Actress Uma Thurman arrives at a party to celebrate the upcoming launch of the Versace for H&M collection in New York November 8, 2011.LUCAS JACKSON/Reuters
Rosalind Arusha Arkadina Altalune Florence Thurman-Busson – that's R.A.A.A.F.T.B. for short.
Uma Thurman is drawing jeers after announcing her baby daughter's five names – seven total, if you add the hyphenated last name. (Dad is financier Arpad Busson.)
The girl was born in July but her epic title was unveiled just this month – possibly the result of a three-month brainstorming session? "Each name has a special reason and meaning to her mother and father," the actress's rep told People magazine, adding that the girl is known simply as "Luna" to family and friends.
The headlines were easy: "Uma Thurman announces baby Girl's Name (Think 'all of the above')" and "Uma Thurman's baby name is Luna-cy," among them.
Celebrities have long preferred daffy baby names to the Isabelles and Jacobs of mere plebe parents, a tick likely acquired when you revolve in an entirely alternate universe.
"Celebrities call their children wacky names because clearly, the normal societal norms don't apply to them. They live privileged, wealthy lives and do not have to worry about whether ... 'Pilot Inspektor' might go against their son on his CV when he applies for a job in the bank. But it's also a deeply selfish thing to do to a child," wrote Independent. ie's Claire O'Mahony.
Pilot Inspektor is the son of actor Jason Lee, star of the TV comedy series My Name is Earl. Pilot Inspektor shouldn't be confused with Sage Moonblood, son of Sylvester Stallone, Speck Wildhorse, son of John Mellencamp, or Diva Thin Muffin, daughter of Frank Zappa, who traumatized all four of his children with wackadoo names.
Beyond intense narcissism, the rise of individualism may also be to blame: "A child's name has become an emblem of individual taste more than a reflection of family traditions or cultural values," Alexandra Alter wrote at the Wall Street Journal.
Add to that Uma's eccentric lineage (she's named after a Hindu goddess) and you have yourself all the makings of a R.A.A.A.F.T.B.
"Peculiar and idiosyncratic family circumstances or special life experiences with certain people and names can all come into play and prevent one from making a clear-headed choice. In most cases, it doesn't even occur to a parent to ask, 'What kind of an impression will this name make on others?'" the Pacific Standard quoted UCLA psychologist Albert Mehrabian.
Mehrabian, in turn, wrote a handy book parents might want to consider: The Baby Name Report Card: Beneficial and Harmful Baby Names.
Zosia Bielski