Meet Elle Esther Hogan
Hi there. Carrie here stopping in to write a post. Cross your fingers I can get all these words typed out while my sweet Elle Belle sleeps in between feedings! 😉
So, please allow me to introduce you to my daughter… (It’s still so weird to say “my daughter”!)
Meet little miss Elle Esther Hogan!
The Story Behind Her Name
While we shared the news of my daughter’s birth here, I left out a key detail – her name! Did you notice that? Well, it was for good reason.
If you remember the post about my beautiful baby shower, I referenced that there might have been a name hint in the shower decor. You may have noticed things personalized with “London” and “London Esther”. Indeed, the name idea I had for her from very early on was London Esther. I chose London because travel and adventure are important to us, and London is our favorite city. And Esther was her late paternal grandmother’s name.
As the months progressed, though, her dad kept hinting to me that he wasn’t entirely crazy about the first name. He kept throwing out other “L” name ideas, none of which I liked.
When she was born, I started calling her London initially. But then her dad had a new idea. He said, “Let’s just name her Elle. She’s our Elle Belle.” While I immediately thought it was a beautiful name, I still wasn’t sold. I can be a bit stubborn after all, and I wasn’t really keen on budging off my idea.
So, for the first few days of her life, I vacillated between the two names. In fact, we were those awful parents who left the hospital without filling in the birth certificate! Ha. I just kept trying both names on for size to see what fit best.
“Elle” is, by definition, a feminine word. To me, it also sounds sophisticated, yet simple. Given what a dainty girl she is, “Elle” made sense for her. “London” just felt too big and weighty for such a tiny angel. You know what? In the end, she simply was more of an Elle!
Besides that, we actually have a lot of “Elle” connections on my side of the family… As I mentioned, we call her Elle Belle. Well, my grandmother’s middle name is Belle. Also, I always call my sister Kelli “Kelbel”. Furthermore, my youngest sister Macey’s middle name is Danielle – another Elle reference.
In Closing
I’ve always thought it was a bit strange when parents would say that their baby just looked more like a certain name than another name. But I get it now! Has anyone else had that experience?
In the end, I adore her name. And I adore her, of course. 🙂
Again, I can’t thank you all for your outpouring of love and well wishes. Thanks for all your kind words. They mean so much.
Finally, thanks also for continuing to support Wear + Where + Well. Your loyal readership means the world, especially during this time of transition for me personally. Have a great week!
A huge thanks to Ailee Petrovic for the beautiful photos
So cute! I love the story behind her name! Love the photos!
Thanks so very much, Isabella!
These pictures are precious and she is adorable! I love the name Elle, it’s a perfect fit! xx
Ah thanks so much, Alex! Xo
She’s my fav!!! Cant wait to meet her and snuggle her.
Thanks sweet girl! I can’t wait for that too. Xo
Oh my goodness, she is the most precious little angel! Congrats again, so happy for you! ♥
Ah thank you so much, Letty! She really is such an angel.
Love the story behind her name. I think it suits her perfectly. I also want to say that your newborn baby photos are some of the most beautiful ones I have seen taken as of late. They are soft but have the most beautiful Tones of color and you can see so many details about her. Seems like motherhood is agreeing with you and all the best possible ways.
Hi Carrie – thanks so much for saying that about her name. Plus, I am going to pass along your kind words to her photographer. We kept it super simple (but colorful!) for these first photos to make it easy on mama and baby. 🙂
I love her name – it’s always fun to hear how parents arrive at names 🙂 congrats again!!
Ah thanks, Emily! Funny… it just turned out that I named my daughter something different that had never crossed my mind before. 🙂
But Carrie! Elle – as in “L” – is short for London! Which will be her nickname anyway, i’m sure of that. What a great story! Lots of happiness y’all 🙂
I know! I totally had the same thought. 😀
She is just SO precious, Carrie! Elle suits her perfectly! And I want every single one of her blankies. For myself. Because they’re adorable. 🙂
Hee! Thanks, Raven. I think so too. A small but feminine and beautiful name – just like her.
Just beautiful and I agree, her name fits her perfectly! ?
Ah thanks, Erin! It’s funny how that works… I thought I was completely set on her name.
LOVE her name! how sweet 🙂
Ah thanks, Cayla!
Hi Carrie,
Love her name. It suits her beautifully.
Enjoy these special moments with her.
Sheri
That’s so sweet, Sheri. Thanks so very much. I really appreciate it.
She couldn’t be more perfect Carrie!! Congratulations on your beautiful little Elle Belle (though the name London is also quite appropriate!).
Xoxo,
Ashley || Sed Bona
Ah, thank you, Ashley! I really appreciate you saying all that. Xo
We named our three year old Elle Parker! I really never see it used much, love it!
Oh how beautiful, Cassie! Yes, I love that it’s not common.