Baby name: A last name becomes family’s first choice for daughter number five
February 4, 2012
Comments on this story
(0)
Kristin Rushowy
TORONTO STAR
They went looking for a first name – but ended up with a last name.
Chris Peischl and Hilary Eves, with four girls between them in their blended family, figured this baby had to be a boy.
But, just in case, the pair still went on a quest for girl names they liked. “And after four girls, the girl name list was short and more difficult to decide,” says Hilary.
Hilary’s pregnancy was different that her last three, so “we basically assumed this baby would be a boy and had a set of boy names from Chris’ side of the family – Christopher, Ian or Michael.”
Because Chris is the last male in the Peischl family, the couple wanted to find a name that would honour his side of the family, even if the baby turned out to be a girl. “We wanted one with meaning and significance,” says Hilary.
And another girl they got – a little sister for Sophia, 11, Abigail, 9, Emily, 6, and Maya, 2.
Sinclair Elizabeth Peischl was born at the family’s home in London, Ont. on January 2 of this year, weighing 8 lbs., 1 oz.
They settled on the name shortly after she was born. “It had to feel right.” says Hilary.
Sinclair is a surname on Chris’ mom’s side.
“It is Scottish and means pure and illustrious,” she said. “So when reviewing our family-name options from his side, what stood out was Sinclair. We debated if it sounded okay to use a surname as a first name, and warmed up to the idea quickly. We thought it was feminine but strong.”
Middle name Elizabeth was chosen to honour Chris’ cousin.
“The Sinclairs in Chris's family have a rich Scottish history that we hear about often...and we hope with her name, questions from her and the other girls will come up and we can tell stories and pass the history along.
“So, really, her name is a connection to the past.”
Sinclair – nicknamed “Clair bear” by her sisters – completes the family, Hilary adds.
“For the record: We will no longer chase the dream of having a boy. Five wonderful girls is plenty!”