Is naming your second child harder? Or is it naming a girl that's trickier? Whatever the reason, we're four weeks out (or less), and we don't have a clear idea of what this baby's name will be.
Naming Oliver was easy. We had it narrowed down to three names we loved nearly as soon as we found out he was a boy. We met him, and immediately knew Oliver was the one.
This time, we have it narrowed down to a cool nine names. Maybe. If we don't come up with something else to add to the list.
And, as of right now, none of them is a name I love. I mean, they're fine names, all of them, but not one sticks out as the probable frontrunner.
The thing is, suddenly there are all these qualifications. It has to coordinate with Oliver. I like names that are somewhat classic, but not too old-fashioned. After living my life as one of several Kates/Katies in my class every year (luckily, the majority were Katie), I'd kind of like to avoid that, so... not too trendy. Both Oliver's first and middle name are family names, so for whatever reason I'd like this baby's first name, at least, to be her own. And a few of the girl names we had top of our list two years ago, before we knew Oliver was a boy, have recently been used by friends.
Is that taboo, using your friends' children's names, even if they were on your list before your friend used them? Probably.
So... it's been a struggle.
And what's the number one question everyone asks when you're pregnant?
(Okay, maybe the number three question, after when are you due? and do you know if it's a girl or a boy?)
Do you have a name yet?
And even when you've said no the last time they asked, they still ask again, because obviously by the time you're 36 weeks pregnant, you should know what you're naming the baby.
People try to be helpful and suggest names. Some of them are good, and maybe a few of them have even gone onto our list. But do you know how many people have straight-faced suggested the name Olivia to me? Olivia is a lovely name. It might even have been a contender for Oliver if he'd turned out to be a girl. But really? Oliver and Olivia? These are all people who know Oliver's name, by the way.
So. We have four weeks to figure out a name. Really, four weeks to narrow it down to three. I like those odds going in. Three good, solid names, meet the baby, and see which one suits her.
But for right now, she has no name.
