Like any expectant mom having her sixth baby, I was prepared. I went to the hospital with a list o’ names. We don’t like to have our babies named months before they make their appearance; in this high-tech age, some things have to be left to the last minute to make it exciting.
I wasn’t prepared to have each and every name shot down by my older boys when I whipped out that list on the day my baby was born. Here’s a handy hint for those of you bringing a new baby into a family with older children: DO NOT give your teenagers veto power in choosing names, because if you do, YOU WILL NEVER NAME YOUR BABY. Mistake!
Now I had a big problem. We had to choose a name in three days, starting from scratch, with the primary name chooser drugged and riding on about four cumulative minutes of sleep per night. Sounds like a recipe for choosing the wrong name under duress. And that’s pretty much what happened.
I never could admit to myself that no matter how many times I said it, “Cameron” felt wrong. I played endlessly with nicknames and was irked beyond what was reasonable when I met other Camerons his age and realized he might be relegated to “Cameron G.” in kindergarten. I assumed he would “become” his name over time, as all the other children did, and what was taking so long?
Joe and I finally looked at each other when he was ten months old and said “We should have named him Dane.” This had been the name we’d picked with hours left to go in the hospital and changed with the paperwork in front of me. And then I realized, why not? We can’t be the first people to change our baby’s name months after birth. Sure, it would be a little awkward at first, but everyone would get over it, and then he would finally have the right name. Can I tell you, I felt like a huge weight was lifted.
Oddly enough, the boys thought it was a great idea….we were prepared for some protesting but got none. It took us about two months of transition to call him Dane all the time and we still slip, even though we are keeping Cameron as his middle name. It’s going to cost $165 at the city court to change it legally, which we haven’t gotten around to but plan to do soon.
Happy first birthday, Dane! We can't be the only people who had this experience: I’d love to hear what everyone has to say. (However, if you’re a teenager saying you don’t like it, keep walking!)
You are a brave woman and I am proud of you for doing what you felt is right. My really good friend from medical school days named their son Kimball, after the prophet. Her husband was not so sure but went along with it anyways. The first Sunday at church he told his 6 yr. old primary class what they had named their first baby. When he told them Kimball the kids all started laughing and saying "Kimberly, Kimberly! Haha! Why did you name your baby BOY Kimball, it sounds like Kimberly?!" It was exactly what he was afraid of. He talked to his wife and she agreed to change it to NATHAN. He was only about a week old but they were so glad they changed it! He was not a Kimball (or Kimberly). When we named Olivia I was majorly stressed for a few months, worried if I chose the right name. It was a name I hadn't heard much before but fell in love with quickly. My solace was that if Olivia was too long and flowery she could by Liv or Livvy. Now she goes by all three plus more nicknames, Deeds, most often. I know what you were going through and I think you're unconventional and awesome for just changing it. I love the name DANE and think it fits better with the rest of your babies!
ReplyDeleteLove you and thanks for sharing. Give Dane a happy birthday hug for us!
I'm so glad that you went with your gut and changed it. I begged Todd for the first 18months of Emma Grace's life to change her name to Madelyn Grace(Maddie Grace) but he refused to do it. Finally I gave up. Both names were at the top of my list at the hospital and we couldn't decide. We asked the doctor what he thought and he said, "Emma Grace". So we went with it. There is even a video of Brenna saying that her name was Madelyn Grace at the hospital.
ReplyDeleteSo good job...having the guts to do it! We didn't and I still wish we had but I don't tell Emma Grace that.
You are so great!!! I LOVE Dane...it so fits! I've battled with how we've spelled Maddie's name. All the boys have 'Y's in their names...but not Maddie. So not only is she the lone gal, she doesn't have a 'y'. I still toy with changing it legally to Madisyn or Madyson....hmmmm...I think you may be my inspiration. OH, and p.s. - so glad you have a clammed up teenager, too. I know Arch and Ty are bosom friends (see Anne of Green Gables) and we absolutely need to hook 'em up!
ReplyDeleteDane is a great name! Way to have the courage. I struggled with Teya's name and sometimes I wonder if I've relinquished her to a life of name torture -- no one spelling or pronouncing it right.... Oh well!
ReplyDeleteI remember wanting to legally change my name to Jeni instead of Jennie in 5th grade. I ended up just spelling it Jeni for the entire year... then the phase was over!
How funny is this? I actually wanted Kenzie to be Kate, but we thought it would be too confusing because it sounds so much like Kade. So after Kira was so brave and delivered her we gave her the option of naming her. Hopefully when she is 30 and a mom, she won't mind being called Kenzie. I love the name Dane, sounds strong and smart.
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