Before we reveal the answer to all these riddles, Justin and I thought we'd share some of the name hints that didn't quite make the cut (most of which were rejected when we decided to allow Googling):

• The first historically notable bearer of this name was an empress.
  
• Were proper names allowed, playing it would be worth 12 points in Scrabble.
  
• It is ( Read more... )

Since almost everyone posting guesses has figured out the n00b's name (canyonwren and Chris & Ursula figured it out yesterday), this will be our LAST HINT before we reveal the name tomorrow.

Clue #6: Carnegie Mellon's Field Robotics Center has a robot of this name.

Clue #5: The name is Greek in origin.

_tove, roseandsigil, and Justin's parents have now figured out the name. :-)

Clue 4: Within the last ten years, there has been a cyclone of this name in the South Pacific.

(Note: some people have had trouble posting their responses. If you run into trouble, you can always email me your guess -- through LJ if you don't have another email address for me -- and I'll post your guess for you.)

Before I give today's clue, allow me to congratulate those who have already guessed the name: jcreed, y_pestis, Derek, chrismaphone, and my parents, who participated despite not having a net connection at home, and who just sent the below pictures of them in the grocery store anagramming names of pasta:


( Read more... )

Clue 2: Her combined first and last names will anagram to a phrase meaning "pasta spears."

Justin's brother Derek started the wonderful family tradition of announcing a forthcoming child's name through a puzzle or quiz game -- a tradition I am pleased to continue, sucker for trivia games that I am ( Read more... )