Update

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Since I'm only working mornings, now, this morning I went back and read through my email conversation with my friend. She actually said "You'll be sorry when I call her...." instead of "Joke will be on you..." and I think what she actually said is a little worse than what I thought she said. Oh well.

Literally everyone else that we have told really likes the name (including the girls in my yoga class), so that makes us feel really happy. Even though I know everyone else's approval is not required.

I'm working this afternoon since I had yoga this morning, and I just opened my email and my friend has emailed me this:

"Did I totally offend you yesterday???? I fretted about it all evening...."

Well, let's see. You just told a mom who emailed you a totally legitimate email announcing the name of her child that the you think the name is a joke.

Hmm.

I have a pretty high standard for offending actions, so I'm not sure if I was "offended", but I definitely didn't appreciate it, and I think it would have been less awkward if she'd just said, well that is pretty old-fashioned for a baby, or whatever characteristic that made her think the name was a joke.

I was definitely concerned about people's comments about the name, which is why I wanted to wait until she was born to share, but like I said yesterday, I just couldn't deny Mr. A's excitement to share. He had always been confident that it was a beautiful name, and he wasn't worried at all about negative feedback, and I count myself very lucky that so far we have only my friend in that category.

And for all my dear devoted readers, for maybe just a day or so until I get paranoid and remove this part of this post, her name is....

(Edited out- sorry you missed it!)

Hope you don't think it's a joke ;-) We think it is beautiful and feminine and strong, just like we hope our little girl will be! (See previous post for the family inspirations.)

What should I write back to my friend???

31 comments:

Praying for Hope said...

That certainly is a traditional name, but I personally think traditional names are good names - hence the reason we named our daughter Kathleen Elizabeth. And your daughter will have a unique name that won't be shared by every third girl born in 2011. It will suit her perfectly. About the only drawback I can see is that she'll have a tough time finding her name on the pieces of tchotchke you find in gift shops throughout the country. Horrors.

I think it's incredibly sweet that your husband is excited by the name. He sounds so proud of it - nearly as proud as he will be of his daughter when she arrives.

Anonymous said...

I love the name. I have a friend who used Hazel as her baby's middle name.

RMCarter said...

I knew the name was Maryanne! When you said it was old fashioned, feminine and a combo of 2 names, I just knew it! But I didn't want to start making guesses because I knew you wanted it private. Personally, I love the name! :) And I think Hazel is great too. What a beautiful tribute.

We've gotten some so-so feedback about our name too... People had said it's "common" or "too popular". Well, you know what? We've had that name picked out for almost 15 years and it is all family-based, so I couldn't care less how popular or unpopular it is right now. :P My favorite is when people tell you they "know someone with that name and...". Those are the worst! I had someone tell me they knew a Katelyn and she "was a brat". So I guess that means my little girl will be too, huh!?!

Anyway, sorry for the ramble. Don't let your friend get you down. The name is beautiful and it means something, which is more than a lot of little girls whose names are just because it's what's popular at the moment. ;)

Anonymous said...

That's a very pretty name and seems weird your friend would make fun of it. A traditional name is infinitely better than the slew of "creative" names out there. As for your friend, I'd maybe ask why she made a joke of the name when you were obviously serious? I don't think there's anything wrong with telling her she hurt your feelings a little.

eerupps said...

I love the name Maryanne...I have a friend who spells it Marianne and I think that is equally pretty. :) I also think it's very special that the names you chose have a sentimental meaning, it just makes them even more perfect! As for your friend, I would definitely let her know that she hurt your feelings a little. People need to think before they speak (or type!).

Maegan said...

I LOVE it. Maryanne is beautiful. I think of Marianne from Sense and Sensibility - gorgeous, delicate, smart. Also, it's not commonly heard these days which is a HUGE plus. And I like how you're spelling it (not 'Mary Ann', which looks kind of drab). I think it's a beautiful name, totally. And as for your friend, she asked! I would say, "No offense taken... you're lucky I have thick skin. For future reference, though, you should probably be more careful with new parents. We adore the name."

TeeJay said...

I love Hazel! My step mom's name is Mary Ann and the only problem she has ever had is that people ask her if it's all one word, which on her case it's not. How are you pronouncing it? Is it like Mary Ann or more like Marian? Just curious. It's a very lovely name and knowing where it came from will make her very proud. Good job, Momma!

Anna said...

What's not to like about that name?! It's perfect!

Rebecca said...

I love her name, so pretty!

Bridget said...

I love both names!! I'm not sure why your friend would think that is a joke...seems like a perfectly pretty and normal name to me!

Coco said...

I absolutely LOVE that name! Both of them!!! Love love love. Beautiful, traditional, PERFECT!

Melissa said...

the name is lovely!! I also LOVE the fact that the name isn't in the top 10 baby names. (I might get flack for that) but honeslty, it's a great name!

Lady Grey said...

