When my first son was born, we put a lot of thought into his name. We decided on Addison, a tribute to his great-great-grandfather, and paired it with David, after my father and brother-in-law. It was a name that I felt proud to announce. During my pregnancy, everyone kept asking what we’d chosen, and I was more than happy to share. The compliments rolled in, one person even remarked, “That sounds presidential!” I couldn’t help but agree. However, despite the distinguished name, we ended up calling him Add—yes, as in “this doesn’t add up.” That’s what his little sister called him, and it stuck. He’s now 13, and you’d be hard-pressed to hear anyone call him anything else.
We went through the same naming process with our second child, naming her after her great-great-grandmother, Anna. I thought it was a lovely name, perfectly complementing my own name, Kathrine. People would gush, “What a beautiful name!” Yet nowadays, she’s affectionately known as “Lady.” I find myself saying, “Oh, Lady,” countless times a day, even while cheering at her basketball games. It suits her perfectly; she truly is my lady.
The real adventure began with our third child. By this time, my older kids were still figuring out their words. His name is Jack, but when he was born—plump, shiny, and bald—I immediately dubbed him “Bubble.” He only got bigger, leading to the nickname “Chubby Bubble.” To simplify things for my older kids, I merged it into “Chubble” (because, you know, a chubby bubble). But then, on his first birthday, I kissed his velvety smooth head and dubbed him “Butter.” Soon after, his siblings shortened it to “Bubba,” which he’s proudly held onto to this day.
It’s a bit chaotic, isn’t it? After painstakingly choosing the perfect names, we find ourselves calling them “Bubba” for most of their lives. Some nicknames stem from their actual names, while others celebrate their unique traits. While some may think it’s a bit silly, I believe it’s charming—most parents I know have had their share of endearing nicknames for their kids.
Eventually, the rest of the family, friends, and even teachers start using these nicknames. They resonate for a reason—they’re fun, adorable, and often fit our little ones better than their formal names do.
Selecting a name for your child is a momentous occasion—something sacred. Whether it reflects your family’s heritage or a personal favorite you wished you had, names often express more about us than they do about our newborns. But regardless of how carefully you choose, it’s likely you’ll end up calling them something entirely different throughout their lives, and honestly, those nicknames will feel just as special.
For more insights on parenting and unique narratives, check out our other blog posts, like this one on home insemination practices. If you’re looking for quality products for at-home insemination, consider visiting Make a Mom, a reputable online retailer that offers an array of insemination kits. Additionally, for more information on pregnancy and home insemination, IVF Babble is an excellent resource to explore.
In summary, while we put immense thought into naming our children, it’s often the whimsical nicknames that truly define our relationships with them.