What's in a Name?

We have been asked by multiple people where Ellie's name came from, so here it is. Before we found out we were having a girl Nick and I started throwing out potential girl and boy names. Of course we couldn't agree on any one of them at first- are you surprised?

Anyway, we must have been destined to have a girl, because to this day we will cannot agree on a boy name. Growing up without a nickname, I really wanted a name that could be shortened- but still have a full name that sounded professional and traditional for when she was older. Nick wanted a name that wouldn't hit the 'Top Baby Name List'. After much discussion we decided on Eleanor (like former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt). It is both traditional and ranked number 256 on the Top Baby Names for 2008 (not common at all)!

Eleanor is of Greek origin and means* 'shining light'

The meaning of the name is perfect, as she is the 'shining light' in our life. Eleanor is the most traditional spelling of the name. From there we came up with Ellie for a nickname (it goes with her girl cousin's 'ie/y' theme: Sammy, Ally, Izzy, Natalie and Ruby).

As for her middle name, Ann--- that was the easy part. Both Nick's mom and my mom have the middle name of Ann. I remember looking at our birth certificates when we went to get our marriage license, and commenting that they had the same middle name AND it was spelled the same way! I think it was at that point that the idea of if we ever had a little girl she would have the middle name of Ann- after the two of them.

So there it is. Pretty basic and not all that exciting- but still has meaning to us.

*We understand that there are other meanings for the name Eleanor. We opted to be selective and pick our favorite.