Love it! Really beautiful- and so excited that Maryanne is almost here :)
Names- particularly when you have been trying for so long- become really precious. My only fear is that my beloved names, which I have been imagining my kids having for so long- will be taken by a close friend or family member before I can use them!
Tell your friend- "I realise you might not love the name, and we love it and are okay with your response, but i think from now on you should be a little bit more sensitive in this area because those kind of things can really hurt"

Mrs. Chapman's 2nd Grade Class said...

Love the name! I think it's sooo pretty. Hazel is so pretty too!
I think you should just be honest with your friend and tell her what she said was hurtful. You just don't say stuff like that to people!

Lindsey Dueck said...

That is a great name! Hazel is actually one of my favourites. I don't understand why someone wouldn't like it! It is very sweet. And traditional can be good! I have heard a few very traditional names lately and I did not like them. They are old lady names, but Maryanne is NOT an old lady name!

Anonymous said...

that is a beautiful name and your reasons for loving it are special and genuine!!!!!
thanks for sharing with us!!!

you need to be honest with her, I think- if she is asking if you offended her then she must know that how she acted might cause offense. I would go with the truth all of the way if you can handle it.

Miss Mac said...

That's a great name. If we were having a girl, she would be a Hazel! Love it.

Anonymous said...

Totally guessed Maryanne but not Hazel. I was thinking Harriet or Henrietta. Phew..what a relief! LOL. I think it's a beautiful name and I truly mean that. The Hazel part just sounds really pretty and there's absolutely nothing wrong with Maryanne. I don't think it's that uncommon and not old lady like at all. It's a good solid traditional name. Besides the trend these days seems to be in choosing older traditional names so it's not odd at all.

Tell your friend that she didn't offend you but you were shocked by her reaction since you were looking for real feedback and didn't expect it.

Seriously, pretty name.

Erica said...

Very pretty! I love both names! One day everyone (friend included) will look back and not be able to imagine her having any other name. It will be her identity, and a beautiful one at that! Thanks so much for sharing!

Heather said...

I think her name is perfect and it's really thoughtful to incorporate your family in that. Congrats on your pregnancy, I pray for a safe delivery and recuperation for you!

Becky said...

I love it, I think it is an absolutely beautiful name!!! Sorry for my lack of comments lately, I have been short on time with traveling to Korea and now finally having our little guy home, but I wanted you to know I am keeping you in prayer. I am so excited for you!

Hillary said...

LOVE it! Thanks for sharing! :)

makingmemom.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I think it's a gorgeous name :). I don't know what's wrong with your friend. So you chose to NOT go with a variation of Kaelyn, Keelin, Kylie, etc like everyone else in America right now...that's a good thing!

Jos said...

I love the name, and I don't think it's non-traditional in the slightest. I don't even understand how someone could think it was a joke?!!

On the upside, she obviously didn't mean to offend you, so try to take it as such. Ugh, dont you hate when you stick your foot in your mouth? I'm sure she's feeling horrid right now.

Carissa said...

Maryanne is a great name -- sweet, feminine, level-headed. Like the character from _The Babysitter's Club_ :) I don't get your friend's reaction at all. I think that, in general, in The Age of Internet, people are so less polite than previously. You should totally call her out on it, a la the wittiness of Miss Manners.

AL said...

I think it's a beautiful name!! Come on out, baby M!

Leah said...

It IS a beautiful name, and you are right, it just doesn't matter. We waited to tell because I knew no one could critique our child's name once they saw she was a real human being. No one should critique anyway. It is your daughter's name, and that in itself makes it beautiful. :)

Nicole said...

What's wrong with the name? I'm completely missing the humor or joke or anything abnormal at all. I think it's lovely, and I especially like the 'whimsy' that Hazel gives it. Less common though beautiful and feminine.
Tell your friend the truth.

Jennifer said...

Love the name Hazel!! Was on my list for a girl when I was I was prego w/ my 2nd....we ended up w/ a Hunter!

the misfit said...

She thought THAT was humorous? I was wracking my brain - are they naming her Muriel? Mildred? Millicent? Even so, perfectly legitimate names, but maybe off the beaten path a tad, and an overly outspoken person might express surprise. But Maryann? I have a good friend with that name who is 30 (Mary Ann), I know a Marianne who is 31, a Mary Clare who is 35, a Mary Beth, a Mary Kate, and a Mary Sarah who are in their 30s, my mother and all my aunts (as well as my MIL and my late grandmother) are Mary something, and most every Irish family I know has at least a Mary Catherine or a Mary Elizabeth or a Mary Margaret - or all of those. This sounds like a cultural difference to me (your friend is probably neither Irish nor Catholic?) but that makes the comment all the more obnoxious. And WEIRD - just WEIRD. What with all the people inventing nonexistent names (a pet peeve of mine - FTR, my very unusual name is a real name in the country from which my family emigrated several generations ago), how could anybody be surprised by a SLIGHTLY unusual name?

Also, I think Hazel is adorable.

One Who Understands said...

Love that name!! I had a dear friend with the name Maryann and have always loved her and her name. Hazel is so beautiful! I think you made an excellent choice!