Babies Tale

What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet. William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616) English dramatist, poet Romeo and Juliet, II:2

When we went to the hospital to deliver our twins, we had prepared a list of baby names worthy of the forty (40) weeks of anticipation for our babies’ birth. The list consisted of myriad names, all with sentimental value, significant literal meaning, or hip-sounding “twinny” alliteration.

All of the ultrasounds had been labeled “Baby A” and “Baby B.” Although we thought we were prepared, the twin girls born on April 14, 1997, remained “Baby A” and “Baby B” as we sought for names that were worthy of such special, beautiful babies. When the girls were born, we looked at those tiny faces of the five (5) pound bundles of joy, and decided that none of the names on our list really “fit.”

I know it sounds silly that two unformed, premature infants would astound us in such a way as to make putting a name on a birth certificate such a perplexing feat. But, it is a permanent, lasting “label,” if you will. Some believe it actually foretells a child’s destiny. (Some understand it will at least foretell a child’s treatment on the playground.)

Born in 1971, my parents named me “Starr.” My father tells me it is due to his obsession with the television show, “Star Trek.” My mother will say it is because a print of Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” hung in their bedroom. One of my mother’s hippie students came to visit me as a baby. Over a bowl of chocolate ice cream, she remarked, “Well… At least you didn’t name her… ‘COW’!” My grandmother said, “I am not going to call her that. That is not a name!” My mother asked, “What are you going to call her then?” Her response: “I don’t know, but I’m not going to call her THAT!”

While thumbing through baby name books, I found my name, Starr, under the category of: “Names that are too much to live up to.” Perhaps.

It was now time to name my children.

After three (3) days of deliberation and prayer, we came up with the names “Zoe Claire” and “Skylar Ruth.” Zoe means “life” in Greek. Claire means “bright & shining” in French. Skylar means “scholar” in Dutch, and Ruth is Biblical and means “compassionate friend.”

We announced the names of our twins to all of the family except my mother-in-law, Ruth. She came to the hospital and proclaimed, “Do my granddaughters have names yet?”

The room was filled with relatives who were thrilled with the babies and the nomenclature. I told her their names were “Zoe” and “Skylar.” With a laugh, she said, “No — really — what are their names?”

Her reaction yielded a roomful of chuckles as my father whispered, “Ruth, they’re serious.”

Stunned, she replied, “Oh… What are their middle names?”

“Zoe Claire and Skylar Ruth.”

Ignoring the fact that one of them bore her name, she continued in shock, “How do you spell those names?!”

Today, she thinks these names are both beautiful and God-given. My grandmother eventually felt the same about my stellar name.

Do not be surprised if, on the day you meet your new offspring, you will be taken aback as we were, and throw out all preconceived notions of his or her destiny, and, most of all, the name he/she will carry with them throughout their life.

Choosing an appropriate name for your baby may not be as easy as you expected. Husbands and wives are not always in agreement about the choice of a first name or even a middle name. You will certainly have plenty of names-and suggestions of names- from which to choose. Sometimes compromise is the best solution.

Naming customs vary from culture to culture, yet name giving is as universal as language. In America we are very democratic about naming babies; mothers and fathers listen to family, friends, strangers, and their own impulses before bestowing a name on their newborn.

Many of our names come from the Bible, which means they are often of Greek or Hebrew origin. Our most common biblical names-John, James, Mary, Ruth, Mark, Rebecca, Joseph, Susan, David, Daniel, Jason, Matthew Judith, and their variations-count for more than fifty per cent of our forenames. Another large group is derived from the Teutonic [or Germanic] languages. These include such names as, William, Brenda, Roger, Frederick, Caroline, and Emily.

Our last names, or surnames, have long been used as first or middle names. English, Teutonic, and Norse surnames, including Ashley, Marion, Clayton, Kimberly, Adair, Shirley, and Mildred are commonly given as first names. And the lines between masculine and feminine names are also blurring. Names like Pat, Chris, Leslie, Robin, Sydney, Lee and Hilary could all raise the question whether a letter should begin “Dear Ms.” Or “Mr.”

