Aug 24 2008
Why Gwen and Gavin named their kid Zuma Nesta Rock
Usmagazine.com has done some detective work, and with the help of a baby name expert they’ve come up with some theories about Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale’s unusual baby name choice. The couple named their newborn son Zuma Nesta Rock, which has fans a little puzzled. Never fear though, Pamela Redmond Satran, co-author of The Baby Name Bible, lent her expertise. Satran (who has a name on her as well) believes the pair named their second son after Zuma Beach in Malibu, one of Gavin’s favorite places. The middle name, Nesta, was actually Bob Marley’s first name before it was changed by an immigration official. “This name obviously links to big brother Kingston’s and is another nod to Jamaica and reggae,” says Satran. (Kingston is named after the capitol of Jamaica.)
Another expert, Jennifer Moss, points out that Zuma is “a diminutive of the Aztec name Montezuma.” In her professional opinion, it would be least traumatic for Baby Zuma to grow up as Rock Rossdale. To my ears, Rock Rossdale sounds too much like a name from The Simpsons, like Kent Brockman. I suggest another diminutive of Montezuma: Monty. Kingston and Monty, how posh does that sound? I can see it in the tabloids 20 years from now: “Kingston and younger brother Monty were spotted in a Soho night club.” Sorry Gwen, you probably don’t want to think that far ahead.
