A is for Araminta: A Baby Names

I’ve been really high on this one girl's name I heard recently, a name that I once dismissed as being too out there, too zippy somehow. But upon hearing it attached to the daughter of a lovely writer acquaintance, and hearing the adorable nickname, I suddenly loved it with a passion. What is this name which has me so zealous? I’ll tell you in a minute, after we discuss the opposite end of the alphabet for awhile. Since I have this blog (sorely neglected for seven weeks! I am ashamed…), it occurred to me that I could drum up some doozy discussions about baby names if only I blogged about them.
So, henceforth, I’m going to pop by the old blogger’s block way more often and I’ll be taking myself (and hopefully a few other baby name freaks) through a tour of the alphabet, discussing, letter by letter, what’s yum-O these days in the world of monikers.

The Best of A: Girls

Lit Name:
Auden: Pair this poetical tribute with a definitively feminine name—say Maria or Rose—and you’ve got a soft yet strong presentation at the height of style. Elegant! Runners Up: Antonia and Arabella.

Bible Name: Abra: After my dad, Abe, died, I realized that I would be brave enough to use this feminization of Abraham, should I somehow find a baby on my doorstop. It’s so creative, gorgeous-sounding, and gutsy all at the same time. Most folks would be stopped cold by “Abra Cadabra” and/or “a bra.” But then again, the late, great Abe wasn’t like most folks. Runner up: Acacia

International Name: Anastasia
The lost Romanov princess’s name, steeped in almost 90 years of legend and stories, has the luster and exquisite detailing of a Faberge egg. Tasie and Tasia are sweet short forms. Runner up: Anya

British Name: Araminta. It’s a stretch on this side of the pond, but to me, Araminta sounds so quintessentially British and silver-spoon-y. Mint is a quirky nickname that might fit the right little sassy pants. Ok, so it does kind of make me want to dig through my purse for gum…Runner up: Anabelle and Arabella.

Cardigan cool: Alice: My hero Tina Fey could flip this Great Aunt name upside down and make it a hipster hottie. Super lit Alice is the perfect name for a book freak, too. Or a Sarah Palin impersonator.

The Best of A: Boys

Lit Name:
Atticus: What else? It’s not for the faint of heart, but Atticus suggests justice, compassion, humanity…I could go on. And all because of the worthy character Atticus Finch. I’ve heard of at least three baby Attici in the last month or so, so I seem to have a few like-minded souls out there in Baby Naming Land. Runners up: Anton (Chekhov), August (Strindburg).

Bible name: Abram. Yes, I have a deep personal connection to Abram—it belonged to my dad—but other than that, it’s beautiful, earthy, strong, and provides a stellar hero of the faith role model, too. Though my dad was Abe, I kind of prefer the more rootsy, organic-milk-and-local-produce-type nickname Bram. Runners Up: Asher and Amos.

International Name: Anton: As I blithered in “Atticus”… “Anton is the exchange student from the Baltic Sea who makes all the girls go weak in the knees because he’s enigmatic yet sweet…” I concur. Still. Runner Up: Angus, Aris (I miss Aris’ Disc Shop! Can I get a witness?)

British name: Alistair
We have a marvelous friend who plays the blues outside the Dog Pit on Monroe Mall in GR. And for that, amongst other reasons—it’s handsome, debonair, plaid—I think Alistair is a smooth customer. Runner Up: Archie.

Just because it’s my blog: Ajax
I know. Grandma will have a cow. But hear me out: Ajax was a hero of the Trojan War, a brawny, brave warrior-king. The original slogan for Ajax cleanser was “Stronger than Dirt,” a reference to the manly man of the myths. Had Angelina and Brad called me for suggestions, I would have suggested this (they picked Knox instead, a family name. Solid. But you know these two. They can’t stop at just six children. Perhaps an Ajax is in their future.)

So, A is done. 25 letters to go! And it’s time for me to reveal the identity of the baby name that has me burbling like Bruno on “Dancing with the Stars:” Zinnia! Lily, Violet, and Rose are all hot (Daisy’s heating up too), and here most of us have overlooked this spunky sparkler of a name. My new acquaintance, a writer, also has an Oskar. When I heard her two kids’ names, I think I told her I loved her. Get this: They call the wee Z “Zinnie” or “Zinny,” which strikes me as about the cutest name I have heard in ages. It’s going to be awhile before I get to Z, and I couldn’t wait to blither and burble about Zinnia.

What’s your favorite A name, by the way? Any treasures I should be alerted about? Do tell!