Day-Storms Studio

As we have recently announced that our baby-to-be is a boy, we have now moved on to the next challenge–what to name the little one. I’ve only referred to the baby in previous posts as Baby Groot, but obviously that is not an option…right? (I jest.)

With our first son, Spider-Man*, it took my wife and I about five minutes to discuss what we should name him. We wanted to give him a family name, and that was a quick conversation. Now, the discussion on how to decorate the nursery was a whole other proverbial enchilada. (Guys, that can be a whole series of blog posts.)

For our second son, Bonecrusher*, the conversation was a little longer, but we had settled on another familial name within no time. With him, we also didn’t have to worry much about decorating the nursery since it had only been a year since Spider-Man’s birth.

Now, it is time for son number 3. We are running low on family names…at least ones that are not too common, make him sound like a politician (John Robert?), or give the mental picture of a quaint English village primed for an Agatha Christie-esque murder (Stephen Dale?).

No, we want something not quite that common and that means something (at least to us). What are some of the possible considerations?

Go with the unique name?

I remember an episode of Seinfeld back in the 90s where George Constanza was discussing his desire to name his offspring “Seven” after Mickey Mantle’s jersey number. Then, Jerry comes back with other options including “Mug”, “Ketchup”, and “Bisquick”. After telling others about his name choice, another couple decides that they want to bestow that name to the baby they are expecting. (According to the Huffington Post, in a recent year, “Seven” was the fastest growing name in popularity in the U.S.)

For me, I would have to go with “One”. As a kid growing up rooting for the St. Louis Cardinals, the great Ozzie Smith dazzled fans and foes alike. He was #1–both with his jersey and his Hall of Fame career, including being a 15-time NL All-Star and 13-time NL Gold Glove Award winner. The Cardinals have even retired his jersey.

Also, who can forget the amazing U2 song? I can just picture our “One” belting out rock ballads to a stadium filled with adoring fans. Alas, no, my wife vetoed the use of any number as a name.

Of course, we could go with a unique name that has special meaning to us. For example, name him after my first car. “Futura”…no, that sounds better as a name for a girl. If we named him after our first vehicle together, it would be “Traverse”, which sounds too much like a hippie on a drug-fueled, existential journey.

Or we could name him after our honeymoon…”Carnival” and call him “Carney”. With that name, I am picturing a roustabout with a drinking problem and three ex-wives in his future even though Art Carney in The Honeymooners is classic.

Go with a name of religious significance?

Faith is important to us, so we could always opt for a name with religious meaning. I know it! A biblical name that would guarantee no one would ever mess with our little bundle of joy…Heman!

Heman, the Levite and Samuel’s grandson, authored Psalm 88 and was known for his musical talents. Plus, any self-respecting kid in the 80s knows of the Masters of the Universe. (Check out this video for nostalgia.) Only a Skeletor would try to pick on him at recess.

We could always choose other more unique religious names. I doubt that there will be too many Methuselahs in kindergarten. Abishua would probably stand out on a Little League team. And, unless you are an 80-year-old pushing shuffleboard down in Boca, you probably won’t come across too many Mordecais. We do celebrate the story of Esther, and he could go by “Morty” or “Decker”. But, we’re just not feeling any of those names would fit our arriving bundle of joy.

Go with a name based on “meaning”?

We are not into predestination. However, both Spider-Man and Bonecrusher do exhibit some traits similar to their respective name’s meaning. Is there something to that? I doubt it, but perhaps it doesn’t hurt to be careful here…

We could always go for something laidback and peaceful. “Axl” supposedly is Scandinavian meaning “man of peace” according to BabyCenter.com. Perhaps our little Axl could also front a hair band? There are also derivatives of the word peace like “Pax” or “Paxton”. Or we could venture with a eco-friendly name meaning peace with “Aspen”.

If you ascribe to the name’s meaning being “meaningful”, then you need to stay clear of “Ajal” and “Clay”, which mean death or are related to death. The website Mom Junction lists over 50 baby names that mean death. Who knew?

So, what will we name him?

Even now, well into our second trimester, we are still discussing what he will be named.

Spider-Man (age 5) wants to name the baby after himself and just call him #2. Let’s see…

1. I’m not George Foreman.
2. Calling the third child #2…just seems a little off.
3. Please see above concerning wife’s aversion to using numbers as names.

Bonecrusher (age 4) wants to name the baby “A-Bomb” after the blue Hulk character. Both boys are big fans of Hulk. Bonecrusher has watched Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. and played various Marvel LEGO PS4 games featuring A-Bomb. He likes this character and wants his baby brother to have a cool superhero name, too.

My wife has narrowed down her list considerably, and I have as well. We have vetoed various names so far. (Sorry, Andrew, even though you were an interesting character on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, I have to say no.) We are determined to have a name prepared before he makes his world debut.

Their Mom may have vetoed “A-Bomb”, but for a nickname and blog moniker, I think it suits him. I agree with Bonecrusher, A-Bomb rocks…so we will be retiring the name “Baby Groot” and ushering in “A-Bomb”.

A-Bomb, your Dad, Mom, and two brothers are excited to meet you! We can’t hardly wait for November.

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