Sarah Palin Named Daughter Bristol After ESPN (Sort Of)

by Elise Nersesian (Subscribe to Elise Nersesian's posts) Feb 6th 2009 1:00PM

Sarah Palin recently sat down with Esquire for a controversial interview, during which explained the meaning behind her daughter Bristol's name.

"Two meanings in Bristol's name," Palin began. "I worked at the Bristol Inn and Todd grew up in Bristol Bay. But also, Bristol, Connecticut, is the home of ESPN. And when I was in high school, my desire was to be a sportscaster. ESPN was just kicking off, just getting off the ground, and I thought that's what I was going to do in life, is be one of the first woman sportscasters."

Palin Family Album

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and her husband Todd have five children with short, masculine and certainly unique names: Track, 19, Bristol, 18, (with Levi Johnston), Willow, 14, Piper, 7, and Trig, 8 months (not pictured). Read More

Fredy Perojo, AOL

"We both love each other," Levi Johnston, 18, told the AP in a rare interview about his relationship with 18-year-old Bristol Palin. "We both want to marry each other. And that's what we are going to do."

Paul Sancya, AP

Levi Johnston called himself a "redneck' on his MySpace page.

Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

Sarah Palin initially hid her pregnancy with Trig from the public, causing rumors that Trig was her grandson via Bristol.

Win McNamee, Getty Images

Gov. Sarah Palin, her husband Todd, and daughters Bristol,16, right, and Piper, 5, at the end of a 2006 inauguration ceremony in Fairbanks. Palin, 42, is the first female and youngest governor of Alaska.

Al Grillo, AP

"Trig is beautiful and already adored by us," read a statement by the Palin when Trig was born on April 18. "We knew through early testing he would face special challenges, and we feel privileged that God would entrust us with this gift and allow us unspeakable joy as he entered our lives. We have faith that every baby is created for good purpose and has potential to make this world a better place. We are truly blessed."

Paul J. Richards, AFP / Getty Images

"Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned," the Palins's statement said when they announced her pregnancy. "As Bristol faces the responsibilities of adulthood, she knows that she has our unconditional love and support."

Robyn Beck, AFP/Getty Images

Chuck Heath, 70, (pictured with wife Sally), Sarah Palin's father, said gift boxes for his newest grandson are piling up in the governor's mail room from all over the world. There's no way the family will ever be able to answer every letter, he said, although they are trying.

Charlie Neibergall, AP

Then-Republican U.S. vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, her daughters, Piper, Willow, and husband Todd walk out onto the ice to drop the ceremonial first puck before a St. Louis Blues and Los Angeles Kings hockey game.

Whitney Curtis, Getty Images

Sherry Johnston, Tripp Easton Mitchell Johnston's other grandma -- besides Sarah Palin -- pled not guilty for charges of selling OxyContin. "I was in pain, and I'm still in pain," she told People.com.

Al Grillo, AP

By giving her kids offbeat names (Will, Piper, Trig, Track and Britsol) it seems Palin wants her kids to have an edge to them. These names are short, masculine and certainly unique. And kids with masculine names are encouraged to pursue traditionally male fields like science, as opposed to girls with more feminine names, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Human Resources. Could be Palin wanted to give Bristol a strong name in case she decides to run for office one day.

In unrelated news, a New York federal judge criticized Palin for carrying her son Trig on stage after a vice-presidential debate last year. "That kid was used as a prop," said U.S. District Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald during a settlement conference involving a little boy with Asperger's syndrome. "And that to me as a parent blew my mind."

That's not exactly fair. Her entire family stepped on stage after the debate; it's not as if she carried Trig on alone. If Trig hadn't come on stage, Palin would have been accused of "hiding" her son. If he does come on stage, she's accused of using him like a "prop."

The woman can't win. Would do you think?

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Comments (383)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 20)

twinsoniclab 2-06-2009 @ 2:11PM

Uh, I thought she said there were "two" meanings to Bristol's name? She then goes on to mention three! Where she worked, where her husband grew up and where ESPN is headquartered. She can't count! Maybe she will explain "Trig" and "Track." Or her grandson, "Tripp." On second thought, I really don't care to hear, see or read anything more about her.

sadymaty 2-06-2009 @ 4:51PM

so why are you on here? genius.

Gloria 2-06-2009 @ 3:57PM

Why on earth does Palin have to explain why she named her children what she named them.... let people mind their own business and get a life....if Palin wants to name her next child Maverick.....she can do so...NUF already with the Palin bashing....

