HAHAHA!! I just went to this website makemebabies.com and they take photos of the two parents and try to predict what their baby will look like. I don't think this is very accurate, but maybe this is what our baby will look like? I was thinking we'd get a newborn and I was like "whoa, that baby's got some teefs!"
Anyway, where was I? Ah, yes....we are rethinking our name selection. I still love Abernathy, but Mark and I both have undeniable issues with the name. Mark is concerned that the name doesn't convey gender, which could lead to awkward email exchanges (or whatever nameless/voiceless technology the future generation uses for communication). I'm not as concerned about that, because gender neutral names and even gender bender names are so prevalent these days. Plus gender identity will soon be a thing of the past, right? However, the other main issue is that neither of us like the nickname Abby, which we worry she will inevitably be called. Abernathy is a long name that starts with Ab, so people will be naturally inclined to shorten it to Abby. Why bother choosing an uncommon name when everyone will assume she's an Abigail? Those are our main concerns, but we also have a sneaking suspicion that people don't really like this name, as it is so unusual and we don't want to give her a name that is too hard to deal with or that gets weird looks or strong negative reactions every time she introduces herself. It should be said that while I acknowledge these potential problems, I love the name enough to overlook them. :-) I've been thinking about her as Abernathy for so long now, that I've become sentimentally attached to the name. But I want her to have the best name ever, so I will be open minded towards all of our options!
Please vote on names using the poll on the right side of the site-it's totally anonymous! If you have something you'd like to say about the names feel free to comment on this post. We really do want to know what people think, so don't worry about being diplomatic, just tell it like it is!
Our other top contenders are Chloe, Annika and Greta. Mark's favorite is Chloe.
So, does the baby above look like an Abernathy, a Chloe, an Annika or a Greta???
You're too funny. I like Chloe and Annika the best, but I think Annika would encounter pronunciation problems, like AHnika vs AnEEka. Although, as someone who was usually called Jillian or Julianne by my teachers on the first day of school, I think it's a manageable issue =)
ReplyDeletethat is not your baby, that is a weird ghost duck from sveeeeden. though i think of annika as a blonde/pale-person name, so maybe that is your baby.
ReplyDeletei vote abernathy (can i call her aber?) or chloe or greta. if you asked me originally i'd like the latter two but like you, i'm now attached to abernathy (but i also like abby). complications!
Well I have to admit I've been thinking of her as an Abernathy too, ever since you told me she's a girl. I like the name, and the story behind it, but as a person who tends to shorten everyone's name, I also have to admit the shortening that comes easiest to me is Abby. Which is no good if you don't like it, but if you can find a nick-name for Abernathy that you like, I'm 100% behind that. I just need to be able to shorten it. What about bernie (that's certainly gender-neutral, but in kind of a cool way, except that unfortunately it's now associated with Madoff - bummer)?
ReplyDeleteBut I also like Annika and think the baby above even looks like one! I've always loved the name Greta, but kind of see you both with a Chloe for a daughter more than a Greta, and Chloe is not something I would be inclined to shorten. :)
But the most important thing is for you two to find something you would like to call your daughter for the rest of your lives, so here's my advice: wait. Play with all the names, but wait. When you are holding her in your arms, you'll know. And my parents didn't even settle on a name for my little brother for at least a week or so, but I still remember so clearly (and I was about 5), one of them was walking him around while he was sleeping, I was brushing my teeth, we were all in the bathroom and talking about names for him, and either my mom or dad (can't remember which) suggested Samuel, we all just knew that was it. And even now that he's 20, I'd say it's perfect for him. I think you'll know it when you find it, but you probably won't know until you can really try it on her...