Celebrity Babies: Megan Hope Sanov

Best known for famously portraying vindictive vixen Sami Brady on NBC's Days of our Lives, actress and TV host Alison Sweeny now relishes in her new role of mommy -- again! Megan Hope Sanov was welcomed by proud parents, Alison and David Sanov, along with 3-year-old big brother, Benjamin Edward, on Monday, January 12th.

I've yet to hear of any certain inspiration behind the name Megan Hope, but no one can complain of it being "off-the-wall." I believe Alison and David played it safe, picking something classic that will never go out of style or raise any questionable eyebrows. There's not much negative that can be said for her choice of name. It's elegant and simple. Some might call it plain, and I'd be inclined to agree. But at the same time, no one will ever ask Megan, "Now, how do you say your name?"

Celebrity Babies: Seraphina Rose Elizabeth Affleck

Actors Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck welcomed their baby girl into the world on January 6, 2009. Named Seraphina Rose Elizabeth, the newborn joins 3-year old sister, Violet Anne, into the Affleck fold.

Seraphina Rose Elizabeth seems to be a hit with most people on the web, and that's good news. Celebrities are becoming increasingly known for christening their offspring with "crazy" names. From singer Ashlee Simpson's son, "Bronx Mowgli" to actress Lisa Bonet's newborn son "Nakoa-Wolf Manakauapo Namakaeha," celebrities are not afraid to go to the extreme when it comes to naming their kids. So, I think many were surprised (and somewhat relieved!) when Jennifer and Ben chose the more modest Seraphina Rose Elizabeth.

From a baby name expert point of view, I think this was a good choice. I'm not crazy about the name Seraphina, but I think it might have been influenced by Ben's humanitarian work in The Congo, Africa. Where's the connection, you ask? Well, "Sarafina!" is a South African musical about students who strongly oppose apartheid, and in December 2008, Ben worked with the United Nations to document the plight of refugees in The Congo.

I'm a fan of the double middle names, "Rose Elizabeth," although professionally speaking, I believe "Elizabeth Rose" flows much better. In this instance, the one syllable name ("Rose") in the middle of two longer syllable names ("Seraphina" and "Elizabeth") breaks the flow, making the overall affect sound a bit choppy. So yes, my vote would've been for Seraphina Elizabeth Rose Affleck, or even more simply, Elizabeth Rose Affleck, Seraphina Elizabeth Affleck, or Seraphina Rose Affleck.

Celebrity Babies: Tripp Easton Mitchell Johnston

Alaska governor Sarah Palin is now a doting grandmother! On Saturday, December 27th, 2008, Palin's daughter, Bristol, gave birth to a bouncing baby boy named Tripp Easton Mitchell Johnston. And of course, the unique choice of name has many wondering, "What in the world was she thinking?"

As a name consultant who spends much of my time researching baby names, I must say that I think Bristol and her fiance, Levi Johnston, made a smart choice by choosing to go the "creative" route. (Not that there's anything wrong with "regular" names because some of my favorite names are classic names.) However, names like "Bristol" and "Levi" aren't considered everyday type names, and I think it's great that they chose to continue the tradition as they build their own family.

Thanks to Governor Palin and her husband Todd's distinctive vision, Tripp will join the ranks with aunts, Willow and Piper, along with uncles, Track and Trig. Such wonderful, unique names! I love the fact that Bristol seems to have been influenced by her parents in choosing a first name for her son that follows the "TR" pattern that both of Bristol's brothers share.

As for the double middle names "Easton Mitchell," I'm not quite sure what inspired that choice, but I like it. In most instances when a child is given two middle names, it's usually in honor of someone close to the parents. And I always suggest two middle names if that's the way you want to go, even if it's not in honor of anyone in particular!

Celebrity Babies: Charlie Tamara Tulip and Dolly Rebecca Rose O'Connell

Welcome the newest celebrity twin babies to hit the scene: Charlie Tamara Tulip and Dolly Rebecca Rose O'Connell!

Over the past few days, I've received an abundance emails asking what I think of actors Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O'Connell's choice names. I've read that Charlie Tamara Tulip was named in honor of Jerry's younger brother, Charlie. I can only assume that "Rebecca" was given to Dolly Rebecca Rose in honor of Romijn. I don't think the names are horrible (like many seem to), and quite honestly, I've seen MUCH worse. I think the alliteration with the two middle names ("Tamara Tulip" & "Rebecca Rose") saves the overall package a great deal.

Of course, this might not have been the route that you or I would've taken when choosing names, but everyone has their reasons. It's important to understand that when parents choose a name (or in this case, names!), 9 times out of 10, the name usually has some kind of "attraction value" to the parent. The attraction value could one of several things:

1. The sound of the name
2. The meaning of the name
3. The image the name evokes
4. The name is in honor of someone
5. The name is unique

The list can go on and on. But the problem most "outsiders" have with the attraction value is when an outsider doesn't exactly find the name attractive. And that seems to be the case with most people I've heard from regarding these names in particular. However, outsiders need to remember that unless the baby is yours, you are by default an outsider. The best you can do is accept the parents' choice and make note that you won't make the same mistake when the time comes to name your own child.