What's in a name?


Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Before being pregnant, I would ask other pregnant women the infamous question "Do you have a name picked out?" At the time, it didn't seem like that big of a deal to ask. No, I wasn't going to steal the name or anything, and in all sincerity I could care less what that person names their kid. It's not mine, so no matter what the answer they gave, props to them. Pretty much just a conversational element I would toss in there. Now that the game has switched and I'm the one being asked, why do I find it such a bother? #1 - I'm not terrified that someone will steal the name, not in the least. #2 - I don't care if people judge the name, because I already know its awesome. #3 - I am going to name my child ____ no matter what, so what does it matter if I tell them now or when the child is born? #4 - I ask people the question nonchalantly all the time, so what is it if someone does the same to me? It's getting to the weird stage where random strangers are gravitating to my tummy and people less than acquaintances are asking the name of my girl. I don't think it's intrusive in anyway, just funny. I think the real factor of it all is that I feel kinda silly giving a name so openly to a child that is yet unborn. I feel right now that I'm giving a name to just a baby doll, something that isn't 100% real yet, even though she is very much alive and kicking my gut throughout the day. What if something happens and I can't carry her to full-term? Even if that tragically were to happen, then she would still be given the name. So.... yes, Jared and I have a name, a name that we love and pretty sure it will fit this girl perfectly.

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I'm still scared to share for reasons unknown.
Any one else have this dilemma??

11 comments:

  1. Kendra-first of all, I love how you write and you are awesome.
    Baby Names. We always want to name our babies the minute we find out the gender. We have just heard so many stories of couples getting into fights over it and waiting until the last minute and once the baby is born-he/she is sometimes nameless for days. I wasn't scared of people stealing the name until Stephen had picked out quite a unique name that meant a lot to him. I was pregnant the same time as one of my best friends, and when her boy was born a boy-she took the name. There was no way A. Being so close to this family and B. The name being so unique C. The boys being so close in age...that we could ever name our boy this. I am grateful we have the perfect name for our Sam...but I think we all have name dilemmas. Giving a name to someone you can't see is a strange feeling. But for the record, I think the naming process makes it a little more real. And sharing it is entirely up to you.

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  2. I am a baby name freak. Seriously. I think about baby names all day long. My husband likes names too so we text names as we hear them to each other to get feedback. No, I am not pregnant, just freaky. I have a few favorites and I don't tell anyone, just my man. I don't think they will steal them but sometimes I do think they will make fun of them. So I don't think it is weird at all that you are having this dilema. Also, when someone tells me a secret I don't tell anyone. I am a really good secret keeper. Even when that person tells me it is no longer a secret, I still don't tell. I just like knowing things that other people want to know. Anyway, hopefully something I just wrote makes sense to you. I am excited to hear the name!

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  3. I didn't want to tell people, because as soon as you do, you hear their opinion. Keep it to yourself people! And I do think it is weird to call the unborn baby by a name, but that is just my opinion. And I wanted to see the baby before I 100% decided on the name in case they didn't look like a ______. But, anyway, I think next time, I wont find out the gender and just have a bunch of different names on the back burner. Completely opposite of baby Colin's scenario.

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  4. We told people before G was born that we liked the name Gunner but nothing was official (it was not pronounced on a blog before his birth). People gave their blatant opinions on the name and I found it annoying. I'm giving my CHILD this name and you have the audacity to make a strange grunting noise when you hear it!? So we already have our girl name picked out and we're keeping it a secret! I'm not pregnant but we're prepared and I like the idea of keeping it to yourself.

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  5. I like having a name picked out, but don't like telling anyone until we name the kid. Things change. #1 was going to be Amber if he was a girl... but as you know #4 who actually IS a girl is not named Amber.

    Times that names have gotten out I feel like they're not mine anymore. I mean, no one owns a name... I don't mean it in that sense. So, I know what you mean, and I also don't know how to explain it. LOVE you. Can't wait to meet Lil'Oakden!

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  6. come on what is it? dan and I have no ideas so we need some...I mean...

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  7. DON'T TELL!!! Surprises are more fun.

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  8. ok now i am dying to know- totally understand why you keep it a hush hush... but what is it!?

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  9. Aw man, I just wrote this whole comment and then it got deleted for some reason.
    Long story short - I totally understand how you feel.

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  10. Don't tell me what it is - I want to guess!

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  11. AMEN a million times over! I'm experiencing this same thing. Only I went public with my name and now people's opinions are effecting my decision??? So lame! In the future, with future babies I will cry "undecided" until the birth just to keep from second-guessing my(and Tyson's) baby name decision.

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