Could you spell that for me?

Since it seems like everyone I know is having a baby soon, or just had a baby, I want to write about naming a child. I don't have any of my own but I dread the day that my husband and I have to agree on a name for another human being. We will never agree. Naming animals is one thing. You can call a dog Pickles and people like it. But if you name your son Critter, the poor guy will be scarred for life.

Since I grew up with a uncommon name, I've always thought that's what I would want for my kid too. I only know one other Nicolette and I love that. I know there are more, but what I'm saying is it's not like Jennifer or something. Oh wait, that's my sister's name. Sucks for you Jenny! (JK) I also like when names are spelled differently than the "normal" spelling. For example, my niece's name is Kynsleigh. I've only ever seen it spelled Kinsley before so her way is better, in my opinion. But I may be bias on that one.

The problem with almost any name is that at some point you'll be asked to spell it. Even when I say my name and then spell it out like a child "'N' as in nice, 'I' as in indigo, 'C' as in cat...." people still don't know how to say it. Then there are the telemarketers who butcher or shorten it. Even a couple people I work with still call me Nicole. In the words of  The Ting Tings, that's not my name. By the way, one of the worst songs ever, yet I still quoted it. Disturbing.

The new names my friends and family have chosen recently are Leah, Elaina, Kynsleigh, Tenley, and Ethan. All good choices if you ask me. But how do you come up with a name? Isn't it a lot of pressure?! Are you one of those people who have a couple names picked out and say you won't know which name it will be until you see the baby? I don't get that personally. Or maybe you've chosen not to find out the gender so you have to pick a boy and girl name. I don't think I could stand not-knowing, but that's half the fun for many folks. A friend of mine is having her baby in January but she's not telling anyone the name. Maybe that's the way to go. But I wish she'd slip up and say it because I'm dying to know!

I hate when people say "ugh, so-and-so named their baby what I wanted to name mine!" although, I have thought it. I cannot lie. But at least I don't post it on Facebook for the world to see. Plus, how can you call dibs on a name for a baby you're not even pregnant with? You can't. But each time someone gets pregnant, I secretly think "oh I hope they don't pick a name I have on my ever-changing 'when I get pregnant 10 years from now' list". And no, I will not tell you what my favorite names are because then someone will steal it and I will be bitter. So sorry.

So what names do you love or hate?