Tuesday, March 9, 2010

the double name game

it's so frustrating. maybe those of you w/double names can help me out here. we named our daughter (first name) Ruby (middle name) Belle. but we'd planned on calling her Ruby Belle. we were undecided for a couple of months before her birth, but decided that we'd call her both names by the time we'd had her. so, why doesn't everyone else do that? why don't they get it? who knows?! i call her Ruby Belle...why can't they? do i need to start correcting people? i don't want to be pushy, but maybe that's what i need to do? or do i need to get over it...i mean, she is only about 6 months old.

maybe one day it will sink in. then again, one day she'll be old enough to decide for herself which she likes better.

2 comments:

mary_marshall said...

STICK WITH IT! Don't be afraid to speak up & tell people it's a double name. It's the story of my life & I truly believe it has shaped my personality to have a double name. Ruby Belle is a beautiful name! You will have to address it alot with every new person you meet, but if that's what you named your child, then they should repect that & call her that. It doesn't matter if her name is Mary Supercalifragilisticexpealidocious - that is her name & she deserves to be called that. My advice is that when someone asks, "What is her name?" You say, "Ruby Belle." If they say, "Oh, Ruby, what a beautiful name." You immediately say, "Actually, it's a double name, Ruby Belle. We call her both names." I even sometimes throw in a "like Mary Kathryn or Sarah Kate or Lilly Anna". You can think of some examples you like or to which you can relate. It's a wonderful thing to have a unique name & I think you should stick to it. Later in life, she can decide which she prefers, but to you & Justin she will always be Ruby Belle.

~Mary Marshall Harper Martinez
(I'll have to send you the monogram I designed for 4 initials. She could use the same layout when she gets married & wants to keep her middle & maiden name!)

Mandy S said...

oh, wow!!! thanks SO much for the advice!! (i was hoping you'd have some!!! :)
i now feel like i can speak up since i've heard it from someone who's "speaking from experience!" and yes!!! they TOTALLY do that! the, "What's her name?" and i say, "Ruby Belle" and they say, "oh, Ruby, what a cute name!"
UGHH!! :) so, thanks SO much for helping me get over this! and telling me to speak up!!!