Pilot and Dexter

 How I chose Pilot and Dexter's names. They really aren't that interesting of stories but for me choosing names is EXTREMELY hard. Dave and I usually fight about throughout my entire pregnancy and it becomes no fun. I am very picky and he is very stubborn. My style also changes so often with everything hence Pilot having a strong yet unusual name and Dexter having a vintage yet heard of name. So the stories go...

Pilot David Patrick: Pilot had many names throughout the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. First it was Kingsley, then Lyric (boy or girl), then Apollo for a long time. To be honest I kind of wish I would have stuck with Apollo because then I could have stuck with cool Greek names but then again he doesn't look like an Apollo. 

So, my friend Lauren , who has shared my love for baby names for many many years was reading off names from a website over the phone and I stopped her at Pilot. At the time I was not really aware that Jason Lee also has a son named Pilot. I was in love. Dave was not. I kept it in my brain and secretly called him that during those intimate times between momma and fetus. When we were driving away from our doctors office I started to text everyone "IT'S A BOY!" Among all of the "congratulations" I got one that I had to read aloud. "Pilot Patrick" not knowing how Dave would react. But he liked it. It just felt right. That's a very important part of naming a baby is the way you just know that thats his name. It became Pilot David Patrick. Dave got it tattooed, and Pilot was born.

Dexter Audio: Dexter's name was a lot more rough choosing. I don't know what kick I was on but his name changed so much that I can only remember the strange ones and the one I could not get Dave away from. The strange ones were Croix and Trigve. He was actually Trigve for a long time. Then Dave said Oscar and he was set. To him it was settled. But my face was still in the books. It took a lot longer too to settle on his name. Determined to deter David from the name Oscar, I suggested Dexter. And Dexter it was. Dave liked the fact that it started with a D and wanted their initials to be the same. There was my change to squeeze in my craziness, Audio. It just fit. Dave is a music producer and it has an awesome sound. Dave kind of flinched when I said it but he came around. Dexter Audio. He really is a Dexter too.

My advice this week is to try and make picking out a name for your baby fun and not stressful. Try to understand how your partner feels about the names and keep trying. You do have a full 8-9 months to chose so chose wisely and don't settle on a name. It's amazing how many compliments we get on Pilot's name compared to Dexter's. I actually had a woman walking the opposite direction turn around to make sure she heard me right when I said Pilot's name. She was so in love with it. Names are important, but that's next week's post.

New Feature!!

So my friends came on Saturday night for some girl time and sometime between our uncontrollable laughter and crazy talk we got on the subject of baby names. Which just happens to be one of my favorite things to talk about, even since I was a child. I don't know what it is about naming but I have always found it to be extremely important and and I am very opinionated on the subject. The next day, I had a light bulb moment. What a great thing to talk about on my blog. I have so much to say on the subject. First off, I would really like to make it clear that what I say on Love The Name is strictly my opinion and I don't expect anyone to agree with me or like the names I like. If your child's name happens to be a name mentioned that I don't like, please don't take it personally! With that being said, what you can expect from Love The Name! is my personal rules, advice and opinions on naming. Swallow what you like and spit out what you don't. 

On today's Love The Name! I will be talking about the do's and don'ts of naming your baby. I have compiled these lists from observing, researching and personal experience. 

• Buy more than one baby name book. Every baby name book is different! Pay attention to the edition. Older ones may have inaccurate information on trends and dated top name lists. (my fave: Beyond Ava and Aiden by Linda Rosenkrantz and Pamela Redmond Satran)
• Add names to your list that you wouldn't normally add. Many of my top faves have been names I had to look twice, sometimes five times at before I realized how wonderful it was. 
• Pay attention to trends. Whether you like to follow trends or stay away from them, it is important to know what they are. You wouldn't believe how many times I have heard very popular names mistaken as "unique". Many parents don't realize how common a name is until there are three more in their child's classroom. It might even be a good idea to ask some kids you know if they know anyone with the names you like. :)
• Think about you future children, even if you don't plan on having more.(surprises happen) Some people find "Sibsets" important, like me. Having names that fit each other well can be very important. If you have been set on naming your daughter Eva for years and then discover you are having a boy and name him Evan, keep in mind naming a future daughter Eva, might not be a great option.
• Pay attention to sounds! First, middle and last should flow well and not trick your tongue. The last letter/sound should not be the same as the first letter/sound of the middle or last name. That was confusing so for instance, Pilot's middle name should not start with T. Pilot Thomas. The T's clash. Also, the ending sound of the first, middle and last should not be the same. I DID THIS! I am quite angry at myself for it. Dexter Miller. The er at the end matches, No good. Make sure you do test runs on the name. They have some online.
• compromise. This has got to be the hardest DO. Dave and I have spoiled many days and nights arguing about names, even when we aren't pregnant. lol. When you and your partner have different styles of naming, it is important to find a middle ground. Maybe one can take first and the other can take middle. If one of you like uncommon names and the other likes classic, look at vintage names that once were common but aren't so much anymore.

• Let someone else's opinions ruin it for you, especially strangers, but even family members. Everyone has different experiences and associations with a name. Just because your best friend's aunt Sally was a bitch doesn't mean your little Sally will be too. I would hope after your baby is born and named, people will love the baby no matter what the name is. If they still make rude comments, then it's time to let them know that you don't appreciate it. Before that, just ignore them. (unless you asked)
• steal someone else's name. It is not okay to name your baby Jackson, when you know that your sister has been set on naming her baby that. Just because she isn't pregnant yet doesn't mean the name is free for the taking. It's rude and shows how little creativity you possess. If it is someone you don't know or the name of a baby you saw online and don't know, free game.
• worry about teasing. With the number of exotic, wacky and offbeat names, I don't think Banjo has much to say to Pilot. If little Michael wants to make fun of Bertram. Let little Bert know how you unique he is and not to let it bother him. But I wouldn't worry about it. Kids pick on other kids. I got called Amanda Panda and Amanda hug n kiss. please.
• Misspell your baby's name. Just because you used a y instead of an i or an o, does not make your child's name different than the other one in his class who's name is spelled right. It just makes it harder for them to learn how to spell it and for their teacher to read.
• use the same letter for every sibling. Although this can be cute, you are not the Duggars and sooner or later, they are going to run out of J names.Also, You can run into some problems with  finding names you like that start with the same letter at number 5.
• aden, aylon, ianna. No matter what letter or combination you put in front of it, its still not unique. And just so you know Nevaeh is not unique anymore either.
• settle. Never Settle,  even though finding a baby name can be frustrating, confusing and annoying. Sometimes you may not be able to use the name you really really love, but you CAN still find a name that is perfect for your baby without having to settle for a name someone else suggested or that you just kind of like.

Feel free to comment, even if you don't agree or do, I wan't t hear your opinions. And feel free to ask advice if you think any of this made sense :) Happy naming.