You Can’t Call It “It”!

There is much talk about the outrageous names celebrities choose for their children. But there are a few tasteful (and taste making) babes smattered amongst the Moxie Crimefighters and the Jagger Joseph Blues. I think it almost takes more guts to choose a normal name for your child if you are a celebrity. It says that you are above the fray, have nothing to prove, and would like your child to make his or her own way in the world. Here are YCCII’s personal picks of celebrity baby names:

Alice Zenobia- Tiny Fey’s daughter. While Alice is tidy with the tiniest bit of mischief, Zenobia is wild and exotic and ancient. They balance one another beautifully to make a nearly perfect name.

Valentina Paloma- The ideal name for the daughter of one of the most beautiful women in the world, Salma Hayek? This lyrical, lilting choice means “Valiant Dove” and suggests hearts floating above.

James Wilkie- Nothing like her character she plays on TV, Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick proved they really are first class when they chose the simple but eternally handsome James after Matthew’s father. The middle name ending in “ie” and with that striking K in the gives this combo just the right amount of kick.

Violet Ann- Violet has both class and sass, and was chosen in honor of Jennifer Garner’s grandmother. While Ann is a bit plain, it almost defies Hollywood in its simplicity. Violet will fit in with classmates Sophia, Olivia, AND Moxie and Apple.

Cosimo Henri- Beck and Marisa Ribisi revived this Italian Renaissance noble name and paired it with the name of a French noble, fit for Royalty indeed. A personal favorite.

Corbin Bernsen and Amanda Pays’ sons: Oliver, Henry & Angus (twins), Finley.

Perhaps the epitome of daring but tasteful, Cate Blanchett and her husband Andrew Upton with sons Dashiell John, Roman Robert, and Ignatius Martin.

Frances Bean- No longer a baby, young Frances’ parents Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love shocked the world with this understated demure choice and may have helped spearhead the “Old Lady Chic” movement.

Jennifer Connolly is not only physically beautiful but she has beautiful taste in names as well. Her boys are Kai and Stellan.

Musn’t forget Peter Sarsgaard and Maggie Gyllenhaal’s baby Ramona. Cheers to getting beyond children’s literature associations.

Harrison Ford has children named Benjamin, Willard, Malcolm and Georgia. Like this set a lot. I wish we heard more Malcolms.

Marcia Gay Harden has Eulalia, and twins, Julitta Dee, and Hudson. Eulalia particularly strikes the right note to me.

Beatrice Milly, Paul McCartney and Heather Mills’ daughter. Wonder how she’s faring these days?

Plum Sykes and Toby Rowland have an Ursula.

Last but not least, Moon Unit Zappa and Paul Doucette did an about face from her parents when they chose the understated but chic Mathilda Plum for their daughter. Another Matilda to send our prayers to right now is Miss Ledger.