s/o names...

JennyAnne022776

Is there anyone who is not naming their LOs after family members?  DH's family is moderately big, but they all seem to use the same names (I can think of at least 4 Patricias, 4 John/Jacks, 3 Kate/Katie/Catherines and all of the females in his immediate family have used the middle name Marie).  It's kind of odd to me...when MIL starts talking about Patricia, I don't know if it's great aunt Patty, aunt Pat, cousin Patty, or cousin Tricia.

But anyway, I told DH that I really didn't want to use names from families.  I didn't want one side of the family upset or keeping track of how many people were honored from each side.  And believe me, unfortunately that would be an issue with one side of the family.

So we just decided to choose names that have not been used by either side of the family.  I''m seeing though that we are really in the minority by doing this.  Anyone else just choosing names based on personal preference rather than on family names?

kristenn441

I am! I want names I like and don't really have any family names I even like. Fortunately for me I am one of the last ones in my family to have kids so a lot of the important family names have already been used so I don't have to worry about offending anyone by not using any.

jennypenny1014

I'd thought for a long time about naming my 1st daughter after my Oma (my maternal grandmother), because she's the only one in her family that doesnt have a namesake (for crying out loud, even her SON, my uncle, has a cousin named after him LOL)...but to be honest, I think it would be somewhat torturous to use her name because of how many different juvenile ways you can make fun of it; plus it's pretty long; not to mention BF is adamant about avoiding it like the plague. Her name is Cornelia Wilhelmina.

Because there are no other family names that really strike a cord with us (other than the possibility of keeping BF's and FIL's middle name going if it's a boy - they have the same MN - but even that is optional), we've decided to skip both sides of the family so as to not offend one or the other, and just pick a name that we both like, that isnt too common, but isnt so unique that it cant be pronounced or spelled correctly (and believe me; there are some FUNKY spellings of the Gaelic/Celtic names we've been looking at LOL)

So I'm with ya Jenny!

whispergrrl

Honestly, the only reason I'm using a "family name" is because my dad passed away when I was 21, and we were very close. I am an only child, and his name has not been used in MANY generations. I don't mind the name John, but didn't want it as a first name, so I thought using it as a middle name would be nice.

As for DH, he really wanted to honor his Great Aunt Eleanor, and he also loved the classic sound to it. It is a strong name that can be used as an adult in a business setting...but it can also have several nice nicknames. I totally wasn't sold on it at first, but it has grown on me.

My thought is that you should go with what you are comfy with. I'm not choosing to honor people in our families out of obligation or anything. We are doing it because it really means something to both of us. If you don't have the emotional connection to a family name, I'd say go with what works for you! 

kkasper13

We are not planning on using family names. I have such a big family, and would hate for anyone to feel hurt if their name wasn't chosen when someone else's was. However, my mom passed away unexpectedly last fall so I do want to do something to honor her if we have a girl. And my husband's father passed away when he was young, so I want to honor him if we have a boy. We might use their names for middle names, but will choose something new for first names. I also thought I might use my mom's initials if we have a girl.  She used her initials for EVERYTHING (ACK), and since my last name initial didn't change, our baby can have those same initials. We have not even really started talking about names yet, though. We want to wait to know if we are having a girl or boy before we get too into the name discussion.  

MrsGo4Hockeychick

it depends. If it's a girl, probably not, but maybe. 

if it's a boy, the first name will be after my grandpa. But I have said since he died that my first boy would be named after him.  

jess!ca

If it's a girl, she will probably be named after our maternal grandmothers.  If it's a boy, it won't be a family name, unless we use DH's name for the middle name.

atack

We aren't using any family names.  It's complicated.  We love the name Thomas, but that is my father's name and my father and I did not grow up together.  I think my stepfather would somewhat be a little disappointed (not mad or upset), just surprised because of all the things my "father" has doe throughout the years.  My stepdad's name and my father in laws name are NMS and I would never name my son that.

 

I also feel me picking one on one side my make the other side somewhat offended.  I don't know to me it's too much stress for something that I don't really like that much anyways.  We have picked three names so far.  I think DH is giving me the go ahead to pick between our girl names.  I just feel all the pressure now to make sure I pick the right name.  I'll be asking you all eventually for help!

kermiefrg

I'm not!  I don't see any reason to.  The only thing we might do this for is a Hebrew name because you usually do name your baby after a relative who has died.  But the Hebrew name is rarely used during your life so it's more for tradition.