Kate Walsh Starts a Baby Name Craze

Kate Walsh, otherwise known as Dr. Addison Montgomery-Shepherd on the hit ABC show Grey's Anatomy, has started a new baby name craze. Well, officially the character she portrays has started the frenzy. It seems many parents are opting for the once lesser known name Addison to give to their little girls.

Since 2005, the name Addison has jumped fifty-seven places to capture the number twenty-six spot in 2006. Baby name websites predict that Addison will be in the top ten lists of 2007. Once thought of as a boy's name, in recent years the trend has shifted towards being female. The number of males using the name has stayed about even throughout the past century and has not made the top 100 list of popular boy names.

What has caused this sudden shift of the name meaning "son of Adam?" Kate Walsh glided onto the set of Grey's Anatomy as Dr. McDreamy's wife, and has since stolen the show. It has just been announced that ABC is considering creating a spin-off of the highly rated show, starring Kate Walsh as the character she plays on Grey's Anatomy. Her beauty, poise under pressure, and intelligence are no doubt giving new meaning to the name Addison. These are attributes any parent would like to consider for their precious little daughter, causing the name to skyrocket in recent newborns.

Once you delve deeper into Kate Walsh's character, you'll find a strong woman who fought hard for her husband after she betrayed him. Somehow she still managed her composure enough not to entangle herself in a catfight with Meredith, who had become Dr. McDreamy's girlfriend. She is also one of the most sought after OB surgeons in the country on the show. Let's face it, isn't that a parent's dream? That their baby girl will grow up to be a highly regarded woman and doctor?

In baby name forums, the reactions are quite mixed when it comes to naming a girl Addison. Some are upset because they claim the name is meant for a boy, while others say they could never name their child after a disease. Another complaint is that the name sounds too much like Madison, which holds the current number two spot in rankings. Parents that agree with the name write that it reminds them of Kate Walsh's character and that it flows nicely with their surname.

Though most parents are not assuming their daughter will become the next Dr. Addison Montgomery-Shepherd, subconsciously the name brings about feelings of femininity combined with power. Without Kate Walsh portraying this character, the baby name Addison would never have jumped so high and so fast in the rankings.