Monday, January 12, 2009

Where did the name Rayce come from?



I know a lot of you know that I'm a big fan of racing but my love of racing isn't really where the name came from. When I was pregnant with Drew we had decided to take a name from Mike's family to use for a middle name. When I was pregnant with Jackson we thought that it was only fair to use a name from my family.

I knew instantly that I wanted to use a name from my Dad but in all honesty I just wasn't a big fan of his first or middle name. I know that sounds kind of mean but they are both more his era than now. It was time to get creative. I could have shortened his first name to Ben but that just ended up sounding more like my Grandpa than my Dad. It really didn't matter what I came up with because every time I would try to think about my dad the word "race" would pop into my train of thought.

Then the wheels started turning. Could I use the word race as a name? I pitched the idea to Mike and I got a very stern no. I even tried to explain that we could change the spelling to "Rayce" so that it resembled a name and not so much a sport. Mike still wasn't buying it. I remember being so disappointed and so frustrated that Mike couldn't understand what that name would mean to me.

A few months later, Mike came up to me on a random Tuesday and said, "let's name him Jackson Rayce." What!?! What in the world had changed his mind!?! He told me that he knew he was being selfish and he knew that it was important to me. I remember being so excited and so thankful that Mike finally got it.

What makes the story even better are the similarities between Jackson and Dad.

• They both weighed the same at birth.
• They both had the same full head of dark hair when they were born.
• In a family full of brown eyes, Jackson and Dad were blue eyes.
• Jackson's length at birth was 19 in., my Dad's race car number.
• Jackson has got the same easy going, calm, happy personality that my Dad had.

I know it's kind of silly, but all of those similarities make me really happy.

16 comments:

Kirsty said...

I don't think its silly in the slightest! I think its beautiful:-)What a lucky boy, to have sucha meaningful lovely name!

~ Kim ~ said...

I agree with Kirsty - not silly at all and in fact a very cool story!! Its even more amazing when you list all those similarities ... and Jackson is still so little! I bet you find lots more as time goes on. Thank you so much for sharing that with us!! And great photo too!!

Love the new look of the blog!!

Have a great week ... :)

luvzenkm2 (Leea) said...

Agree its not silly, in fact I drive people nuts with my co winky dinks too! I find alot them with my dad too, its my way of keeping him around...

Anonymous said...

I LOVE the name, and think it's awesome that you find comfort in the similarities! You have a beautiful family... thanks for sharing with us!

Jennifer said...

I think it's just awesome. It's great that Mike realized it meant so much to you. That's a good husband!!

lauren said...

i love the story behind jackson's full name! we have a family friend whose son's first name is "race" and he loves it more and more each day. i have a funny feeling that if my boyfriend and i ever have a son, his name will somehow have a racing aspect incorporated into it!! :)
thanks for sharing!
*

Allison said...

How cool!! Good thinking w/ adding the 'y.' Love it! Cute pic.

Heidi said...

Thanks for sharing that beautiful story of Jackson's middle name. That is so very special. Also, I wanted to thank you so much for the wonderful My Little Yellow Bicycle giveaway that I received. It was beyond amazing!!!!! Thank you so much. Heid H.

joscelyne cutchens said...

*sniffle* that is so sweet. :)
My dad passed when I was little and I love how you see your dad in your boys, just warms my heart.

Aartee said...

It's not silly at all...in fact it's an awesome feeling that they have those connections...

Latrice said...

I think all the similarities is a true sign that when one life ends another begins! I love the name and he's such a doll.

Holly said...

Neat story, Allison! I love the name and it is even more special since it has meaning.

Unknown said...

Jackson is SUCH a cutie and I love his name!! So neat about all the similarities! My Dad thought it was cool my son was born at 8:16 because my dad's bday is 8/16... funny how things like that work out!!

Trishamaus2005 said...

I think you picked a beautiful name for your little one. He is such a sweetie. I really like unique names and that certainly is one of them. Plus it doesn't really matter what other people think about the name, as long as you love it and know the true meaning behind it.

Anonymous said...

i agree w/ everyone. Rayce will know he has a connection w/ his grandpa. hmmmm...scrapbook his for his album about his name. my SIL does that w/ her children' name. my neice's name Jeiley is a combination of Jerry + Amaile (middle names of parents). Audrey's name came from the last letters of everyone's name {Edward, Jeannie, Sienna, Jeiley, JR + last name ends w/ "U"). Tips for future names.

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