Bronx, Zuma Don't Make Top 2008 Baby Names List

Madeline Holler — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:02:00 GMT

Maybe expectant parents didn't get enough lead time, but the names Bronx and Zuma (or Knox, Vivienne, Sunday, or Nahla ...) didn't top the 2008 baby names list this year. Better luck in 2009!

Experts explain that our reluctance to name children after an army fort or a day of the week is because we're living in more serious times (and, I would say, not in a safe, celebrity bubble). Instead, we're opting for old-fashioned, strong, serious.

So what names topped the charts?

Aiden for boys (for a second year in a row) and Emma for girls (knocking the too-whimsical Sophie off her unserious pedastal?). Emma's followed by Isabella, Olivia, Sarah, Elizabeth and Anna. Aiden is followed by Jayden, Ethan and Jacob.

Parents attitudes about names changed too this year with the election and year-long recession.

From TodayShow.com

When parents were asked in the online survey what they wanted a name to represent, the most important qualities for boys were strength, kindness and compassion compared to strength and individuality last year.

For girls it was kindness, compassion, intelligence and strength compared to femininity and individuality last year.

Can't help but wonder if in a year of lots and lots of strong women finally getting a little air time (I'm thinking Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, Tina Fey, Rachael Maddow and yes, even Sarah Palin among many others) has anything to do with the changing attitude about girls.

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Were the Twins (Yes, Those Twins) Photoshopped?

Madeline Holler — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 20:28:00 GMT

Every cover girl experiences what it feels like to not be good enough in the eyes of an art director with a knack for Photoshop. Shave off a flabby arm here, take in a thick waist there, airbrush, gloss-over, stick her head on an underfed model's body.

So why should Vivienne Marcheline Jolie-Pitt know otherwise? Yes, she's born of a perfect DNA match. Indeed, she is but weeks old. But still, after People paid all that money for the pics, shouldn't THEY get to perfect half of the world's most awaited babies (sorry, if you thought yours were).

NY Mag is calling Photoshop on the People magazine cover and arguing that the little girl's ... smile was cut and pasted on her face. Here's what they say:

In that cover photo, it looks like Vivienne Marcheline — clearly the Ashley half of this Olsen-like combo — is sporting a giant grin. She may even be laughing. Hold on. These babies are purported to be a mere 3 weeks old! Parenting magazine says that babies don't smile from exterior stimulation until two to four months — even if said exterior stimulation is the most beautiful pair of humans in the entire world.

What to you think? Photoshopped? Or is Vivi working out a bit of flatulence. Come on, we parents know even newborns make all kinds of faces, even if Parenting magazine hasn't explicitly told us so.

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Photo: tattletart.com

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Bronx, Zuma Don't Make Top 2008 Baby Names List

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First Pictures of Vivienne and Knox Jolie-Pitt Mean Goodbye Brangelina

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