The Long Road to a Name

Michael and I each drew up a list of baby names we liked and sent them to each other by email.
We could be as "original" as we wanted, because the baby naming process isn't just the two of us.
The name has to be approved by a series of family members more harsh than US immigration.
Children's names in our family go through the 7 stages of editing. The names Michael and I
originally liked. The argument from my parents that they are difficult to say in Spanish.
The argument from Michael's mom that no Irish name has a Spanish middle name.
The arugment from Michael's dad that it's just not French enough.
Then there's the arguments from my siblings that its not trendy enough, it's not pretty enough,
it's not versatile enough in three languages.

The debarkle over Carmen's name left my mother and Michael not speaking for over a month.
We chose Carmen to honor my grandmother, Carmela. Michael would not settle for Carmela.
"She'll grow up to be a prostitute," he said.
"It's Spanish," my mom said.
"It's non negotiable," Michael added.

The war over Conor's name began long before his birth, back when we were contemplating Mathis for a boy. "Simply awful," my sister said. "Why do you need the H? What about Matis?"
My sister Sarita sent an email which suggested "Mathys."
Embarrassed to be related to someone who would add 'y's gratuitiously to a name, I feared for her future children.

We decided on Conor Takao days before his birth, and quickly added Thierry to hush Michael's dad who
threatened to fly to Japan and name him himself. That night, I had dreams of Michael's dad storming in to the hospital room and naming him Jean-Frederic-Marie, imposing some sort law of French nationality and paternal choice.
I woke Michael up and said, "Thierry. Let's just add it in. Noone said babies can't have 3 prenoms."

We've started early this time. Barely 6 weeks into the pregnancy and we can see the signs marking
the future name war.
"I'm liking Baby G," I said, "It's street wise."
"It's a watch," Michael said.

In saying that, I present to you Michaels and my first five choices for both sexes, none of which i'm sure will make it to the finals of this gruelling competition.

Michael
Imogen Hugo
Clare Nathan
Nathalie Nicolas
Perrine Samuel
Annabelle Mattheo

Ashley
Aurelie Alexander
Mathilde Daniel
Taylor Joseph
Anais Aidan
Sophie Emmanuel