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We have had a hard time agreeing on names. My husbands favorites are Fred and George (no, he’s hasn’t read Harry Potter) and I like Ezra and Micah. I hate his choices and he hates mine. Family names are out (his are Fred and George) and he doesn’t like mine (James and Caleb). We’ve found a handful of names that we’re both ok with but we don’t really want to name them until we’ve seen them. Of course, we know which ones we prefer and secretly call them those names. So, in our heads we’ve been calling them Zach and Rowan. Other possibilities are Max and Sam (or any combo of the 4). So today I was FB chatting with a friend who knows about my infertility issues and she out of the blue said “You’re naming one of the babies Samuel, right?” I told her I didn’t know for sure but why did she ask? She reminded me of the Biblical story of Hannah and Samuel. Now, I’m not religious at all, but my family is all southern Baptist and I grew up going to church twice a week so I’m very familiar with scripture. So, for those of you who are rusty on your old testament, here is an excerpt from About.com…
Hannah is one of the most poignant characters in the Old Testament. Like several other women in the Bible, she was barren. People in ancient Israel believed that a large family was a blessing from God. Infertility, therefore, was a source of humiliation and shame. To make matters worse, her husband’s other wife not only bore children but taunted Hannah mercilessly.
Once, at the house of the Lord in Shiloh, Hannah was praying so intently that her lips moved silently with the words she spoke to God in her heart. Eli the priest saw her and accused her of being drunk. She answered that she was praying, pouring out her soul to the Lord. Touched by her pain,
Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.” (1 Samuel1:17, NIV)
After Hannah and her husband Elkanah returned from Shiloh to their home at Ramah, they slept together. Scripture says, “…and the Lord remembered her.” (1 Samuel 1:19, NIV). She became pregnant, had a son, and named him Samuel, which means “God hears.”
To me, this story is very poignant. I prefer the name Rowan, but I don’t see how I could not name one of the boys Sam now. What do you guys think?
*They’re middle names are Kyllo (DH’s mothers maiden name) and Dean (the name my father goes by).
Hope is something you pee on 
I think Samuel Dean has a nice ring to it. We’ve had a hard time coming up with a name as well (thankfully we just have to come up with one!) We’re stuck between three, and are just waiting to see which one fits when he’s born. Maybe you could each come up with a list of two or three that you bring to the hospital and decide then? I’ve heard other parents allow the dad to name one child and the mom to name the other, or the dad gets to choose the first names and the mom gets to choose the middle names.
Naming your child(ren) is such a daunting task!
I don’t know how I couldn’t name one of them Samuel after reading this either, but then the hard part will be… which one? And how will you feel about naming the other one something less powerful? Maybe I’d give them both Samuel as a second middle name. But I honestly think that when these boys arrive, you and your husband will know what to call them. It will be as it should be and you will know.
As an aside, I adore the name Max. But I had a rescue dog as a kid named Max so I’ve never considered it for a dog (funnily, we have a dog named Hannah and people always ask me why we named her a person’s name and not a dog name – I chose it because she looked like a Hannah to me and because the name is a palindrome and I like those. She was a birthday present to myself so I monopolized the naming.)
I’m really excited for you to meet these boys face to face. You’re so close… Wishing all to go smoothly, from the names to the first diaper changes!
I’m not religious, but what a story and what a powerful name. I love all of the names you mentioned (Fred and George would be hilarious to those who have read Harry Potter!). I agree with the other commenter… you’ll probably know when you meet them! So exciting.
I love your blog and follow it closely. I agree with the person above who asked you how you would decide which on to name Samuel. It is absolutely a personal choice, however,I like the name Rowan much better. As a teacher, I can tell you that currently Sam or Samuel is extremely trendy and there is usually at least one per class.
Again, this is your journey and your babies and name them whatever you feel fit!
Delurking with a Biblical perspective, since Zach is on your short list: Zechariah (also spelled Zacharias, and probably umpteen other related ways) was the father of John the Baptist. Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth had waited many years for children as well, and it was Zechariah’s prayer for a child that God answered. (See Luke, chapter 1.) So to me Zach and Sam seem like a great pair of names for boys born after years of waiting!