Mr. Sandwich and I started talking about baby names pretty early in the pregnancy, just a few weeks after we found out that we were expecting a girl (which was quite early, because we did CVS testing).
Here were our criteria:
- Her name had to be a name. No fruits, constellations, or mixed drinks.
- Her name had to sound traditional, but not old-fashioned
- Her name could not end with the letter that begins our last name.
- Her name could not be alliterative.
- Her name could not be one of the top 10 baby names for the past few years.
- Her name could not be the same as any of the main characters on Sex and the City.
That eliminated a number of my favorite names, including Lily, Ava, Sophia, Miranda, and Charlotte (it especially eliminated Charlotte, who is Mr. Sandwich’s least favorite SATC character). But it still left us with a world of names, because we were looking for a name that was familiar, but not so popular that three other girls in her class would have it.
I read baby name books for meanings and origins, and checked the Social Security lists and NameVoyager on Baby Name Wizard to see how the popularity of specific names has changed over time.
We wound up with a list of names–some were clearly first names, and some we liked as middle names. Periodically we’d revisit the list; some names would come off, and another might go on. But we weren’t able to settle on one that we were sure would be right for our baby.
Finally, I said, “Let’s commit to waiting until she’s born.” And we did. After Baguette was born, we held her up, looked at her, and said the names aloud. One of them was just right. It met all the criteria, it reflected family names, it honored a historical figure we both admire, and it just seemed to suit her.
She thinks so, too–I can tell from the way she uses it. And ultimately, that’s what we wanted.
Photo by ladybugbkt, via Flickr.
I like all the criteria you used. I had tried all that with my daughter – but I really wish we could have waited until I met her to decide completely. I spent a few weeks upset ’cause I was sure it didn’t suit her. Luckily her nick-name does!
It all worked out in the end, then! It’s a tough process, and I think it’s hard not to second-guess yourself.
That’s a cool story. I like rule 6.
I think it’s not a bad rule, particularly if broadened to cover popular TV shows in general. One of my friends named her son Chandler, and my dad said, “Wow, I guess she really likes ‘Friends’.”
Mittens shares her name with a SATC character but it’s purely coincidental. In truth, her name was the name of my in-laws’ old cat, and the only name Husband and I both liked. Girls’ names are a pain in the ass.
My sixth grade teacher was not named after her father’s favorite horse. She was nicknamed after her father’s favorite horse.
Hey! What’s wrong with SATC character’s names?! (says the woman who named her firstborn Aidan). I never watched SATC enough to know all the characters’ names, and I didn’t even know Aidan was a character on the show, but now everyone assumes that’s why I chose the name. Sigh…
I don’t think Mr. Sandwich had any issues with Aidan as a character or a name, but it wouldn’t have suited Baguette.
Don’t get me started on names. I have one of the most popular girls names ever! I think you took a great approach. Here’s hoping you stay off the most popular list (http://anotherjennifer.com/most-popular-baby-names-of-2011-sophia-and-jacob/). 🙂
Visiting from SITS today.
I have a friend, also named Jennifer, who makes a point of saying, “I was a pre-‘Love Story’ Jennifer.”
I’m surprised that Baguette’s name hasn’t been more popular, but it only broke into the top 100 for two or three years, and that was decades ago. We’re a long way from that, I think!