So the baby should be here in about two months. Currently, the single biggest stressor in my life is the fact that I cannot decide on a baby name. I know, with the current recession, I should be grateful this is all I have to worry about. I am not one of those people who thinks they need to "see the baby" to decide on a name. At that point, I'm hopped up on Loritab (hopefully) and my baby probably looks squishy and red, which is not going to sway me in any name direction. I really want to have the baby name decided before we go to the hospital, so I can concentrate on more important things like "When will my husband be back with my bagel sandwich?" and "Does this TV show Lost tonight?" Here's where you come in. Josh and I are super indecisive people. We've limited it down to four names. And by "limited it down" I really mean, "If you mention another name we like, we'll probably add that to the list and stew about that for awhile too." Here they are:
1. Mia
2. Lila
3. Adele
4. Celia
Josh and I have different favorites, but I'm not going to tell you which ones they are, so as to not bias your opinion. Here's some additional information you may need: 1) It's a girl. 2) Her brothers are named Jonah and Noel, one after a character from a book, the other a character from TV's Felicity. 3) If you would like to suggest some other names, please do. You kind of get where we're going with these names, so don't suggest Tiffany or Tina. No offense to any of your children named Tiffany or Tina. 4) Please give me your honest opinion, and don't be afraid to hurt my feelings. Several people have already weighed in (mom and mom) and didn't mince words. Trust me. . .I'm numb.
Thanks! Bonus points for middle names, too.
27 comments:
Hi, I'm a lurker (but I'm also friends with Emmie Thayer, the Valentine-Clarks, and used to work at BR so I'm not too creepy)
I really like Lila.
Adele is my next favorite, then Celia.
And I dislike Mia because it's all over the place these days and makes it seem like you're trying too hard.
Other options:
Anya
Anais
Iona
Elena
Inez
Elspeth
Maude
Edie
Maeve
Hazel
Violet
Zina
Rosalie
Tessa
I like Lila best. I understand Mia and it is a good name, but too many people choose it for the wrong reasons so it is my 4th choice. I like Celia next after Lila, though I like Cecilia better. Adele is my third choice, though I like Adelaide better. All of your names are good.My girls are named Ellen and Margaret, so you see that I like old-lady names too.
I'm not going to tell you what I really think until people have had a chance to weigh in, but I'll just say thank you, since some of these exact opinions have been expressed to my husband. And thanks for the excellent suggestions!
I like Lila best of the choices offered....but instead of ending with an A, how 'bout a Y.....I think Lily is a lovely name......if not, Lila.......
I know I already voiced my opinion in a forceful way, but Mia is not my favorite at all. Mostly because it sounds like a little tiny person. Julia's baby is named Mia and she will probably end up being 5 foot nothing! Your girl will likely be 6 feet tall. How about Amelia. Kind of like Celia, only prettier, I think. Who is this Azucar person! Those are some pretty funky names. Just name her something so that everyone will know when seeing her name that she is a girl. No question.
Love you and good luck. I know I don't get to vote.
Mom
Hey Amy. In my line of work I see lots of kids names and have strong opinions about things, so Ryan and I had a similarly difficult time coming up with a name for our little girl. Here are my rules.
1) No made up names. Ocean is not a name. It is a place. Neither is Chlamydia. It may sound pretty to you, but not to the rest of the educated world.
2) Avoid the all NICU names. If you give your child a name such as Hope, Chastity, Neveah, or the above-mentioned made up names they are more likely to end up in an Intensive Care Unit. Don't ask me how. All I know is that it's real.
3) Don't date your child. When you meet a Tiffany, Amber or Stephanie you instantly know what decade they were born. Unfortunately I think Mia (cute as it is) is the 2009 Tiffany. Same with Hannah, Olivia and Sophie.
4) Spell it correctly, for heaven's sake. There is a reason your child is the only Madyzon you know.
That said, my favorite is Lila. I'm assuming the "Lil" is pronounced like Lily, not like Leila. Because if it's like Leila, then she has a lifetime of people calling her Alicia when her name is really Alissa (Uh-lyss-uh. Not Uh-leesh-uh. It's not that hard). Adele sounds old to me, and I once knew a Celia who was kind of flaky and tainted the name forever. I'm partial to Jane as a middle name...as in Ella Jane. Lila Jane. Cute.
Hope you're doing well. Let us know what you decide.
Adele, then Celia. I am partial to Lucy, and since I won't be having kids anytime soon, you are welcome to it! I also really like Azucar's suggestion of Maude.
Well, since Alissa thinks both of my girls names are "2009" (Sophia and Alivia-yes a double whammy as far as she is concerned for the different spelling of the latter, she probably hates Liam-my sons name, as well) and no, this does not offend me at all. Doesn't everyone have an opinion about every name?? I recently heard Celia and LOVED it. We choose our names in secret, and don't tell anyone until the baby is born and it is too late for them to say, "don't name her this because of so & so..." Good luck, keep cracking me up with your funny blog!
I so agree, Lindsey. I know opening this up for people's suggestions was asking for it, but I really do love everyone's opinions, even if it won't really affect what I name my kid. I think the name association things are the funniest. Like why is Mia a name for a little tiny girl?
I really like Adele as a first or middle name. Celia Adele and Lila Adele are both awesome, and go well with your last name.
(I made the mistake of telling my mother-in-law the names we might give our hypothetical future children, and she had arguments against all of them. "You can't name your daughter Isabel - people will call her Izzy, and that's an ugly nickname." Etc., etc. Good times.)
I like Celia, and I think you need to clarify how lila will be said. Because if it's "Lil-a" I love it and vote for that! :) I'm a big lucy fan as well (and have secret hopes of a second daughter to name lucy), but I have a feeling it's heading towards "tiffany" as well.
