne!
Beth Jarvis
4:20 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
JJJJJJJJeepers.
DAVE
9:53 am on Thursday, December 8, 2011
Hockey goalie Ron Tuggnutt or politician BG Butz
Beth Jarvis
4:06 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
Dave, I am blushing. Oh my.
Stephanie M. Daly
10:03 am on Thursday, December 8, 2011
And/or, the pair of twins born on either side of midnight that my friend coached named Yesterday and Today.
Beth Jarvis
3:58 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
NO WAY Stephanie! When are they going to start working on a Tomorrow?
Stephanie M. Daly
10:04 am on Thursday, December 8, 2011
A teacher friend of mine had a student named Nosmo King. As in, NO SMOKING? Pronounced Noz-moe. WOW!
Beth Jarvis
4:42 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
One reason to be for smoking. It kills off a lot of stupid people.
DAVE
10:10 am on Thursday, December 8, 2011
I think all parents should observe the 48 hour rule which states that no child shall be named within 48 hours of birth or until all the drugs have worn off.
Susan Fleischman
10:34 am on Thursday, December 8, 2011
Distant relatives, the Ciancis, had a baby girl and named her Nancy Ann. Yes, that's Nancy Ann Cianci.
Beth Jarvis
4:10 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
Susan, way to emphasize that these relatives are DISTANT.
dalyf
10:47 am on Thursday, December 8, 2011
Once knew a portly, Phillipino girl named Cinderella. She never went by Cindy or Ella either...strictly Cinderella!
Beth Jarvis
4:13 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
What were the names of her evil step-sisters?
Debbie Gray
1:53 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
I work in the ER of the hospital so get to see a lot of people. I met a young teen boy named... Furious!! I'm not kidding. The grandma brought him in and hates his name, but his momma named him Furious!
Debbie Gray
1:56 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
I also have a friend, from the Phillipines, who is named... Jingle Bells! She wasn't even born on Christmas; her birthday is early January. I guess her parents loved the song! She's a great girl but it's hard to call her Jingle Bells with a straight face, so we all call her Jingle.
Beth Jarvis
4:30 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
Debbie, this one took my breath away. What a great name...for an exotic dancer. So funny.
STEPHANIE COUCH
2:37 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
I went to camp with twins named Candy and Cookie Stores. Of course my name was Stephanie Mudd, or Step in the Mudd!
Beth Jarvis
5:05 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
Uncommonly good, uncommonly made. Did they live in a hollow tree, by chance?
Heather Lantry
4:14 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
I worked with a woman named Luv. Bad enough, but her last name (and this IS her maiden name) . . . Siemen. Yup. Luv Siemen. Middle name you ask? Joy.
Luv Joy Siemen. If only she had married my Dad's coworker Rickard Hertz. Went by Dick.
Just can't make this stuff up.
Beth Jarvis
4:54 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
What a doozy. Let me guess Heather...she was named "Biggest Flirt" in high school?
Beth Jarvis
4:36 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
These are all cringe-tastic...it's going to be tough picking a winner this week. Thanks for playing and keep 'em coming everyone.
Brian Decorla-Souza
6:19 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
A friend who is a teacher in Prince William County had a student named La-a. It's pronounced Ladasha.
Beth Jarvis
9:21 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
THAT'S a classic. Had to read it twice to get it. Hysterical. Thanks for commenting Brian.
T. Mason
8:09 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
A friend of mine growing up had a cleaning lady who named her daughter Psalm. She pronounced it pizz-um though.
Beth Jarvis
9:22 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
Dear Lord! Thanks T.
Beth Jarvis
12:07 am on Thursday, December 15, 2011
Thanks Patch readers for playing last week's "Baby Names" Patch Game. With all of your phenomenal responses, it became too tough to choose the best entry. Therefore, each submission was put in a hat and we randomly picked our winner.
(Drum roll please)
Congratulations to Stephanie M. Daly, you're this week's Patch Game winner! Please email me your address so I can get your prize to you. (Note: Next Patch Game will run Thursday, December 22. And btw, we kind of like this new way of picking a winner, so expect it for subsequent go-rounds too.)