Okay, so I’ve had a dilemma that I think I solved, but I’d like to get your opinions on this situation.
With my son, at the encouragement of my in-laws I chose my grandfathers name for his middle.
For another boy I asked my [name_f]MIL[/name_f] shortly after [name_m]Eli[/name_m] was born about names on their side of the family. The only one I loved was [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] so [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] is going to be the name of this baby if a boy.
For a girl I’ve struggled with the name to use, NOTHING felt right! Until I came upon [name_f]Laurel[/name_f] just recently (my recent favorite [name_f]Natalie[/name_f], somehow just doesn’t feel right). [name_f]Laura[/name_f], [name_f]MiL[/name_f] name means “bay [name_f]Laurel[/name_f]” and I think it’s perfect. Paired with either [name_u]Eden[/name_u] or [name_f]Juliet[/name_f], it’s gorgeous and [name_m]Eli[/name_m] and [name_f]Laurel[/name_f] are beautiful together.
So is it okay to use the meaning of the name? I think it is, but others opinions could help me.
I say if the connection is there for you, then it’s absolutely okay. An honour name doesn’t always have to be direct, it’s really the thought that counts (and with living people, that they can sort of get that the baby was named after them, which in this case is absolutely given).
It’s absolutely OK. If it has same meaning, it’s fine.
Thanks! Now I’m just waiting for the gender/anatomy ultrasound whether I’m going to have a [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] or [name_f]Laurel[/name_f].
Update: in talking with my [name_f]Nana[/name_f], she said to use [name_f]Laurel[/name_f] as a middle name due to pronounciation issues and it’s related to [name_f]Laura[/name_f]. Well I can’t but I don’t want pronounciation issues. thoughts on using [name_f]Laurelei[/name_f]? It’s related to [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f] but with the added benefit of having [name_f]Laurel[/name_f] directly as the nickname. I’m not even sure it isn’t related to [name_f]Laurel[/name_f] in some way (as in some one had the same problem I did and named their kid with this spelling).
[name_u]Con[/name_u]: spelling issues - don’t bug me as much
Pro: the perfect nickname
Okay in looking it up on google the name is associated with porn. No thank you. I’ll stick with Laurel.
I think [name_f]Laurel[/name_f] has a straight forward pronunciation. You really can’t get anything worng. What issues is your nana talking about?
I think mostly she’s worried about my maternal grandmothers hurt feelings by naming a daughter [name_f]Laurel[/name_f] (and she misheard it as [name_f]Laura[/name_f]). However fact is my grandmother loves my sons name and was very happy and knows that I desire to use a family name from my husbands side of the family this time after using my grandfathers name as my sons middle. Well I can’t find any I like related to them except [name_f]Laurel[/name_f]. However I really love [name_f]Laurel[/name_f] and I’m sure she will too if we are blessed with a little girl.
I love [name_f]Laurel[/name_f], I think it’s a great honor name for [name_f]Laura[/name_f], and I can’t imagine pronunciation issues?
[name_f]Laurelei[/name_f] would be a huge issue with spelling and pronunciation, but I’d never associate with porn, I think unless someone worked in the pornography industry they’d likely not notice that, but I still wouldn’t use it.
[name_f]Lorelei[/name_f] is nice, and could honor [name_f]Laura[/name_f], but I think [name_f]Laurel[/name_f] is better as it’s closer to [name_f]Laura[/name_f] and IME easier to say and spell.
I can see it being mistaken as [name_f]Laura[/name_f], depending on how people pronounce both ([name_f]Lore[/name_f]-ool or [name_m]Law[/name_m]-rool/[name_m]Law[/name_m]-ra or [name_f]Lore[/name_f]-uh).
I think the family name is there. Perhaps talk to [name_f]Laura[/name_f] about it?
I think [name_f]Laurel[/name_f] has a pretty straightforward pronunciation. [name_f]Laurelei[/name_f] would definitely have more pronunciation issues (I know a [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f] and she always had pronunciation issues, so I can imagine [name_f]Laurelei[/name_f] would be even more complex). You seem to love [name_f]Laurel[/name_f], so I’d just go with that. I think [name_f]Laurel[/name_f] is a great choice!
I totally agree with all of you on [name_f]Laurel[/name_f]. To me it’s perfect. Maybe I’m just being avoidant of confrontation on the issue but I just love it.
All the alternatives just fall flat to me.
Thank you for keeping me sane.