New Ideas for Baby Names

Forget about Carol, Geoff and Susan. Forget about Blue Ivy, Talula Does The Hula In Hawaii and Fifi Trixibel. And especially forget Blanket, Darth and Diva Thin Muffin. The only thing these baby names have in common is how OLD FASHIONED they are.

WTF lived up to his name.

If you're expecting a baby, and especially if you're a celebrity, we have come up with some fabulous ideas for baby names.

Here is our top ten, with the original meaning of the name, so that every time you call little Nikwax* in for dinner, you will remember his origin and just exactly what he means to you.

*Nikwax did not reach the top ten.

10. Hunter - m.
As the name suggests, Hunter is a strong character, typically a good runner, jumper and finder of things in wooded areas. He thrives in cold wet weather and likes to wear rubber boots.
9. Teko - m.
From Greek, meaning to recycle. This child will love the environment with a passion and is happy in all conditions.
8. Engo - m or f.
One who hates friction. A peace-keeper and natural pacifier. These little guys are great to have around when the going gets tough.
7. Vulkan - m.
From Turkish, meaning to protect, relieve pain and promote healing. Nothing to do with Star Trek.
6. Lorpen - f.
Soft and easy going, Lorpen is great company, and is like an onion in that she has layers. Yes, Lorpen is deep.
5. Wacky - m or f.

You don't need a sense of humour to call your child Wacky, but believe me, he (or she) will.

4. Marfil - f.

Cool, dry and stylish. This baby will grow into an all round performer, probably win an Oscar or two and massage your feet at the same time.

3. Bridgedale - m.
A classic name meaning to cross the great valley. Can be shortened to the ever popular Bridge, or Dale if needed.
2. Smartwool - m or f.

From Gaelic, meaning of great intelligence. You will never have a dull moment with a Smartwool in the family.

1. Wigwam - f.

A real hard worker who will always give you their best. Will most likely have a love of music, furry animals and dangerously high places.

Sandpaper and Coalscuttle would have preferred
 Blue Ox and Snow Whisper but no one was listening.

So there we have it, a selection of our favourite baby names. Please let us know if you choose one of these, and upon proof of birth and name registration, your child could win a blog post uniquely dedicated to him/her. (Terms and conditions apply.)

Bay Search and Rescue

 Bay Search and Rescue are an independent Search and Rescue Team based at Flookburgh in South Cumbria specialising in Quicksand, Flood (DEFRA Type C), Snow and difficult terrain rescues. Working in partnership with Cumbria Fire & Rescue, H.M. Coastguard, The Police, Mountain Rescue Teams, the Ambulance Service, and First Responders, they provide specialist all terrain amphibious rescue vehicles, 4x4s and trained personnel to assist in difficult terrain rescues.

The team was originally founded for the Rescue of people, animals and vehicles that have become stuck in the quicksands of Morecambe Bay, and over the years have had to develop their own techniques and tools for this simply because their environment is unique. They constantly research and develop a range of vehicles, tools, facilities and skills and carry out regular training exercises to ensure the team maintain high standards of professionalism and safety.

As well as quicksand, they are able to provide rescue support in water, flood, shoreline, snow and ice environments. Their primary role is to safely evacuate casualties as quickly as possible into the care of the Ambulance Service at the nearest accessible point available. However they are sometimes called on to provide initial medical assistance and have professional medical skills in the team.

Members of the team undertake training to be able to drive articulated tracked amphibious rescue vehicles in extreme terrain environments, 4x4 driving for backup vehicles and a number of the team are qualified HGV drivers. All team members are trained in 'banksman duties', 'vehicle safety' and recovery techniques using highlift jacks, winches and tow ropes.  All team members operating radios are required to hold a 'VHF certificate' qualifying them in their use.

Bay Search and Rescue are an independent charity with operating costs of about £17,000 per year. This means they need funding.

This year, members of the team and supporters are taking part in the 40 mile Keswick to Barrow sponsored walk to raise funds for this life saving charity. If you would like to support them, please visit their website  at Bay Search and Rescue org.uk or their Facebook page to find out how you can donate.

To sponsor one of their walkers, please click here.

SockSock are delighted to be able to provide the Bay Search and Rescue Keswick to Barrow team with socks, alongside a big dose of admiration and gratitude.

Rob Brydon on Long Socks

*** IMPORTANT - FLESH WARNING - NOT FOR THE FEINT HEARTED ***

Rob Brydon is clearly an advocate for the long manly sock. 

If you are of the same persuasion but feel this is not something you would like to purchase in public, then socksock has the answer. You can purchase from us in total privacy - we will not reveal your identity to anyone, and all socks will arrive in unmarked, discreet grey post bags to protect them from prying eyes and awkward explanations.

Our long sock suggestions include:

The Wigwam Base Camp Fusion Knee Length Sock (which we suspect was the actual sock Rob Brydon wore on QI on account of it being long and black, but also because it repels moisture, has merino wool softness and a cushiony sole.)

Or 

The Wigwam Iron Man Long, Run Pro Knee Length - a lightweight white sock, which repels moisture and prevents blisters and includes a side vent, mesh breather panels to enhance air flow and a foot hugging fit which extends up the leg and over the calf for enhanced circulation.

But if you would prefer something a little more risque, take a look at these babies...

Flysafe socks
Commando Socks
Smartwool Ski Socks
Smartwool Snowboard Socks

They will all provide you with that long sock security you crave, whilst adding a little adventure to your sock wearing.

Harry, Caroline and Socks - a Love Story

Lovebirds Harry and Caroline
break up and make up
over sock disagreement.

