Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1872-04-04
Naming the Baby.

What name to give ''the baby" has
often been serious question in the
family council. The question is not the
less serious when the child happens to
be the thirteenth, for the usual roll of
Mary, John, William, Ellen, Jane,
Thomas, James, Sarah, Elizabeth and
Ann has by that time become exhausted.
The debate in such eases generally ends
in calling the new conner some fine
name-some name which its grand
mother never heard of, and which has a
ring of nobility in it.
Sometimes the mother, in her hour of
joy and thankfulness, as mark of af-
fection for her husband, says, "We'l
leave it with father" Sometimes the
father declines the privilege. In some
households it is the custom for the fa-
ther to name the boys, and the mother
to name the girls. In others, the elder
children are consulted, or some rich re-
lations, or some valued friend. so that
it often happens that muchtime is spent,
and many opinions are advanced, and
many suggestions offered, before the
decision is made. And when the de-
cisiOn is come to, it is not always the
best.
Peoples tastes differ widely in the
matter of names. What is very sweet
and suitable to old folks, may be very
unbecoming and har sh to the Juveniles.
Let parents exercise little discretion
in adopting Biblical names; they are
unconscious of what is passing. Do
not give them names of which they may
live to be ashamed. Do not put stig-
ma upon them which they can never
throw off. Remem Der that their flI&ure
may be in a measure affected by their
very names. 1t may hinder their ad-
vance, or it may promote their welfare.
once knew a family in which almost
every member had Bible name, The
result was that their sons were called
Lot, Ezra, Jehoshaphat, Amos, Lazarus
and Titus. They were to be pitied poor
fellows. As for Lazarus, he would give
half he possessed to get rid of his
name.
Some of the sacred names are most
suitable. We never tire of John, James,
Thomas, Sarah, Elizabeth, Samuel,
Mary and Ruth. But we cannot say
this of others. Do not give too many
Christian names.
Our forefathers were generally con-
tent with the good old rule of confer
ring but one name. Gradually their de-
scendants have set aside this wholesome
custom, and we are now drifting to the
opposite extreme. 1t is counted rather |
plebian nowadays to be able only to
sign your name plain John Brown or
Richard jenkins.
Be careful not to heap together names.
Two good names as Christian names is
quite enough.
Do not be too fond of borrowing the
names of great men.
Your child is not necessarily great,
because he bears a great mans name.
You may call him Homer Johns, but
you do not thereby make him poet.
l will add one other caution. Do not |
cling too fondly to family names.
Because your grandfather was called
Thomas it is not indispensable that your
son should bear that name. Three or
four Thomases in the same family ere
ate confusion. John senior and John |
junior are perplexing sometimes.
1t is natural for q father to wish his
eldest son to bear his name, but would
not adhere slavishly to this rule.
In giving names to your children at
least avoid oddity, and decry singulari-
ty. Try to perpetuate good names, and
abolish Objectionable ones.