sticks and stones will break my bones

We've got seven weeks to come up with a name for Inutero Boy. That is if we hope to call him by name anytime around his birth. While it seems pressing I suppose other issues are more so. Maltsby's leash tugging and general state of disobedience is no longer charming. My disdain for making a weekly menu and grocery list could result in malnutrition. Eli's affection for hitting is increasing disproportionately to our ability to figure out how to handle it. Now those issues press. Our boy will need a name but first he'll need milk and a clean diaper. So again, not pressing but still I obsess.

There is one name on which we agree but neither of us love it. And that would be a sad thing to say to him someday.

Henry, my little soy bean, we named you that because it was the only name Mommy and Daddy didn't both hate.

Nice.

We do each have a number one name. Joe's is Ajax like the Trojan War hero not the stronger than dirt cleanser. I am not joking. Mine is Abe for no particular rhyme or reason other than it's short and I like it. There is no chance for Ajax but there are days where Abe seems possible. I have promised Joe an endless stream of uninterrupted video gaming and sexual favors in exchange for my top name pick but that would also be an awkward conversation in the future.

It's not untrue what your father says, Abe. I did do that, that AND that so I could name you what I wanted. I also saved you from the torment of being named Ajax. Points, please, punk.

So we're at a standstill because I probably won't do that, that and that. Some days Joe warms up to Abe if it's short for Abel. I have two issues with Abel.

1. Abel, Abel, strong and able get your elbows off the table.
2. Didn't Abel get killed by his brother?

And then yesterday while Joe was at work surfing the Internet, he came across a new name. After a fairly sleepless 24 hours, we both still to like it. While it reminds me of a movie from the 80's starring a young Corey Haim, I forgive it.

I'll keep you posted. Wait for me on the edge of your seat.

Comments

[anne]

abel got killed by cain, so if you name him abel we must never meet. abel is anyway a bad name for the second/younger child, as are james and jacob.

[anne]

p.s. LUCAS?

[Meredith]

Anne,

Yes, you're right. As such:

3. Abel cannot befriend any sort of Cains, or Keins, or canes. To include candy canes.

And double YES for Lucas. Although seems like the interest for the name dwindled around dinner this evening.

Seems like we have a Henry IF his hair is dark and some other name for a fair-haired boy. Eli was born mostly without hair so there's also that to consider.

[Susan]

You can do what I did for Elisabeth. I picked out four names: Elisabeth, Mari (pronounced Mary), Sophia and Madeleine. I put each name on a separate piece of paper and had my dog Magnus pick it out. First name was Elisabeth and the second was Mari. I had the name picked out for a boy: AVery Joseph. It was my favorite. But I could not decide on a girls name for the life of me. I did like more old fashioned names like Beatrice, Lucy, Magdeleine, and many more. She was Baby Girl for about an hour or so until my mom asked if I picked out a name. I still couldn't decide so I said it will be the name Magnus picked out. My mom doesn't think I should ever tell her how she was named. I think it's a cute story. Good luck to you.

[UT]

I am still a huge proponent of Luke. There was such promise when we got off the phone yesterday....oh my. You two are so fickle I might be pulling myself out of name consultation business with you all.

[Heidi]

I've got to say that I'm a big fan of Abe. No offense to Steely Dad, it's just that Eli and Abe go so well together. It think it just might be worth a favor or two, no?

[Marie]

I like Abe. Ajax? Isn't that a cleanser? or a dog?

I was pushing for Jake early on when I was pregnant. I like clean one-syllable names (as long as the last name has more than one syllable). I'm all about comfortable syncopation with the full name...

I'll be here on the edge of my seat. I may need to get up to pee. And sleep. And eat. And spend time with the fam. Etc. But other than that, I'm right here. ;-)

[jess]

I like Abe better than Abel...and I like Luke better. My goddaughter's parents waited eight days to name her. I went over for the 8th day naming/blessing with the priest and they'd just decided because they HAD TO. I'm very curious to see what happens with #2, who's due to put in an appearance shortly before your unnamed one. Too bad Eli isn't proficient enough (I'm guessing) to pick a name. I know a 3 year old who picked out Lucy for her baby sister.

[anne]

i like lukas with a K more than lucas with a C; i also think LUKE is a good thing. luke and abe both work with eli really well, which is important. ajax is atrocious, sorry but it is. it's a cool name until you're on the playground, and the fifth mother in a row goes, "like the cleanser?"

i have lots of ideas about baby-naming, one of which is that it's GOOD to discuss the names in advance with as many people as possible, because you will discuss it sooner or later anyway, and finding out that your ideal name will give the child the initials A.S.S. is better to discover before things get put on the birth certificate.

[Miss Jay]

Maybe babies should come pre-named, like Cabbage Patch dolls.

[Old Horsetail Snake]

Listen, early on I suggested Benjamin. How come that doesnt figure in the mix, huh? Good ol' Ben. Bennie. Benji.

Benjamin!! Quit that!!

[raehan]

Hoss...if I ever have boy Ben will be the name. Seriously.

Now Mere, Henry is wonderful name. I love it.

[Lissi]

How about Atticus? I think that's a cool name and goes well with boy#1. Or Ezra? Jude?

As for Abe/Abel. I think Abel is great. Abe reminds me of my great uncle, however, a cute little baby with the name will easily erase that image and make it much more appealing to me, I'm sure. Isn't it Mabel, Mabel..... MissKloberg used to say that---it's all her fault!

Good luck. I don't know why the second baby is so damn difficult to name!!

[Lissi]

Forgot to say that I think Henry is pretty damn cool too!

[Melody]

I like Henry. That's my fathers name and his fathers name.

[Alligood]

For me the name had to pass the 1st grade test; that he wouldn't get teased in 1st grade. Dan fit that bill nicely for my boy (plus it had to be Jewish & reflect my Irish heritage). So does Abe and Henry (Hank is very classy) and both, particularly Abe communicate quiet strength. Abraham is powerful, yet fair, honest, and sweet. I'm w/you about the tease-ability of Abel. But, my most favorite boy's name is Sam, Samuel. Maybe it was the sweet North Carolina State baseball player I fell in love with at Nags Head one summer in '66, but I've always loved that name and all it's quiet strength and goodness. And, Luke is just fine, too!

[Lucinda]

I like Abe. Ajax? Not so much. He'd be known as a cleaning agent. Although calling him Jax would be way cute.

Lucas? I like it. But a warning. It rhymes with mucas. That could be a real pain while he's young.

[MommaK]

Lucas and Henry are both great choices. (Sorry, Joe - I can't help you out with Ajax. That's sounds like an ass whippin' kind of name)

Good luck! Can't wait to hear the final picks.
xo