The Naming of Babies

What’s in a name? Many things, as it turns out, even if you aren’t in the midst of the Bard’s most famous tragedy. Staylee and I have been discussing names for it seems like years now (it hasn’t really been that long, it just feels like it). We went through an entire list when we discussed getting a dog and decided on one we liked—and then actually got the puppy and picked something completely different.

It is amazing to me that two people are in love and agree on most of the big questions in life can have such a hard time deciding on a baby name. We’ve both had our share of stinkers we’ve suggested: Mine was Tallulah (I was thinking of Tallulah Bankhead, not really processing that our child would have to answer “Here!” to that name—all the while hiding her head in shame); Staylee’s was Saul (To which I said, “Are we having an 87-year-old Jewish man?”). We’ve both had to give up names we loved because one of us either dated them (Audrey) or we know and/or related to too many of them already (William—4 and counting, although that’s only counting the ones still alive).

We have a girl name we both love. In fact, everyone loves it. It’s unique, but not weird, and everyone who hears it thinks it’s fantastic. Then there are the boy names. At the moment we both have a favorite name that the other one doesn’t hate, but doesn’t love as much as their pick. So what do we do? Use one as a middle name, but the question is which one? I have a feeling whichever way we go we will each end up calling the baby by the name we prefer. Poor kid.

Of course, this is all a moot point if it’s a girl—which we find out Friday, for those keeping track. Then the battle either heats up or is stored away for another time, another baby.