What's In a Name?

Many people have asked...what's up with the three names?

Charles: It means "Free Man" or "Manly." It was ranked #60 in popular baby boy names in 2006 in the United States. The name has a long, distinguished history, starting with Charlemagne, or "Charles the Great." It's a classic name, not trendy or too common, but mostly we chose it because it has meaning on both sides of our family: Both grandmothers have beloved brothers named Charles; Alex's brother's first name was Charles; my grandfather's brother was named Charles. Charles is a good name for a brother in our family. I think "Charlie" and "Jake" sound cute together, and like brothers. It's a compromise name, but a good one.

Spenser: To get the full effect, think of Avery Brooks booming "Spen-sah!" to Robert Ulrich in the television show of the same name. Yes, we named our child after a famous fictional detective character (literary more than broadcast). The name means "someone who dispenses or gives out goods" and it's an easy name to spell and pronounce, but not too popular or trendy. But more importantly, it's a name of a fictional detective, smart-mouthed but with a heart of gold. He's smart, well-read, fit and strong, and lives by a strong personal code of honor. Those are all things you could wish for a child, and it was important to Alex that the name represent qualities to live up to. I couldn't quite get behind Spenser as a first name because I had always liked it as a name for a girl (Spencer Charlotte) and couldn't shake the association. It seemed less trendy or unweildy than Dashiell (Dash B****** sounds like a b-movie actor name) or Marlowe, which reminds me of That Girl Thomas.

Finnegan: Blame Mom for this one. I love the name Finn, trendy as it probably will be in five to ten years. I fought hard for Finn as a first name. Finn McCool was a mythical leader of the Fiann, hunters and warriors of Celtic legend. There are many stories about Finn's wisdom and leadership. The name itself means "fair" or "bright." Alex couldn't get past the fishy connotations (the reason Gillis, another of my favorite names and a family name, was off limits), but I loved the connection with the mythical character and wanted something Celtic to honor our mutual heritage. We literally decided to include Finn as one of the names on the way to the hospital. When saying the names out loud, Finnegan was the version that flowed the best with all the names and our two-syllable last name.

So, Charles Spenser Finnegan B******. Admittedly, a lot of name for a little boy. But it gives him lots of options and makes for good stories and conversational icebreaker without being a burden in every day life. Having gone my whole life spelling and pronouncing my name, and agreeing that yes, Valette is an unusual name, I can appreciate the benefits of both having a "normal" name and a name people can talk about and remember.

Besides, doesn't he just look like a Charlie? (And remember, people: it could have been "Memphis.")