Man, I love talking baby names. Because you’re here, I’m assuming you do too and so, since LG’s got a pretty unique name, I thought I’d explain how she actually got it.
It all started back in college, when I had a class with a girl named Yael (this was before Yael Naim became famous for having this song featured in an Apple ad) and I really liked the name. Unfortunately, the Yael in my class was a giant bitch, but I kept the name in my head for future baby nameage inspiration.
Then a couple years ago, when perusing an online baby name site, I narrowed my search to Hebrew girl names beginning with the letter L (I knew I wanted to name my daughter* after my grandma, Linda, and I also knew I wanted to use a Hebrew name) and up popped L@el**, which means “of God.” Right then and there I knew that would be my daughter’s name.
Fast forward to September of last year. I was about a month or so pregnant and Chris and I went up to Seattle to visit his parents. I’d asked his mom to take out some baby pictures of Chris so I could see just how ginormous he was what he looked like as a baby. In perusing the family albums, I saw his paternal grandma’s maiden name was Gift. I LOVED IT. Naming her (if she was in fact a her; we didn’t know yet) after two of her grandmas AND giving her a unique (but not Moxie Crimefighter kind of unique) name was right up my alley.
And so, L@el Gift was born.
Well, she was born on April 20th, which just so happens to be my dad’s birthday. It’s pretty amazing…She was supposed to be born in May and arrived not only early, but on my dad’s birthday. What a Gift indeed.
*Yes, I realize this is sort of pathetic, as I was nowhere near being pregnant or even wanting kids at that point in my life, but like I said, I have a thing for baby names.
**Someone asked me on Twitter if we’re really spelling her name with the @ symbol. Uhh, no. I’m just using that in place of the ‘a’ so she’s unsearchable on this here website. PARANOID MOTHER ALERT.
However, what’s really funny – or totally sad, depending on who you are in this story – is that a few weeks ago, we were talking baby names on Twitter and someone said they knew of a kid who was named L-a, as in Ladasha. Who knows if it’s true, but OMG, poor thing if it is.
Also, since people have asked, it’s pronounced Lay-El. Or rather we’re pronouncing it like that. I reckon the real pronunciation is Lah-El, but I think Lay-El is prettier.
Even though I’ve heard this story before, I still love it! And to think when we named Ella, it was because out of thousands of girl names, it was the only one the two of us actually agreed upon =)
I LOVE baby names. And even more than the actual names, I LOVE the stories behind the names. And wow – what a great story for such a lovely name.
Although… And I feel like an idiot asking… But is her name one or two syallables? Like, does it rhyme with Yale and sale? Or is it L@y-ELL?
Either way, I love it. But I’d rather know what’s RIGHT.
Um. L-a is on an actual baby name website.
http://www.babynamewizard.com/namipedia/girl/la-a
THESE POOR CHILDREN.
(love, love, love your little gal’s name)
I have an aunt named L@el, (go figure, Catholic family), and have ALWAYS ALWAYS loved that name. And I love L@el Gift together- it is simply perfect.
I think the L-a story was a brunch tale, because my best friend from teaching had a student with that name. AMAZING.
I love L@el. Gorgeous. Yay for babies!
I’ve definitely heard of L-a before. I think it might be an urban legend. But L@el? Girl, there’s still time to change the birth certificate. And homage to Twitter! Ha.
An. Not and. Damn it.
My friend is a substitute teacher, and honest to goodness, he had a La-a on his roster. And when he called her “Lah-ah” apparently the mother called and yelled at him, saying it was pronounced “Luh-dash-uh”. Definitely the best sub story ever!
Dude, we are in the throes of baby name discussions over here. I kind of HATE baby names right now. But yours? Is perfection. I love that she’s named after her two grandmas.
Just found your blog and really enjoyed reading through the entries 🙂
L@el Gift is such a pretty name! I love unique names, but not when parents go over the top. Or when they take common name and make it completely ridiculous by spelling it “differently”. Please, no more Kavyns and Kortnys!!! Anyway, looking forward to reading your blog.
Thank you!