Latest news with #Strum
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
9 old-fashioned baby names as Dame Laura Kenny takes vintage inspiration for her newborn
The Olympic cyclist has revealed the family inspiration behind her baby daughter's name Dame Laura Kenny and her husband, fellow Olympic cyclist Jason Kenny, have welcomed their third child – a girl – and simultaneously shared her vintage-inspired baby name. Kenny, who has been open about her fertility struggles in the past, posted a photo of her sons, Albie and Monty, with their newborn sister on social media. "Three's the magic number," she captioned the image. "Lilian Joyce Kenny Born on 4/5/25 at 10.44am. Weighing 8.0lbs." Explaining that the name was inspired by both her and her husband's grandmothers, she continued: "There was only ever one name we had in mind for a daughter. A mix of both our Nans' names," she wrote. "Our beautiful little family is complete". Kenny, 33, is Britain's most successful female British Olympian with five gold and three silver medals, while former track cyclist Jason, 37, is the most successful male British Olympian, with seven golds and two silvers. The Kennys aren't the only family to choose a vintage-inspired name for their daughter. Lily Allen has daughters named Ethel and Marnie, comedian Katherine Ryan's oldest child is Violet, and fellow comic Josh Widdicombe named his daughter Pearl. Some of the most popular baby names in England and Wales also hark back to previous times, with Florence, Elsie and Maeve all in the top 100. Why are old-fashioned baby names so popular? Baby naming expert SJ Strum, author of upcoming book Baby Name Envy, says that vintage name choices are having "a huge boom" at the moment, with many "coming back into style after a 100-year hiatus". "They're popular, as going further back in time means we don't have those name associations from our own peer group," she tells Yahoo UK. "They also combine that criteria of being a classic name that now sounds unique and fresh." If you're not sure where to start when it comes to retro names, Strum says looking through your family tree is a wonderful way to find one that has meaning for you. Take inspiration from your family tree when naming your baby, suggests an expert. (Getty Images) Old-fashioned baby name ideas for girls Margot Maybe it's thanks to actor Margot Robbie, or perhaps it's just a great choice — either way, the name Margot has been rising in popularity over recent years. The French name, meaning 'pearl' was given to 215 more baby girls in 2023 – the most recent year the Office of National Statistics (ONS) has records for – than 2022. Vera If you're looking for a less popular retro name, Strum explains "it's a top tip to view names from a modern lens". "For example, Vera is a wonderfully modern twist on the popular name Evie but is less likely to be shared by your child's peers," she says. The name Vera is of Slavic origin and means 'faith' and 'true'. Maggie Choosing the diminutive of a popular old-fashioned name is a great way to bring it up to date. For example, Margaret, which website Nameberry says has Greek origins and means 'pearl', can be shortened to Maggie, Meg or Peggy. Florence Currently the eighth most popular girls' name in England and Wales, Florence has a number of nicknames including Flossy and Flo. Derived from the Latin word 'florens' it means 'blossoming', 'flourishing' and 'prosperous', all wonderful assets for your newborn. Back in 1904, the first year ONS records began, Florence was the second most popular girls' name after Mary. Alma Alma is another recommendation from Strum. She says it's a less-common twist on the name Amelia, currently the second most popular girls' name in England and Wales. With Latin and Spanish roots, Alma can mean 'nourishing' or 'soul'. Elsie The fourth most popular girls' name back in 1904, Elsie is having a bit of a comeback. It's been chosen by celebrities including comedian Jack Whitehall and actor Zooey Deschenal and is now the fourteenth most popular girls' name in England and Wales. Of Hebrew and English origin it means 'pledged to God'. If you want a longer name to give your child more choice when they get older, it can also be used as a diminutive of Elizabeth and Elsbeth. Nellie Chosen by TOWIE alumni Billie Faiers for her oldest child, Zoe Ball also has a daughter with the alternative spelling 'Nelly'. Nellie can be used as a nickname for Helen, Eleanor or Cornelia. It's said to be of English origin and has the beautiful meaning 'light'. Nancy Naming site The Bump says Nancy has Middle English, Hebrew and Greek origins and means 'grace' or 'favoured'. It can be used as a name in its own right or a nickname for Anne or Agnes. It also has a bit of a rebellious edge – think notorious punk couple Sid and Nancy. Olive An old-fashioned name that sounds thoroughly modern, with its links to the fruit, Olive evokes thoughts of Mediterranean holidays and sunshine. It's also a more unusual spin on Olivia, which has been the most popular girls' name since 2016. Read more about baby names:
Telegraph
