The name game

I was reading my friend Ali's blog the other day. She always posts hilarious snippets about being a mom—short and sweet. And a recent post was about what she is going to name Baby Boy #2, soon to arrive. But she would not disclose the new name. I was also talking to some friends last night who are having Baby Boy #1, and are giving him 7 names (the mother is Ukrainian, and it is customary in that country). She told us all of the names, and added that everyone has a negative reaction to this (I thought it sounded like kind of a cool custom, actually). And yet again, our other friends who are welcoming Baby Girl #1, Luthien, into their family possibly next week, made us practically swear an oath of silence when telling us Luthien Lee's name. And at little Luthien's shower, another mom disclosed the name of their future baby to be Atreyu (yes, like from Never Ending Story—that's how she had to explain it). You could practically hear people judging her, not even listening to the meaning of the name ("warrior"), not to mention the fact that she was also taking cultural influences into account. SO. Why mention all of this? Well, with "Huckleberry Finn," "The Finnster," "Finneman," "Finnigan," and "Finneus" topping the charts of Finn's name game, I thought I would stick up for baby names everywhere. Mom's get criticized if they name thier child simply Jane, much less something that can't be pronounced easily in the U.S.of A. And I can't even tell you how many times I was offered other name ideas when I spilled the beans that we were naming our baby Finn. "Just Finn." Not short for anyhting, just good ol' Scandinavian Finn. Wes has Danish roots and ties. So why shouldn't Finn, too? And Finn's middle name? Gaven. Oh wait! Not Gavin? Nope, it means "the gift" in Danish. Oh my, here we go with the names that mean something again. As far as I know, Wes and I don't have a baby on the way at the moment, but when the day comes that we have another son, we are naming him—are you ready? BRACE FOR THIS...Aksel. Sounds like Axle. Axle Rose. Axle of a Car. I know, and it has been brought to my attention that it sounds like a bad word. All of which are valid points, however moot they may be. But the truth is that Wes and I think this name is super cool. And my only hesitance was that I thought people would judge me. So silly. I am not even worried about the kid being made fun of. Do you know why? Because EVERY kid gets made fun of. Even if you are Lyndsay Ward Beauchamp. Do you mean Lyndsay "Wart" Beauchamp? Uh, no that's my mom's maiden name, and Lyndsay is spelled with 2 y's. I like it that way—it sets me apart. It's not pronounced "LynSAY" or "LInDsAY" or anything other than regular "Linzee." And don't get me started on Beauchamp ("Beechum", not "Beechnut" or "Bootcamp"). So you see, everyone has their own preferences. We all do it—secretly judge our friends' choice in baby names, because OF COURSE our own ideas are the best! :) For the same reasons that our kids are the cutest, smartest, cleverest... It's only natural, and I am guilty of it, too. Let this be my repentance. So here is a long advanced period to warm to "Aksel." And when we introduce little Aksel Johnson one day, just say "Oh he's so super cute, and smart, and clever!" And that'll do.