Baby Names: The 6th Edition
One of the first comments or questions that come from family and friends after they congratulate us on the news of expecting a baby is, “What are you thinking about for names this time?” I guess when you name your kids Nehemiah, Evangeline, Athanasius, Hadassah, and Perpetua, it’s a fair question to ask. Giving a name is a privileged responsibility for parents and can be a lot fun. Everyone goes about it differently and it can even change from child to child. Here’s a peek into what guides Sonja and I’s naming process.
Sonja loves uniqueness and so you can almost guarantee that if we personally know a child or have even met a boy or girl with that particular name who is living, it will not make the final cut. I desire meaning in a name, so there has to be some backstory, a significant reason why we might use that name. There are other factors as well (do we like the sound, does it go well with Broten, etc.), but those two filters, uniqueness and meaning, are the two most important for us. With those in mind, we spend many moments throughout the pregnancy throwing out ideas to one another. The majority of these ideas come from books. Some may come from something we are reading in the Bible (Nehemiah, Hadassah), in biographies or theological works (Athanasius, Perpetua), or even a secular piece of literature (Evangeline, from Uncle Tom’s Cabin). We slowly run them through those filters with discussion until we narrow down to a top 3-5. At that time, Sonja lets go of the reins and leaves the final choice to me (ok, maybe she quietly whispers, “Don’t mess this up”).
So, where are we at for this 6th child? At risk of revealing future names (many of them reappear on future lists), here are ten boy and girl names that we have discussed and are in the running:
BOYS
Adoniram
Ahaziah
Attayib
Hilkiah
Horatio
Lazarus
Nicodemus
Onesimus
Shadrach
Zacchaeus
GIRLS
Amethyst
Amuna
Felicity
Lillias
Najik
Najma
Ophelia
Sahara
Serenity
Zayna
We have it narrowed down to 3-4 for either a boy or girl and I’m pretty sure I’ve made the final decision. Any guesses…you have a 10% chance this time :-)
Oliver’s guess Nicodemus and Amuna. Praying for a heathy birth and a beautiful babe. Love you guys!
Grandpa Broten guesses Hilkiah and Zayna. Don’t have a clue why though! Continued prayers for safe delivery…
My guess would be Nicodemus and Felicity!
I can’t wait to meet Baby Broten soon!
Praying for a safe delivery!
Our choice would be Shadrach and Najik or Felicity. Praying for safe and healthy delivery!!
My guess is Zacchaeus and Lillias. I must admit, I like the sound of these names with Broten,
Thinking of you everyday now and excited to see you soon! Praying for you.
Here is a trivial question for you ;). Most people know shadrach by his Babylonian name…. What was his Jewish name? No peeking!
Congrats Brotens!!! Can’t wait to hear the news. We should probably share our news… We have a son! His name is Ram Brave.
Miss you guys
Schoenbachs
That would be Hananiah, which didn’t make our cut (a bit of a feminine ring to it). On the other hand, while we didn’t really like Abednego, we did like his Jewish name, Ahaziah, which managed to make our list :-)
Oh, I like serenity for a girl.
We are praying for baby and delivery. Can’t wait to hear the name and see this sweet new baby!
Love, Billy, Karri, Lincoln, Abram, and Reagan – which we are hoping to bring home very soon!
Wow! That’s how I like to choose names too! I have no idea what you will pick
I guess Nicodemus and Sahara. Or Serenity. Hmm. Blessings to you. Thinking of you!
We’re gonna guess Onesimus and/or Sahara (in case it’s twins of course :-)
Blessings to you all as you await!
I loved this post! These are all unique and lovely (I’m also whispering: “Don’t mess this up!” lol) Go with what feels right! Interesting fact about our kid’s names…our last little one we named LANE…turns out that “common” name was given to only one boy born in 2013 in Qc and it is ours! Prayers for a safe and beautiful birth! xx
Alethea guesses either Ahaziah or Amuna. Just as an FYI our youngest is Lilias Evangeline in case that influences your choice any way
Ooops. Wrong last name above.
I’m pulling for Adoniram! He is one of my personal heros.
I have a name to submit for your consideration. I believe it is in keeping with the guidelines you have described. In Isaiah 62:4 it says “No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will e called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the LORD will take delight in you, and your lad will be married.” If it is a girl, Hephzibah gets my vote! It means “my delight is in her.” And as He does for Israel, may He do for your child and for Chad as well!