What's in a Name?
I spent some time yesterday with a mum-friend, discussing potential baby names for her little one that’s on the way. I find there’s something so lovely about playing with names. You get to try them for a while, listen to how they sound out loud, see them written down, dream about nicknames and play around with different combinations. Mind you, I would only do this with a close friend! There’s nothing worse than sharing a baby name you like with someone who turns their nose up without regard for your feelings.
For both of my kids, I chose old names that have been out of fashion for a while and are on the way back in again. I like old names because I feel like they’ve already proven their worth. They’ve stood the test of time! I like to make sure names have a nice meaning too. But for me, the most important part is how the name sounds and feels to say. I have to say names out loud. I need to whisper them quietly, and I also need to say them firmly (because that’s something you do a whole lot when they are toddlers…)
I came across a great blog this week which is all about baby names. If you’re expecting, or planning on more kids you might like to check out the nameisms blog too.
How did you choose the names you did for your kids? I’d love you to leave a comment below.
I looked at meaning and the way the name sounded for my children’s names. I first born we named after my father in law, but changed his middle name and call him by his middle name.
Thanks for stopping by my blog! Look forward to reading yours!!
We considered meeting and how we liked the name. We didn’t really consider popularity or anything else. Middle names for all three are family names, so the first name had to flow with those names.
Thanks for visiting my blog. It’s fun meeting new Christian moms!
I had trouble giving up my maiden name. It was who I was, but I was happy to have a family name too! Hard decisions.
We (or I, to be honest) thought that the children could have my middle name ‘Lee’. I am Nicole Lee and Zoe is Zoe Lee. I picked Zoe as being a teacher I wanted my kids to have common names to avoid being teased. I figure strength in numbers. It threw me when I found out I was having a son. Lee is a unisex name, but I still think it is a bit girly. So for my son I thought that I would keep the sound but go with Riley and have a different 1st name. Originally it was going to be Mitchell. However I was so fond of Riley that it got bumped up to first place and I went with the start of my mothers maiden name Jacob(sen) and my maiden name Max(field) for his two middle names. That is how we came up with Zoe Lee, and Riley Jacob Max. I think my answer is bigger than you blog Cath. Sorry.
@Nicole – LOL! Don’t apologise! I love all comments, long or short. Your kids have great names.
My daughter’s name is Gretchen because it’s a name that I have always loved. For YEARS I loved the name and though we thought up a few others when I was pregnant, Gretchen suited her and so it was!
Her middle name is Fawn, just like mine.
Where are you from? Is it a secret?
Tania
I am a bit of a name fanatic, and I love all kinds of names, so I think the choice is going to be very hard for me. Thanks for mentioning my blog!
nearlySuperDad and I felt God led us to our son’s first name, Caleb, through a prophesy. His middle name is after the front man of one of our all time favourite bands (Delerious?): Martin Smith (which happens to be our surname – we thought that was cool).
So – Caleb Martin Smith