An old adage states, to name is to control; to name is to define.Parents-to-be often gruel over shortlists of baby names. The choice of a baby name can bring love, empathy, admiration, jealousy, anger, antipathy to family members and friends. Most people believe that there are strong names and weak names, cool names and wierd names, ordinary names and extraordinary names, classical names and trendy/seasonal names. I am sure that we have all had the experience of meeting someone who "just looks like a Matthew." We have also encountered a Helga, whose name was unbefitting. A name can be either a source of pride, a source of shame, or both. One way or another, a name defines us and provides us with unique identities.
I still remember when my younger brother was born. I am able to remember a lot about his birth and childhood because we are 15 years apart. From the moment of birth, my dad insisted that he would be called Joseph. Not Joe. Not Joey. Not anything else. Later on when Joseph reached the speaking age, he refused to identify with his name. He referred to himself as Pudo or Pludo. Since then, he has gone by Pudo, Pludo, Pudee, Joe, Little Joe, and, yes, Joseph. (I still affectionately refer to him as Pludo.)
Our dauther's name is Madeleine Jane Mary. Mary and I discussed whether to spell her name Madeleine, Madeline, Madelyn, etc. After quickly deciding on the spelling, we talked about the pronunciation. "Mad-l-in" or "Mad-l-eyn." We weren't really sure which pronunciation we preferred. Initially we chose the latter pronunciation. However, after everyone began pronouncing her name as Mad-l-in, we decided to take the easy path and cave. Neither of us were extremely opinionated on the pronunciation, fortunately. I am a big fan of the name Madeleine. Personally, I consider it timeless, classy, traditional, and yet not overused.
Affection frequently begets nicknames. The following are some of the names we have officially and unofficially given Madeleine during the short ten months of her life:
- Maddy
- Mad
- Madge
- Madge-pie
- Madgie
- Madgelyn
- Madlyn
- Maddy-Girl
- Maddy Geee (pronounced like Girl, while omitting the "rl")
- Baby Geee (pronounced like Girl, while omitting the "rl")
- Baby Doll
- A slew of synecdoche's--Little Lips, Little Legs, Little Toes, Little Butt, Litte Neck, Little Nose
- Little Stuff
- Little In'
- Beauty Girl
- Beauty Queen
- Beaut
- Maddy Jane
- Snugglebum
- The nosy one
- Baby Huff (Derivate of Momma Huff. During pregnancy, I affectionately called Mary "Huffy" to describe the demeanor of a pregnant woman. Since then, our Family Huff has taken off. Mary is Momma Huff. I am Poppa Huff. That makes Madeleine is Baby Huff.)
