Names are so personal . I like both unusual and classic names. One of my favorite girl names ( I had only sons) is Alta. I know most would not like it but it has a really nice association...while few like it

Well, it’s nearly the end of October! Will you let us know what name your daughter chooses? Can’t wait to see it!

I know she wanted decision made so she could order a few things before baby arrives and avoid the holiday rush. I don’t know if she will push the date back if they haven’t decided.

Has anyone suggested Margaret?

Yes, Margaret has been suggested a few times.

Lyra

I was talking to one of my kids about the book "Freakanomics". I am familiar with the work and have read a lot on the topic and recalled the economists had done baby name research. So I went and looked it up. It's interesting so I thought I'd post it here.

The gist is names are not destiny, despite some research that suggests otherwise.

Here is an excerpt from a piece on their website that I found thought-provoking and I agree is so true. Essentially we choose a child's name as a way of expressing who we are. That is why the whole topic interests everyone --- it is a narcissistic exercise. Makes sense; the name can't really be about a child who we still have not met and who will not have a full formed personality for years!

The fact is that your name will probably not affect your life too much in any significant way – but it can tell people a little something about who your parents are. There are patterns to be gleaned from names data – not only ethnic and religious patterns but clues about your parents’ values, and their social standing.

LEVITT: Yeah, one of the most predictable patterns when it comes to names is that almost every name that becomes popular starts out as a high class name, or a high-education name. So in these California data we had we could see the education level of the parents. And even the names that eventually become the quote “trashiest” kinds of names, so the Tiffanys and the Brittanys, and I’ll probably get myself in trouble, and the Caitlyns and things like that start at the top of the income distribution, and over the course of 20, or 30, or 40 years they migrate their way down becoming more and more popular among the less-educated set. And as names become popular among the less-educated, the higher-educated parents absolutely abandon these names and don’t want anything to do with them.

"The fact is that your name will probably not affect your life too much in any significant way ...."

I have a lot of difficulty believing this. Quite a few studies have proven name discrimination when it comes to online job applications and this Namerology blog entry explains how AI will choose names for a story based on minimal cues. Not to mention the childhood teasing/bullying that can go on when a child has a "different" name. (As someone above pointed out, certain names were "loathed" for several years.) These experiences affect a life in significant ways.

Do they also mention that certain names are a product of their time and will "date" your child? That might start to matter when your child is middle-aged and facing age discrimination in the workplace.

Of course, for the enlightened optimists among us, perhaps these ideas of discrimination and bullying don't faze us as we realize people are becoming more welcoming of diversity.

ETA: Spotted this new tool on the Namerology website that might be of interest to your daughter, Allison: USA/England name stats. It allows you to explore names by popularity range and trend, letters and you can compare names in the two countries.

The gist is names are not destiny, despite some research that suggests otherwise.

Tartan, see above. I personally think Freakanomics' research is better. If you are curious, you can google and find a lot about methodology, assumptions, etc. and decide for yourself.

Thanks, mtn. I'm Googling! :)

The fact is that your name will probably not affect your life too much in any significant way – but it can tell people a little something about who your parents are.

My daughter played softball with a girl named Daiquiri...

;-)

LOL

I'll Google too, Mtn.

I sent DD2 the link, Tartan.

Hmmm. Is a Bambi likely to become a CEO?

LOL Ida ...now that you say it, I met a girl whose name was Bambi when I was a teen, on a tour in Europe. I do not know what she ended up doing. She was 13!

Anyway, the authors say yes. Because they make the point that usually, esp as you move up the ladder, it isn't a total stranger's resume coming in over the transom. I kind of buy that, but might still avoid Bambi.

I chose what I view as strong, traditional names for my girls. The (senior) women who reported to me tended to choose very feminine names. It occurs to me that I started working in an era where"business women" dressed like men (hanging in head in shame remembering the pussybows) . Today we have the "power dress." So perhaps women today are less worried that being unabashedly feminine, for themselves and their daughters.