Along with the Bible, our families provide the source for baby names. These traditions can pass on such interesting first or middle names as Taylor, Tyler and Huntington. And the maiden name of the mother is often given to a child as middle names as to keep the family name alive.

While you are free to name your child according to tradition, family custom, or creative impulse, consider first your responsibility in bestowing an appropriate name and then think about the following:

Is the name easily spelled and pronounced?

What nicknames or pet names can be derived from it?

Do the initials form a word? Is that word objectionable or apt to be embarrassing?

Is the name so unusual that it will draw undesired attention?

Be sure the name fits the gender of the child.

Give full names rather than diminutives; Robert Joseph is preferable to Bobby Joe.

Use care in naming your baby for well known personalities; celebrities fade or fall out of favour and your child will be left with a dated or unpopular name.

Consider how your choice of a first name flows with the last name, particularly if your last name is hyphenated.

Avoid choosing a first name that becomes “cute” in conjunction with your last name[ Barbie Doll, Sandy Rhodes, Holly Wood].

Finally, both parents should agree on the name- as much in advance of the delivery as possible.

Many baby books are available, should you feel a need for outside help in your decision. Read them, make notes, and discuss your reactions with your partner. Your child will appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Choosing a baby name will be one of the most important things you decide for your baby. It will be with them all of their life. Its one of the first challenges you will face in parenthood. W.H. Auden said “proper names are poetry in the raw”.

`Many people think that popular names are the best choice for a child. Some people want a unique name for their baby so that they will feel confident and special. Americans today have some pretty amusing ways of naming their children. They are named for prized possessions. In 2000, birth certificates revealed that there were 298 Armanis, 269 Chanels, 49 Canons, 6 Timberlands, 5 Jaguars and 353 girls named Lexus in the United States! So if the US is naming their children after cars, ever wonder how people in other countries or throughout history have chosen names for their children?

In Elizabethan England they named their children at the baptism, a few days after the birth. Like many other newborns of the time, they were named after one of your godparents. The names that were considered acceptable during this time were considerably smaller than what we are used to today. Elizabeth, Anne, Joan, Margaret, Alice, Mary, and Agnes accounted for approximately sixty-five percent of all girls’ names. John, Thomas, William, Richard, and Robert accounted for approximately sixty percent of male names. Naming baby in old England was fairly simple but pretty boring.

The Chinese wouldn’t dare name a child before it is born. They give the child a fake or “milk” name that is something very unpleasant like “mud face” or “excrement,” this is believed to trick evil spirits and make them stay away from the child. After the child is born, when the baby is about a month old they throw a baby naming party called a red egg and ginger party. The egg represents fertility and is dyed red for good luck, there is a huge feast where the baby’s hair is shaved and gifts are given.

Muslim parents name their child on his or her birthday or at an “Aqeeqah.” Held on the seventh day after baby’s birth, a sacrifice of a goat or sheep is given at the ceremony (two for a boy, one for a girl). The infant’s head is then shaved and covered with saffron. It is important to Muslims to give their child a good name, determined by its meanings, which should be beautiful.

In many regions of Africa, naming ceremonies are extensive and elaborate, with special prayers recited by an appointed religious teacher. Usually, animals are sacrificed during these proceedings. Africans mostly choose names that denote the time (”Abena”-born on Thursday), something that represents the times (”Iniko”-born during troubled times), a physical characteristic (”Hassain”-handsome), or the child’s position within the family (”Delu”-the only girl).

In the state of Maharashtra, India you will walk in on a beautiful image of a baby in the cradle, decorated with flower garlands and surrounded by women singing hymns and gently rocking the cradle. The mother or a grandmother then enters the room with a lit silver lamp and a small gold jewel for the child. Afterwards, the baby is blessed with rice and a small dot of vermilion is placed on her forehead. Blessings are said again, and the ceremony ends with the mother whispering the gods’ names and then whispering the child’s name in her ear. Finally, the name is announced to the guests.

Hopefully, these naming traditions have inspired you to begin your own naming traditions. The closest thing that Americans have today as a naming tradition is the mailing of the birth certificate. Think of a fun way to celebrate the naming of your child and start planning.