What's in a name?

Liz and had a short list of names we were working with, but that list had a security clearance higher than any of our parents currently held. Before we left the hospital, we had filled out their birth certificate forms and given them names, thus sealing their fate forever. However, we were home now, at least our temporary home on top of the ridge above Manor in Fairfax, and the parental contingent was getting restless. So, during an impromptu ceremony with Mary, Sackett, Ross and Barbara holding each others hands and collective breath, we introduced them to:

Stormy Maxine Canning Smith and Rocko Sackett Canning Smith.

There was no immediate reaction from the assembled crowd. My Dad was the first to crack a pleased smile. I think it was going to take a while for our non-traditional choices to take hold. I think my mother was slightly relieved, having just read an article on baby names of the celebrities on the plane. Sackett was obviously happy. Mary was going to take some time to get used to our choices. We had wanted to have some reference to our lineage, yet neither Liz nor I being terribly traditional posed some inherent challenges. We knew that the names we had chosen could be problematic for some; Stormy and Rocko, however, couldn't have been more pleased.

Stormy, of course was never on any short list of any kind. But given the circumstances and her very assertive young personality, Liz liked the name immediately when I suggested it. (probably at least in part because we had not been able to agree on any of the other names we had each put forth) We had both been pretty sure of Rocko, which was a nod towards my grandfather's, father's and my name of Ross and the nicknames Roscoe and Rocky. Maxine is my paternal grandmother, who is their only living great grand parent. Sackett, being Liz' stepfather's name was sure to create some tension for Peter, Liz' father. We hoped he would understand that Sackett was an unusual name we both really liked, and we wanted to honor him for the supportive role he had played in both of our lives leading up to Rocko's birth. Thus far, the names have shown to be well matched to their personalities, and I think the grandparents initial misgivings are quickly melting away.