Saturday, June 11th, 2005
What’s In A Name
You can find the top 10 popular baby names in a few countries listed here, while this is the top 100 baby names in the US in 2004.
Choices. Decisions. So many to choose from!
I asked you lovely people’s opinion not long ago on some names. Again, thanks so much for your participation! Hubby and I still have not agreed upon a nambe yet though. But we’ve narrowed it down to Amelia or Fiona for the first name. It seems the favorite is overwhelmingly “Amelia” among the commenters — which is very interesting because “Amelia” is the only one out of my 4 original choices that is listed in the top 100 popular baby names in the USA (ranking in at #76).
Does one “grow” into their name, as in, is there a set of personal / personality characteristics that is generally associated with a specific name? And is it true that you can just look at a baby and say “Yup, definitely a Zoe (or whichever name) and not a Chloe (insert another name)”? What’s in a name besides it is something that you will be called for the rest of your life?
Do you like your given name? If not, what would you have liked to be named instead? And why?
on Sunday, June 12th, 2005 at 1:40 pm:
I like both of the names. I like names that are more “classic” names. Sometimes I wonder if I am a “Michelle”. I think is suits me.
on Monday, June 13th, 2005 at 3:34 am:
I think one can definently grow into a name or a name can grow to suit oneself, however it works.
I was looking at the ‘rules’ of traditional Irish naming and it’s basically that the oldest child bears either the paternal or maternal grandparent’s first name. The second child gets an aunt or uncle. The third child gets the parent’s name and the 4th child gets the name of the local priest or head nun. Very interesting because it seems the names will just repeat forever and ever and ever. So I mean, if you were Patricia the 5th you’d be no more a Patricia than your grandmother and she’s no more a Patricia than her own grandmother.
Do I like my name? No. I hate it. I’m very open about that and was very open about it growing up. There’s a book out: Beyond Jennifer and Jason (I think it’s even been updated) and my brother and I used to bring it up every birthday because we are in fact, Jennifer and Jason. I had 4 other Jennifers in most of my classes and even had to compete with other Jen P’s. It sucked majorly!!
People would say, oh I hate Jennifers! There are too many and they’re soo snobby/butch/geeky/jock/preppy. And if you were a Jennifer who didn’t fit that label you sort of got shafted a bit. I know my brother feels the same way.
So, I don’t think a name defines me, but I don’t think I define a name either. I always wanted to be named something delicate and beautiful, like Fawn or Autumn. I find that people always tell me I’m ‘not a Jennifer’ and that’s rather confusing. So I wish, wish, wish I could be named something really lovely. Something well-known but not common. My brother has changed his name to be Tyger.
When we asked my mom why she named us these names, she told me they were common and she liked that it was simple to pick them. Which is the exact opposite of my own naming theories!!
For Miss S we didn’t really even need to think. We entertained 2 ideas and felt she suited this S name more than the other name we liked. I think it’s because she’s always been very spunky at our scans that we liked the name.
Lots of luck to you in naming your wee one. Whatever you choose will be wonderful!
on Monday, June 13th, 2005 at 7:18 pm:
I like the fact that my mom choose to spell my name Amie instead of Amy. To me that makes a huge difference.
I think babys basically grow into whatever name you give them.
on Monday, June 13th, 2005 at 10:13 pm:
Hi Sweet!!
Sorry I have been out of touch for so long (I have had some health problems, but am o.k. now). Wow!!! I am sooo excited for you! Congratulations on the 3rd trimester!
Now, about the name…I am particularly fond of the name Fiona. Actually, it is one of the names we sort of have lined up for #2 (if we ever manage to concieve again, that is!). Fiona/Finnuala. I used to have a great friend named Fiona, and so have wonderful associations with it. She has black hair, and a strong adventurous spirit. Her grandfather was a legend in his own time — a Mayor of Calgary, a Lieutenant Governor of Alberta. He wrote over 50 books, mostly folksy history books. He was an environmentalist long before there was even such a term, and started out as an agricultural professor, advocating for animal welfare. When he was 80, he hitchiked aløne to the Badlands to camp out, and when he was 85 he was still breaking horses. Quite an extraordinary family…
As for naming, I think that the perfect name fits from the very beginning. Some things are just right (like “instantaneous recognition” — I won’t say “love at first sight”). We struggled with names when I was pregnant, but when I went for my last scan, the instant I saw her face, I knew her name. Of course, it took hubby a month to agree to it (a month AFTER she was born!), but he admits now that it was always her name (it is very difficult for a Frenchman to be convinced of a non-French name!).
As for me, I am very happy with my name. There were very few Monicas/Monikas after we immigrated, and so although I initially went through a phase of wanting to conform to the cultural norms (and desperately wanted to change my name to Debbie),I eventually came to appreciate my name.
Enjoy all these wonderful milestones of havine a baby!
on Monday, June 20th, 2005 at 7:30 am:
We are struggling with the naming thing right now. Our tradition is to name after people who have passed away - to honor their memory. Not everyone does it, but we have a great pick of what I refer to as “older” names. And they are not that popular. We revealed them to my inlaws last night and I got a horrible response. My MIL said, “That’s a mouthful.”
What do you do with that?
But we like them and are sticking to them. And as Susie mentioned to me I wasn’t asking permission I was just sharing.
Believe it or not I was the only Amanda going through school from kindergarten to senior year. The name became popular my senior year and then I would constantly turn around in the grocery store because some Amanda was touching something they shouldn’t and getting yelled at for it.
I think I fit my name. And I think my name fits me. But I have had friends that would give their right arm to have a different name, so I think it is an individual thing.
BUT - I love both of your choices. Amelia and Fiona. Very, very pretty and different.
BTW I found you through Susie (It’s not a Habit).
on Thursday, June 23rd, 2005 at 11:13 am:
My name suits me very much so. It has a “Z” in it as I am fiesty but can be turned into a long beautiful distinguished name that I can use for professional reasons. I think I had all of my characteristics before I was born as my birth was very indicative of the way I turned out… fast and fiesty.
on Friday, June 24th, 2005 at 9:54 am:
I love the name Amelia! In fact, I suggested it to my DH yesterday (we’re expecting our first child - due Nov.) but he’s firmly against it. I taught a darling little girl named Amelia in my First Grade class, and she was cute, spunky, daring, & smart as a whip; all characteristics I equate with the name Amelia!
I’ve always loved my name, Kirstin, but I did have to change the spelling to Kierstin after failing to convince people it’s pronounced “Keer-stin” not “Kuhr-stin”.
Fun blog you have here! Hope to read more soon!
*Kier*