“Absolutely, you can!” my obstetrician chuckled, clearly amused. “You’re actually the first person to ask me that.” With that reassurance, we bundled up our unnamed Baby Girl and headed home, blissfully unaware of the naming chaos that lay ahead.
It’s not like we hadn’t been brainstorming names. Ever since we discovered that baby No. 2 was a girl, much like her older sister, I had been poring over stacks of baby name books. My partner, Tom, and I even turned it into a competitive sport, launching our favorite name suggestions like they were torpedoes in a game of Battleship.
- “That one’s too old-fashioned!”
- “Sounds too similar to our first daughter’s name.”
- “That’s way too trendy.”
- “You seriously like that? Straight out of an ’80s hit, huh? No way.”
- “Never liked that name. Just… meh.”
- “Oh, absolutely not! There was a girl in my seventh-grade class with that name, and she was a nightmare. Veto!”
After much deliberation, we narrowed it down to three final contenders, but I couldn’t seem to make the ultimate decision. It wasn’t indecision; it was more about wanting to feel 150% certain that the name we chose would be perfect for our Baby Girl. So, we decided to let the names simmer a bit longer. Meanwhile, she continued to grow, kicking me in the ribs and making me sneak away to the bathroom every time I sneezed.
I practiced saying her potential names aloud, even shouting them at the park to my imaginary future toddler. Still, none of them felt quite right. I scoured the meanings and origins of our top three choices, hoping one would resonate with some deep connection to our roots. But alas, none seemed to scream “Pick me!” from the pages of the baby name book.
As my due date approached, we opted for the “wait-and-see” method, thinking that once we laid eyes on our precious Baby Girl, the perfect name would come to us. Except, that plan went out the window when I went into labor a week early. Talk about being unprepared! The delivery was a whirlwind, and within an hour and a half, we were staring at our beautiful, squirmy baby, whose loud cries made it clear she was going to have a name, whether we had decided one or not.
“Does she look like a Name Choice No. 1? Or maybe a Name Choice No. 2? How about Name Choice No. 582, which we haven’t discussed in ages?” I asked Tom, looking for his guidance. “She looks like a brand-new baby. She’ll be whatever name we choose,” he replied, which was about as helpful as a soggy napkin.
After two sleepless nights in the hospital, the day came to take our little one home. I had carefully selected an adorable coming-home outfit weeks prior, and our car seat was ready to go, but we were still missing one crucial detail: a name. Panic started to bubble up. How could we leave without naming her? What if we picked the wrong name? My sleep-deprived brain was in overdrive.
But here’s the kicker: those so-called experts are mistaken. You can, in fact, leave the hospital without a name for your baby. When my doctor confirmed it, I let out a silent cheer, feeling the weight of the world lift off my shoulders. I had 14 days to finalize her name before submitting the birth certificate paperwork. Two weeks—a baby-naming eternity!
Once we got home, Tom, my sister, and I took turns gazing at our little girl, trying out names. “What do you think of Name Choice No. 1, Baby Girl?” A spit-up was her only response. “Maybe Name Choice No. 3?” She blinked at us in slow motion before yawning. We read her movements like tea leaves, half-jokingly hoping for a sign. But she continued to ignore us, just being her adorable newborn self.
Finally, after three days of deliberation, the moment came. I was certain. Our Baby Girl officially had a name, and I was ready to share it with the world—family, social media, anyone who would listen! She was no longer just Baby Girl, and I was thrilled we had taken our time to choose the right name.
My Unsolicited Advice
So, my unsolicited advice? If you don’t have a name locked in, take your Baby Girl or Baby Boy home first and then decide. Names shouldn’t be rushed, and that’s perfectly okay.
P.S. Our Baby Girl No. 2 is now named Sophie, and Baby Girl No. 3 is Emma. And in a delightful twist of fate, we welcomed triplet girls, Baby Girls No. 4, 5, and 6. Let’s just say choosing three names in one go was a whole new level of challenge.
Further Reading
For more insights into the world of home insemination, check out this post on intracervical insemination. If you’re exploring options, visit Make A Mom for expert guidance on at-home insemination kits. And for a comprehensive resource on pregnancy and home insemination, head over to WebMD.
In Summary
In summary, it’s entirely possible to leave the hospital without a name for your baby. Take your time, enjoy the experience, and trust that the right name will come when the moment is right.