The Magpie:READERS WHO play close attention to events of global significance will of course be aware that Alaska governor and unforgettable US vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin has become a grandmother . . . just short of her 45th birthday.
Daughter Bristol (17) and husband-to-be Levi Johnston (18) are proud parents of Tripp, who weighed in at 7lbs 7ozs on December 27th. Magpie isn't sure whether Tripp Easton Mitchell Johnston is named because, as Bristol might have said to Levi while exiting maternity: "Wow! That was some trip. When can we do it again?" Or Tripp somehow encapsulates what happened to granny's White House campaign.
One thing's for sure: Tripp's got maternal aunts and uncles with some pretty memorable names - Track, Trig, Willow and Piper. While the girls' monikers, including mom Bristol's, seem unusual but unlikely to get them pushed around in the school yard, Track? Trig? Tripp? - how could anyone do that to a boy?
Of course, there's a long history of people who live in their own little worlds calling their kids bizarre names. How would you like to be known as Moon Unit Zappa? (Late rocker Frank's little girl, whose siblings include Dweezil and Diva Muffin.) Or Heavenly Hiranna Tiger Lily. (Thank you Michael Hutchence and Paula Yates.) Or Luna Coco. (Dad: footballer Frank Lampard.)
Here's a few more:
Kal-el. Parent: Nicolas Cage. (Kal-el is Superman's birthname).
Messiah Ya'majesty. Parent: TI (rapper)
Princess Tiaamii. Parents: Glamour model Jordan and former pop star Peter Andre.
Aanisah: Macy Gray (also mother to Tahmel).
Apple: Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Astrella Celeste: Donovan and Linda Lawrence (also parents to Oriole Nebula).
Atherton Grace: Don Johnson and Kelley Phleger.
Audio Science: Shannyn Sossamon.
Aurelius Cy: Elle Macpherson and Arpad Busson.
Blue Angel: U2's The Edge and Aislinn O'Sullivan.
Bluebell Madonna: Geri Halliwell.
Brooklyn: David and Victoria Beckham (also parents to Romeo and Cruz).
Calico: Alice and Sheryl Cooper (also parents to Sonora Rose).
Camera: Arthur Ashe and Jeanne Moutoussamy.
Destry: Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw.
Diezel Ky: Toni Braxton and Keri Lewis (also parents to Denim Cole).
Fifi Trixibell: Bob Geldof and Paula Yates (also parents to Peaches and Pixie).
Fuchsia: Sting and Frances Tomelty.
Gaia: Emma Thompson and Greg Wise.
Gulliver: Gary Oldman and Donya Fiorentino.
Heaven: Lil Mo (also mother to GodIss Love Stone).
Jaz: Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi.
Hopper: Sean Penn and Robin Wright.
Ireland: Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger.
Jazz Domino: Joe Strummer.
Jermajesty: Jermaine Jackson and Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza (previously married to Jermaines brother Randy).
Kyd: David Duchovny and Tea Leoni.
Lark Song: Mia Farrow and André Previn.
Lennon: Liam Gallagher and Patsy Kensit.
Liberty: Ryan Giggs.
London Emilio: Slash.
Marquise: 50 Cent.
Memphis Eve: Bono.
Moxie CrimeFighter: Penn Jillette (also father to Zolten).
Ocean: Forest Whitaker (also father to Sonnet and True).
Pilot Inspektor: Jason Lee and Beth Riesgraf.
Poppy Honey: Jamie and Jules Oliver (also parents to Daisy Boo).
Rocket: Robert Rodriguez (also father to Racer, Rebel and Rogue).
Rufus Tiger: Roger Taylor also father to Tiger Lily and Lola Daisy.
Saffron Sahara: Simon and Yasmin Le Bon (also parents to Amber Rose and Tallulah Pine).
Sage Moonblood: Sylvester Stallone and Sasha Czack (also parents to Seargeoh).
Satchel: Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee.
Shiloh Nouvel: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
Sosie: Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick.
Suri: Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes.
Tallulah: Bruce Willis and Demi Moore (also parents to Scout and Rumer).
Willow Camille Reign: Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith.
Zola Ivy: Eddie Murphy and Nicole Mitchell
(With acknowledgments to http://www.innocentenglish.com/)
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Bushism of the week(and not many weeks left now): "I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully." - September 29th, 2000