So, after a long search we chose the name [name]Pearl[/name] for our coming baby girl. The middle name was going to be something to honor my dad [name]Jerry[/name] (full name [name]Gerald[/name]). When I threw out lots of options to my husband ([name]Geraldine[/name], etc) he immediately chose Jeralyn as his favorite, because his dad and grandpa are both named [name]Alan[/name], so he thought that since it’s our last baby we might as well include as many name honorees as possible, making Jeralyn a combo of [name]Jerry[/name] and [name]Alan[/name].
I don’t know, but for some reason I feel strange about it, not the name, but combining the unrelated grandpas together. Maybe it’s just because I don’t want to share … “this is about MY dad, not YOUR dad” I don’t know. [name]Do[/name] you think it’s weird to combine the two grandpas names together, or do you think it’s a good idea?
It’s not weird for sure. BUT I think I understand what you are feeling and it’s not something to feel bad about.
In all sincerity, it started out with you wanting to honour your dad and now, it feels like… let’s chuck in the other grandpa, why not?
I believe that had I chosen to honour my mother and later had to squeeze some other person onto the same pedestal, I would be a little, if not a lot cheesed off.
In this case, the decision is entirely yours. [name]Remember[/name] the name HAS to be beautiful in its entirety to YOU, otherwise you will pick on this issue for the REST of your life.
However, were I to be okay with honouring both Grandfathers, I would pick two separate names rather than one. (Like [name]Alannah[/name] [name]Geraldine[/name] for example or [name]Geraldine[/name] Alannis).
Thanks for the advice etolle! I really like what you had to say! I guess I feel like it takes away a little bit of the honor if we throw in another person… two separate middle names is something to consider. I had kind of ruled it out just for immediate family balance. My first daughter has one middle name, the next two girls each have two middle names, so I wanted the last to just have one middle name. I want to be sensitive to my husband’s feelings on this as well, though!
My son has the middle initial V, just like his two grandpas. I’ve been thinking lately if we ever had another child could I honor both grandmas somehow with a middle name? It is hard to find a name you like at all, let alone one that matches the honored person’s name. I think if you like Jeralyn you should use it. You will know it is for your dad, and he can believe it is for his dad as well. If you don’t like the name, then just keep looking. Good luck. There are a lot of feelings wrapped up in names, and none of them are wrong.
I second this completely! If you are worried that your oldest daughter would feel left out, maybe you could ask her if she wants to add a name that she gets to pick herself on a special birthday or so?
My first name was after one grandpa and middle name after the other.
I have always felt a great connection to both because of it.
I understand feeling like you want to honor your dad separately, too though.
I personally prefer [name]Geraldine[/name]. Have you considered two middle names instead of one? Traditionally, [name]Alana[/name] is the feminine form of [name]Alan[/name] and I think [name]Pearl[/name] [name]Geraldine[/name] [name]Alana[/name] would be so pretty!
Thanks for the response! I also like the name [name]Pearl[/name] [name]Geraldine[/name] [name]Alana[/name]… but one problem is simply that I’m not sure I want to share!!! I know it’s selfish, but I pictured this baby just honoring my dad and it seems to lessen it if she honors both dads. I know it’s silly and I probably just need to get over it, but right now I guess that’s how it is. The second problem (probably more serious!) is that The initials would be PGAG (our last name starts with a G). I just wouldn’t want my little girl to have the word gag in her initials! I wish this wasn’t so hard… funny that I look at everyone else’s posts and the naming dilemmas seem so simple, but when my own tastes and emotions are wrapped up in it, it becomes so hard! Thankful for this forum and that we can all bounce our ideas off of each other!
I wouldn’t worry about the initials. I don’t see the big deal with PGAG.
As for not sharing, just remember that this is your baby and that you have ultimate say in what she should be named. Nobody should pressure you into honoring someone else. I find that a bit selfish.
Thanks everyone for your help! After much discussion with my husband, the name is…
[name]Pearl[/name] Geralynn
Geralynn is after my dad, [name]Gerald[/name]. Although I really liked the classic-ness of [name]Geraldine[/name], neither my husband or I were in love with it. We just felt it was a bit harsh sounding next to [name]Pearl[/name]. My hubby liked that the fact that Geralynn kind of sounds like [name]Alan[/name] at the end, which would make his dad happy, as he might feel a bit bummed that we named her after my dad, not him, while at the same time keep his mom from being jealous since it’s not obvious the name contains the [name]Alan[/name] sound (they’re divorced and it’s a sticky situation!). There are so many emotions and feelings tied up in naming someone after family… we’ve done it plenty of times before, but this being our final baby it just seemed more sticky. Anyway, thanks again for the help. We are all happy with our little girl’s name.