Lee la?
Lil a?
Lie la?
which one is it?
All you names are sweet. Can't wait to hear the final verdict!
Topher won't comment, but he Celia because it's Shakespearean. His second choice is Mia.
I like Lila (somewhat because of FNL) and I think it goes well with Jonah and Noel. That said, I'm the worst person to ask because I like Celia and Adele and Mia, too. So, that's a big no help from me. (But also a testament to you that I love your four choices!)
And I've always liked the name Ramona. And Zooey. (Zooey dates me to my prime coolness as somewhere in the 90's. I get that. I don't care.)
Let me clear some things up. Lila rhymes with Delilah. Or sounds like "Lila Garrety" from FNL. Not that we are naming her after Lila Garrety.
Mom, why does Mia sound like the name of a tiny person? Mia Michaels is anything but tiny. (And no, we would not be naming her after Mia Michaels.)
Alissa - you are so spot on. I used to have an employee named Breezy. Really, Mr. and Mrs. Breezy's Parents? Breezy is the best you could do.
Among the four baby names I like Lila best. Lia is its variation that you may want to consider also.
I think I like Lila best. I've only known one Lila, and that was in 4th grade, and she was a cutie.
I worry about Celia ONLY because it sounds like "Cecilia," which is the name and subject of a Simon & Garfunkle song about a prostitute. And take it from somebody who has an adorable daughter named Roxanna. It gets annoying to have people hear your daughter's name and start singing a song about a prostitute. And the moment I hear somebody tell Roxanna that she doesn't have to put on the red light, they are going to get a prostitute upside the head!
Whatever you choose will be wonderful! We can't wait to meet her!
Ken
Lila - love it. However, I have to let you know that I may not be the best resource as many people have not been a fan of my baby girl's name, Saren. This week, an aquaintenance asked me if we named her after a weapon of mass destruction. Sure, if you spell it "Sarin" and pronounce it exactly the same...you could be referring to a chemical nerve agent that causes drooling, loss of muscle control and eventual death. But the internet also told me it means "joy" so I tend to focus on that meaning. I'm sure her name will be as lovely as her, whatever you pick. Good luck.
Hey - remember that time I suggested Ronah for your daughter's name? Yeah...not awesome on my part.
That's all.
I love all your names, and I think Josh's mom's comment is really fantastic. Of the four, I think I like Lila best, but if I weigh in tomorrow I may go for something else. Patrick's regional manager is named Mia, and she's one of the most effortlessly lovely people I've ever met, so I love that, too.
As to your names dating your kids: what name could you possibly choose that doesn't? I mean, really, unless you want to go with Sarah, I don't think any name transcends time. It's like my wedding pictures: yeah, I'm wearing a sparkly choker. So what? That's when I got married. Our kids' names will totally be of a moment, just like ours were, and just like our grandkids' will be. Embrace it and go with what you love.
I can't wait to meet a little Bingham-fille!
PS. I meant "fantastic" as in "really funny," not as in, "yeah, Mia IS a name for a tiny person."
~L
I actually like the name Lila, but I can't stand Lyla Garrity some times (I just imagine hers is spelled that way)
I am playing Celia now in a play, so I like that, too.
And I like Mia, but I do agree it is WAY too popular.
So I'm not really much help.
I love that you have short names for your kids....
In Cubby's school there is a Lila and a Celia--but adorable girls. Our little neighbor is Adele, but she is a big stinky poo pie (but that is my favorite name....)...
They are all cute, but Mia is a bit on the popular side...so if you want to go with something that is a bit more unique (like the boys) I would stay away from that one....but...all of them sound soft and pink and fuzzy and adorable...
P.S. I wrote theis before I saw that everyone else said the same thing about Mia.... sorry Josh...
I also have old lady names in our family (Grace and Norah)... Also, I am trying your girls names on for size...since we have the same last name... a friend of mine (also with the same last name) has a daughter named Daisy... love that one too...
I like Lila too!
Juliet
When I read Celia I got chills from head to toe, THREE TIMES. No joke.
And thanks Lynda, I agree, my name is pretty.
Lila Adele. Seriously. That's the winner. Do I get a prize? Like, will Josh come be my personal stylist for my new lawyerly wardrobe?
I love your name choices, especially...
Celia, Lila & Adele (In that order, I think.)
From The Baby Name Wizard by Laura Wattenberg...
Suggestions of names that match in style and feeling...
*sisters for NOEL:
Camille, Hope, Lea, Elise, Jenna
*sisters for JONAH:
Hanna, Faith, Chloe, Maya, Abigail
I am loving your choices so much more. I am also loving all of these great comments.
You will make a perfect choice.
I think the best name in the world is Maren... Maren Bingham... come on. Let it stew awhile. Let it sit in your mouth like undigested food, okay maybe not. It's always worth a shot to promote your own name. We actually let Paige name Abbey. She came up with Abigail and I really didn't care for the name, but Jason and I were in your same boat... baby coming not really knowing what to call it, etc.
Jason loves the name Eleanor (said the raven rap rap rapping at my door), which is fun if you know Jason, but my friend Gillian actually name her little girl Eleanor and they call her Elsie which is cute.
okay... so not to add more unnecessary confusion, but I also have a friend with a daughter named "Myla" I totally ridiculed her for having a "Utah-made-up" name, until she told me it was her grandma's name and then I just felt like a big jerk (welcome to my life). But it's kind of a compromise between two of the names you already picked out. Think about it: Myla Maren Bingham... let it stew... a little more... okay. I'll stop. Good luck either way. Naming kids (unless you have a deceased parent) sucks.
Lindsey--Not that it matters in the slightest, but I actually really like Liam for a boys name. And for what it's worth, I think I may have dated my own child with "Ella"
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