but I'm starting to feel oddly possessive about baby names. No, I'm not pregnant but Pete and I are definitely in that window where we can see starting a family in the next 2-5 years. Of course, so is every couple we know. Just found out last week that my sister-in-law is pregnant (yay!), along with a host of other people we know.
Pete just called to tell me that his good high school friend (and his wife) have decided on a name for their first child, due in the next week or so: Samuel. My first thought was -- oh what a great name.... my second thought was -- but wait! that is one of the names WE like!! Luckily, Rachael and I chatted about this last week (she fuels this baby madness) and none of our chosen names conflict. ;)
But so many good ones are already gone:
Benjamin - nephew
Andrew - brother-in-law
Emma - cousin (once removed?)
Charlotte - S-I-L's dog
Hannah - my dog (obviously my fault)
No, I'm not going to list my fav baby names and stake claim to them (plus I feel like that could jinx things) but I just hope if we proclaim our first born on the internet in the year 20?? no one will think we're copying or naming our child AFTER someone...it's probably just a name we like...that has a good meaning, strong character, good initials, etc.
okay, that's it -- just thought i'd confess :)
7 comments:
Laura, you are so funny! When one of my closest friends was pregnant with a boy, I revealed to her that I wanted to name my first girl "Mary Katherine" and call her "Mary Kate". She was so annoyed. "That's my girl name, but I would NEVER call her Mary Kate." Keep in mind that I wasn't pregnant and she was having a boy! Well, I couldn't go through with it when I did get pregnant with a girl a year later, but guess what? She's having a "Mary Catherine" this spring!
1. Yes, you are clearly being irrational.
2. Never discuss your names with someone; you can't really claim a name until you've got baby (or puppy?) in hand, and someone will steal it -- or you'll feel like they did if they use it.
Also be weary of the well-meaning relatives that will tell you all the reasons you just CANT use that name.
3. I don't think that just because you have a cousin-once-removed or friend's dog with the same name it should be off limits. I know a lot of dogs named "Peter". I also know my wife and niece have the same name. It's not likely that by the time your potential child is old enough to say his or her own name that your friend's dog will be around to hear it.
4. If you get too possessive about boy's names, you might be cursed with only girls (or vice-versa).
5. You might not be able to use "Benjamin", but don't forget his brothers.. These names are always available: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Naphtali, Isaachar, Asher, Dan,
Zebulun, Gad, Judah, and Joseph
6. It's always nice to double-check and make sure you have an internet domain name available for your child-to-be's blog...
Oh god - my husbands a dork!
Awww Mayannnn- your are so funny Uncle Pete! :) Hank and I are dying laughing. Question for your Pete... - if your SIL is expecting around the same time as you are, should you consult each other to make sure you don't pick the same names? We call dibs on Reuben and Issaachar
haha- we like benjamin too!
I'm telling you, people. If you haven't read SwistleBabyNames.com yet, y'alls better START! She totally has strong opinions about "claiming" names and "stealing" names - being that she thinks neither is actually possible. And I agree! Who cares what other people/pets have "your" names. If you love them, use them, and tell everyone who turns their nose up at it to go have their own damn baby! (It is nice that our choices don't conflict, though, much less tension between friends, don't ya think?)
If you're irrational, then I guess I am too! I was bummed when I found out some of Matt's cousin's great names. We've got our top secret list as well and since there are only about 2 names we agree on if someone else gets there first we're still going to have to use it!
Have a safe trip to Arkansas!
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