The process of naming babies is often a long one that sometimes starts when you're just a kid yourself and romanticizing having babies. My kid's name would be Laurie if I went with that name. Then you meet a guy, want to make a zillion wee ones with him and you start chatting names. My kid's name would be Ottoif we went with that name.
Then you get pregnant and there are tons of names you throw around, vetoing each other's choices until you narrow it down. Often this name is chosen before baby is born. But I'm thinking maybe we should all slow it down a bit and wait to name baby until a week or so after birth. That's what Wonder Years actor Fred Savage did.
Savage told US Weekly: "We started this really tough thing for ourselves where we just left the hospital with no names and wanted to live with the baby for a little while."
They did have some names in mind so they did have a head start. But it makes sense. Sure, we live with baby in the belly for about nine months, but once you meet your little bundle, that's when you really start to know so much more about them. Maybe there is something to waiting. You won't be able to get the monogrammed blanket at your baby shower, but you'll have plenty of time for that after.
My husband and I were between the names Calliope and Penelope for our daughter. Similar names, yes. But Penelope turned out to be the name, and it did suit her better once she was born and we got to see her in the flesh.
Why are we in such a rush to give a name? If you know the name and have no double, then yes, go with it. But if you are uncertain, why not just wait. The birth certificate can be filed later. And if the hospital gives you any trouble, I think there are ways around it. We shouldn't be pressured to name baby before we're ready.
What do you think? Should you wait a few days or more to name your newborn? Did you?
Image via houghtonbirds/Flickr
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Comments 16
Calliope is a great name, I tried to name my daughter that but my husband refused :( so instead we got Bridie Mae & it suits her. I think that I knew it when I saw her I knew her name was Bridie but if you need more time to be confident that it's the right one, take it.
I know Misha Collins did the same when he and his wife just recently had their second child. They waited almost two weeks to name the baby girl. :)
My brother got his name after my parents looked at him and each other and declared "He looks like a Fredrik". Before that they had no idea what to call him, no names picked out.
I always thought I would name my daughter Layla because of the Clapton song too, Badge83! My partner and I were agreed on it before I became pregnant, but changed our minds after someone suggested the name River. We both are happiest around or in water so it clicked for us. Rain would be another water name that would suit her since after my glucose test she was really still for about 36 hours, and my guy put on Led Zepplin's The Rain Song and she started jumping around.
I named my DD Emily. She's 4 now, and I still don't think it fits her....