When I was in labor with DD1, I threw up on Bambi's shoes when in the delivery room. I had a fever and threw up all. day. long. You'd think there would have been something nearby to vomit in, but no. Later she became the right hand/office admin of my OB-GYN. DD1 graduated HS with her son. :D

I haven't read all the replies to the OP, but I heard a name today that was definitely different and kind of pretty. I was at the BMV and a lady had a baby in a carrier. I asked what the baby's name was and she answered her name was, "Blakely".

I kind of like it but it sounds like an adverb.

I'm reading some Freaknomics blog posts. Have you all heard of Marijuana Pepsi? In this interview bit, she's talking about her experience in her new school in Wisconsin after moving from Chicago.

"When she was younger, back in Chicago, school had been a joy for Marijuana.
VANDYCK: I was a very smart student. I learned to read very early. I was picked to do everything. I had great relationships with the teachers and the students. Overnight, here I am at a school here, and not only are the teachers looking at me funny, the students are looking at me crazy. They are surrounding me on the playground, asking me questions, “Why are your pants so high?” You know, Michael Jackson in high-waters. And everything under the sun.
I felt like I didn’t belong there. I didn’t want to be there because clearly they didn’t want me there. “Something must be wrong with me.” I — you know, I’ve never said on an interview or I’ve never even shared it, ever. But sitting here, I remember thinking about committing suicide. I was nine. And I remember that like yesterday. And I was just hoping that everything would just go away. And then, I sat there and said, “Yeah right, fool. You do that, they’re going to talk about you even more.”"

Honestly, I'm surprised the government allowed a name like that. (In Quebec, the government does have veto power over names.)

Reading another interview in another Freakonomics blog post and find this passage noteworthy:

"DUBNER: Let me ask you this, so when we wrote about names in Freakonomics we made it pretty clear that naming is not destiny, right? That was really one of the single biggest takeaways, in fact, we told the story of these two brothers in New York whose parents had named them Loser and Winner, and the fact was that Loser turned out to have a great life as an upstanding citizen. He was a police detective. And Winner had been a career criminal. And we told that story to reinforce the point that naming is not destiny. However, do you find that a lot of people who read Freakonomics get it or remember it exactly wrong?

LEVITT: Yeah, it is amazing, how everyone thinks that we said the opposite. People want so badly to believe that names are destiny. And what’s funny, I mean the ultimate is Morgan Spurlock. So in the Freakonomics movie, he completely, he gets the chapter on names and he does it completely backwards. And we tell him that it’s completely backwards and he’s completely unbothered by the fact that he’s gotten it completely backwards, and makes names destiny. It’s just an example, Dubner, of how you and I, we can do whatever we want — but nobody cares in the end. People will read it, they’ll talk about it, they’ll say how great it is, and then they just do the opposite."

There's a romance to names, I think. The whole exploration of them. Perhaps a lot of is subconscious aspiration on a parent's part. (Also, is it my imagination or are girls more interested in names than boys? I know plenty of 13-yr old girls who would create name lists for their potential babies but I've never come across men who've said they'd done the same growing up.)

The one thing though about the Freakonmics' data that bugs me (if I understand it well) is it's from California - one state. Can one state's findings be extrapolated to a whole country, another country, the whole world? Or did I miss that discussion?

Hello again! I did not want to leave you all completely hanging. Our new granddaughter arrived this week and she is just beautiful. DD2 and baby are doing well. I had the honor and privilege to go into the OR with DD2 and her DH for the delivery. She said "take a LOT of photos." Final count for the day was over 600. DGS loves his baby sister. DD2 asked me not to share the name (fear of negative comments, I suppose) but I will share the wreath I made for the hospital door.

The wreath was purchased at Target (by Sugar Paper, Los Angeles), ribbon locally and the letter J was purchased plain on Etsy. Spray glue and gold glitter, then a sealing coat of clear glitter. DD2 will use the wreath minus the ribbon and J for future Christmases.

