Monday, March 8, 2010

Who needs books when you've got TV?

Top2Tuesday

I’m participating in Top 2 Tuesday again this week with the Undomestic Momma. This Tuesday’s top 2 is: Favorite Names. I’m excited about this one, because obviously I’m going to use my girl’s names, but I’m also going to tell you the story behind their names!

So, starting out with Thing 1: Alivia.

I chose Alivia’s name before I was married, or had even met Shawn for that matter. When I was dating I was pretty much like “Hey, if we have a daughter, I’m going to name her Olivia, ok? If you’re not ok with that, then hit the road!”

Where did I get the name from? Promise not to think I’m trashy? Ok.

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That’s Kelly Monaco. When I was in college she was on the soap opera “Port Charles,” which was a spin off of General Hospital. I honestly don’t remember anything about that show, except that Kelly Monaco’s character was “Olivia.” Yup, I got my daughter’s name from a soap opera.

It just so happens that Shawn and I are also huge fans of Law & Order SVU, and my favorite character is definitely Olivia Benson:

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I think Olivia Benson sealed the deal for Shawn, because he never protested naming our daughter “Olivia.”

Wait a minute. Wait just one minute. If you’re paying attention, then you know that my daughter’s name is actually spelled “Alivia.” So, what’s up with that? Well, one day when I was pregnant, I just suddenly decided to spell it with an “A.” I had never seen it spelled with an “A,” so I don’t really know where I came up with it. Shawn didn’t protest that either, he was basically like “Whatever, crazy pregnant lady.”

Moving on to Thing 2: Lainey.

Apparently, Shawn felt like he got to have some say in the naming of this child because he shot down every name I came up with. My choices were Layla or Kendall, both of which he hated. Then, one weekend we were watching TBS, and one of my favorite movies came on:

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Do you remember that movie? I love it! Anywho. Rachael Leigh Cook’s (whatever happened to her anyway?) character in that movie was “Lainey.” Shawn heard that name, and he was sold. I, however, was not. I thought it sounded more like a nickname, than an actual first name. So, we tossed around a few names like “Alaina” and “Dulaney.” But, in the end, we decided on just Lainey. It’s funny, because she truly is a Lainey, and I can’t imagine her being called anything else.

Well, there you have it. Both of my children were named after characters on a TV show or movie. Last year I posted that on Facebook as one of my “25 Random Facts” about myself, and my sister totally scoffed at it. Hey, at least I didn’t waste money on one of those 1000 page “Baby Name” books.

Oh, and if we ever have a boy, I have a name all picked out. Any guesses? I’ll give you a hint:

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36 comments:

Wiz said...

Love the names! I love unique names and unique spellings and I totally remember Lainey. Lainey Boggs, was it? You gotta find a name somewhere, might as well be TV :) Thanks for the comment!

Natalie said...

Great names. I remember vividly with my first pregnancy, I would scour the credits of movies looking for names.
I also really wanted to name my son Bailey after the character on Party of 5.

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Joey?? Dawson?? Pacey?? Oh the suspense!

Hillary said...

I totally remember talking about what you might name Lainey, we were at my parent's house and A-Lo was toddling around identifying things like nose, ear, mouth, etc.

Anywho, didn't watch Dawson (gasp!) but I thought you were always going to name your son Jaxon, am I wrong?

Katie @ Miss Klohn's Classroom said...

both are such wonderful names and you have two beautiful girls to go with them! I am a new follower too!

Helene said...

I always enjoy hearing the stories behind how people picked their children's names! And you know what's funny....two of the names I had always loved for a girl was Kendall and Olivia!! In fact, when we first learned we were pregnant with our 1st set of twins, I was hoping they would be girls so we could name them those names!! They turned out to be boy/girl and my husband vetoed both names so we ultimately went with Isabella!!

And it isn't amazing how a name at first doesn't seem catchy enough until you finally meet your child face to face after birth and you realize that no other name would suit him/her!!!

Thank you so much for visiting my blog via Erin's blog! Hope you'll be back again soon!

ty said...

I hope it's Pacey. A good friend of mine could be his twin, and we call him Pacey.

Come to think of it, I don't really know if I know his real name.

Already Happy said...

I think soap operas are a PERFECT place to find new names. The are usually pretty current and trendy!

The Kid said...

