Mary Constantine wrote a fun article about food names for the Knoxville News Sentinel and featured Baby Names Made Easy:

 

 

“I recently became a great aunt.

 

My niece, Elizabeth, gave birth to an 8-pound, 4-ounce baby girl in late June.

 

The baby has chubby pink cheeks, a rosebud mouth and a head full of dark hair.

 

She’s definitely a keeper.

 

When I learned that Elizabeth and husband Curtis were expecting, I picked up the book “Baby Names Made Easy” (Simon and Schuster, $15) that had been laying on my desk.

 

News Sentinel editorial assistant Lisa Gentry had left it for me months earlier after noticing that it was organized by category, including one for food and drink.

 

Naming a child after a food item isn’t a new idea.

 

I’ve worked with women named Sherri and Cheri, and attended school with girls named Ginger and Pepper.

 

So there was a distinct possibility this book would include a name suitable for my great niece.

 

I loved the name Coco, but knew that Elizabeth and Curtis were too traditional to consider that.

 

I also liked the name Plum, but maybe that’s because it’s one of my favorite fruits.

 

Other female names that caught my eye included Cayenne, Brie, Mimosa, and, yes, even Apple, the name actress Gwyneth Paltrow chose for her daughter.

 

But everyone knows there are other considerations besides how the word rolls off the tongue when selecting a child’s name.

 

In this case, my great niece’s last name is Strange.

 

Knowing that, the names Coco Strange, Plum Strange and Apple Strange become totally unacceptable.

 

After all, children find ways to make fun of each other without handing them a gift.

 

In the end, Curtis and Elizabeth didn’t need my help naming their child.

 

One look at their precious girl and it’s apparent that Ava Claire Strange is the name she was meant to hold.

 

It’s a peach of a name.

 

Hmm, another one of my favorite fruits.”

 

 

 I think Ava Claire is a peach of a name, too. Great choice! I’ve always secretly loved the name Pepper though…but, I’m not sure Pepper Strange really works. Though, it’s better than Berry Strange…

 

You can read the article online here.

 

Subscribe to the RSS feed so you don’t miss any future baby name posts.

 

 

♥  Amanda

 

 

If you have baby name questions for me, email me at amanda@amandabarden.com.

Your question might appear in a future edition of Ask Amanda.

 

 

 

For more information on baby names and their meanings check out

BABY NAMES MADE EASY: THE COMPLETE REVERSE-DICTIONARY OF BABY NAMES