When deciding on a name for a baby, every person seems to approach the task differently. Some people have a list of their top 5 names for each sex, and narrow it down as the birth date approaches. Others have that one specific name since childhood,
which they had always wanted to use. Some parents are willing to share from day one, while others keep it a secret until the day the baby is born. There is even a select few who need to wait until the baby is born to see what their baby looks like, maybe how
they act to determine what name to use.
The later tradition makes me think, how much does personality play in naming a baby?
I am not one for secrets. I've been completely open about my pregnancy and our emotional
journey. I shared that I was having twins, that they were girls. I even shared the names I chose. It’s funny because in the beginning we had 2 very specific names picked, unfortunately they were boy names.
We always wanted
a boy.
Once we found out we were having two girls, we were over the moon excited. However, it was back to the drawing board with names. What names do we want? What should we pick? I knew that I always enjoyed classic names.
Olivia Noelle and Juliana Marie were created. Olivia was timeless, classic, and sweet. She's also a character in my favorite crime drama SVU. Juliana (pronounced AH-NA not ANN-NA) also seemed classic but also a bit feisty, Latin flair. Noelle is Eric's
sister's middle name; Marie seemed to simply fit with Juliana.
We had our names; we were set to go. We immediately shared the news that we had names picked out for our girls. Of course, in response to this announcement, we got the
same question on several occasions: How would we know which baby would be what name?
This is where, I truly believe, a name fits the personality. I also believe, in my case, there personalities have been pretty solid since before
birth. Baby A was always calm, more reserved, still. Baby B was energetic, a show off in sonograms, firecracker.
Baby A is Olivia, Baby B Juliana.
For the most part, their respective personalities remained the
same. Olivia approaches new things cautiously. Juliana jumps in full force. Olivia can sit there quietly and play. Juliana can have a LOUD 20 minute conversation with herself. Olivia will shyly smile sometimes where Juliana will squeal.
While my girls aren't one dimensional, they have over this 1st year grew, changed, developed other aspects to their little tiny personalities, for the most part their main characteristics have been the same prior to their births.
Both can make me laugh for hours.
While people have their own traditions, ways to name their unborn child, I really believe personality plays a key role in this decision. I couldn't imagine their names switched. It just doesn't fit.