With the 2012 US Presidential race apparently neck and neck with only one day to go, we wondered if the Contender’s first name could a factor in causing the electorate to decide one way or another.

Has anyone heard the name “Mitt” before? Is it short for something?

Wikipedia has this to say-

“Willard Mitt Romney – his parents named him after a family friend, businessman J. Willard Marriott, and his father’s cousin, Milton “Mitt” Romney, a former quarterback for the Chicago Bears. Romney was referred to as “Billy” until kindergarten, when he indicated a preference for “Mitt.””

Apparently then, the Contender could have opted for a variety of other self-selected names; such as-

Will Romney

Milton Romney

Bill/y Romney

Williard Romney.

Utilising the Theory of Names principles, we might have preferred the name “Bill” Romney. There again, “Bill” might remind voters of a Democratic President called “Bill.”

A President called “Mitt”? Are you having a laugh….

At last – the news we’ve all been hoping for! Many congrats to Ireland’s top celebrity couple on the happy news of their pending first arrival. We’re thrilled, delighted and excited -it’s a long wait until March 2013!

Now then – what about the name….

Jamie Oliver has been on our minds alot recently. Here’s four reasons why-

1. He’s just opened another of his Italian restaurants, this time in Dundrum Shopping Centre, Dublin (only a few miles away from us) – and the food is great (mostly) (according to Catherine Cleary, food critic in the Irish Times) and it’s black-busy, all the time (queue only 30 minutes on a Monday evening).

2. He’s a wealthy, self-made pup (last estimate, net worth $235 million at last count) and an award winning social entrepreneur (lead speaker at the 2010 TED conference). The combination is rare – and we applaud him for it.

3. He’s also famous for the very flowery names he’s given his children – the extreme end of the flower-power trend that’s swept both US and UK/Ireland. In decending order, they are – Poppy Honey Rosie Oliver (born 18 March 2002), Daisy Boo Pamela Oliver (born on 10 April 2003), Petal Blossom Rainbow Oliver (born on 3 April 2009) and Buddy Bear Maurice Oliver (born on 15 September 2010).

4. Last but not least, we are VERY CURIOUS about the skill he’s demonstrated in choosing his first name, which we believe defines the very essence of the chap. Time out – let’s consider some of the alternative names he could have adopted;

James Oliver

Jimi Oliver

Jim Oliver

Jude Oliver

Joules Oliver (sometimes used variation)

Jacques Oliver

Jackie Oliver

Jay Oliver

Jack Oliver

Josh Oliver

and finally-

Jamie Oliver.

You see Jamie Oliver works so brilliantly, because “Jamie” is the kind of “ordinary lad-mate, happy-go-lucky guy around town” name, that defines who he sets out to be (and possibly is) so well. We’re talking BRAND here.

Name Oliver. BRAND Oliver. What value has proper name then?

Earlier this year, it was revealed from the annual CSO survey that Jack and Emily were the two most popular children’s names for new-borns in Ireland during 2011.

Of the 38223 boys born during 2011, there were 840 Jack’s (2.2%). Of the 36427 girls, there were 596 Emily’s (1.6%). Jack has been the top boy’s name since 2007; Emily has overtaken Sophia as the top girl’s name in 2011. There was a range of 4810 girl’s names on the full list and 3801 different boys’ names.

The penchant for greater variety of girl’s names is even more pronounced in the US, where Jacob has been the most popular names for (incredibly) the last 13 years. Sophia has unseated Isabella in the US as the top girl’s name after a two year reign at the top.

As usual, reading these lists makes interesting, fun reading; but as usual, our overwhelming feeling is this “top of the hit parade” and its cousin – names trend-watching – does little to help highly confused parents-to-be work their way through the tens, hundreds and thousands of possible name alternatives, in their endeavour to design a beautiful, memorable name for their special arrival.

And with the publication of our e-book in November, and nothing to loose, why not join the revolution and give our ideas on baby name design a try?