Naming a human is hard

[ladystardust]

I think I'm starting to over-think this whole baby name thing. We have some names we like but I can always think of something to worry about with them. I'm wondering if I'm starting to focus on unimportant details. We have a very popular last name and this is factoring into my thought process.

Sidenote: I'm still a little sad that our favorite name from our last pregnancy, Alice, is off the table. It's a kind of weird story but DH doesn't feel comfortable using it anymore even though we both really like it. Classic, underused and she could go by Ali if she didn't want to stand out too much. I feel like this is kind of what I'm looking for in a name.

Eva Rose - I really like this name, DH isn't in love with it but still likes it. Simple, pretty, not too popular (although Ava is up there). I would also get to do my best Wally impersonation her whole life, which would be fun!

Olivia Rose - DH loves this name and I really like it as well. Like the nicknames Olive, Liv, Livi, etc. but my joy was a little deflated when I saw it was #4 in 2011. If our last name wasn't common, I would probably be totally on board with this name. My fear is that she will be in school with someone with the same first AND last name. I don't know many kids so I don't have a good concept of how many Olivias will be running around. My cousin does have a 5-year-old named Alivia, but I don't see them often enough to where I feel like that would be an issue.

Hannah Rose - We come back to this name a lot and both say how much we like it. The issue is that her only cousin is named Anna. We would be pretty much naming our kid the same name, right? It's SO similar (and I read Anna is a derivative of Hannah). Our niece lives 8 hours away but we do see them a couple times a year. I think DH's family might think it's weird.

I also like the name Violet but DH is against it because it's the name of my sister's dead guinea pig. I think that would make an interesting story lol.

[Deleted]

why is alice off the table?

hannah rose is nice. anna is associated with anne in my mind, and i'm sure the minds of many others. if that's the one you guys like the best, go for it.

eva rose is also nice.


ETA:  there was one other person in my high school with the same name as me (exactly) and another with something very similar (think anne v. anna).  it blew chunks.  avoid that.

[adhdfashion]

When I got down to short list. I looked up the meanings of the names. It helped me choose. 

[cleo29]

I like all of those, especially Hannah. Just get a top three and see what fits when you meet her. We did that the second time around and it just felt right.

[alzi]

i don't think you are over-thinking this. naming a human is a big responsibility.

good luck yo, it's rough.

[ladystardust]

Jan 20, 2013 15:19:52 GMT -5 cville said:

why is alice off the table?

hannah rose is nice. anna is associated with anne in my mind, and i'm sure the minds of many others. if that's the one you guys like the best, go for it.

eva rose is also nice.


ETA:  there was one other person in my high school with the same name as me (exactly) and another with something very similar (think anne v. anna).  it blew chunks.  avoid that.

Our doctor thought we were naming our last baby Alice (we mentioned that was our favorite at the time at an appointment). After we lost her we decided to name here Lily instead (loved it but we weren't going to use it because of the popularity. I also wanted a name that could be physically represented). Before the doctor knew this she put the name Alice on the photos that were taken of her. When DH went to pick up the pictures a couple months ago he saw the name Alice on the back of the photos so now it feels weird to name a different baby that even though we never actually used it.

I'm glad others aren't seeing Hannah and Anna as being the same. I was thinking they were the same name, but maybe I am wrong. I know SIL wouldn't be offended that the names were too similar or anything.

I feel like I like DH likes Eva the least on the list so while I do really like it, I think my apprehension lies with him having to compromise for it.

And yeah the exact same name thing is my main worry. I know it's a slim chance though. At least it would make it hard to Google search her...

[ladystardust]

Jan 20, 2013 15:31:55 GMT -5 @astrid said:

Those are all really popular, except Hannah. I would look at their name ranks again. Eva/Ava is maybe top 10 and Olive is climbing, too.

 I know why do people have to like the same names as me haha. I'm starting to lean a little more towards Hannah now. I just have to get my head around the Hannah/Anna thing, but honestly they might end up liking that their names sound similar. Maybe it's not such a big thing.

[Deleted]

oh, ladystardust, i'm so sorry. i can certainly see why you wouldn't want to use that name.

i promise you that no one will think hannah and anna are the same. and they'll be far enough in age that i'd bet anna would think it was sweet. and, given your struggles, i think the meaning of hannah is especially beautiful.

[ladystardust]

Jan 20, 2013 15:43:54 GMT -5 cville said:

oh, ladystardust, i'm so sorry. i can certainly see why you wouldn't want to use that name.

i promise you that no one will think hannah and anna are the same. and they'll be far enough in age that i'd bet anna would think it was sweet. and, given your struggles, i think the meaning of hannah is especially beautiful.

Thanks, we've decided we aren't telling our doctor any names ahead of time this time haha. We probably weren't going to use it anyway since others knew we were almost decided on Alice last time and I wouldn't want people thinking we changed her name to just save Alice for another baby.

Yeah, I really like the meaning of Hannah, and it's a Biblical name which I like too. Thanks for the fresh perspectives everyone! I feel like I'm making progress lol.

[atarianna]

We didn't name DD for quite a few hours after she was born and STILL call her baby more than her name. It was difficult that my H didn't like my #1 name and nothing else seemed to fit, however now I am thankful we didn't name her my #1 because it has really jumped up in popularity.

[moolarkey]

Before you stick a name on a kid, stand at your back door and yell it like you'd call a kid to come in for dinner. If it sounds stupid, don't give them that name. Look at the initials to be sure you aren't spelling something you don't want. My friend Alison Sue Smith isn't really thrilled to see her initials on things.

[ladystardust]

Jan 20, 2013 16:32:37 GMT -5 moolarkey said:

Before you stick a name on a kid, stand at your back door and yell it like you'd call a kid to come in for dinner. If it sounds stupid, don't give them that name. Look at the initials to be sure you aren't spelling something you don't want. My friend Alison Sue Smith isn't really thrilled to see her initials on things.

lol! Yes, we definitely do an initial check.

[jssymom14]

I don't have a name even remotely picked for our little girl and am trying not to stress so I understand your pain! Eva was one of my faves too but dh vetoed and after looking at top 100 girls names of 2012 it was on there and that's a requirement mine that it can't be. Good luck!!

[iheartvino]

I like the name Hannah, and I don't associate it with Anna. Who cares if it rhymes?

You could also consider the name Livia, which is a different name than Olivia, meaning crown. You could still use some of the same nicknames.

Good luck with naming your baby. H and I are currently fighting over girls' names. His top three are Kimberly, Misti and Amber. Its like he can only pick names from the 1980s.

[ladystardust]

I like Cora, I have looked at it a few times. I think Dh was meh about it for whatever reason.

iheartvino, stand your ground on Misti lol.

[Deleted]

I like all your names and don't the Hannah/Anna is odd for cousins. That said, have you put your names into Nymbler to see if anything else comes up that you like? I found that site helpful once we had a few names we liked but weren't set on.

[rupertpenny]

My name is Anna and I have never felt that it was the same or too close to Hannah. Or Anne for that matter. I don't have any cousins name Hannah, but I wouldn't think it was weird.

[alzi]

Jan 20, 2013 19:06:46 GMT -5 @theycalledherkate said:

I think it's weird to not use a name you love because it's popular. Who cares? You have to pick a name you love, regardless of what's trending.

I would hate for my kid to be one of 5 with the same name in their class. That is my only reasoning against something too popular.

[ladystardust]

I've thought about Nina. I also liked Nora too but DH didn't seem crazy about them. I'll try Nymbler though! I've mainly been using Nameberry.

[Deleted]

How about Rose for a first name? That would be kind of like Alice, IMO. Classic, not too popular.