Thank you for all of your suggestions. I enjoyed reading each and every one. Blessings to you this holiday season.

Haply BIRTH day to J!

Wonderful news! It’s a small miracle that we often miss when a baby is born healthy. All the best to the family!

Oh yes thank you so much for sharing wonderful news, Allison! Congratulations!! Health and happinness to the family!

( I already love the name simply because it starts with "J". )

Congrats on your new grandbaby girl!! I’m sad she thinks there would be negative comments about about her sweet baby’s name...I’m sure it’s lovely. Have a wonderful Christmas with the new little one!

Congratulations, Allison! Love the wreath - I actually own the same one, minus your pretty embellishments. Enjoy every moment :)

Congratulations on the new addition to the family. What a fun time of year to welcome a new little one. Welcome J.

Welcome to the world, Baby J! Congratulations to your family, Allison! What a lovely Christmas gift!

Congratulations!!!

nini804, I'm sure it is rooted from when her DS was born and she received comments about his name - also a J name.

Thank you, everyone!

Oh congratulations to all and welcome to the world baby J! <3
Can't imagine a negative comment here but we have to abide by mama's wishes. I totally understand as our DS and DIL ask us not to share photos of our J (Juniper) on any social media :-(

Congratulations, allison, to you and your family, and welcome to baby J!

Congratulations, Allison, to you and your family on the birth of Baby J.

Great news. Thanks for letting us know. I love babies.

Sweet baby Jocasta? I love that name!

Thank you, everyone!

LOL, justerrilynn, not Jocasta!

Sweet baby Jocasta? I love that name!

Let the guessing game begin!

I will have to decline partaking in that game, terezosa!

Why, it’s Joanie of course! Lol. Congratulations Allison.

We are expecting grand baby 2 any time now. They opted to be surprised re gender as they did with their first. I haven’t asked about names in awhile so they could have changed by now.

What a marvelous Christmas present, Allison! Welcome Baby J. Congratulations to you and your family. Oh, and that wreath is stunning.

Great news, thanks for keeping us in the loop.

Was wondering about this the other day- so thank you for the update and of course Congrats to all! Welcome to Baby J.

(Joanie- we are expecting #3 grandchild in a few months- and for each one gender has remained unknown for all parties. I kind of like that!).

Congratulations, Joanie and Salonva! I did not know with our first two, so enjoyed finding out for the 3rd. Found out ahead of time with our three grand babies. It is much easier buying and getting ready if you know, but I certainly understand those waiting that like to be surprised.

Thank you, Zalco.

How exciting that you got to go into the OR. Congratulations on your new baby granddaughter. I’m dying to know the name but will be satisfied with J.

my 39 yr old dd is having a surprise baby in June and we just found out she’s having a boy. So I’m pretty excited and she is too now that the shock has worn off.

Congratulations, ILoveRed! How fun! I also would have been shocked at 39yo!

Aww, I will confess I'm surprised that you aren't allowed to share the name, since I assume your DD knew you had asked for name suggestions and got many, many responses. But I don't want you getting in any trouble, lol, so congrats on your sweet little granddaughter, and best wishes for happy holidays to you and your family!

Congrats to your family. Babies are just awesome, aren't they!

Thank you, beagles!

amicus, thank you. I have never shared the names of family members here, only mine. Happy holidays to you and yours as well.

Ooh. Allison, I sm sooo jealous. My baby girls were such a joy to help raise... and still are, but I miss those baby/ toddler days. So happy for you and your family!

Congratulations, Allison! Such a great joy, and at this time of year! And your wreath is lovely, and perfect.

My favorite dolls when I was a girl were a pair of twin babies. Basically, my mother bought two identical dolls and doubled their clothes and baby "stuff". I loved them so much! I named them Jeanette and Janiece.

Very happy holidays to you and your family...

What wonderful news! Congratulations and best wishes to all of you. Welcome to the world, J.