Monday, July 14, 2008

What my kids are not named...

Awhile back, I made a list of 50 names I considered. As per Misty's request, here are the top five serious contenders from that list that didn’t get used:

Ava – this would have been Bart’s name had he been a girl. We like fairly short, simple names and this one fit the bill nicely. Funny enough, my mom was not a big fan. She asked me one time if we had narrowed down names. Yes, I said. It will be [Bart’s real name] if it’s a boy and Ava if it’s a girl. “Oh, I hope it’s a boy,” she said. THIS is why people don’t tell other people the names they are considering! We didn’t give Maggie the name Ava because by the time she came along, another baby Ava had been born, and it would have been awkward. In other news, I think my sister is considering this if her little bean is a girl. Woo hoo!

Knox – Yes, believe or not, before Brangelina came up with this name, we strongly considered it when we were pregnant with Lisa. I’m a huge fan of Dead Poets Society and I love the Knox Overstreet character. Love him. It’s a good Scottish name (I’m Scottish) and would have sounded nice with our last name. Alas, we decided that we weren’t quite cool enough to have a kid with a name that was kind of ‘out there’.

Shae - I really liked this name for a girl and put it on the table with each pregnancy. Homer liked it, but didn’t love it. It was always the fall-back, if we couldn’t come up with something else that he liked better. My sister’s sister-in-law named her baby Shaye, so at least I get to enjoy it on a very cute little girl.

Rhys – This was at the top of my boy list when I was pregnant with Maggie. Homer was not as sold on it and was pushing for Charlie. I like the way Rhys looks and sounds. It’s monosyllabic, which automatically makes it masculine sounding to me, but it has soft edges. Homer didn’t like that the most famous person with that name is female, even if it's homonymic. It didn’t matter in the end, because Maggie is most definitely not a boy.

Cabot – Toward the end of my pregnancy with Maggie, we were getting desperate for a boy name (see the Rhys/Charlie debate above) and I actually started looking through the phone book for inspiration. I only got as far as C when I found Cabot. I really like the look of this name in print. It’s a strong name in the same family (to me) as Colin, Calum and Connor. John Cabot is a Canadian historical figure, which was one of my selling points. As we were in the elevator, in strong labour with Maggie, Homer was still fighting for Charlie, and I was offering Rhys and Cabot.

What do you think? You can tell me what you really think; I'm done having babies, and therefore done naming (my own) babies!

14 comments:

Saly said...

Did I tell you this before? Cabot reminds me of cheese. But I do love Shae, Rhys and Ava.

I think though, that you're kids' actual names are the greatest. Love Love Love....especially "Maggie".

Saly said...

your kids, not you're kids......

Nowheymama said...

Yes! Love Knox Overstreet! I need to rent that movie....

mom of the year said...

I like your names. They're all different, but not different enough for people to think you're living in a van at some sort of commune or something.

Fiona Picklebottom said...

Rhys was on our list as well, but as a middle name. Knox makes me think of unflavored gelatin. The others I like.

Beck said...

OH! AAAAH! My husband dated a Shae, and that girl... had problems. Scary, scary problems.

I like your names and all of the Rhyseses(eses) I know are boys. I like the idea of using Canadian historial figures for baby names - and Cabot is handsome. Maybe I'll name my next one Laura Secord.

Jess said...

I like Knox, Rhys, and Ava. Actually, Vivienne/Vivian is at the top of my list of girl names I like, so the whole Knox and Vivienne thing made me think that I might actually LIKE Brangelina's taste in names, sometimes.

Unfortunately, my future last name starts with a V, and I am not too into the whole alliteration thing, so Vivienne is out for us.

Tess said...

Well, I LURVE your taste in names, OBV.

LOVE KNOX OVERSTREET and DPS so much too.

Chantal said...

LOL I like 'mom of the year's' comment about people not thinking you live in a van.. Too funny. Names are so hard. My neighbour had a boy and she didn't want to tell the name to anyone (which I am totally fine with) and I was all excited about finding out. When he was born she told me his name and I was all "ooh that is niiiiice" UGH it was so boring. But then it isn't my child right... LOL oh me and my opinions. I like your ideas, If I am ever preggy again I will come to you for direction (or the phone book since it worked for you :) )

Misty said...

Arguing still in the elevator, eh? Too funny. Also, here in the states, all the Rhys-named-children I know are girls. So, the great big it-is-SUPPOSED-to-be-a-bpy's-name-but-the-girls-stole-it monster strikes again.

And I can't remember your kids' real names! Mission accomplished? ;)

Misty said...

Butterfingers. That bpy's was supposed to be boy's. Cha.

shay said...

Great names! I'm kinda with your hubs on the Rhys/Charlie thing. I think I may know too many girls named Rhys:)
I do love Ava though!

The name game is always tough. We went for traditional but not common cuz I wanted people to know how to say the names when they looked at them (I have a weird first name spelling).

Anonymous said...

I like all your choices, Lori. And I only know boy Rhys-es. One in particular who is quite a lovely little guy.

I am still kinda nostalgic for the little William (Will) that we never had. *SIGH*

Hillary said...

Rhys is my little guy's name. We love it, but it does seem to confuse people. He gets "Rice" a lot.