UPDATE: Gina reports that they stuck to their guns and named their daughter Daisy … and none of the grandparents have said anything about her name since. Don’t you just love a #namehelp happy ending?
Gina writes:
My husband and I are “those” people – we got married right after we met, and yes, we’re already pregnant. I wouldn’t have it any other way, but it means I don’t really know his family. (We live in the same town as my parents and older brother, but his parents/grandparents live on the other side of the country.)
Our daughter is due in June, a few days before our first anniversary. We have a great name picked out: Daisy Eleanor. (Or maybe Elinor? I’m a big Jane Austen fan.)
We weren’t going to tell anyone before she was born, but because of so much going on, we wanted to tell his grandparents. We were supposed to see them in March, but canceled because of corona virus, and so we decided we wanted to tell them over the phone.
A few days after the call, my husband’s mom asked if we were really set on the name. She grew up on a farm, and they named lots of animals Daisy, including a cow. (Maybe more than one cow? I’m not sure I have the story straight.) But it was pretty clear that she was trying to ask nicely if we knew that her first grandchild was going to have a cow name.
I tried to laugh it off, but now I’m wondering: is this a problem?
Please read on for my response, and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.
Dear Gina –
Congratulations on your new daughter.
And I’m sorry your attempt to spread joy has led to worry!
Daisy Eleanor/Elinor is a great name. I don’t think you should change it – at all.
Here’s why:
Imagine your decision after twenty years of marriage.
Most couples name their children early in their relationships. It’s just the nature of life, right? And you’re about as new to this as it gets!
One of the trickiest parts of a new marriage is navigating our relationships with our families of origin. Yup, even when they’re terrific people who only want the best for us. And even when we’re doing our best to be kind and thoughtful – which surely describes your reasons for sharing your daughter’s name early.
As time goes by, it’s much easier to shrug off differences in our preferences and styles. You and your husband will find your groove, and will eventually feel like your own family, with traditions and practices that mix both of your backgrounds and build on your shared experiences to come.
Since you’re in it for the long haul – all of you! – that means that a dispute today is almost certainly forgotten well before Daisy graduates from high school.
Recognize that negative reactions from our families can be a good sign.
I certainly don’t mean to imply that we should behave like rebellious teenagers.
And yet.
Names are subject to considerations of style. And style changes across generations – in clothing, in household furniture, in music.
But somehow we believe that there are “normal” names and “weird” names, overlooking the obvious: Gladys and Eugene, Tammy and Keith, Dustin and Heather were all chart-toppers not that long ago. And now they’re … well, not.
So if your favorite names leave the grandparents-to-be a little surprised? That might just mean that you’ve chosen names appropriate for your children, and the current generation. A grandparent’s raised eyebrow can signal that you’ve chosen a very appropriate name for a child born today.
Pop culture references fade.
Every now and then, a grandparent-to-be will dismiss a name because of a fictional character on a short-lived television series. Or an athlete that hasn’t played the sport in three decades.
Google tells me that your husband’s family is correct. Lots of cows were named Daisy over the years, including a few that probably qualify as bovine famous. But it’s been in the US Top 200 for girls since the 1990s. (I’ve called it a Sweet Spot name – not too popular, not too out-there.)
That means that we’ve all met girls named Daisy – or wouldn’t be surprised to meet a girl called Daisy. It falls solidly in the “human name” category these days.
The dividing line has blurred.
Even though I consider Daisy a perfectly reasonable name for a child, it’s worth noting that lots of human names are big for pets. In fact, pet names are people names – and vice versa – in a way that feels very different than a few decades back.
We’ve known cats and dogs called Jake, Sadie, Max, Gwen, Elle, Rosie, and yes, even Daisy. My daughter shares her name with SO many cats called Cleo/Clio. I’ve shared my name with a horse.
And so the correction reaction to such a coincidence in 2020? That’s a great name! Whether the bearer in question goes by four legs or two.
DAISY IT IS!
I think you know your daughter’s name. Daisy feels summery and light, but Eleanor is a rock solid, traditional middle name to anchor it.
And for what it’s worth, I think you should spell it Elinor. While unusual spellings can be a headache, it’s far less of an issue with middle names. And Elinor Dashwood is a great character to inspire your daughter.
Okay readers – over to you! What advice would you give to Gina and her husband?
Agree with Abby 110%
Oh, I just adore the sound of Daisy Elinor. What a perfectly darling name!
If you want to be perceived as conciliatory but not a pushover…Name her Margaret Elinor but call her Daisy (a proper nickname for Margaret, as that is the name’s meaning). I’m one of those old fogeys who prefer stolid traditional names anyway (John called Jack, Elinor called Ellie, Louisa called Lulu, etc.) so there’s a good argument for Margaret right there, cow or no cow. She may be Daisy all of her life, but may eventually choose any of Margaret’s many nicks as suits her taste and station at any particular time.
I agree with Abby 100% but this is also great advice.
I agree with Abby too. Or perhaps name her Marguerite nn Daisy. I love the Elinor spelling.
I am so so glad you went with the name you wanted. This is YOUR BABY. It’s not you who needs to be conciliatory or understanding. Again, this is YOUR BABY. Your intuition and decisions are crucial and your entire family should support you.
Congratulations, and enjoy.
Daisy Elinor is a lovely name and I think previous commentors have given you lots of good reasons to politely stand firm with your choice.
I did raise my eyebrows a bit when a friend of a friend named her child Daisy Mae. To me the name screamed Li’l Abner, but I’m old and the child’s mother likely had no knowledge of the comic strip connection.
Also, I’m just enough of a rebel that I would look for an adorable, black and white cow print onesie, sleeper, or other outfit for sweet Daisy Elinor.
I would not worry about the questioning of your baby’s name. Since she’s not here yet, there is somewhat of an unattached feeling that everyone else has that gives them permission to be a tad rude. I had family do this to us and all I could think was, “If you were holding my baby for the first time and I told you this name, would you still tell me we shouldn’t have picked it?” I agree the association of the name will soon become her own. Go with what you love!
Yes! Hilarious. The Britax Boulevard car seat also comes in cow print