What's in a Name?

"That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet."

So true, Juliet. Be that as it may I think it's fair to say that I am torturing myself obsessing over baby names. Specifically boy baby names. I spend hours on this site: Baby Name Wizard. Have you seen it? And every night after the kids are in bed my brain instantly switches over to baby names. Smoochy called it the other evening when I started throwing out suggestions. He said, "Ah... you do this every night!" I haven't been falling asleep easily because I lay there and feel the baby flutter and rack my brain for the perfect name.

I expect a lot out of a name. Giving someone their name is a HUGE responsibility. That first definition of self makes a big impression, I think. We're talking nicknames in grade school, resumes in adulthood, and everything in between. Of course I can't be satisfied with a name that simply appeals to my sense of aesthetic. I want a name that has deep significance, ties the child to it's past, or if we're lucky fits their inner being. I know, a tall order. My son is named after his father; plus, I adore the name Jacob... so that one is a winner. Though, I sure wish it wasn't in the top ten. Like many in my generation, I would prefer a less common name, that still manages to sound familiar. Like Georgia. Georgia has the perfect name in my book. Georgia Elizabeth meets all my criteria. It is the place where her Daddy and I fell in love and had our first house. It is a lovely old name that you don't hear every day, but sounds elegant and sophisticated. Elizabeth is my mother's middle name, further giving her name a sense of past and history. Georgia's name was a real home run.

If this lovely little baby growing in my belly turns out to be a girl we have this name thing all sewn up. Our second daughter's name has been chosen for quite a while now. Lola Elaine. I know most of you hear that name and think "Lo-lo-lo Lola" from the Kinks son, but that one doesn't taint my joy in the name. I think of another song...

"Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl, with yellow ribbons in her hair and her dress cut way down to there..."

OK, so maybe naming my daughter after a showgirl isn't the thing to do. But, that song is magic to me. It is part of the soundtrack of Smoochy's and my courtship. There was this night club where we would go dancing that has multipul rooms. One for top 40, one for country, a jazz room, and a retro room. I would never have gone into the retro room if it wasn't for him... but with him I would dance to anything. In fact he's the only guy I've ever really danced with. I used to think I could dance, but it was my own personal style (chipmunk on acid) complete with non-stop swirling hands and fast moving feet. Not something that lent itself to being partnered. In fact, I wanted space on the dance floor so I could dip and spin and kick all to myself in my own little bubble. I had a long thick braid that I would flip around like a horses tail shooing flies if boys got to close. But, with Smoochy everything changed. Suddenly I wanted a partner. So one night we were dancing in this retro room, and he requested the Copacabana. The DJ played it, and the song cleared the dance floor. Suddenly, everyone needed a drink. But, not us. He swung me out into the big empty space and twirled me and dipped me all the way through the song. I felt beautiful, carefree, and light as a feather.

At our wedding, Smoochy requested it in a moment of spontaneity, immediately after our "first dance". No one joined us of the floor and once agin we found ourselves in the spotlight acting out Lola's tragic love life in a little night club in Cuba. It was the best.

So Lola Elaine: a perfect name. Elaine is Smoochy's mother's middle name, adding once agin to the depth of history. True: Lola is a little trendy these days. But, I've long since gotten over the fact that I am not really original. At least it's not in the top ten like Jacob is!

The problem is, I am almost 99% sure this baby is a boy. I can just feel it. Deep in my gut, from the moment I knew I was pregnant I was sure this was a boy. Of course, I am not the most intuitive person. However, there are physical signs that lead me to suspect this baby's maleness. For one, I have acne pretty bad right now. With Normy's pregnancy, my skin was a wreck. I have never had worse acne in my life. With, Georgia I had beautiful clear skin. Then there are my breasts. With Normy, they went up a cup-size and we very tender. With Georgia, they hardly changed at all. Which do you think is the case this time? Plus, this baby is due in June... right on target to be a Gemini with Normy and Smoochy, who are both June babies. Georgia and I are both February babies. Hmm... see what I mean: BOY!

I don't think I can make it 40 weeks for a definitive answer. Despite my inner hippie, I am planning to find out for sure with an ultrasound. I figure I bought the hospital ticket, I might as well go for the hospital ride right? ;-) I really just want confirmation. A part of me feels like I would be doing this baby a disservice by so adamantly believing it's a boy when all the while she's really my little Lolita. Or maybe that's just my justification for being impatient and invasive. Either way, if the baby cooperates, I'll know pink or blue on the 15th!

Boy's names are really giving me a headache, though. There are so many fewer choices than girl names, and I can't seem to come up with any with both significance and a aesthetic appeal. That, and Smoochy and I can't seem to find any common ground. To every name I suggest he simply says, "ALBERT."

Albert? Really, Albert?

Let's just say, it's not my style.

But, what is my style? I'm not sure. But, I've spent a little time today make a list of names I like, so I'll share.

Lawrence Ripley (The cities where Smoochy and I hail from)

Edward Ripley (My great grandfather and home town)

Sebastian Charles (my great grandfather and Smoochy's father and grandfather)

Gabriel Craig (just like it and my dad)

Stefan William (just like it and my grandfather)

Edwin Dante (just like it and just like it)

Everett Ripley (Just like it and my home town)

Robert Franklin (just like it and just like it)

But, don't get attached to any of these. Smoochy is going to come home and take the red pen to all of them. "Albert."

OK, let the games begin: Do you think is it a boy or a girl? Also, if you'd be so kind, I'd love to hear your original boy-name suggestions! ;-)