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Why parents are paying strangers to name their babies
The rise of baby name consultants In this landscape, a new type of professional has emerged: the baby name consultant. Surrey-based Strum began sharing name lists on YouTube, grouped by themes such as Vintage, Botanical or Literary. They gained millions of views, and the consultancy Baby Name Envy evolved. Strum's services now include YouTube videos, name polls on Instagram and one-to-one consultancy (£88 per session). Strum says, 'There used to be a bit of a divide between celebrities and the rest of us, with celebs leading the way with picking unusual names; Apple, Bluebell, Phoenix, North. Now with the rise of social media, there's a much thinner line… you're just as likely to sit next to a Saint in Swindon as you are in San Diego.' On the other side of the world, Sonya Prior, who runs New Zealand-based The BB Namer, previously used her own lifelong fascination with naming trends in her brand marketing roles. The news of an Australian journalist naming her child Methamphetamine Rules to test the country's naming restrictions (it was allowed) pushed Prior to start sharing her insights on TikTok, which quickly gained traction. Her most popular service is her private consultation ($150 NZD, or £66). 'There's a lot more pressure around baby names these days, and that's part of why people turn to consultants,' Prior says. 'With so many opinions, trends, and social media discourse, naming can feel overwhelming, almost like a performance rather than a personal choice.' Australian Michelle Casey, founder of Grow Little Wildflower, has an audience of nearly 200,000 on Instagram. Her most popular service is The Mini ($127 AUD/ £62), which provides clients with ten names, but she also offers bespoke packages ranging from $300+ AUD. Casey adds, 'This is a forever decision and the first gift you will give your child so it makes sense to dive deeper and really make sure the name you choose will last a lifetime!' Changing names through the ages While certain traditional names never go out of fashion, there is now a much wider variety of monikers than before. Gregory Clark, economic historian and author of The Son Also Rises, found that four names in 18th century births were used for 52% of boys: John, William, Thomas and James. By contrast, in the latest ONS data (2023), the top four boys' names (Muhammad, Noah, Oliver and George) cover less than 6% of all boys born. Clark explains, 'One factor that kept the name choices limited before 1800 was that children were named after relatives.' The University of Edinburgh study shows how influences have changed over the years. In the 19th century there was a strong Christian influence, with Christmas, Easter, Mercy and Charity all popular female names. In the 60s, there was a rise in Italian names, with a wave of immigration from Italy into the UK. One concern I see online – and that I've certainly considered in my many name-based conversations with my husband – is around a name's popularity. No one wants their child to be one of several with the same name in the classroom. Then, looking longer term, there is the awareness that certain names boom at certain periods of time, but there will come a tipping point when they rapidly fall out of favour. Hello, Nigel, Ian, Martin and Stuart, Sharon and Tracy: your time is most certainly up. Globalisation and pop culture The effect of globalisation on names is perhaps best represented by the meteoric rise of the name Kevin in western Europe in the early 90s. In 1990, a notable film came out: Home Alone, whose main character is called Kevin McCallister. The Kevin boom was helped by the popularity of actor Kevin Costner and – surprisingly for us – Kevin Keegan. By the end of 1991, it was the most popular name in France, Germany and the Netherlands – in France, 14,087 Kévins were born in one year. Now, those Kévins are the object of much derision. Meanwhile Luca, Italian in origin, first entered the England and Wales top 100 boys' names in the early 2000s, and is now the seventh most popular name – the most popular name in Scotland last year. The National Records of Scotland attribute its top position to the eponymous Pixar film set in 2021. The Office of National Statistics' latest data on names in England and Wales said, 'Pop culture continues to influence the popularity of baby names...' After 2023's summer blockbuster Barbie (starring Margot Robbie), there were 215 more baby girls named Margot compared to the year before. There's something cyclical about it: films, TV programmes, and social media aren't just shaping pop culture, they're shaping the names we give to the next generation. Picking a name free of connotations Another problem is names are extremely subjective, and it's almost impossible to find ones without personal connotations – whether that's former partners, colleagues, classmates or fictional uses. Strum adds, 'One person's classic, elegant Edward is another person's idea of a boring uncle's name that does not look right on a baby.' So what advice would SJ give to someone concerned about others' opinions? 