Her Name (comment)

Emma was going to be a boy. We didn't find out at the 20 week scan but I was sure we were expecting a boy. His name was going to be George (after my grandfather) Nathaniel (Gift of God) or Joseph (My father's name). We barely talked about girl's name but we decided on Felicity, in the unlikely event we had a girl, which means "lucky" or "blessed". It was while I was in labour that Dave suggested Emma. He knew I loved Jane Austen and he liked "classic" names. When she was born dead, I knew a name that meant lucky was not the right choice but she was Emma - it was so obvious that that was her name. She just WAS Emma. I only found out later that it means "all encompassing" or "universal" - appropriate for a baby who lives in the sky or the trees or the hearts of those who love her. I chose Faith - as they worked on resuscitating her, I told Dave her middle name was Faith. At that point I meant it as an affirmation that I wouldn't lose my faith. Now, I wonder if I just meant that I was gifting her my faith and she took it with her. Either way, I love her name passionately and it was HER name, the right one for her.