Comedian and Triple M radio host, Merrick Watts, and his wife, former PR manager Georgie Sulzberger, welcomed their daughter Kinga Rose on December 30. Kinga joins big brother Wolfe, aged three.
Kinga is a Polish pet form of the name Kunigunde, a German name meaning “family war”. Saint Kinga is one of the patrons of Poland, and Georgie’s family background is Polish, so the name honours her heritage. According to the newspaper article, they will be pronouncing her name KEEN-gah.
Merrick says that his mother isn’t a fan of her new grand-daughter’s name, but luckily doesn’t seem too fazed by that.
The newspaper article decided to use this opportunity to list some of the “quirky” celebrity baby names of 2011. Making the list were Poet Poppin Nicholson, Arlo Galafassi, Sailor Denyer and Hudson Stone.
They then contrasted this with the “mainstream” choices of Faith Kidman Urban, Flynn Bloom, Ruby Murch, Bobby Cousins and Oscar Judd.
Kinga Rose is the final celebrity baby for 2011; it’s been a bumper year for babies, but we are expecting quite a few during the summer and early autumn, so stay tuned!
(Story and photo from the Herald Sun, December 30 2011; photo shows Merrick, Georgie and Wolfe)
Waltzing More Than Matilda 
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Boing Boing makes me think of Kangaroos but Kinga Rose is a sweet combination
I’ve seen Kinga before and I think it’s cool – love it’s meaning to this family, but I, too, am more in love with the Wolfe/Kinga sibset than anything else!
It’s the sibset which hooks me as well!
Kinga is a fascinating choice for a sister of Wolfe. I’ve seen Kanga before and liked the idea, but never Kinga.
Kinga is considered a kind of dated name in Poland, circ.1960s. Its refreshing to see on an Anglophone child though and I am glad to see someone finally proudly display their Polish heritage by naming their child a Polish name.
I think it’s almost a truism that when you honour your heritage, you end up with names that would sound dated in their country of origin: witness Irish-Australians calling their babies Eamon and Bridie, when those must sound middle-aged or elderly in Ireland!
And celebrity baby Penelope Athena Fey sounds so chic, but Greeks wondered why she had been given a “grandma name”!
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Ooh, what an interesting name! I’ve never heard Kinga before, but it’s really cool and sounds fantastic with Wolfe (adorable boy by the way!). Kinga Rose definitely has a ring to it.
Isn’t he cute? I thought Wolfe and Kinga were a great sibset. 🙂
Interesting pick — I’ve come across Kinga as a model’s name, I had no idea it was connected to Cunegonde!
Me either! Blogging really does force you to learn a lot. 🙂