Expert: Bronx Mowgli "Won't Set Off Baby Name Fad"

Us Magazine - November 21, 2008 12:19 PM PST
Story photo: Expert: Bronx Mowgli Pete Wentz and Ashlee Simpson catch the musical "Wicked" on Hollywood Boulevard on October 4, 2008.Us Magazine
A baby name expert is weighing in on Bronx Mowgli, the newborn son of Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and Pete Wentz.

"I'd say that in the world of unusual or bizarre baby names, this is the biggest double whammy since Moxie CrimeFighter [daughter of magician Penn Jillette] and Pilot Inspektor [son of actor Jason Lee]," Linda Rosenkrantz, co-author of The Baby Name Bible (and online baby guide Nameberry.com) tells Usmagazine.com.

So where does Bronx come from?

"Bronx - named after early Dutch settler Jonas Bronck - follows in the footsteps of that other NYC borough, Brooklyn, but is not likely to set off a baby name fad as Brooklyn has," Rosenkrantz adds.

(Victoria and David Beckham named their nine-year-old son Brooklyn after the area of NYC in which he was conceived.)

Brooklyn is more popular than Bronx because it "has a soft, feminine sound - in fact it's No. 57 on the girls' popularity list and seen by some parents as the combination of two female names, Brooke and Lynn," Rosenkrantz says.

"Bronx has a much harsher, grittier sound, and the nickname Bronxie has something of a negative feel," adds the expert.

But Bronx "follows the tradition started by the Jolie-Pitts of x-ending boys' names, such in Maddox, Pax and Knox...and the trend for 'place names' like Kingston and Paris," Rosenkrantz points out.

See what the baby expert has to say about other celeb tot names.

The newborn's middle name, Mowgli, "was created by Rudyard Kipling for his Jungle Book stories, best remembered by most people via the spunky 10-year-old boy brought up by wolves in the 1967 Disney animated version.

"Even though in the stories Mowgli was said to mean 'frog,' it was actually made up by the author and has no real meaning," she adds.

Overall, the Wentzs may have gone with the moniker because "obviously they're into Disney big time!" Rosenkrantz says.

"Just weeks ago, the mother-to-be was given a Winnie the Pooh-themed baby shower," Rosenkrantz says. "Prior to that, the couple were married in an Alice in Wonderland-themed ceremony."

Look back on Ashlee's bump days.

Bronx Mowgli Wentz was born Thursday night, a rep for the Wentzs confirmed to Us.

"Ashlee, Pete and baby Bronx are all healthy and happy, and thank everyone for their well wishes!" the rep added, calling the couple "proud parents."

More news from Usmagazine.com

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comments 1-10 of 32  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • jess!
    No %@!*#ing way!! I hate that they are together I think Ashlee is the uglyiest girl Pete has been with and for them to marry and have a baby that has a name like that it kinda makes you wonder what kinda drugs were they on to name their first baby that stupiest name ever!
    report abuseposted February 19, 2009 6:05 AM PST
  • I think they're too cute together. But the name of that baby is sooo weird I meen, who would call their newborn baby " Bronx"? I meen , it's kinda weird and bizarre...
    report abuseposted December 4, 2008 7:05 AM PST
  • KEPSITREAL
    its a zoo name
    report abuseposted December 3, 2008 4:41 AM PST
  • Onyx
    We all hate our names at some point, but did they have to try that hard? Not for me, thank god that kid will never have to go to public school!
    report abuseposted December 2, 2008 12:17 PM PST
  • LeeAnn
    It sounds like they just tried to pick an unusual name. who wants to name their kid what everyone else name is. It slhould not matter to us. It is for the family who are we to judge the name. I dont think people could forget it easy!!!
    report abuseposted November 28, 2008 6:49 PM PST
  • Me
    Bronx Mowgli...LMAO sounds like a character from the movie Jungle Book. Stupid, Stupid, Stupid
    report abuseposted November 25, 2008 11:19 AM PST
  • WHATS UP WITH THE NAME?BUT COME ON I WANT TO SEE THE BABY PICS!
    report abuseposted November 25, 2008 1:27 AM PST
  • xoxo
    wowwww Bronx Mowgli Wentz. they must be doin some drugs to get that name
    report abuseposted November 23, 2008 4:39 PM PST
  • Mandy Sue
    i love them both and wish them the best!!!
    report abuseposted November 23, 2008 8:50 AM PST
  • Hey I found Waldo!!!
    report abuseposted November 23, 2008 12:59 AM PST
comments 1-10 of 32  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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