[Professional Blog] Name game becomes big challenge

What's in a name?

A lot, if you are trying to choose one for a baby boy.

Of all the challenges of impending parenthood, agreeing on a male handle has been amongst the toughest of 'em all.

The kid's name, obviously, will be a major part of its life forever, so this is not something we are taking lightly.

Since we don't know the gender, we've been trying to decide on names for both sexes.

Our choice for a girl isn't finalized, but we do agree on a couple and have some options.

However, deciding what to call a boy is a different story.

We've been through two name books and had countless discussions, but still haven't been able to reach any kind of consensus.

She wants something that sounds good, like Dawson or Evan.

Me, if it's a boy, I want the name to be rugged and masculine.

I suggested Wendel, after Wendel Clark --- the greatest and grittiest hockey player ever.

Not a chance, she said.

Angus, after AC/DC guitarist Angus Young?

No way.

Jack, after Jacks Black, Nicholson, Bauer, White and Tripper?

The Tripper part was a joke, but the name Jack had potential.

In the end though, she felt Jack Bartlett sounded like an 80-year-old man.

So I suggested Mac, after my favourite burger and computer, and because it goes good with a powdery cheese mix.

She felt I wasn't taking the exercise seriously. And after weeks of seriousness but still no decision, she was right.

And in that vein, I'm thinking about proposing something completely different.

The baby is due at the end of September, around the same date as the municipal election.

If it's a boy, I'm going to suggest, we name it Dennis or Ron, depending on who takes the St. John's mayor's chair.

Her likely reply the kid will be more mature at birth than I am.