Choosing a Name

Mary Lamb (1764–1847)

I HAVE got a new-born sister;

I was nigh the first that kissed her.

When the nursing-woman brought her

To papa, his infant daughter,

How papa’s dear eyes did glisten!—

She will shortly be to christen;

And papa has made the offer,

I shall have the naming of her.

Now I wonder what would please her,—

Charlotte, Julia, or Louisa?

Ann and Mary, they ’re too common;

Joan ’s too formal for a woman;

Jane ’s a prettier name beside;

But we had a Jane that died.

They would say, if ’t was Rebecca,

That she was a little Quaker.

Edith ’s pretty, but that looks

Better in old English books;

Ellen ’s left off long ago;

Blanche is out of fashion now.

None that I have named as yet

Are so good as Margaret.

Emily is neat and fine;

What do you think of Caroline?

How I ’m puzzled and perplexed

What to choose or think of next!

I am in a little fever

Lest the name that I should give her

Should disgrace her or defame her;—

I will leave papa to name her.