Name, name & name

I have never really had a name in mind that I wanted to name my child, boy or girl. Some people do I think and it would make things much easier. Finding a name that would work in English and in Swedish (where I am from) is proving to be quite hard. I am big fan for family names and I believe it is important to include both sides of the family; hence my child will most likely have three names and a surname.

Having three names is very common in Sweden, but it has created some challenges here in Australia. In Sweden it is also common that your first name is not the name you are called. In my case Christina is my third name. My first name is Rut and second Ingrid. All names are from my family, Rut – father’s mother, Ingrid from my mother and mother’s mother and Christina from my aunt.

I have been called all three names in different circumstances, depending on which name people like I presume. People tend to avoid Rut because they don’t know how to pronounce it (even though it is technically my first). I don’t mind, just mean that I have a good use for all my names and it is always nice with variations. I love the name Rut but in English it doesn’t really work in the play ground. Say it out loud and you know what I mean. - For sweeds it is a rude word.

These are the most Popular Names in 2008 according to BabyCentre.com.au

20 most popular girls' names
1. Lily (Lilly)
2. Mia
3. Maddison
4. Isabella
5. Charlotte
6. Chloe
7. Emily
8. Ella
9. Olivia
10. Ava
11. Isabel (Isabelle)
12. Sophie (Sofie)
13. Sienna
14. Amelia
15. Ruby
16. Caitlin (Kaitlyn)
17. Zoe (Zoey)
18. Georgia (Jorgia)
19. Hannah
20. Grace

20 most popular boys' names
1. Lachlan (Lochlan)
2. Jack
3. Riley (Reilly, Rhylee, Rhylie, Rylee, Ryley, Rylie)
4. William
5. Ethan
6. Oliver
7. Cooper
8. Joshua
9. Noah
10. Lucas (Lukas)
11. James
12. Liam
13. Thomas
14. Aiden (Aiden, Aden, Ayden)
15. Charlie
16. Jayden
17. Jackson (Jaxon)
18. Max
19. Alexander
20. Samuel

Some of these names really surprised me such as Ella, Ava and Charlotte. I don’t see them as Australian names but maybe they are. I guess I don’t know that many babies here yet. I only know two so far and funny enough their names are on the list, Ruby and Max. Very nice names I must say. I wouldn’t have thought of Ruby, mainly because I haven’t heard it, but Max would have been on my list too.

I do like both Ella and Ava actually. Are they very common?

There are a few things that are important when choosing a name for us:
1. That we like it (of course)
2. That we like the most common nick name
3. Family ties (maybe not all names)
4. It will work in the play ground – so RUT is out
5. That it works in Sweden and Australia
6. Our close friends don’t have child/ren with same name
7. A bit of individuality would be nice but seems hard

So what you think of this? For me it is important that my dad’s name is included if we get a boy. Dad’s name is Bertil. Hard part is to pick something that goes well with Bertil especially when Craig’s dad’s name is Bruce. Try that one!

Have you ever tried the name ‘selectors’ which various websites have (Babycentre.com.au for example)? They always come up with strange names. Last three names I got were Jaf, Madhav, Jignas and an equivalent Swedish website (Gravid.se) Henny, Efraim and Arian.

We have to keep thinking.....

Rest, don’t stress and see you tomorrow

Christina (nick name Stina)