Writing Motherhood: Names

I've been reading a book called "Writing Motherhood." Like any book, some parts have particularly jumped out at me, particularly the "invitations," which are like writing prompts. Yep, I'm a nerd. Here's something I wrote the other day in my notebook/journal about names.

I've had my baby girl's name in my mind for years. And Greg even liked it too. A couple years ago, I even met a girl named Cate one Sunday at church. She'd become my friend and even quilted my Cate a blanket with their name on it. The first conversation my friend Cate and I had was about how I wanted to name my daughter -- who was no more than a prayer at that time -- Cate, with a C. She said I might regret it when I saw her name misspelled. Nah, K-R-I-S-T-I-N was misspelled more than its fair share, even by people who I know love me. So maybe I didn't have as many pretty pencils with my name down the side as the Jennifers in my class did.

But Kristin Eileen was the name my parents gave me, and for no other reason than they liked it. So I liked it too. It was my name for 23 years of my life, until I got married, dropped Eileen, and added Taylor. Kristin Hill Taylor, officially. I like how it sounds.

Yes, I think of names. But, admittedly, I didn't realize my daughter's initials would spell C-A-T until someone, rather a couple of someones, pointed that out shortly before she was born. I didn't care, though, I like her name, even if her initials spell an animal to which I developed an allergy shortly after leaving home for college that also happens to be the mascot of the college my husband and I root for during college basketball and football seasons.

Catherine Anna Taylor. Catherine is my mom's middle name. Mary Catherine. She goes by Cathy. Anna is Greg's grandma's name. I like how the names sound together and how they're symbolic of joining our families by starting our family. What's ironic is I usually don't like shortened versions of names. Well, maybe I should say, I prefer names like Matthew and Patrick to Matt and Pat. But that's just me. I figure moms and dads give their kids names, why not use them? Who knows. Because I went and named my daughter Catherine and usually call her Cate. I can't explain it.

I do know I love the name Isaac, which means "laughter," but I fear Greg would call him Ike. He told me he would. Yuck. So let's just say we'll have to do some serious discussing before we name our next child, especially if it's a boy.