What's in a Name?
January 3, 2013
Rachel in Baby H

Since I've been pregnant, the number one question I've gotten is "Do you have a name picked out?"

Admittedly I've always thought about names for my future children, even since I was a kid. I always thought it was fun to imagine my kids and their names and even to live a little vicariously through this by imagining alternate names for myself.

As a side note, think Rachel is an ok name, but wouldn't be my first choice...sorry Mom ;)

So to answer the question...

yes!

We do have a first and middle name picked out.

And we actually arrived at the name with little disagreement.

But like many others before us, Shaun and I have decided to keep her name as a surprise for when she is born. We actually have a list of three names that we love, but with one as the clear front runner. We are fairly certain that this will be her name, barring anything changing once she enters the world (like if she really, really doesn't look like the name we picked!)

When I was first pregnant, I casually discussed some names that we liked with some friends and family members.

We soon made the decision to keep our picks a secret for a number of reasons.

First, we got some typical strange looks and clear dislike for the names we chose. Not that it would change my mind, but i don't want our thoughts tainted by anyone else's reaction or commentary. Secondly, believe it or not, we actually had people saying they would take some of the names we picked after hearing them, should we have the opposite gender (though hello! Those are still the names we plan to use down the line should we be lucky enough to have more kiddos). And lastly, we are hesitant to officially announce her name prior to her birth since we don't want anyone (including us) referring to her by name until she is born. That's just a personal preference thing. 

So for now, she'll continue to be Baby H. Or Baby TAA.

And so the decision was an easy one to keep our narrowed down name choices to ourselves and announce it once she arrives. I'm super excited to let the cat out of the bag in a few short weeks! I already have little nicknames for her (of course I only call her these names in my head!). And though we are 90% sure on her name, Shaun and I don't refer to her by name, even in private. Instead, we have other little nicknames for her that have evolved over the last 9 months.

So what do you think?

Have you or would you announce your child's name prior to birth?

Any funny name-sharing stories to share?

Have you ever fought with your significant other over a name?

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