Olivia is a strong name. I love the name, because of the "Olivia Dunham" the FBI agent in the series "Fringe".

:)

Jordan said...

Cute stories behind their names! :-)

Danielle said...

Love both their names! We had the opposite occur actually....we were going to name our princess Alyson....but at the time there was an Allison on Melrose Place and the entire family boycotted the name b/c the character was such a
b@*%&$.

jv726 said...

So if you have a boy will it be Dawson, Pacey or Joey? (I don't remember Michelle Williams name on the show, but I think it was girly).
And I have may or may not have a girl crush on Mariska Hargitay (Olivia Benson). Shes hot.
I like the way you spelled Alivia's name! And Lainey is super cute!

The Undomestic Mom said...

I love those names!!!! Adorable!

Heather (One Take On Life) said...

You know when I first read your blog and saw that your daugther's name was Lainey, I immediately thought of that movie, Ha!
I had baby books and really didn't need them either, I think they just add to the confusion sometimes.

Heather (One Take On Life) said...

Oh and I forgot to guess. Although I think its easy, Dawson, right????

Caroline said...

Love Dawson. I love Olivia and Lainey too!

Kate @ When Hello Means Goodbye said...

love your names! and love Dawsons Creek, we named our dog Pacey and at one point I sorta wished I saved it for a human instead of a dog :)

Taylor-Made Wife said...

At least you used good people as your inspiration. I was named after a character in the movie On Golden Pond...played by Jane Fonda...I hate that bitch. But it is a sweet movie at least.

Amber said...

It is SO funny that you brought up the movie She's All That in this post! I have an answer to your question about what happened to Rachael Leigh Cook! I happened across the Nancy Drew movie with Emma Roberts this week and guess who had a small role? You guessed it, Rachael Leigh Cook!!! After seeing her for like the first time, since she played in She's All That; all I've been able to think about this week is that movie and how much I liked it as a teenager:) You can definitely tell she's aged and gained weight but who hasn't??? Oh yeah Tami:)

Molly said...

Love the names, too cute! My sisters name is Laney as well, and I've always loved her name, or the name Delaney. Excellent choices!

Cute blog too!!

Kristen said...

I love both names! I have always had a special place in my heart for the name Lainey - my Dad's middle name is Lane and I think it would be fun to name a little girl after him!

Tyly said...

I love the story of their names! They are gorgeous little girls with gorgeous names to match.

Manda said...

Over from Taylor's!

Love their names, my dad got mine from a Song!

Sara McCarty said...

I love the names Lainey and Alivia!! And for the same reasons!! So funny.

Please say Pacey, please say Pacey, please say Pacey. :)

Lesli said...

I love both of their names...don't feel bad, Ayla was named after a contestant on American Idol years ago and Brennan was named after the the quarterback from Hawaii....well not named after but that is how we came up with the name!! Cute post!

Anonymous said...

Love this post! I also love thinking about names. Every once in a while I'll throw a name out to my husband for the next one (if this one doesn't kill me that is). Usually he'll veto me, but it's so fun to think about.

Anonymous said...

THose are adorable unique names. I love unique names!

My name is unique, but I also keep my real name off of my blog and use a different name;-)

Sazzle said...

Dawson - lol...

BTW: Rachael Leigh Cook was on E the other day. Doing a bit on the Soup

Keli said...

My husband seemed to protest more the 2nd time too! Isn't it funny how the babies just "fit" their names? Like it was meant to be!

Helena said...

I love Alivia, no matter how it's spelled. So darn cute. And hey, I'm partial to Lainey, too :)

d.a.r. said...

Haha fabulous!! I love their names, super cute!

Jackie said...

My husband and I couldn't agree on our son's name so we turned to our favorite show at the time, The Sopranos, to get his name.

Unknown said...

What great names! I love the way you spelled Alivia. Have a great week!

Unknown said...

Great stories! I was named for a character on Y&R.

Sonya said...

I wanted to name our daughter Lorelai from Gilmore Girls but my hubby nixed that. I did get him to comprimise and name her Lauren though. :)

{I am on the hunt for boy names. I am expecting our second child, a boy, July 1st}

Heather B. said...

I love the name Olivia! When I was preggo with my daughter that was going to be her name. Till one day in Wal-mart I kept hearing that name over and over again. I decided it was too popular so we changed it.....to.....Kendall!!!!!