Bond-inspired baby names in Notting Hill: Basil Groove Blofeld and Stanley Beats Scaramanga Woodhams

Notting Hill, London — William and Annabel Woodhams have explained the backstory behind Basil Groove Blofeld and Stanley Beats Scaramanga Woodhams, two newborns whose names braid pop culture with family tradition. William, a 47-year-old publishing company director, and Annabel, a 37-year-old house music DJ known professionally as ABEL, say their approach to naming three children follows a deliberate three-part formula. They describe the pattern as a way to honor relatives, music, and film history while building a shared family story that travels beyond their home.

The younger of the two brothers, Basil Groove Blofeld, arrived amid a flurry of attention for a name that directly nods to cinema history. Basil’s middle name, Groove, is linked to music in the family’s storytelling, while his surname, Blofeld, signals the notorious head of Spectre in the James Bond canon. The couple say Basil’s name completes a three-part scheme that they say began four years ago with an older son, Stanley Beats Woodhams. The original plan had been for Stanley to carry the middle name Beats, a tribute to Annabel’s DJ career and to their fondness for a BBC show they enjoy. But at the Chelsea Old Town Hall register office, William decided to tweak the plan in a moment of whimsy, squeezing in the Bond villain Scaramanga’s name to give their second son the full name Stanley Beats Scaramanga Woodhams. The family surname remains Woodhams.

The two brothers are part of what the Woodhams describe as a growing family lore. The elder brother’s middle-name choice, Beats, references Annabel’s life in music as well as a fond association with a popular comedy series. The addition of Scaramanga for the second son is a direct lift from the Bond universe, aligning with the couple’s stated aim of weaving cinema history into everyday life. Basil’s name, with Groove in the middle, reinforces the family’s shared love of rhythm and sound and ties it to a villain who has loomed large in Bond’s fictional landscape.

Family lore aside, the Woodhams have also developed a home culture that echoes their playful naming philosophy. The household reportedly includes a horse with an eccentric moniker, Disco Dinosaur Wonky Donkey, and three dogs named Pablo Escobark, Disco Rita, and Gloria Estefan. The broader circle has come to see the names as a running joke that the couple treats as part of their personal mythology rather than as a public stunt.

William says the naming pattern has crystalized through two children, with the first name meant to honor an elderly relative, the middle name reflecting a tie to music or pop culture, and the final name paying homage to a Bond villain. He suggests the system could continue with future children if the opportunity arises, though he is cautious about expanding the family. He adds that if another inspired suggestion emerges, he would be open to considering it, provided it remains a meaningful part of the family story rather than a mere shock value.

Annabel has acknowledged some pushback to the Bond-inspired approach. While many friends and fans have found the names entertaining or charming in their own way, she reportedly did not share the same level of enthusiasm for the Bond motif. The couple maintains that the names are chosen for personal significance and lightheartedness rather than to provoke controversy, and they emphasize that their children’s safety and well-being remain paramount in any decisions about the future.

As their story continues to circulate, the Woodhams say they would consider a female addition to the trio only if the right inspiration presented itself. In the meantime, they have teased that potential candidates for a girl’s name could include Goldfinger or Pussy Galore, depending on how the family’s naming tradition evolves. Whether or not a daughter arrives, the couple insists they are pleased to have created a family narrative that blends music, cinema history, and personal memory into a shared sense of identity for their children.

The broader audience has varied reactions to the trio of names, with some viewers applauding the couple’s creativity and others questioning practicality and the possibility of teasing. Proponents say the names reflect a culture where pop culture can weave into real life in meaningful, affectionate ways. Critics warn that highly reference-heavy names can invite unsolicited attention or teasing, particularly for children navigating school and adolescence. The Woodhams respond by underscoring their intention to celebrate storytelling and family ties, rather than to court controversy.

For now, Basil Groove Blofeld and Stanley Beats Scaramanga Woodhams stand as distinctive markers of a family that treats naming as an ongoing project. The couple says the two children have helped them refine a naming formula that they hope will outlive trends, while leaving room for future generations to contribute their own chapters to the Woodhams saga. In the world of Culture & Entertainment, the story sits at the intersection of celebrity-inspired naming, fan culture, and the enduring appeal of cinema history, a reminder that naming can be as much about personal memory as it is about novelty.