Is It Cheesy to Name Your Baby After a Holiday If Your Due Date is December 25?

Baby Naming Expert Says It's OK To Consider the Name Mary Christmas -- Though With A Few Caveats

As long as the name you choose for your baby feels like a celebration for his or her arrival, it's fine to go ahead and tap your favorite holiday, according to an article posted today online at BabyZone.com, a website that serves the needs of expectant and new moms.

"Holidays like Christmas offer copious options to new parents who haven't yet decided what to name their baby," says Suelain Moy, baby name expert and author of the book, Names to Grow On, in the Q&A, "Is It Cheesy to Name Your Baby After a Holiday?" (Link: http://www.babyzone.com/askanexpert/holidays-baby-name).

Holidays like Christmas offer copious options to new parents who haven't yet decided what to name their baby Is It Cheesy to Name Your Baby After a Holiday? I've had to show people my license a couple of times People think it's fun It's positive. It's a conversation piece. According to the feature posted on BabyZone, Natalie, Natalia, and Natasha all mean "born on Christmas Day." Noel, Noelle, and Navidad simply mean "Christmas." Many December babies have been named Nicholas (after St. Nick), Claus (after Santa), or Kris (after Mr. Kringle). Other festive names include Joy, Holly, and Yule.

However, be aware when making first and last name combinations.

Consider the case of the 90 or so women in the U.S. whose legal name is Mary Christmas. While Utah-based, stay-at-home mom, Mary Christmas (nee Young) admits that her name is a big hit during the holidays, she does encounter her share of doubting Thomases.

"I've had to show people my license a couple of times," she said to BabyZone. And when her name shows up on the caller ID or on a package, some folks think it's a prank.

Still, it's hard to find fault with a name that brings people so much joy and happiness. "People think it's fun," Mrs. Christmas said (good-naturedly) to BabyZone. "It's positive. It's a conversation piece." And, as her husband likes to point out, he gets to celebrate with Mary Christmas, not just on December 25, but all year long.