Tag Archives: names

What’s In a Nickname?

I always wanted a nickname, but was never blessed with one. A few years ago, I decided it certainly was not too late and I could still get myself a nickname if I just worked hard enough at it. I made it my “New Year’s Resolution” and set about trying to unearth the perfect nickname. Alas, nothing really seemed to fit—so I am still a person without a nickname. That said, I’ve found it quite interesting all the different ways that people actually DO get nicknames. Most of them come out of childhood and just seem to “stick”… There are … Continue reading →

New Puppy: What’s in a Name?

My sister-in-law just bought a beautiful, cuddly and absolutely adorable 7-week-old golden retriever puppy for my nephew. This is a momentous occasion in his life because he’s wanted a dog for as long as he could say dog. He loves to play with ours (we have five of them), but they have never been in a position to have a dog before. Today was a big day for them and what ended up amusing me was the biggest problem that they had was what to name the puppy. Agonizing Over a Name Naming a child is something parents can spend … Continue reading →

What Do You Call Your Mother-In-Law?

This may sound like an odd question, but what do you call your in-laws? I know some couples who call them the formal Mrs. Last Name, I know others that call them by the more familiar first name, still others who just drop the formality and call them Mom or Momma First Name. The reason I ask about what you call your in-laws, particularly your mother-in-law can seem to have a real effect on your parents and their reaction to your in-laws. For Me Personally I’ve known my husband’s mother for more than a decade and we’re very close. I’ve … Continue reading →

Let’s Talk About Naming Your Baby

Have you picked out a name for your baby yet? Chances are that you have, if you are nearing your due date, but perhaps you just found out you are pregnant. It may seem a long way off until baby is here, or maybe it doesn’t and you are already frantically searching baby books. Either way, naming a person can be daunting as well as exciting. Some people have names already picked before conception, and for those people it is easy. I used to be one of those people. My first child was named before even being conceived. The child … Continue reading →

Baby ESPN

At first I thought it was a joke. Then, I figured that someone lost a bet. Or, perhaps, they simply lost their mind. Later, I discovered all of my assumptions were wrong. What I thought was rumor was in fact truth: a baby boy born to an avid sports fan in Biloxi, Mississippi a few days ago was given the name: ESPN. That’s right, ESPN, as in the sports network. According to a local newspaper, Leann Real promised her husband—a self-professed sports fanatic–that if they ever had a son he’d get to pick the name. Hence, the name: ESPN Montana … Continue reading →

Protecting Your Child’s Identity

I was surprised to learn that not everyone who adopts from the state is notified about ways to protect their child’s identity. If your child is at any risk of harm by either birth parent at all, you might think about these steps. Consider changing your child’s name if it is in their best interest. I know there are potentially negative consequences in doing so, but please weigh the risk. Though last names are typically changed at adoption, you may want to at least think about changing the middle if you plan to leave the first name. Upon the finalization … Continue reading →

Changing Your Child’s Name

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A common question I hear among families that are adopting an older child is; should they change their child’s name? I believe there is a degree of claiming that happens upon naming your child, therefore there are some benefits. Some children who have been adopted feel like their entire original identity has been removed from them when their name is changed. So it’s important to consider the big picture when making such a decision. Our first son came to us at 13 mo. For his safety, his name needed to be changed. We slowly changed his name, first by calling … Continue reading →

What’s In a Muslim Name?

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Names help us form our identities and our personalities. A name is the first label we will ever have, the first to describe who we are. A Muslim name must do more than just sound nice; it has to have a beautiful meaning, as well. In fact, the Prophet (PBUH) would often instruct his followers to change their names to names more fitting believers. [h]Should New Muslims Change Their Names?[/h] While it is not a requirement for new Muslims to change their names, many choose to do so. Some change their name because their original name has a negative connotation. … Continue reading →

Sticks and Stones

I’m sure you’ve heard of this old saying, “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me”. Unfortunately, kids remember the darndest things. It’s a fact: everyone gets picked on as a child. Some even as an adult. I remember getting called names like “short stuff”, “skinny minny”, etc. I was much shorter and quite stickly. I have always been that way. I wasn’t one to really take names seriously, and I didn’t mind being short. However, those “skinny” names are still annoying. I’m still too thin for my height, and it still bothers me. I … Continue reading →