The Choosing of a Name
Jason and I had narrowed down baby names long before we were expecting, but it still was a difficult decision. We first picked middle names (both came from family names) and then chose a first name that sounded good and that we both could agree on. This was no simple task. We had a very hard time agreeing. Boy names were particularly hard because we wanted a good solid boy name. Added to the whole decision process was the fact that as a teacher there were names that had to be avoided because I associated them with certain students. Still we managed to do it. Heaven help us though if we’re ever blessed with another boy though because I’m not sure we’ll be able to agree on anther boy name.
It’s interesting how people come to a decision on what to name their child. I have always felt that the naming of a child is one of the greatest powers that a parent has. We don’t get to choose our names. We’re given them and we grow into them. Sure, we could change it if we really couldn’t stand it, but really how many people go that route? Yet, there are celebrities giving their children the oddest names. Do they think that their children will be immune to childish taunts? I work in schools all of the time, and as much as I’d like to say otherwise, children can be very cruel.
I read an article not to long ago in one of my baby magazines (it was either Parents Magazine or American Baby). It was all about how people today are deciding on names for their children. Family names are still very popular, but often they are being spiced up or modernized. Many couples are also taking their top favorite names and combining them to create a new name. Still others are just making names up.
I guess part of my problem is I’m quite a traditionalist, but being a teacher I feel terrible when I pronounce a student’s name wrong, so there was no way I could give my child a different name or even one with an odd spelling. I have a friend who has a very common name, but it’s spelled how it is pronounced and not the traditional way. Every single time we had a sub in school the sub would always say her name wrong. I always apologize to classes before I take attendance because I feel simply awful when I butcher a student’s name.
To those of you who go the nontraditional way I say more power to you although that route is not for me. I don’t recommend naming your child after a CD album and a number though. Whatever name you decide on just make sure that it is one that you will always like because you’re going to be saying it a lot.
How did you go about choosing baby names?