Conference oass::babynames

    I don't think any of the names you've chosen are awful.  I like them
    all.  I wouldn't worry about how the family takes it.  I found the
    same thing when I was expecting my first.  Everyone had a story about
    one name or the other.  I remember one said to me, "yuk, I knew a 
    Rene once when I was little.  I'll never forgot the sight of her peeing
    in the street.  I'd never use that name! "  or someone said to me,
    " I remember a Vanessa at camp and she was the ugliest, homeliest 
    person ever."   I was crushed.  I soon learned to use the phrase,
    " We're still deciding" whenever I was asked afterwoods......
    
    There's nothing wrong with any of the names you've chosen.  
    
    Anna
    

    First of all, don't try to please anyone but yourselves.  Its your
    child, and your choice.  I know how it is trying to find names that
    are not too common and not too popular. Personally, out of the names
    you listed I liked Mitchell (one of my favorites but my husband
    hates it) and Lianne. Ryan is nice too but verrry popular, at least
    in this region and the same with Lyndsey.  Good luck and go with
    your own instincts, if you name it trying to please everyone you
    may end up unhappy yourself.
    
    Cindy

    Choose what you like!!!.... I think that families have not to give their
    opinion. Parents are the only persons to be concerned and they do
    as they feel. Maybe the temper of the baby depends on their choice
    so it's better to do as YOU feel.
    
    Ghislaine
    France 

    I think you should choose what you like also.  But maybe be open
    when people think that names don't sound good together or things
    like that.  But as far as "I knew someone once. . ."  don't let
    that affect your decision.

    
    	Hi!
    
    	How about Lydia...I've always loved that name and it sounds
    	good with Hayes (your last name requires at least a two or
    	three syllable first name).  And Lydia is pretty close to 
    	some of your choices.
    
    	Hope you like it.
    
    	Brenda (Hayes) Manderfield 

    I beg to differ, but the names Jessica and Kirsten are VERY popular.
    
    K.C. 

    I loved reading your note, because our last name is "Hay" - and we're
    expecting our first January 1st!  I like all the names you selected;
    especially "Mitchell", because we have that chosen as a middle-name if
    we have a boy.
    
    Best wishes!
    
    Cheryl
    

    				
    
    Well, I suppose Jessica is so ever popular, but not sure if Kirsten
    is??
    
    
    
    				-in suspense.....Donna-

    How I sympathise with you! Being an only child expecting my first
    child, I'm being bombarded with suggestions and strong opinions
    by both my parents (not that they agree with each other's opinions
    either!)
    
    Our plan is to keep stumm, have a few favoured names up our sleeves,
    and decide on one that seems to fit the baby's temperament once
    he or she arrives!
    
    Good luck!
    
    May j.

    
    
    Hi Everyone!
    
    Thanks so much for all of your answers and suggestions.  At least I
    feel better knowing I'm not the only one that feels this way.  :')
    
    We probably won't even decide for sure until the last minute, but
    that's ok.  I'll just keep telling everyone that we don't have any
    names picked yet if they ask!
    
    Thanks again!
    Maureen

    I agree with everyone else.  You and your husband choose what you like
    !
    
    You know what I realized - my cousin named her son David - well some
    "family" members tried to change her mind because of a person they
    didn't care for had the name too - well "AFTER" David was born - they
    got used to it.  and actually like it.  Why?  Because they were able to
    "know" another person with the name whom they "liked" and now they
    don't even think about the person or reason why they didn't like the
    name in the 1st place.  SO, just go with what you like - believe me the 
    name will grow on them as they grow to love the baby!
    
    
    C
    
    p.s.  The names you listed sound fine with Hayes.  Good luck.
    

    How about Kimberly?!?!?! 
    
    /Kimberly (!!!!)

    
    
    Kimberly is a beautiful name, but a couple of our close friends are
    named Kim, and we're trying to avoid this. You know?  I was trying to think 
    of a unique name, one that no one we were close to already had.
    
    Thanks for the suggestion though.
    
    Maureen

    Maureen & Michael,
    
    As I was reading your note, I noticed the way you've decided to
    spell the babynames you've picked.  Please don't take this as criticism
    but you may want to consider that if your child's name is not spelled
    "normal", then he or she will have to go through life correcting
    evryone who tries to spell it (but gets it wrong) or whoever tries to
    pronounce it ( and pronounces it wrong) school teachers especially.  If
    you really like the names you've picked so far, then give the kid a
    fighting chance, and spell it right.  Believe me I know how it is, my
    fiance' has a normal name "Tommy", but everyone is constantly calling
    him "Thomas" or "Tom".  But his legal name is Tommy!!!  It's very
    frustrating for that person with the name.  I also have a cousin named
    "Ashleigh"  most people would spell it Ashley, or Ashly.  Everyone gets
    this one wrong including her own mother!!! She literally has to think
    about it before she can spell it for anyone.  Just a thought you may
    want to consider before you name you child w/a normal name but an
    abnormal spelling.  Think about it, it could be more headaches than
    it's worth.
    
       rng