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Celebrity baby names raise eyebrows
Much publicity has been given to Gwynnie Paltrow's Apple and Courteney Cox Arquette's Coco, more often than not accompanied by a much-deserved crack about breakfast cereals.
Early whispers in the press said the Cox-Arquette joint project would be named after the mother, which could explain how she became a Coco. The apple of Gwyneth eye may be a cultural nod to husband Chris Martin's British heritage.
"The English tend to have unusual (by American standards) names such as Liberty or Honor so that cultural difference may have had a great deal to do with Paltrow's decision of Apple," said Arthur Gallego, vice president of the New York City entertainment communications firm LaForce+Stevens.
Far-out names might just be artistic expressions coming from artistic people.
"Actors are artists. They often see the world from a different lens and see the creative and unique sides to things. A name is a form of artistic expression for them," said Dr. Larina Kase, a psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania.
Mike Paul, president of MGP and Associates public relations firm in New York, said publicity might run deeper than psychology for stars' unconventionally named offspring.
"One of the most important things a parent is supposed to do for a child is protect them and let them make their own responsible choices a parent. Making this (naming) decision can ensure they stand out in a way they might not want to. It's more difficult for them to become an individual when the parent has already given them a wacked celebrity name. It's hard enough to move forward with a (famous) last name," Paul said.
Children who have a strong, stable upbringing are likely to be successful regardless of the name, said Dr. Paul Friday, director of psychology at UPMC Shadyside. If early childhood is shifty, things like a name can cause problems.
"If a kid comes into a situation with a strange name but a really strong ego, they'll have more of a 'what's wrong with my name? What's wrong with you,' kind of attitude. If you have been beaten down as socialization begins, you'll bring that into the interaction," Friday said.
Expression or ego, first names are a big part of first impressions, Friday said. People form perceptions based on their own memories of people with similar names while being uncomfortably jostled by an unconventional name.
"The first name is very important. Whether you are meeting a queen or a pauper, that name smacks against their canvas (of experience) and they are affected by that," Friday said.
Star babies
High-profile babies born to A-list celebs in the past months:
June 13: Coco, born to Courteney Cox Arquette and husband David Arquette.
May 20: Apple Blythe Alison, born to actress Gwyneth Paltrow and Coldplay rocker hubby Chris Martin.
May 13: Makena'lei Gordon, born to actress Helen Hunt and husband Matthew Carnahan.
April 27: Leni, born to model Heidi Klum, who is keeping mum on the dad's name.
April 23: Roman Robert, born to actress Cate Blanchett and husband screenwriter Andrew Upton. Roman has a big brother, Dashiell John, 2.
In the real world...
Here's how the other half lives: Most popular names in Pennsylvania for children born in 2003:
Boys
1. Michael
2. Ryan
3. Jacob
Girls
1. Emily
2. Emma
3. Madison
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration
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