Posted on by Jenny

The Big Name Reveal

So, as I’ve mentioned, I have a wee obsession with naming my babies MONTHS before they are born.  Not days before, not the DAY they are  born, or God forbid, the day AFTER.  Way, way, way before.

So, the day before our ultrasound two-and-a-half weeks ago, Bobby and I had our final “name talk” to choose our baby’s name.  It was slightly contentious, and ended with Bobby telling me after we had both voted for differing favorites, “You can tell me what the baby’s name is tomorrow after the ultrasound.”  He was going to give in to me, but I couldn’t choose a name he didn’t like.

So we went to the ultrasound, and much to our surprise, the baby was a BOY!  I think we are both still a little shocked about that.  My pregnancy felt so similar to my pregnancy with Sophie, we were both really thinking girl.  But the little booger was definitely a guy.  And we were both thrilled, but we were having a much bigger difference of opinion on the boy’s name, so I was kind of bummed to have to make a choice on that.  But I did.

And his name is Jonah Laton Rapson.

I wanted to name him Laton, (rhymes with “Dayton”) which is my and Emily’s grandfather’s name (yes, our Frigidaire Grandpa) , and also my brother’s middle name.

But Bobby just couldn’t get on board with it, and he really loved the name Jonah, which means “Dove” and also “Peace” (the Dove being a peace symbol and all.)  And it does go awfully well with Joshua and Sophia, so that is what I told him, after the ultrasound, that our baby’s name is.

I can’t find “Laton” in any name books or websites (or apps for that matter!), though the name “Leighton” is pronounced the same way and means “From the meadow farm”, which is appropriate because my Grandpa was a farmer from the holler before he moved to Ohio with his wife and young kids.  I am pretty sure though, that when he was born in 1926, my great-grandmother just made it up.  Not bad, I say!  I mean his brother was named Roy and I like Laton a lot better than Roy (my apologies to any Roy’s out there.) But I digress.

Now I am sure all the comments on this post are going to be “Oh I know Jonah this and Jonah that and Jonah is getting to be so popular” – just don’t tell me ok? I screwed up enough with Sophie’s name!  I only know ONE Jonah, who will be two when ours is born and lives in NYC (Sorry Melcy, I didn’t mean to steal your baby’s name, my husband made me do it!)

But anyways, despite my earlier attachment to Laton as a first name, I am now totally on board with Jonah.  I love it! I love calling him that, I already have silly nicknames for him, and I can’t wait to put a sweet little face with that name.

And for the record, the little girl would have been Joanna.  Either Joanna Claire (Bobby’s choice) our Joanna Kathleen (after my and Emily’s grandmother). Jo for my aunt (Emily’s mom), it was her middle name, Anna for my cousin Anna, and my BFF Luanne – kind of sad I won’t get to use that name, but I’m thrilled to have my little Jonah on the way!  17 more weeks to go and  I can kiss his little Jonah face!

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29 Replies to “The Big Name Reveal”

  1. I’m sure I missed the part in there where you were going to incorporate Emily into the baby’s name… my mom, my sister… surely I was in there somewhere. Oh well, guess I’ll have to wait for your next accidental pregnancy.

    I can’t wait to meet Jonah!

  2. I find it amazing that Jonah and Johan are spelled with the same letters. But I’m still gonna’ call him Lefonious!

    UP

  4. Jonah and Joanna aren’t THAT different, so it’s like you got *both* name choices. There was a kid in junior high who thought it was funny to call me Jonah.

    The first names we picked out for a girl and a boy are very similar, too. And the middle name we’re going to use is an unusual family name, too, that will probably leave people scratching their heads. But, we like it!

  5. Dude, Colin and I were just talking about how if we had a girl next time we’d probably name her Sophia! And then I said, but then I’d steal Jenny’s baby name! Jonah Laton is going to be super cute to fit his super cute name!

  13. Awww…I was hoping for a Joanna too! 😉 My husband would have nothing to do with it, but I love that name. Our little boy is David Joseph. Just a few months til we’ll be sharing newborn horror stories!

  15. I love the name Jonah 😉 <3
    Leighton is a family name on my hubby's side. One boy always has it as a middle name, I adore it and we would have used it but, my BIL and SIL already used it on their son 😉

    LOVE, Jonah Leighton, it flows off the tongue, sounds strong, yet peaceful.

  17. what an awesome name w/ a fun story! and way to go on the early naming. my husband & i aren’t pregnant & have no plans for that in the next few yrs (but ya never know…) and we already have baby names (first & middle) for a boy or a girl. picked ’em out right after we got married. people think we’re weird but i think it’s fun! 🙂 love the name choice too… 🙂

  21. JENNY, I LOVED THE NAME YOU PICKED AND ESPECIALLY LATON, ALSO MY UNCLE. I WAS JUST TALKING ABOUT THAT NAME THIS WEEK REF BABY NAMES. ONE OF MY FAVORITES. ALSO MY FAVORITE PIC OF MY DAD WITH YOU GRANDPA. HOPE ALL GOES WELL. TAKE CARE

  22. Jonah is a good, good name! I named my second son that, and you don’t have much trouble calling him on the playground. There just aren’t very many Jonah’s out there! Congratulations!

  24. As a teacher, there is NOTHING wrong with a common name!!!! (My little girl is Megan and our little Jack will be here in two weeks!) I have a Jonah this year in my class (4th grade) but have never had one before, so it’s not that common at all. The nice thing is that it is pretty original, but when someone sees it, they know how to pronounce it, and most likely, how to spell it. There’s nothing worse than going through your whole life having to spell your name every time you say it! I love the name! Great pick!

  27. I insist on approving ALL nicknames.Just for the record – if you call him Joanie, he will get a dress from Aunt Lori ;). Love you guys! And I guess ill have to forgive you for not mentioning that Joanna is after ME too!

  28. Jenny, I am honored that you are naming your 3rd child after my Jonah. =) j/k.
    No, really, I think its great. Of course, I personally love the name, so I wouldn’t want to deter anyone else from using it.
    I hope our Jonah’s can meet one day!!
    Much love,
    Melcy

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