On the 27th January, it became public knowledge that Harry Styles and Caroline Flack had separated. It was not a mutual decision, as printed in some newspapers; but apparently was a result of Caroline repeatedly wearing Harry's Wigwam Moose Crew socks without asking.  

The couple have long been known to wear each other's socks, but according to a well-known celebrity magazine, Harry found his  Wigwam Moose Crew socks with holes in and he blamed Caroline for excessive wearing. He told her, ‘I still love you, but my socks are no longer available to you.’ 

Caroline has apparently been telling her friends: “We speak almost every day. I miss him. The socks are still there. It might not be over for good.”

And now, on valentine's day, Caroline is reported to have ordered a brand new pair of  Wigwam Weather Warrior Knee Length as a make-up present. 

The Wigwam Moose Crews
at the centre of the
argument between
Harry and Caroline

A source close to Caroline has said, “Caroline never wanted to wear Harry's socks, because she knew deep down they wouldn’t last. But she is hoping that the Wigwam Weather Warrior Knee Length will make up for her mistakes. They are ideal for boots, they have temperature balancing fibres with merino wool softness, fortified shin and instep and are cushiony all over. Harry likes nothing better than a technically avanced boot sock which will allow his feet to stay cool, dry and comfortable throughout the entire day."

Caroline certainly won’t give up on Harry, or his socks, without giving it her best shot.

Hang up your stockings...

The Smartwool
Women's PhD Ski Medium
includes a medium-cushioned
shin and foot, as well as
a superior fit, serious comfort,
durability and versatility.

Shopping surveys have revealed that this year, 93% of men would prefer to receive socks this Christmas than any other gift.

Major high street retailers TK Maxx, Marks and Spencer and John Lewis have all but sold out of men's socks, while on-line retailers Sock-Sock , are experiencing record sales.

The shopping research found that of the 93% of men who want to receive socks, an incredible 87% were especially interested in receiving socks for outdoor activities such as walking, skiing, biking and running.

Meanwhile, nearly three quarters of women has Smartwool or Wigwam socks on their Christmas wish lists.

The message here, quite clearly, is that buying socks for your loved ones this Christmas will (statistically) not only make them happy but will also help to promote World peace, save the environment and end poverty.

Fright Night Socks

As it's Halloween, we thought you might like to see something seriously sick you can do with socks...

All of these socks are created by Seriously Sick Socks and have nothing to do with us, We just think they are mega cool and really scary.

Take a look at their website and see the full range. http://www.seriouslysicksocks.com/

Alternatively, you could try making your own if you're that way inclined. We have a full range of new socks you can buy to replace the old ones you are using to make seriously sick sock monkeys.


If you wish to buy new socks for your sick sock making antics, we recommend Smartwool products, especially
- the walking/hiking socks range including the very woolly Smartwool Mountaineering Sock,
- the lifestyle socks for colour and fancy patternage (most notably the Margarita)
 - and of course the ski and snowboard range; see the Smartwool Womens' Ski Light and the Smartwool Men's Phd Snowboard Medium for total grooviness.

But of course, if making sock monkeys sounds just all too much for you, then you absolutely have to visits Seriously Sick Socks to see what they have on offer. All socks are lovingly put together by hand and made from recycled socks wherever possible. They are embellished with blood, guts, brains and eyeballs for your enjoyment. Contact them at sales@seriouslysicksocks.com

Fox in Socks

The book which reveals
some of the personal habits
of defence secretary
Liam Fox

Liam Fox has said he will carry on wearing socks, as a colleague dismissed wild gossip about the defence secretary's personal hygiene.

The row about the defence secretary's footwear habits, now known to us all as the "Fox in Socks Fiasco", continues to dominate headlines.

BBC political editor Nick Robinson says Mr Fox believes he is the victim of a hate campaign.

Employment Minister Chris Grayling told the BBC there was a mass pursuit of Mr Fox (by press hounds presumably), who was doing a good job regardless of his choice of footwear.

Mr Fox has been under pressure over the past week after revelations that he wore the same pair of socks on 18 overseas trips and at meetings with the defence secretary at the MoD 22 times, without washing the socks once.

The defence secretary has also denied claims that Conservative officials lied about a break-in at his London home last year, following claims in the Sun that Mr Fox was without socks at the time - when in fact he had been wearing the same pair for 6 consecutive weeks.

Responding to the Sun's front page, Mr Fox said: "As I told the police at the time, I was wearing my favourite socks in the guest room. My wife was stranded in Hong Kong due to the ash cloud and I saw no wrong doing in indulging myself with my favourite Falkes. For the sake of clarity it was not the Wigwams. I'm appalled at being portrayed as having something to hide. "

Mr Fox has been accused of breaching ministerial guidelines in relation to his sock wearing habits.

On Tuesday Mr Fox (in Socks) was questioned by civil servants, who were expected to ask him why he had repeatedly worn the Falkes despite having not washed them.

Our political editor says he understands that Mr Fox is emotionally attached to his socks, but categorically denies to officials that he cannot sleep without them.

Prime Minister David Cameron is expected to face questions about the conduct of his Mr Fox (in Socks) at the weekly Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons later on Wednesday.

Asked about rumours that the defence secretary is gay, Employment Minister Chris Grayling told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "If you look around the Westminster village you will find all kinds of wild gossip about all kinds of individuals in all parties who wear unwashed socks. That doesn't mean they are not good at their jobs, or that they are gay. I myself am the proud owner of two pairs of Falkes and I am not gay."

We do not expect this story to be forgotten in the near future, especially since there is now a book about this very subject.