Origins of their Names & Such:: Motherhood Monday

Picking out a moniker for your kid is one of the hardest things.  There are infinite number of choices and everyone ALWAYS has an opinion.  

I've always been a fan of selecting a few choices, wait til you meet the little person and see what fits.

The First-Born

Originally, he shared a first name with his sperm-donor, but went by his middle name.  When we started discussing the adoption process, he asked if it would be possible to drop the sperm donor's name and choice a new middle.  Of course I said yes, and therefore I was able to name him twice.  Only I had his input the second time.

Andrew Smith
Definition of Andrew is "manly."  He was born looking like such a little football player, that while it wasn't my first choice it just suited his personality.

2 weeks old

Smith is actually my grandmother's maiden name.  When selecting the new middle name, I wanted something meaninngful.  This was one of the options and the one A liked the best.  Plus?  It makes him sound like a lawyer.
*confession:: I had NEVER thought of using this as a name, even though I ADORE last names as first names, until the amazing KLAW gave it to her son.

the Middle Man

naming this guy was HARD.  I kept going back and forth between several names.  In fact, he wasn't officially given a name until he was over 24 hours old.  The name I loved just didn't fit him.

Nathan Christopher
I settled on Nathan because he looked JUST LIKE ME.  If you don't believe me, see last week's post.  Our baby pictures are identical.  The only difference is the quality of 1979 pics vs. 1999 pics.

Christopher was a good friend in school.  He was actually the sperm donor's best friend (still is). I went into labor on his birthday and I liked the way it sounded with Nathan.

Cheeks

This one was a no brainer.  She was actually named WELL before I ever met Hubs or got pregnant with a girl.
The first time I heard her name I was at a club.  We were standing in line for the bathroom making small talk.  One of the girls I was with knew the person in front of us.  Introductions were made and I became obsessed with the name.   The funny thing?  YEARS later, Hubs' friend came over and started talking about the girl he was now dating (and eventually married).  Guess who it was.  Yep.  The girl my daughter's name came from.

Jolie Garner
Jolie:: French for "pretty."  Yes, I heard it in a bar, but I Liked it because it was different without sounding like I completely made it up.  Plus, it's half of the Hubs name and half of mine.
Contrary to some opinions, the pronunciation is NOT Joe Lee.  It drives me bonkers to hear it and I just want to smack people upside the head with a frying pan.   It's said in one fluid syllable.  Like Julie. You don't say JUUUU LEE.. please don't do it to this one either.

Garner is my maiden name.  I toyed with the idea of using it as her first name, but couldn't decide on a femininie enough middle name (until after she was born and everything was signed.)

We'll save all of the bajillian nicknames my kids have another day.

Did you struggle naming your kids or was it easy?