Conference oass::babynames

    I wouldn't worry about it. It's not like they (your Ryan and their
    Ryan) will be around each other so much as to make things confusing.
    You could always ask - not that you'll get a negative answer - but
    you'll probably get a message if they really object.
    Shelly and I have a lot of neices and neffews, all but one 6 and under.
    A lot of the good names (in our opionion) were grabbed up! Since
    we all see each other frequently, I wouldn't feel right using
    one of them. Some of my cousins kids, whom I rarely see, I wouldn't
    think twice.
    
    John

    In my family there are 2 Richards, 2 Cathy/Katherine's, 2 Theresa's, 2
    Karens, and 3 Julies. 
    
    I am not overly fond of the name Ryan for a girl myself, but what the
    heck.  GO FOR IT!!!!!
    
    I mean, my choice for a boy's name, (Robert), I just remembered about a
    month ago, is also my cousin's name, but I'm not changing it.
    
    K.C.

    Hi,
       I absolutely LOVE the name Ryan!  And remember, it is your baby and
    your choice as to what his/her name will be.  Grandma will accept
    the name whether she approves or not, and once she sees/holds
    her she'll probably think no other name fitting.
    
    Congrats and best of luck!

    I'll have to add my vote to use Ryan, also.  In this situation,
    since you will seldom be seeing the other Ryan, I don't see any
    reason that you should change your long-standing name choice
    based on your cousin's son's name.
    
    Now, in the situation of the Grandma who isn't thrilled with
    the name, Ryan, for a girl, I'm not necessarily as convince as
    the .3 reply.  Depending on the Grandma (and her own preference for
    a more feminine or more tradional girl's name), the case could be
    closed the minute she holds her new granddaughter (if you have a
    daughter), or she could campaign even harder against the name, 
    Ryan.  A lot depends on the Grandma.
    
    Ultimately, however, it is your baby.  If you are certain that
    Ryan Elizabeth is the name you want, go for it. 
    
    Chris
    

thank you all for your votes of confidence .. i feel much better. as far as
grandma goes...let me give you some insight...when my sister was born (21 years
ago) mom named her kathleen...grandma called her kathryn for 4 years cuz she
liked it better!!  **and** when my cousin had a girl 2 years ago she named
her danielle and grandma didn't like that either cuz she'd never heard of it!!
so this is the lady we're talking about...i think she is just opinionated and
let's everyone know it!  maybe she's allowed at her age!  so ryan it will be
if it's a girl...now boys names are harder...i read quite a few yesterday in
this conference but still can't find one that we both like and goes with snow.

it's a tuffy...

thanks again...you all have been great!

janet.

    I had your same problem. My Grandmother hated my names for both my
    girls but I told her I wasn't naming them to suit her. Go with what
    makes you happy!
    
    Cindy

    Let me guess ... grandmother might go for Hank or Phoebe! :-)
    
    Personally I wouldn't choose Ryan for a girl ... or at least I
    wouldn't use it as the name I'd call her.  But as to worrying about
    others opinion ... don't!  Go with your own conscience.
    
    Personally, I'd chose maybe Hilary for a girl and maybe something
    strong like Alexander for a boy.
    
    Stuart

re: .7
actually, we felt like saying, "well, we could be *real* sadistic and name the
baby after you... Florence Snow!"  Flo Snow...i don't think so.  Somehow I think
that would've made matters worse.  never get into a "name-calling" contest with
a 75-year-old...you can't win.

you're right Alexander's not bad but what about Alex Snow...sounds like a snake:
Alexssssnow.  don't really like that.  got any other ideas?  we don't want too
common a name but it can't be too,too unusual either (for a boy it would be
to "queer").  good thing we still have 5 months to think about this.

janet. 

    My husband's name is Brian and I kind of wanted to use a middle name
    for our first baby (due October 24) after him.  I found a girls name of
    RHIAN (probably supposed to be pronounced REE-ANN), but if I use it, I
    will pronounce it RYAN.  So maybe an alternate spelling (Ryann, Riann)
    would be a solution to your dilemma.
    
    Just a thought.

    re: .9
    
    I don't think that changing the spelling will help.  In fact that may
    just prove to be a sore spot for the child in years to come.
    
    re: The name Ryan for a girl.
    
    I think that the name would be excellent for a girl.  My son's name is
    Ryan and I asked him if he thought that a girl named Ryan would be
    okay.  He thought that it would be "awesome". 
    
    re: Grandma...!
    
    I think that, like most of the people who responded, it doesn't matter
    what the grandmother thinks. You and your family ar ethe ones that
    matter in this case. I have a VERY opinionated mother-in-law.  We were
    considering the name Adrianna for our yet unborn girl, (if thats what
    it turns out to be), and my m-i-l's lack of enthusiasm for the name did
    not deter us from considering it whole heartedly.(we actually have
    changed our minds and have decided on Rachel.) Your baby will have to
    live with it for her whole life so think about her first......
    
    

    I love the name Ryan for a girl (more so than for a boy).  I don't care
    for alernative spellings or pronunciations.  In fact, my older
    daughter's middle name is Ryan (which in our case is also a family
    name).
    
    I think Elizabeth, a very traditional feminine name, rounds out your
    choice beautifully.
    
    Tracy

	Janet and Jeff are celebrating this Winter with the 
		     arrival of a little Snow...

			Kyle Jeffrey Snow

		     Born:   January 24, 1991
		     Weight: 7 lbs. 7.5 oz.
		     Length: 20.5 inches