Jim 2-06-2009 @ 3:24PM

Bitter are we

lily 2-06-2009 @ 3:36PM

theres nothing wrong with her kids names and i think its pathetic how every move she makes shes critisized for one thing or another. I care to hear alot more about her because she is a part of our american history now and shes a fine woman and a strong one to boot. Lighten up people

chris 2-06-2009 @ 4:24PM

I don't think it even occured to Palin as a mother to do anything else BUT bring her youngest son with Down's Syndrome on stage with the rest of the family. If it made some people uncomfortable that's all the more reason that this kind of exposure to real life those people need.

sher 2-11-2009 @ 10:38PM

Sarah Palin is criticized for every thing she does. She wears something fashionalble & is called irresponsilble. Our new first , lady, who I am going to pray for & support, is applauded for anything she wears, even pricey items, and is considered a fashion icon. The liberal media sure likes things one way!

Wake Up 2-06-2009 @ 6:34PM

I'm with you. Can we just forget that she exists or ever existed? She got WAY more than her share of attention. Stupid is as stupid does and she's STUPID!!!

Anniem 2-06-2009 @ 7:19PM

I cannot believe people have nothing better to do than gripe about what someone names their children. As for the silly judge did she want Sarah Palin to hide the child? He's an adorable baby boy and she has nothing to be ashamed about as people did years ago.

Shirley 2-06-2009 @ 7:41PM

I just can't understand why everyone is so against Sarah Palin. Maybe it is because they are jealous of what she has done in her short life..........Let her kids alone, how would you feel if people made fun of your children's names.........what is in a name anyway.....we all have one whether we like it or not it is ours......Grow up and act like adults........

lynda 2-06-2009 @ 7:56PM

so go jump off the peir with the judge... people like you just don't count. why even comment here... go bitch elsewhere. Palin was the best thing to happen to our country since Reagan... hide and watch what the likes of you and obamanation bring to the table.

Paul J. J. Miller 2-06-2009 @ 8:29PM

To: twinsonicrab -- One doesn't have to be an ENGLISH major to read what was said and printed. SHE said there was 2 (1-2) meanings. 1- where she and Todd worked. 2- where she wanted to (sort of) work. LEARN how to read first before you engage you limited brain. Also if you care not to hear or read about her, don't. AOL of course is an extention of the left(now with help of BARRYOBOOMA) the real name of SOCIALISM is out there will do ANY/EVERY THING it can to promote YOUR new official anounced government format, so you will be reading many articals trying to, shall we say put dont the concept of the previous government format.

Leslie 2-08-2009 @ 10:01AM

Hey, Wizard, did it ever occur to you that she is doing interviews because she is in great demand to do so? And the reason is very many people ARE interested in her and respect her courage in the face of this unreasonable, biased, demented criticism. (While fawning all over Obama and wife)

drt5299 2-09-2009 @ 9:21AM

So I quess the Obama girls are props too, oh no that's right it's ok if he does it (he does no wrong, or does he and we just don' report it because we won't get our piece of the stimulus)

sme 2-09-2009 @ 9:36AM

there should be freedom to name your children as you wish. if they decide when they are adults that they don't like the name they can change it. whaqt's the big deal?

Jim 2-09-2009 @ 10:25AM

you are a dope. trac and trig refer to fishing equipment i beleive. willow.....it doesn't take a genius (which you obviously are not) to get that one. your IQ should exclude you from voting!!!!!!!!

Denise 2-09-2009 @ 10:47AM

I Agree 100% with "sher"! The liberal media is so one sided. What one person is critisized for, another is applauded for. Enough already, let's move on to "real news"...there is certainly enough important things going on than what Sarah Palin names her child or what she wears.

Janet 2-10-2009 @ 6:15PM

I can't ever remember anyone in the spotlight who woman showed their jealous side so bad.Sara is what we were brought up to be...Honest,family savy,kind ,have goals, and love our country...Pull your horns in and try to be more like her and this world would be a better place.

Jeannie 2-06-2009 @ 2:14PM

Why don't people just leave the lady alone? She went back to Alaska and people are just not happy unless their sticking their nose in someone else business. How would you feel if someone came in your home and blasted out your business. She may be in the eye of the public, but that gives no one the right to blast on her family life. You wanna blast, talk about this carzy woman that has 14 kids and wants your tax dollars.. People get a life of your own and leave Sarah alone.

SciFi 2-07-2009 @ 1:19PM

She gave a very public interview to a very public magazine. It doesn't sound like anyone pushed their way into her private living room. She WANTS the attention. Palin is desperately clinging to her fifteen minutes of fame. I wish she would go away, not the media she loves to have interview her.