Opinions, please

[mrsduryee.livejournal.com]

We have some friends who now have two daughters: Hannah Kathleen and Addison Rebecca.

They kept both names a SECRET until the birth announcements went out. When Hannah's came, I was totally unimpressed and kind of disappointed. I thought it was the most boring name EVER to have been such a big secret. I don't like Hannah OR Kathleen (though the little girl makes up for it she's so durn cute!). I LOVE the name Addison though, and I like Rebecca just fine, but I'm not sure they go together that well...all in all I thought Addison was more worthy of surprising everyone.

Comments

[thiscantbesoy.livejournal.com]

Most people keep their baby's name a "secret" just so it's a little surprise (or, in some cases, so parents and grandparents don't harass them about the name choice for months, and then by the time the name is announced, it's "too late" and no one can give them shit about what's already done). I don't know many people who would keep it a secret because they think the name is, like, SUPR SEKRIT and SOOOO UNIQUE AND AMAZING. They keep it a secret for the element of surprise, not because the name they chose is any more noteworthy than any other name in the world.

We have a girl's name in mind, but we're not telling people what it is. It's just a regular, pretty, nice name, not SECRET, yet we're keeping it under wraps. For several reasons.

[mrsduryee.livejournal.com]

I know why people keep their names a secret... My point was that the surprise was kind of anticlimactic because the name was so boring. And as for the surprise element, you can be surprised now or you can be surprised later. The longer you wait, the more anticipation builds. When other people are waiting to hear your choice, their anticipation level could be really high.

Hence...Hannah Kathleen...that's it?

But, I respect the waiting period. I don't think I could do it. :)

[thiscantbesoy.livejournal.com]

And I guess my point was that very few names would ever actually be "climactic." Their intent was probably not to causes maximum suspense followed by the bombshell of a lifetime: BAM! BEST MOST OUTRAGEOUS NAME EVER! ya know? Just to have the whole thing be kind of a surprise, where the only outcome is going to be, "Oh, you named her that? Cool."

My family knows I'm not going to tell them the name until the baby is actually born, but I'm quite sure no one is expecting a bizarre, shocking, climactic name reveal. Just a moment of "Woo! Cool, now we know."