Our Little Girl

So I think it’s high time we let all of you know what we’re naming our new little friend who will be joining us in June.

Ever since I heard that song (I was probably 10?) by Kenneth Cope about the little boy who was named after his Grandpa and what that meant to him (check it out here), I felt really strongly that when I have children that I’d make sure whatever name I gave them that they’d be meaningful and a name worth living up to. (This talk is something to think about too)

I also think that naming your child something unique is important. Probably because my name (first AND middle) have been in the top 10 names for the last 25 years, Ashley being in the top 5 (I got this statistic off of the social security website), and maybe I have a tiny complex about having a number assigned to my name in elementary school to keep me distinguished from the other Ashleys....Maybe. However, I also read that awesome book Freakanomics and a theory in there is one’s name is a contribution to their success growing up socially as well as in the business world. The charts and graphs and surveys given about this topic has also always been extremely interesting to me (not sure why, It’s similar to how the topic of drug addiction and serial killers have always fascinated me. Strange, but it is what it is.) Anyway, basically I feel like a LOT of thought, research and love needs to go into naming children...and this can be a tricky decision.

That being said, ever since I read To Kill a Mockingbird when I was in 4th grade, I’ve found all the characters in the book so moving, endearing, strong, deep. It’s a little funny to say that about a young adolescent book, but I feel like TKAM is an exception to that (this isn’t Judy Bloom we’re talking about. Harper Lee is a different story). Atticus is such a powerful figure who stands up for what’s right, and I’ve always loved that. I really feel like his character is what moved me to always strive to do what’s right, even if it’s not the most popular thing to do (granted I have NOT been perfect at this, I’ve had to learn the hard way plenty of times, but I want to be that way and I feel like it’s a good thing to strive for). Jim and Boo were wonderful too. But most importantly, I loved (Jean Louise) Scout. She’s a little misunderstood by the neighborhood mothers and elderly. She’s just unusual, unique and unusually intelligent for someone her age. She loves reading. She’s incredibly confident (she fights boys!). Most importantly, I love her innate qualities that always drew me to her, made me admire her. She is extremely thoughtful to all those around her, especially those who might not deserve it or who appear strange. Her good heart gives those considered outcast a chance and unbiased love. My favorite quality of hers, however, is how GOOD she is. Not in a sense of being a good girl (because often her actions weren’t what a parent might define as “good”/obedient), but in good and pure hearted which I think is the most important quality a human can posses. Overall, I just have always loved Scout - her spunky, good, intelligent nature.

There is an essay I wrote after the first time I was required to read TKAM and in it I mentioned that one day, if I had a daughter, I wanted to name her Scout. I never really told anyone this name until recently because it’s unconventional and unusual. I finally told lance about two years ago when I dragged him to see the play with me. He rolled his eyes at me and told me that wouldn’t be the best idea to name our daughter that. As the play went on, Lance’s interest increased. Normally in situations like this he’d be asleep by the middle of the first act, but he was clearly enjoying the story. After the play was over, he told me he really liked it, and I asked him if he could see why I loved the name Scout so much. He agreed - mostly due to her sass and spunk but also because he loved how she stood up for what was right. He then told me he liked the name. (!!!!!!!)

There are a few other female protagonists that I love in a few other novels (The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe to name one)...but since Lance and I loved this one together, when we discussed potential names it just felt organic and right! I’m not nieve in the fact that there is a great possibility that she could be made fun of her name, but I feel there are so many positives and wonderful connotations to it that it makes up for any potential negatives.

Anyway, we’re so excited to meet this little munchkin. I have a feeling she’s going to be highly spirited and so sweet. I can’t wait. We love you, little Scout!