Baby name question - long, sorry

DH and I have pretty much agreed on a name for our baby if it is a girl. But I have some reservations and I would like the opinion of other moms and moms-to-be.

My mother passed away almost 6 years ago and I wanted to honor her in some way with the name that we choose. So, we decided that we would like her maiden name to be used as the baby's first name. I came to this decision because I told DH that even though the baby's name will be "Jones, lets say" there is so much of my Mom in me that the baby will always be a "Smith, lets say". It is one of those Irish names that we think will make a pretty first name.

Some of my reservations are:

1) It is not spelled exactly phonetically, so she would probably have to spell it all the time for people (for example: Smyth instead of Smith). It is in the baby books as a possible first name, spelled phonetically, but I would want to spell it the same way my Mom did.

2) I'm a little afraid that some of my relatives (my mom's family) will think it is weird because it is their last name and will make remarks like "Why did you choose THAT name???" Some of them can be very judgemental with certain things.

3) It doesn't EXACTLY rhyme with my last name, but the second syllable is a little "rhymey" with my last name and I don't know if that will sound okay.

4) There really is no way to shorten it to make a nickname.

5) It doesn't sound like anything kids could make fun of, but you change around a few of the letters, they could.

I know that my baby's name is ultimately the decision of me and DH but I am trying to choose a name that people won't think is weird or that they won't screw up their faces when they hear it.

Any opinions?

Message edited 3/4/2006 4:17:55 PM.

Re: Baby name question

I don't see any question

Re: Baby name question - long, sorry

Sorry, I hit enter before I typed the question.

Re: Baby name question - long, sorry

I think it is a wonderful idea and would NOT worry about what other relatives might think or say

Re: Baby name question - long, sorry

No matter what name you choose, someone will have something to say, so just don't worry about it. I think you should spell it the way your mother did, people will figure out the correct pronunciation.

Re: Baby name question - long, sorry

I think it's a great way to honor your mom...and from someone that has spelled or told people how to pronounce my first name (and now my last) it's not even a second thought anymore.

Don't care about what anyone else thinks or says about your decision. It's your child. In all honesty, EVERYONE has an opinion and after you have a baby, they feel it's their right to express it. IGNORE the bad ones!

Go for the name! I can't wait to see/hear her name when she arrives!

Re: Baby name question - long, sorry

Re: Baby name question - long, sorry

Oh yes, people will ALWAYS have something to say

As far as the spelling, people have been spelling my name wrong for years I get 2 L's more than 1 L

Re: Baby name question - long, sorry

I agree with the other posts. First someone will always have a problem with everything you do and second it is great that you want to honor your mother that way! Go with what you and your DH agree on!!!