Thursday, September 17, 2009

What's in a name...

Just because I have a minute and have been thinking about this for a while...

We decided on a name for Big Boy. Actually we decided on a name a long time ago - right after we found out it was a boy. It was a split second thing and immediately we knew it was right. Until now we haven't told anyone. And probably won't IRL... until after the baby is born and the name has been given.

But - I am afraid that others will have a problem with the name - not so much a problem, but read more into it than we intended. So I'll share it here with you and give you the whole story that most people probably won't even take the time to hear.

I had the most wonderful nurse while I was in labor with Ellie. Her name was Eli. I have never forgotten how kind and compassionate she was. In a way that none of the other nurses even came close to. Not that the other nurses were unkind - they were just different.

When we first started talking about names we went with family names and had tentatively settled on one that we both liked. We also knew that we preferred more old fashioned or traditional names.

But then one night while we were watching True Blood on DVD (of all things...) I just blurted out the name Elijah Thomas and it felt right in a way that none of the other names had felt right. We looked at each other and knew it was right because at the same moment seconds after I said the name we both knew we would call him Eli.

For us this is a way to honor Ellie and the place that she has in our hearts and our lives and to honor a very special nurse that made a very painful time a little better.

And as always I worry about everything... Now I am worried that everyone will think that we have named our son Eli just because we are trying to replace Ellie. When really he has his very own special place in our hearts too.

I guess people are just going to think what they think and nothing will change that.

10 comments:

Bluebird said...

fwiw - I think the name is absolutely beautiful, and the story only makes it more so.

AND, fwiw, if Ellie were still here (and how I wish she were) and you named your son Eli, I think people would think it sweet! The spellings are quite similar, but they don't sound exactly the same, more just like they "go together."

Thank you for sharing this with us. I suspect people will think what they will think. How I hate that this even has to cross your mind. . .

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Let people think what they want, he is your son. I know a boy named Eli who is adorable. I love the name.

Anonymous said...

That is a beautiful name. But moreover, it is a beautiful reason to name him Eli. To think that you acutally can tell the story of how Eli got his name, in some part because of Ellie...beautiful.

Now, WHO CARES what others think. It was very important to us to pick a name that in some way, conjured up Abby. That is why we ulitmately chose what we did. It had to start with an A. Others will think whatever they will, but don't let it bother you.

Lea said...

It's perfect! I love it.... what a special way to honor your beautiful daughter.

Ruth said...

Elijah Thomas - what a perfect name. I love it.

Tina said...

I love it. I have often thought of trying to incorporate my girls' names into a future child's name (if there will be one.) I think it is a wonderful way for them to have a connectin to a sibling they will never have the chance to know while on this Earth. It is lovely. xx

Funsize said...

I like that name. Elijah is a very nice name, not trendy but not out there either. And I'm a little biased toward Thomas,that's my husband's middle name. We were actually thinking of using my husband's initals, CT, if this little one turns out to be a boy. Otherwise, I think we're going with Elizabeth because she was my son's nurse, she's one of the few people who got to see him alive, and I want to honor her and that time in the hospital with that name.

xoxo

Jacinta said...

Perfect! I think it is a wonderful name and if it helps others remember Ellie, all the better!

Mother Knows Best Reviews said...

I agree with everyone here - it's a beautiful, classic name. I think the reason behind it is beautiful, too - and I agree that it doesn't matter at all what others thing. These are YOUR babies, YOUR Eli and Ellie.

Just beautiful.

Michele said...

How absolutely beautiful. I think this is so wonderful. I love the name. Completely.