![[ultrasound picture, 12, weeks]](http://diveintomark.org/public/2003/07/ultrasound500.jpg "ultrasound, 12 weeks")
A small percentage of readers were confused about my previous announcement, so let’s lay this out:
Readers who can do math, and who understand the screwed up way that doctors count pregnancy weeks, will no doubt figure out that our upcoming baby boy was conceived about two weeks before our wedding, although we didn’t know that until afterwards. (We actually found out on our honeymoon. There’s a funny story there, which you can read in Spanish, and which I will someday retell in English and publish in the 100.)
We had been trying for several months, in part based on advice from my readers (and against my initial objections). Considering her age, history, and previous birth control use, we feel very blessed to have succeeded so quickly. Furthermore, we have done all the tests that you do during high-risk pregnancies, and both mother and child are fine.
Still taking suggestions for baby names.
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Here’s a tool that let’s you search for the most popular names given (although it appears to be a few years out of date):
http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/
As of 1997 Michael was in the #1 spot!
update: AS of 2001, Michael has been dethrowned by Jacob! Damn you Jacob!!
http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/babies.htm
— MikeyC 
Other than my previous suggestion of “Stuart”, I’ve got nothing except a little advice that you probably don’t need (since you’re soliciting for name), but maybe someone will do a search on baby names and end up here:
Children need their own names. While I had a lot of hassles growing up with an unusually spelled version of my name, at least my mother won the important battle that would have resulted in me being Eugene Michael Collins III.
— Kristian
Excellent post to tie things together. And the ultrasound photo is very cool as well.
I still say “Jasper,” but I’ve also been known to be partial to “William” and “Seth.”
This is neat site: http://www.kabalarians.com/
What great news! Congratulations!
I like Aidan for a boy.
— Gina
When my spouse got pregnant with our first child a few years ago, I remember a friend of mine’s grin when he laconically responded to our announcement by «Watch your life change».
Ten years later it still rings oh so truthfully… children are the most complex and compelling creations most of us get a crack at! Good luck and don’t forget to stack up on some sleep! ;-)
First, Congratulations! Having a child in the house makes everything just seem right. Even when it’s throwing a hellacious tantrum. :)
Second, I’ve always been partial to Christopher and Alexander. I also like girl names that can be shortened into boy names, not sure why. Probably watched a little too much Who’s the Boss? as a child.
You do have to consider the possible nicknames though. Somebody commented in the last entry that kids get over horrible nicknames, but hey, if it can be avoided why not save them the trouble?
I’m sure you and your wife will pick a lovely name.
— Patricia
Congratulations and good luck
Your life will change forever and you will feel emotions you have never felt before.
Despite the loss of sleep for the past 18 months, being a parent is the most uplifting thing I have ever experienced. Words can’t describe my feeling of seeing Daniel’s first smile, watching his first steps and hearing him say “dada” to me for the first time.
One piece of good advice we were given was to take a short break at about the six months mark and go somewhere which doesn’t take too long to get to, and where you can really relax and enjoy your time together.
— Matthew Farrand
Here is the google translation of the spanish story that Mark wrote about the pregnancy test during his honeymoon.
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fes.diveintomark.org%2F2003%2F07%2F24%2Fprueba.writeback&langpair=es%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&safe=off&prev=%2Flanguage_tools
It translates it pretty well. However, it did make me laugh because it tends to over use the word ‘tinkles’.
You could always name him “Darwin” ..
:)
=darwin
— Darwin
I was the confused (accidental) [anonymous].
I guess we all have our highs and lows.
I think [Lou] had some good advice there.
For a boy, I like Liam. For a girl, I’d go with Kristin (or maybe Samantha).
Congratulations, and good luck with an easy pregnancy and delivery. :)
[anonymous]
http://diveintomark.org/archives/2003/07/25/some_books_dont_get_read.html#c003283
[Lou]
http://diveintomark.org/archives/2003/07/25/some_books_dont_get_read.html#c003221
Census data on names:
http://enthusiasm.cozy.org/archives/2002_06.html#000012
and research on the effect of various names of oportunities:
http://enthusiasm.cozy.org/archives/000076.html
Welcome to the cult.
