Yet ANOTHER name help thread!

[LittleBrownDog]

Sorry, I think this is at least my third one!

We have pretty much decided on Elizabeth for the first name- We've been calling her that and even told DD that was her baby sister's name. The issue is the middle name. I am completely stuck on Jane as the middle name- Jane Eyre is my favorite book. The nickname we've been using is Izzy, and I think Izzy Jane is adorable.

But here's the problem: DHs aunt is named Jane. We're not particularly fond of this aunt, but it's one of those "everybody plays nice and pretends we all love each other" sort of situations, so we still see her frequently and, to be fair, she loves DD and DD loves her. She's not a bad person, there's just some relatively normal family friction there. She is totally the type to think that the baby is named for her. And my mom and MIL would also think that, even if we told them 100% the name is in SPITE of the aunt, not because of her. It's bad enough that this aunt has a daughter named Bethe and she will think that Elizabeth is a tribute to this daughter (it's not, but again, we're good friends with the daughter, DHs cousin, and DD LOVES her- she's just not why we chose Elizabeth).

So- do we go ahead with Jane, knowing that this person who we don't particularly have fond feelings for will think that this is her namesake, and risk hurt feelings on the part of both of our mothers?

Sigh. I am way over-thinking this, aren't I?

[GinaRae]

I LOVE THE NAME JANE! I have been thinking about Daisy Jane!!

And I love Elizabeth Jane. I like Elizabeth, but one of my gal pals is named that and she's insisting we name the baby Elizabeth in her own, special, assertive way. So NO. But I think it's darling that we both like the combo so much.

And I completely and totally understand the whole aunt thing. Ugh. Sarah was high on our list for first or middle, but we have the same aunt issue. She's unstable emotionally and has caused some problems in the family with us. Everyone will think we're trying to get on her good side.

I just don't know what to tell you as I am in the same quandry! We've pretty much decided not to use the name Sarah though.

[sorteep]

tough one!! I love the name Claire but it is my sis' name and (not that I don't LOVE her, a lot actually) I just would never name a kid after her.. she and I are very different and her prioities/ values/ lifestyle are NOT my idea of good family values (I'll spare the details..) anyway, also DS1 is named after my brother . Jay, and it would be weird to name another after a sib?? sooooo on to your actual Q (sorry I digressed, imagine that?) seeing as it is a MN and you LOVE it and it is not an unusual name I say go for it, thus giving Jane a whole new identity for you (as DD not aunt) but you have to be comfortable with it...

Dh also loves the name Harry but his Dad was Harry and he REFUSES to honor him.. for GOOD reasons.. think double life/ two families/ girlfriends, emotionally and physically absent, Sopranos only Greek and shot dead and stuffed in a trunk when DH was 16... NOT a nice thing...)

sorry I SO went on a tangent.. there has been some emotional stuff coming up around here prob triggered by this baby and chgs etc......

Elizabeth Jane is lovely, I say go for it!

[BMG580]

My best friend's name is Elizabeth Jane and it is a beautiful name. I think you should use it if you love it!

[brooklyn_warbler]

i do think elizabeth jane is a pretty name, but i probably wouldn't use it in your situation. probably because i am just petty. in other words, i don't think it is a big deal to use it theoretically but i personally would feel uncomfortable in your situation. does that make sense?

[Isaac'sMa]

If you like (or love) the name I would go for it! It will be her middle name and ya know what?! She will steal the limelight from crotchety old Aunt Jane anyway...She will be a sweet little baby and from the time she's born that's probably what everyone will be thinking about when they think of the name Jane!

[yogamama74]

I like Jane...who cares about the aunt...

Middle names are used seldom anyway...we fret so much about them though, don't we?!

[*GreenMama*]

We were thinking Jane for a middle name a while back as well. Why don't you spell it different so she'll know its not "after her." The spelling we liked best was Jayne, but there's Jaine, Jain, Jayn,

[tiffanymm]

I love Elizabeth Jane. Who cares if Aunt Jane thinks it is after her. I would right away say her name and where you got the middle name from.

[crystalalene]

I like the sound of Elizabeth Jane but I could never use Jane because it was my childhood dog's name (I was reading Dick and Jane books when I named her).

For you, if that isn't the connotation, go for using the name. The aunt can be thrilled, your mom and mil will get over it, and it does sound awful pretty.

[Momma Aimee]

JMO

I would not use Jane.......no matter WHY you choose it -- useing a family name is prettty much connected to that family memmber on some level..............................MIL is ticked to this day that DS's middle name is that of her X; a man i have never met, a man who is passedaway and a man DH saw only once after the age of 6...it IS a family name on that side of the family adn WHY we chose it...MIL and other siply will not accpet the name is not in honor of her X..................................

For me personally -- i would NOT use a family name, or a name of anyone i knew personally unless i could do so proud to have the name tied to that person .. if that makes sense.

JMO

names are such a personal thing.

(our name for a 2nd boy is the same as a freind's little boy -- but he is only 3, so there is no question of really nameing ours after HIM and the name, Charles, is my Grandfater -- that boys too )

AImee

[welldone]

I love Elizabeth Jane. So classic and pretty. However, in your situation, I would not use Jane, if it were me. You may end up defending your name choice, either verbally or even just internally, every time the issue comes up (or every time you think about it).

If you decide to go for it, I'm with Cindy's idea of spelling it differently. Jayne is very feminine and romantic.

[PiePie]

what about elizabeth anne?

[De-lovely]

I love Elizabeth Jane also....love Jane period...but I wouldnt use it either because of the aunt and I am goofy like that....plus after all the discussion I would probably never be able to forget that I talked about this aunt and my dd's middle name.....