“Absolutely, you can,” my obstetrician confirmed. “You’re actually the first patient to ask me that.” And just like that, we left the hospital with our newborn daughter, still searching for the perfect name.
It wasn’t that we hadn’t put thought into names. From the moment we learned baby No. 2 would be a girl, I had been poring over extensive baby name books. My partner and I each crafted lists of our favorite names, turning the process into a game of Battleship. Each name I suggested was met with a volley of critiques:
- “Too old-fashioned.”
- “Sounds too similar to our first daughter’s name.”
- “Way too trendy.”
- “Really? That name is straight out of an ’80s ballad!”
- “No way. I’ve never liked that name.”
- “Meh.”
- “Absolutely not! There was a girl in my seventh-grade class with that name, and she was the worst.”
After dissecting our lists, we narrowed it down to three final options, but I couldn’t commit to any of them. It wasn’t just indecision; I wanted to be completely confident that the name we chose would be perfect for our little girl. I’m a bit of an overthinker (it can be exhausting), so I decided to let those three names simmer a bit longer.
As my due date approached, I practiced saying each name aloud, even calling them out in the park to an imaginary toddler. Yet, no name stood out as the clear winner. Each name remained equally appealing—or unappealing, depending on the day.
With the deadline looming, we decided to take the “let’s see her first and then choose” approach. I was convinced that once I held her in my arms, I would know instantly what her name should be. However, as fate would have it, I went into labor a week early, completely unprepared—not for the delivery, nor for naming her.
After a whirlwind labor that lasted just an hour and a half, I found myself gazing at our beautiful, squirming baby girl, whose loud cries signaled that she was ready to make her presence known, regardless of her name.
“Does she look like a Name Option 1? Or perhaps a Name Option 2? What about that one we discussed ages ago, Name Option 582? I still think it’s nice…” I asked my partner, hopeful for his input. “She looks like a newborn,” he replied, “and whatever we name her will fit her just fine.” Not the help I was looking for.
After two sleepless nights in the hospital, I felt the pressure mounting as we prepared to go home. I had picked out her coming-home outfit weeks prior, and the car seat was ready, but we still hadn’t settled on a name. Panic set in. How could we leave without a name? What if we picked the wrong one?
But then, my doctor reassured me: “It’s totally fine to leave without a name.” Suddenly, the weight of the world lifted from my shoulders. I had time—exactly 14 days to finalize her name before submitting the birth certificate paperwork. Two whole weeks—a baby-naming eternity!
Once we were home, my mom and sisters joined in the naming fun, tossing names around as we stared at our little girl. “What about Name Option 1?” I asked. Baby Girl responded with a spit-up. “What do you think of Name Option 3?” A slow blink and yawn was her only reply. We tried to interpret her newborn antics, half-joking and half-serious, hoping she’d give us a clue. But she was blissfully unaware, just doing her usual newborn things.
Finally, after three days of contemplation, I felt it. I knew the perfect name had come to me, and I was ready to share it with the world—friends, family, even strangers at the grocery store. No longer was our Baby Girl nameless, and I was grateful we took our time.
If you find yourself in the same situation, my advice is simple: take your little one home and then decide. Names are significant, and there’s no need to rush.
P.S. Our Baby Girl No. 2 is named Emma, and Baby Girl No. 3 is Lila. And in a delightful twist, we later welcomed triplet girls—Baby Girls No. 4, No. 5, and No. 6. Let’s just say, choosing three names was an entirely different challenge.
For more insights on family planning and the journey of parenthood, check out this couples fertility journey or learn more about home insemination at this valuable resource.
In summary, while the journey of naming your child can be overwhelming, it’s essential to take your time and choose a name that resonates with you.