On Naming Our Baby Knightly

11.5 weeks, 13 lbs, and 22″ tall today, we’re excited to update you on our now marshmallow sized baby boy

Knightly (or “Knight” for short)

on the word knight

Now different images may come to mind at the word knight.

“NONE SHALL PASS!”

We freakin’ love his name but we’re often asked, “Where did you come up with it?!”

Sometimes, it’s said with smiles and an “Awww, I love it!” and sometimes with blank stares and a “…what…were you thinking” tone of voice.

…We’re hoping Knightly will be in the former camp.  But WHATEVER we love it…he could always change his name later.

so why knightly?

We named him Knightly because it’s the kind of man we want him to be.

As we flipped through what seems like THOUSANDS of baby names, we wanted a meaningful name for our son.  So when we looked up knight, we just fell in love with the history and meaning behind it:

• Originally comes from the word “servant” in Old English and German
• Sworn to “protect the weak, defenseless, helpless and fight for the general welfare of all”
• A balance between a gentleman, servant of God and brave warrior

And, of course, the Jane Austen fan in me absolutely loved the character of Mr. Knightley in the story of Emma.  The quote that always stuck with me about this character:

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“There are not one in a hundred men who have ‘gentleman’ so plainly written across them as Mr. Knightley.”

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Watch out, baby ladies.  Your Knight in shining armor has been born.

P.S. Special thank you and hugs to Tita (Auntie) Tami, Mae and Dani for designing Knightly’s paper-mache sword and shield!  We <3 it.  Sometimes when he waved around the sword, it looked scarily real.  Well done!

want to read more?

Read more of his story and ours “On Giving Birth to Our Precious Baby and On Down Syndrome”