Eric Mabius, star of Ugly Betty, and his interior designer wife, Ivy Sherman, just welcomed their second child, a son, in New York City. In another era, the name they chose for their baby — Rylan Jaxson — might have rated some posts in the blogosphere, some praise for being ‘cutting edge,’ and certainly a few ‘tsk-tsks’ for the trendy spelling of ‘Jaxson.’ But that was BBM (Before Bronx Mowglii). It’s now ABM (After Bronx Mowgli). And the world may never be the same.

ABM, it’s pretty much impossible for celebrities to shock the world with a cool or weird baby name. ABM, even the weirdest celebrity baby name has lost its capacity to induce shock and outrage. Rylan Jaxson? Whatever.

Actor Jonny Lee Miller and his wife, actress Michelle Hicks, just welcomed a son as well. They named him Buster Timothy. Oh, really? That’s nice.

See what I mean? Bronx Mowgli has set a new benchmark in celebrity baby names. Everything pales by comparison. I’m not sure that even some of the great celebrity baby names of recent years — the likes of Pilot Inspektor, Kal-El, Moxie Crimefighter, Jagger Song, etc. –  have had the paradigm-shifting impact of Bronx Mowgli. We are just beginning to digest this strange, yet captivating name, and the impact it may have on future celebrity baby names.

But one thing is for sure. Celebrities love a challenge. And if Bronx Mowgli currently reigns supreme as the name to beat, it’s a certain bet that somewhere in Los Angeles, even as I type, a pregnant celebrity couple is kicking around some ideas for a new baby name. Something that will go one better even than Bronx Mowgli. Something that will make Apple, Suri, and Heaven Rain seem as quaint as Tom, Mary, and Linda. Something that may include upper and lower case and at least one numeral. Something so far out, so truly cutting-edge, that it will make Bronx Mowgli seem square.

It’s out there somewhere. I know it is. And I can hardly wait.

Save to del.icio.us

Technorati Tags: celebrity baby names, baby names, celebrity gossip, celebrity babies, Ashlee Simpson baby name, Ashlee Simpson baby, Ashlee Simpson Bronx Mowgli, Bronx Mowgli

Posted on December 08th 2008 and posted to CELEBRITY BABY NAMES, Ashlee Simpson Wentz |