Yes, they can name! (Part the last)

I love making lists of good names, and I found more than a few in the current governors' families. I'm giving Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin a round of mental applause. Yahoo!

My favorites:
Bill Ritter (Colorado): wife Jeannie; sons August, Abraham (Abe) and Samuel (Sam); daughter Natalie (Tally). I admit my naming weakness for boys is traditional names with short snappy nicknames that sound like a list of New York City barbers circa 1905. I'm talking Cal, Hal, Mose, Gus, and Abe. That taste isn't as strange as it would have been only a few short years ago-- see the re-emergence of Max for proof-- but it's still rare to find someone who shares it. Mr. Ritter, you are the governor of my heart!

Rod Blagojevich (Illinois): wife Patricia; daughters Amy and Anne. Anne-with-an-E! Oh, how I love it's delicate simplicity and warm, supple strength. Erm, that is... Anne is an outstanding choice! I also applaud Mr. Blagojevich for going with simple, sturdy names, since their surname is a bit of a tongue twister.

Chet Culver (Iowa): wife Mariclare; daughter Clare Honour; son John William. I admit, I'm not sure about this spelling of Honour, since, from what I know of England, the American spelling, Honor, seems more commonly used as a name. But I do love the feel of Clare Honour as a combo, and John William is handsome and distinguished.

Tim Pawlenty (Minnesota): wife Mary; daughters Anna and Mara. I freaking love the name Mara, and I'm stoked to see it used. Anna and Mara are delightful together.

Jim Doyle (Wisconsin): wife Jessica, sons Augustus (Gus) and Gabriel (Gabe). Another Gus! What a thrill. I'm again very pleasantly surprised by these names. Augustus Doyle and Gabriel Doyle have such a weighty, intelligent sound, and Gus and Gabe are wonderfully approachable, every-day nicknames.

Bravo!