Banana Fanna Fo Fieran…
July 21, 2006Dear Bartender: My husband would like for our baby to have his name if it’s a boy. Trouble is, his name is Kieran, which is a beautiful Irish name, of course, but…
How do I approach this without hurting his feelings? Or am I in the wrong for wanting to name him Michael, or Thomas, or something more everyday male, by US standards?
-Pregnant Lady
Dear Pregnant Lady: The baby might really like the name Kieran. I’m guessing you haven’t asked it yet, which is too bad because it’s the baby who’s going to have to hear it mutilated over and over in every variation of an American accent, and it the baby who’ll have to spell it every time his dentist gets a new receptionist. I suggest you start practicing saying the name without making a face because your husband is going to win this one. Have another baby and name it John. Or do the really smart thing and have a girl.
Anyway, the kid will have a nickname sooner or later. Mine was “Noodle.” Remember: Things could always be worse. By the way, I once dated a guy named Kieran. Funny if it’s your husband! Well, you might not think so. See? Perspective. Things could always be worse.
Hm, Mitchell, I don’t know. I once knew a boy whose brother was named Kieran, and he was made sport of quite a bit.
Hey MommaSteph. I have a sister named Steph. She taught me how to throw a punch, tell time, ride a bike and passably toss a football.
I’d be nowhere in life without knowing how to throw a punch. I highly recommend it to your little friend Kieran.
–Mitchell