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01-14-2013 at 1:35 PM
keithsbrid...
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keithsbride is not online. Last active: 05-01-2013, 12:10 PMNewbie

Baby name question - not sure what to do - (kinda long)

Hi – we are having a baby girl in April. This will be our second daughter, our eldest, Elizabeth will be 8 in August. My FIL passed away when Elizabeth was 6 days old. Her middle name is in his honor – a feminine form of his first name.

My grandmother passed away the day I got my BFP. I was very close with my grandmother and even lived there for a time before I was married. When my husband traveled on business when Elizabeth was an infant I often stayed at my grandparent’s house for an extra set of hands but mostly for company. My grandmother’s name was Joan.

I want to honor my grandmother but Joan is not exactly my style and fairly dated. We had all but decided to honor her with the baby’s middle name – Aurora which is based on a collective nickname that all the women on that side of my family share based on my maiden name. We were still struggling with the first name but had it narrowed to 5 and we weren't too concerned about it as Elizabeth was named in the delivery room.

On Friday, my husband’s aunt passed away. He was very close to her and I had become close to her in the years that we have been together. She adored Elizabeth. Her name was Susan.

Ugh just writing this is making me feel like a bad person.

Since she has passed (and honestly it has only been four days. It might be shock/rawness that will pass) I have been thinking I would like to name our baby girl Susannah. I know it would mean a lot to my husband and his family. But now I’m worried about my family.  Susannah Aurora – it is too long and would be unwieldy at best, though I love it. I could go with Dawn, and keep the same meaning but I don’t like it as much. And of course I could always go with Joan, but I feel like the Nickname has more meaning to my family.

And I am worried about my family being offended about my grandmother being bumped to Middle Name position, as though we loved my husband’s aunt more, or wanted to honor her more or something.

I really hope I’m over thinking this. I guess I don’t know what I want you all to tell me. I know she’s my baby and I can name her whatever I want. I guess I am looking to avoid hurt feelings and am wondering how you would feel on either side of this equation.


Daughter EW 08/31/2005

Little Sister on the Way 04/23/2013 
01-14-2013 at 1:42 PM
plunderb
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plunderb is not online. Last active: 06-18-2013, 7:50 PMSilver

If your main worry about Susannah Aurora is that it is too long, that doesn't seem to be a big deal. Maybe it's just me (my daughter's fn and mn are each 4 syllables), but that name seems totally reasonable. Both are familiar and fairly easy to spell (you could lose the h off the end of Susanna if that helps at all). Stick in a cute nn like Zuzu and you're good to go.

As far as family members being upset about getting second billing in the mn spot, that also seems like it's unlikely. And if they feel that way, it's their problem. You're honoring important people with names that have meaning and sound good to you, and anyone who quibbles about the final result just deserves a stare of incredulity.

FWIW, I loooove Susannah/Susanna.

01-14-2013 at 1:45 PM
Darbie914
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For what it's worth, I think Susannah Aurora is a beautiful name!  Not too long, in my opinion.

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01-14-2013 at 1:49 PM
RissNRuss
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Not too long to me- I think it's a beautiful name.

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01-14-2013 at 1:58 PM
Elsa1984
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I don't think that the name is too long....you aren't always going to be saying her first and middle name.

If you still feel like it is too long, does your grandma have a middle name you like more than Joan? Or just shorten Joan to Jo and name her Susannah Jo?

I don't think you should be worried about the second name spot issue especially since your daughter Elizabeth is also named after your side of the family. Just pick a name you love and want.

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01-14-2013 at 2:05 PM
MelRC117
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MelRC117 is not online. Last active: 06-18-2013, 8:38 PMSilver

I would go with a FN that you like best, not the families' favorite. That would be my deciding factor.  You said bumping Aurora to the MN...was that your original FN?  Im a little confused because I thought FN was undecided but Aurora was definitely the MN?  However, I would think if you already announced the name and then decide to switch it I would be a little curious as to why. 

If you like the names equally...I know the names is important to your H and his family, but the other name is also important to you and your family.  H's family was honored with your DD's MN as well. Just something to think about.  In the end, both sides are honored FN or MN.


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01-14-2013 at 2:52 PM
-auntie-
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Does your late grandmother have a surname associated with her that's better with Susannah? Maybe her maiden name. Or maybe use Johanna in lieu of Joan since you're willing to tweak the actual names of your honorees.
 
01-14-2013 at 3:32 PM
Joy2611
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Honestly, I think there's nothing wrong with Susannah Aurora.  I think it's beautiful. 

I don't think you should remove your grandmother's name from the equation - use either Aurora or Joan (not Dawn... that's just getting way too far from reality for me).

You were always going to name your little girl with a grandmother-inspired middle name.  That hasn't changed!  Don't over think this too much!


** Your use of the apostrophe to pluralize words is making my eyes bleed. ** 
01-14-2013 at 3:37 PM
kplaxco85
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Darbie914:
For what it's worth, I think Susannah Aurora is a beautiful name! nbsp;Not too long, in my opinion.


This, and it's not your family's baby it's yours. Name her what YOU want!

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01-14-2013 at 5:29 PM
snowybride...
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I don't think it's too long.  It's a lovely name, and it sounds like you really like Aurora.

 
01-14-2013 at 6:37 PM
wcvsb3b5
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I think Susannah Aurora is a beautiful name. I don't think it is too long.

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01-14-2013 at 9:14 PM
tdenen
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tdenen is not online. Last active: 02-11-2013, 8:34 AMNewbie
What about Aurora Sue? I think Susannah Aurora is pretty, just throwing out options. Aurora Jo instead if Joan is super cute too.



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01-14-2013 at 9:20 PM
Jomichol
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I think Susannah Aurora is beautiful. Remember that no one actually goes by their full name all the time. But it gives her the option of 2 really great names if she (during her teenage rebellion) decides to change it :)
 
01-14-2013 at 10:07 PM
Crispity
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Susannah Aurora is a bit of a mouthful, but it is pretty and has meaning, so I would go with that if you love it. For what it's worth, I think Susannah Joan flows really well and would be a beautiful name.

I also like pp's suggestion of Joanna instead of Joan. What about Joanna Susan? 


"I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready, you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!" - Dr. Seuss

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01-14-2013 at 10:12 PM
Manderlin9...
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What about Aurora Susan?

Loss #1 2008 DS Born August, 2009! Loss #2 2010 Loss #3 2011 Loss #4 2012 Loss #5 2012 DD Born June, 2013!  
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