Since we're on the subject of Names, I have a question

bloominautumn

Husband and I have narrowed down our name list. And we can't decide if we should pick a name we both love, but no family connection. Or if should we pick a very popular, always in the SSA Top 20 name that we like a lot, and honors a family member.

Any opinions would be much appreciated. Naming a baby is hard work! 

lukaface

I would pick a name you love.  You can always honor a family member with a middle name.

maryh01

IMO you should pick the name you love. We picked a name that is always popular and in the top list but we loved it and just so happens it also honors a family member. But seriously, pick the name you love.

hersheykiss

I come from a family that honors other family members when they name their kids, DH doesn't. My dad's side of the family you basically only need to remember 3 girl names and 3 boy names. It can be quite confusing at family reunions. LOL! So keep this in mind when you read my thoughts and take it as you will.

We picked E's names because we loved them, regardless of whether we would honor family members. It just happens that E's middle name is the same as my SIL and a cousin of mine. E's first name is not a name that honors anyone. It is a name we liked, we loved the spelling, and all the nicknames & shortened forms of her name.  

IMO, I say pick a name that you both love and don't worry about what others (friends or family) think. If it happens to honor someone, great...but life will continue.

fjaril

pick one you love for sure

KellyMRocks

lukaface:

I would pick a name you love.  You can always honor a family member with a middle name.

ditto this. tHAT IS HOW WE DO IN MY FAMILY 

danandkelly

Pick the name you both love, and maybe use the family name as a MN.

My.ABC.Life

I have a particular fondness for family names!

bloominautumn

Thanks you guys!

I guess I just always pictured telling my kid a great story of how she was named after a great lady and the meaning behind it all. "Elizabeth" is just so freaking popular and the poor kid is going to be Elizabeth/Elly A. for a good chunk of her school years.

DH and his sister were given names that the ILs just liked, and they didn't mind not having a "story" behind their names.

Her middle name is going to be Japanese, so we're honoring the family that way 

pink.dutch.tulips

speaking as the mom of a dd whose name honors THREE women in her family (both grandmothers and my paternal grandmother) .. and 2/3 of those names appeared in the top 20 SSA in the 1920's then vanished .. the other is ALWAYS in the top 20.

go w/ the name you love and honor a family member w/ a middle name

jsugrin

lukaface:

I would pick a name you love.  You can always honor a family member with a middle name.

 

Very well said.  Also I think you have to factor how important bestowing that honor is to you guys, along with examining if doing so and having additional children will create an expectation that the "other" side now gets a family name honored.  

Since we were having a boy I gave DH first rights for middle name after his father whom passed away, he declined because he hated the name.  We chose to name #1 after my father with the middle name because I wanted to honor him but also because it worked beautifully with our first name choice.  When naming out #2 son I really, really wanted the middle name to honor my brother but the only first name we like that worked well with it and our last name was pretty meh to us so we didn't.