I'm finding the process of choosing a name for our baby to be rather stressful. In fact, if I could think of a good way to get out of it, I probably would. I just really don't want the responsibility for choosing another human being's name - it's such a big deal. The odds of us picking a name that our future daughter will like, that other people will pronounce and/or spell correctly, that can't be turned into some kind of instrument of torture in the hands of mean kids, all seems impossible to me. And I've given up completely on finding a name that all family and friends will like and approve of. Actually, Peter and I have only really come up with three name possibilities that we can both accept/agree upon just between the two of us. And of those three, there's at least one name that the other person can accept, but doesn't necessarily love. So it's tough.
In the interest of making it a little easier (I hope), I've listed the three names on the right side of this blog. As you will see, in addition to picking a name in the first place, we also need to decide how to spell our final selection. Frankly, I don't care about spelling too much, but I would prefer to find one that will lead people to at least be more likely to pronounce the name correctly. So please do me a favor and vote for your favorite spelling of each of the three names to the right. If you want to leave a comment explaining your choices go right ahead. However, out of mercy for me, please, please, please don't tell me if you hate or even just dislike any of the names. Sadly, the raging pregnancy hormones will not allow me to take it objectively and any criticism will likely result in me, in a fit of hysterics, randomly selecting a name from our giant book of 100,000 baby names that will be a curse to our child forever. None of you want to be responsible for that.
P.S. Sorry the various names are hard to read - I can't figure out how to change the font color to make them stand out more.
6 comments:
That's so fun. I love talking about baby names. When are you due? I'm so excited for you guys. We're actually pregnant again too but not due until Oct. I can't wait to find out what name you pick. Are you going to tell people or keep it a secret until the baby is born? Fun times!!
I have to say I am partial to the name Annabelle. It's my niece's name. I LOVE it. My sister, Julie, had a lot of interesting comments made about the name because they revealed it before she was born. I am so glad they ignored those people. I cannot imagine Annabelle with any other name. It is perfect for her and she has no nicknames yet. I like all of your choices and whatever you pick your daughter will know nothing else!
Debbie Weissler
Name baby
SHANELLE
WHY is everyone against that one.
Love you. And this baby, no matter what you name her.
Also... I will mercilessly make kindergardeners cry if they are mean to said baby. So no stress.
I believe Shanelle - so no worries. You could name her Madeline Albright Hough and Shanelle would make sure all children cried who made fun of her.
CONGRATULATIONS, BETH AND BEN!!! is this baby #4??? wow. do you guys need me to explain how this whole thing works? did no one tell you where babies came from? ; )i wish you all the best. and steph, i'll never malign your name choice. with a name like mine, who am i to criticize???
Stephanie, we linked to your blog from Nate & Katie's. It's good to catch up. I can understand about wanting think ahead about name pitfalls and can appreciate that as a mom and a funny-named former kid myself.
I voted against the "Adelay" spelling because I can see junior high boys tormenting a girl whose name ends in the word "lay". Plus I think the other spelling looks prettier/"romantic-er" on paper. And I voted for "Lainey" because it seems the most obviously phonetic, but I like how "Lanie" looks (but it might get pronounced "LAW-nee").
However, no matter how carefully you consider what you think is every possible twist on your child's name, there are ALWAYS going to be people who screw it up no matter how phonetic it looks and there is no end to the creative capacity of JH boys or mean girls at any age. But I am sure that you and Peter are capable of raising a self-secured enough daughter to overcome their pettiness. So don't stress, pick what you like.
Congratulations,
Marbree Hardee
Post a Comment