Jane. Matilda Jane.

Ridiculously enough, I feel this needs to be addressed. I have been absolutely flabbergasted by the reactions I’ve received to my daughter’s name.

Matilda was never on my list of favorite names. (Actually, Samuel was never on my list, either.) I was really struggling with the responsibility of naming this baby girl. None of the names I like felt right. I’ve always maintained that Sam named himself. It was not me choosing a name, it was finally stumbling onto the name the universe had already chosen. I just knew it was right. I was hoping I’d have the same experience naming my daughter.

I was paging through a list of names on one of my favorite websites, and Matilda jumped out at me. I was immediately taken with it. I started pairing it with more names I like. Jane has always been a favorite of mine. Matilda Jane sounded beautiful in my head, but I wasn’t convinced.

Soon after that, I was discussing my naming struggle with Jackie. She started throwing out names. After four or five names I liked but didn’t feel were right, she shocked me by suggesting, “Matilda?” My heart jumped into my throat and I didn’t respond. “Matilda Jane?” Jackie continued. I actually got tears in my eyes. It seemed like this was The Name, but I still had a tiny bit of doubt.

Still later, I was again with Jackie as I cleaned out my bookcase. I came across my baby name book and looked up the meaning of Matilda. There it was: Matilda - strength in battle. I started to well up and read it aloud to Jackie. I watched as tears came to her eyes…and finally was convinced.

This baby girl joined our family at a very weird time. 2008 was not a great year. But out of last year came this little miracle, this sweet baby I wanted so badly. I always saw her as a fighter. She came along when I was least expecting her. It’s like she was running the show. She decided to be born, and it was just our job to be her parents. There could never be a description more fitting for my daughter than ‘strength in battle.’ That is what she has, and what she has given me.

Apparently, the general public is not as fond of her name as I am. The reaction is always the same – a moment of shocked silence, followed by, “But what are you going to call her?” People are desperate for her to have a nickname. The two worst responses, though, really surprised me. One of them was a little laugh, followed by, “You’re just joking, right?” The other was several seconds of uncomfortable silence, ending with, “So that’s what you’re going with?” The worst part was that those last responses were from two of her grandparents.

Yes, I’ve heard “Waltzing Matilda.” Yes, I know it’s Heath Ledger’s daughter’s name. Yes, I have read the book by Roald Dahl.

Matilda Jane, I love your name. I can’t wait for you to live up to its meaning and take on anyone who says differently!