— Ben
Lady3Jane Jenny5tina Da5vd
http://www.wesclark.com/ubn/faves.html
My personal favorite: Vyquetoriya
— Anonymous
Mark, it would be helpful if you could state some parameters.
Do you want your childern’s names to have a ‘theme’?
Where do you want the name to fall on the originality spectrum? Names fall on a spectrum from common-as-dirt to rarely-found-in-the-wild, but you can also try to step beyond to something wholly original.
Any names or name components that are off limits, because of cultural restrictions (example: naming the child after a deceased relative, or, conversely, after a living relative)?
‘It would be helpful if you could state some parameters’ raised a chuckle - a nice contrast between that sort of technical language and the homely nature of baby-naming.
Anyway - a word of caution on the repeated advice on avoiding the most popular names: you never know what’s coming. When I was growing up, Jack was a most peculiar name for a child in the UK, mostly confined to old men, and then as a nickname for John. Now, every male under the age of 15 the in the country seems to be called Jack…
I’d say the best bet is to avoid over-thinking - just pick someone you both know and love, and name the baby after them.
In any case, many congratulations!
— Jack
Looks like a “Cletus” to me.
Ha! (yeah, yeah, don’t hit me)
Call him James, because that’s my name, and I feel kind of obliged to help my namesakes prosper and multiply. Of course, the same logic means you should call him Mark.
— James
How about starting a ProjectNameProposals wiki?
— chip
Looks like the Dive into Parenthood project is proceeding nicely.
— Matt
This is the wierdest thing I have seen all week. Who are you?? Who are the people responding to your online blathering about yourself?? Does anyone else find this website ridiculous?
— Kelly Green
To Kelly Green,
If you don’t like the “blather” feel free to go elsewhere and leave this weblog to the blatherskites.
— Matt
“This is the wierdest thing I have seen all week.”
I guess that you haven’t come across http://www.zombo.com/
Blogs are typically self-centric (at least some of the time). Your problem seems to be with blogs, in general, and not (necessarily) this website.
— MikeyC
Please do not feed the trolls.
— Mark
You have to name the child Dave :)
— Jim
Before the birth of our litte one, Alexander, we solicited suggestions from our friends. The complete list is online: http://www.wasylik.net/baby/blog/arc/2003/05/002821-the_name_game.php
Feel free to derive inspiration from them.
I suggest Cletus. “Cletus the Fetus”. Tell Dora, she’ll love it!
Cletus Pilgrim has a nice ring to it.
— Andy
Rob is good, as is Jonathan :)
— Rob...
It worked well for many of us to have a fetal name which gets replaced at birth by the real name. It gives you time to think and makes for some good stories.
One of my nephews’ fetal name was “Spud.”
— lisa
You should name him ‘Winer’, of course.
— Anonymous
Mark.firstChild?
— Tom
:) Our first son was born January 14th (2 weeks early). He’s John Christian, though I am not promoting that as a name choice.
I would only note my congratulations to Dora on the timing in that my wife tells me it is easier to deal with a pregnancy during the winter than the summer. The cooler temperatures almost made the extra body heat bareable.
I wouldn’t worry too much about the two weeks. You can tell him what my father told me (conceived 1 month before the marriage) - “We knew we were getting married - it takes longer than that to throw together a wedding.”
— David
The only name suggestion I have is to give a name that with more than one form, either diminutives or alternate spellings. That way he can settle on the one he prefers as he forms his identity, instead of having no choice in the matter.
—L.
— lnh
In addition to Cletus, “Kid” has a nice ring to it. This will be easy to remember, properly deliniate it’s function, etc. If you plan to have multiple children “Eldest Kid” followed by “Elder Kid” and “Youngest Kid”…
— Andy
Soda
— George Constanza
Soda
— George Costanza
Congrats! Like my dad used to say about football practice … “ya just gotta keep running that play until you get it right …”
I love pratice!
— MeanDean
I am sooooo happy for you guys!! I guess Mark was not kidding. Upon our leave from the Pilgrim home, he stated we would soon be there for the baby shower! How awesome. I love you both and it’s so wonderful to see things falling right where you want them. All the best. Dora, listen to your doctor and Mark and the future grandparents. I vote for Rock. Yeah, Rock Pilgrim. ;-)
— Terrie
This is absolutely wonderful - I vote for “Max”. Or “Elijah”
— Anonymous
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