WHAT'S YOUR NAME?
Anderson and Cooper not inspired by CNN
October 24, 2009
Kristin Rushowy
TORONTO STAR
"Are you big fans of CNN or something?"
Sure, Morag and Christopher Stewart occasionally watch the 24-hour news network. But despite what everyone thinks – even their doctor asked after delivering their second baby – they are not obsessed with one of its anchors.
Their first son, Anderson, was born in November 2006. Then, last year, "going into it with our second, we were wondering, `Should we do it?' Should we name him Cooper?'" Morag says. "Our biggest concern was the connection with Anderson Cooper."
But the Halton Hills couple cite good reason for both names: Anderson Ruffin Abbott, the first black doctor in Canada, is Morag's ancestor. Many members of her family have used Anderson as a middle name. Morag says she "thought it was such a great first name that held so much important family history."
Cooper is a name they both loved that happens to be a surname on Christopher's father's side.
So when the baby was born on Dec. 4, Morag called it their "just do it" moment. After the couple posted the news on Facebook, "we got a million comments about being fans of CNN." Morag says her father-in-law was questioned at work when he announced Cooper's birth.
Now, Morag introduces the boys as Cooper and Anderson. "People don't make the connection. It's a lot easier that way."
Cooper's middle name is Campbell, after Morag's grandfather. But family members have also pointed out it's the name of a female CNN anchor (and, if they'd had a girl, it would have been her first name).
"My parents were, like, you must have a CNN thing, because of Campbell Brown – you are not doing anything to dispel the rumours here," Morag says with a laugh.
Christopher likes the strong names they've chosen for the boys.
"That was part of our feeling, and it's not that big a deal because Anderson Cooper the person is a good guy and well-respected," he says.
"If the name was associated with somebody like Rush Limbaugh, there might have been more discussion about it."
Did you recently have a baby and choose an interesting or unusual name? Email krushowy@thestar.ca
Toronto Star