Oh baby!
Ask the boy named Sue, Mr. Hyde and John Proctor from “The Crucible,” a name is a thing that matters.
Names are power, the first spell we fall under and the letters we are ultimately buried beneath. Names carry history and expectation and hope in their vowel sounds.
Psycholinguists debate whether language reflects our perception of reality or shape it but names, particularly the ones we assign to newborns take on a kind of mythic importance, casting what we might become.
As Canadian Capricorn Charles de Lint reminds us, “A name can’t begin to encompass the sum of all her parts. But that’s the magic of names, isn’t it? That the complex, contradictory individuals we are can be called up complete and whole in another mind through the simple sorcery of a name.”
Language is vast, time is fleeting and since naming a child is a hallowed ordination, we bring you a list of suggested baby titles based on the zodiac sign of your bundle of joy, or Richard, Kai, Keanu, Apple of Augie. Read on to learn more.
Aries is the fire breathing, risk taking, impulse over introspection, first sign in the zodiac. Lovers of novelty, speed and heroics they live to play and play to win. Baby names to consider include Marius, Latin for ‘dedicated to Mars’ the Roman god of war and the ruling planet of Aries. Margot is another solid choice for a ram baby as it has the operative, active very Aries word ‘go’ within it. Other names to consider include Neo, Nova and Marlon, in honor of triple Aries and man of appetites Mr. Marlon Brando.
Taurus is a fixed earth sign ruled by Venus, planet of love, beauty, riches and good lighting. As such, names that recall the natural world suit these kiddos; Eden, Wren, Jasper and Clay. Leda, who gave birth to the GOAT beauty Helen of Troy is apt as Taurus is associated with raw beauty and fertility. Naming the child after a code word for weed is also very on brand for Taurus whose power color is green and whose general chill and persistent hunger are evocative of a bong hit.
Gemini is ruled by Mercury, planet of expression and exchange. Natives tend to be charming, quick witted and prone to indecision, mischief and poetry. Apropos names for this air sign include, Grey, an homage to their ability to see the liminal and to the Grey Parrot, one of the most intelligent and talkative birds in the natural world. Other solid names include Coco, Pandora, Malachi, Castor, a reference to the mythical twins that make up the Gemini constellation and Whitman or Stevie, in honor of Gemini king Walt Whitman and the white winged Gemini dove herself ladies and gentlemen Stevie Nicks.
Cancer is a highly intuitive, deeply feeling water sign ruled by the moon. Both moody and easily moved, ideal names for Cancer reflect their watery nature and the power of their emotionality. Names to consider include Briar, Bruno, derived from the High German for armor and suggestive of the crab’s shell and Cancer defense tactics, Sebastian the plucky crab from “The Little Mermaid,” Luna, Latin for moon, Ayla and Indigo (Indy for short) as blue invokes oceanic hues and melancholic feels.
Leo is the most regal sign in the zodiac. Natural leaders and proud hams, lion cubs are warm, affectionate and animated. Fine names for this fire sign include Helio, Greek for sun, which rules the sign, Leonardo or Leonidas (Leo for short), Sunny and Rhea, a goddess who was oft depicted on a throne (the favored resting place of Leos) with a pair of lion guardians at her feet.
Virgo is a mutable earth sign ruled by Mercury and preoccupied with potential and striving always and ever towards betterment. Natural caretakers and hawk eyed observers they often know what’s best for others and possess a keen sense of wisdom, curative properties and order. Suggestions for Virgo baby names include Eremita, Mercurio, Huck, Asher, Greta and Hollis. After viewing his birth chart, I am now convinced Virgo earth angel Keanu Reeves just may be the best of us and that naming a Virgo baby either Keanu or Reeves, is an excellent homage.
Libra rules the seventh house of partnership. Natives make for effective diplomats, interior decorators and die hard romantics. Aesthetically sensitive they need things to be pretty and prefer that they stay peaceful. Ideal names for scales and balance babies are Levi, which means “joined” in Hebrew, Beatrix, Clyde, Oliver, Lucien, Oscar, Ophelia, Themis, for the goddess of justice and Eloise, for the lover of fine hotels.
Scorpio is the most intense sign in the zodiac and is concerned with themes of death, transformation, shadow work and regeneration. Apropos of this, Lazarus, blessed be thy zombie, is an ideal baby name. Other choices to consider; Lethe, Freya, Draven, Kali, Acacia, Marigold, Zelda, Circe, the transmogrifying witch from The Odyssey, Layla and Wednesday after our favorite pig tailed scorpion, Wednesday Addams.
Sagittarius is the freedom loving, truth seeking, philosophy spewing, spur of the moment living, free wheeling bon vivant of the zodiac. Archer babes are independent, curious and buoyant. Monikers that make sense for this crew include Twain, Flint, Archer, Artemis, Thora, Cyrus, Conor, Marco, Homer, Prometheus and Oriane, French for sunrise and representative of the Sag belief that brighter days always and ever lie ahead.
Capricorn is represented by the mighty sea goat and these folk are strivers by nature, looking to get to the top of the proverbial mountain and the into the pot of gold by whatever means necessary. Equal parts strategist and hedonist they are here for the grind, the grit and the gratification. Cap names to consider include Atlas, he of the strong back and heavy burdens, Poe, Rue, Rainier, Bowie, after the sea goat space oddity himself and Xavier which means “new house,” apropos for the sign of the paternalistic builder.
Aquarius is the future focused, weirder than a box of hair, outsider on a mission to improve the lives of others through curious means and cult leader charisma. In the major arcana of the Tarot, Aquarius is represented by the Star card, making Astrid or Stella, both of which translate to star, apt monikers. Others to consider; Orion, Zeke and Talula.
Pisces is a mutable water sign ruled by Neptune, planet of dreams, delusions, spirituality, altered states and sweet escapes. In kind, the people of the fish prefer a life of fantasy that feels like somewhere over the rainbow. Suitable names for these water babies include Ula, Gaelic for s ‘sea’s jewel,’ Caspian, Bardo, Moses, Ondine and Yara.
Astrology 101: Your guide to the stars
Astrologer Reda Wigle researches and irreverently reports back on planetary configurations and their effect on each zodiac sign. Her horoscopes integrate history, poetry, pop culture and personal experience. She is also an accomplished writer who has profiled a variety of artists and performers, as well as extensively chronicled her experiences while traveling. Among the many intriguing topics she has tackled are cemetery etiquette, her love for dive bars, Cuban Airbnbs, a “girls guide” to strip clubs and the “weirdest” foods available abroad.