'I always encourage people to go with the name they love, despite what other people say.' Meanwhile, Michelle Casey from Grow Little Wildflower, says, 'I'm noticing that parents are loving the idea of a timeless first name paired with a bold, edgy and quite unique middle name.' Examples she provides include: 'Eleanor Bloom, Ada Wilde, Miles Legend or Arlo Ocean.' The name theft dilemma Despite being 33, I'm still in the minority among my friends who've had children. It means I haven't ever faced the dilemma of someone using a name I'm attached to. Nor have I had to consider whether I'd be flattered, confused or neutral if a close friend used our first son's name (Robin). Laura, 39, who lives in London, experienced this when her daughter, Dotty, was born. It was her husband's great grandma's middle name, and after the great grandma passed away during Laura's pregnancy, they decided to honour her. Dotty arrived early, was introduced to the world, and then to Laura's surprise, in her baby group two months later, another mum 'announced she had used our same name as we inspired her'. 'We found it odd that she chose the same name, but ultimately it isn't our name,' Laura says. Nine months later, a cousin also used Dotty, sharing the tribute with the same family who had heard it nearly a year before. Laura and her husband took it in good humour - and note (outside these two cases) they've yet to meet another girl with the same name. What's in a name? In the end, parents (and, by extension, grandparents) all want the same thing: a name that fits, that's meaningful, and that connects new life to a larger story. Whether parents are paying for increasingly popular expert advice or searching through a sea of online options, the end goal remains unchanged: to get the right fit for your child.
Miami Herald
09-03-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Traded from rebuilding team to contender, Nico Sturm embracing chance with Panthers
Nico Sturm went from playing for a Colorado Avalanche team that won the Stanley Cup in 2022 to spending the next two-and-a-half seasons played for a rebuilding San Jose Shark team that was consistently at or near the bottom of the NHL standings. He had no chance of even sniffing the playoffs again in that span, let alone a chance to chase another Stanley Cup. That all changed Thursday when the Florida Panthers traded for him to add an adept faceoff winner who would improve their fourth forward line and add another quality forward on the penalty kill. So it was easy to understand why Sturm was happy following the Panthers' 4-0 win over the Buffalo Sabres — the team's sixth consecutive victory which moves them to 40-21-3 — on Saturday in his team debut. He didn't log a point but his time on the ice was critical to the win. As Florida's fourth-line center with A.J. Greer and Tomas Nosek on the wings, Strum was on the ice for 11:23, won 7 of 10 faceoffs, had three shots on goal, logged three hits and blocked a shot. When he played for San Jose, a team that won 48 total games during his two-and-a-half season stint there, a performance like that could easily get overlooked because it would typically happen in a loss. With the Panthers, those type defense-centric moments are critical in their wins. 'I haven't won a lot of games in the last couple of years, unfortunately,' Sturm, 29, said. 'For the role that I play, [winning] means something. It has an impact on the game. If you kill penalties and you still give up five goals every game, it feels like your role is a little bit irrelevant. But today, it's like even though I'm not on the score sheet, we kill big penalties, get a big block, the team wins. That's your reward. It feels good. You contribute to the team, and I enjoy that.' Florida coach Paul Maurice had nothing but praise for Strum following his Panthers debut. 'Oh, he's a smart man and covers ice,' Maurice said. The way the Panthers play will enable Strum to play to his strengths, and that in turn will only strengthen the production from the bottom of the Panthers' lineup. On Saturday, The Panthers controlled 75 percent of shot attempts while he was on the ice at five-on-five, outshot Buffalo 10-1 and had a 6-1 edge in scoring chances. 'I think the system's great for me,' Strum said. 'The way I play is straight-line hockey. That's the way I've played my whole career. Obviously, there's some differences to the system that we played in San Jose, but I think in general, I fit well into this system here.' He was part of Florida's lead forward pairing on the penalty kill with Eetu Luostarinen. They were on the ice for more than half of Florida's four minutes playing a man down, with the Panthers holding the Sabres without a shot on goal on their two power-play opportunities. 'Just in general, getting traded to what I think is the best team in the league is a big compliment for me as a hockey player,' Strum said. 'The PK is obviously a big part of my game. Throw me right out into the fire. I love that. That's the best way to learn a new system. You're gonna make some mistakes. We're gonna watch video of stuff that I did wrong, and then we'll adjust from there.'
