DAILY DIRT: ‘Sometimes a name is really cute for a baby, but you just can’t picture it on an adult’

I was a little disappointed “Steve” didn’t make the top 10 list of boys names … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 648 of The Daily Dirt.

1. Naming a baby is arguably one of the two most difficult things about having a child.

Only the actual birth process may be more difficult.

So, what’s in a name? 

“A lot, actually … Think about what’s important to you when naming your baby,” advises the happiestbaby.com website. “Do you want something unique, traditional or somewhere in between?”

Here are some hints when it’s time to place that name on the birth certificate:

• 1. It’s important that the name you choose can grow with your little one past toddlerhood. Sometimes a name is really cute for a baby, but you just can’t picture it on an adult. Be realistic.
• 2. When it comes to the unique approach to naming a baby, you may want to try it out first. Go to a coffee shop and give the barista your name of choice. How does it sound when they call it out? Did they mispronounce it? Was it spelled correctly? Getting a “feel” for the name is an easy way to discover if your child may have difficulties later in life with something “too” different. There’s no shame in being original, though.
• 3. A great way to pay homage to an inspiring family member is pass on their name. Was your Grandma Elizabeth your favorite person growing up? Honor her legacy by giving your baby her name.
• 4. Do you like all of the possible nicknames? For example, do you love the name Madeline, but hate the nickname Maddie? You may want to consider a different option. You can always guide friends and family toward using your baby’s full name — or the nickname you prefer — just do it from the get-go to set precedent. 
• 5. Put yourself in your baby-to-be’s shoes. Remember: You’re giving a name to your little one for their entire life … would you like the name you’re choosing?

With all of that in mind, these are the 10 most popular boys and girls baby names so far in 2023, according to babycenter.com:

Boys            Girls

1. Liam        1. Olivia

2. Noah       2. Emma

3. James      3. Charlotte

4. Oliver        4. Amelia

5. Elijah        5. Sophia

6. William      6. Isabella

7. Henry        7. Ava

8. Lucas        8. Mia

9. Benjamin    9. Evelyn

10. Theodore    10. Luna

By comparison, here were the top choices 100 years ago in 1923:

Boys              Girls

1. John            1. Mary

2. Robert        2. Dorothy

3. William        3. Helen

4. James        4. Margaret

5. Charles        5. Betty

6. George        6. Ruth

7. Joseph        7. Virginia

8. Edward        8. Mildred

9. Richard        9. Elizabeth

10. Donald        10. Frances

2. Jim Palmer’s Hall of Fame credentials as a pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles were undeniably fit for Cooperstown.

Sure, he became the butt of a few jokes for his underwear modeling, but the man a 268-153 record with a 2.86 ERA, 2,212 strikeouts and won three Cy Young Awards. Few, however, are aware of these medal-worthy accomplishments:

Gold medal: He pitched in a World Series in three different decades (1960s, 1970s, 1980s) and six World Series overall, being on the winning team in three of them.

Silver medal: He never gave up a grand slam home run.

Bronze medal: He never surrendered back-to-back home runs.

Oh, and he’s not a bad TV analyst either.

3. Forgotten Gold.

Today’s choice is “Sherry Darling” by Bruce Springsteen. This 1980 classic is always one of the most popular numbers performed by The Boss in concert. There are a few different schools of thought about the story within the lyrics.

One deals with a guy searching for his identity. Another is that the song is a hymn to hope and resilience. And yet another says the song tells a story which may be premised on his disdain for Sherry Darling’s mom, but is ultimately centered on his appreciation of Sherry herself.

Personally, I kind of lean toward the third.

“Sherry Darling” was included in “The River” album.

My favorite part of the lyrics:

Well I got some beer and the highway’s free,
And I got you, and baby, you’ve got me
Hey, hey, hey, what you say, Sherry Darling?

Steve Thought O’ The Day — A wise man once told me the more you weigh, the harder you are to kidnap. And to this date, I’ve never been kidnaped.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. Unlike The Boss in “Sherry Darling”, he has no beer.