A Cowboy by Any Other Name - Molly Steere
Monday, June 22, 2009 at 4:00AM I’m six months along in my first pregnancy and my husband and I are feeling pretty smug about jumping one of the first hurdles of parenthood – naming the child -- without involving third parties, counselors or professionals of any kind. This is quite the feat in this family (meaning his family, I’m not taking responsibility) that insists on cowboy names for their children. Rough and tumble cowboy names for both boys and girls. Did I mention that my husband was raised in Bellevue and has never even been on a horse?
To his credit, my husband truly is a cowboy at heart who was born in the wrong century. He should have been born in the late 1800’s with the likes of Wyatt Earp, strolling down dusty Main Street tipping his hat at pretty ladies but never making eye contact. Instead, he sits at a computer all day designing mechanical parts for the fruit packing industry. When he’s not around, I can usually find him up on the property we’re getting ready to build on, mowing our fields or gazing longingly at the neighbor’s pasture full of horse and cattle. He’s determined to raise our son as a proper country boy, in the country, with a good portion of the country imbedded under his grubby little fingernails. And I’m all for it.
But back to names. Angus was my husband’s top pick. A good strong Scottish name. However, when paired with our last name, Steere, it’s a little too cowboy. Angus Steere. My number one desire is for my son to be able to be whatever he wants in the future; to have the opportunity to pursue any dream of his. With the name Angus Steere, he would have no trouble finding work as a ranch hand. But when the partners of a law firm are sitting around a mahogany table in their three-piece suits looking at his name on a resume, they’re no doubt imagining the jangling of spurs as their potential hire swaggers into the courtroom.
Because the pregnancy hasn’t been smooth, my freelance work has picked up significantly, and we just started building on our property, I decided to be intensely discriminating when picking my battles. The name game didn’t rank high on my list of things worth spending precious energy fighting over. I was ready to give in to the name Angus with the caveat that I would tell everyone our child was named after Angus Young, lead guitarist of AC/DC. He could be a little bit country and a little bit rock ‘n roll.
Friends, somewhat horrified and amused by this turn of events, started offering up their version of cowboy names. It became a new pastime. Brandin’ Steere was one of my favorites from my aunt. Wylde, Chase, Jersey or Maverick Steere were other suggestions. And the one that endlessly entertained my husband – Counter Steere.
Luckily, a name we both like came to us without incident. It’s one that honors family (my requirement), and is still far more cowboy than necessary. We’ve decided not to share it with anyone until our son is born. I figure it’s harder to mock the name of an adorable, helpless baby when he’s right in front of you. But trust me; you’ll still expect Wranglers when you hear the name.
Molly Steere was a mechanical engineer for 8.5 years before flying the coop to become a freelance writer and author.She is excitedly expecting her first child in September.
family, first baby, friends in first born
Reader Comments (5)
How exciting for your family! The name you choose for your child is such an important moment. A lot of times it can help define the child's image of themselves. Good luck!
What a fun article. Thanks for sharing the ride with us. Can't wait to hear what the name is. My son got a lil Cowboy in him Taggart Tex McClain Rolfs. It's fun to mix things up!
Molly all I got to say is that you are totally awesome and the most incredible person I have ever meet. You and Toby are going to be great parents..and all the apin and suffering you are going through well soon be forgotten when you give birth.....
Molly, i love reading anything that comes out of your head. Can't wait to meet your lil' cowboy. And for the record, Angus kicks a&$!
Thank you ladies!! I made it official yesterday by buying big wooden letters to spell out the lil' buckaroo's name for the nursery. It's now set in stone...or at least wood :) Sara, I love your son's name! We have a Tex in our family too.