November 26th, 2008 / 12:07 pm
Author News & Author Spotlight & Contests

WE WANT YOU: To Help Name Rachel Sherman’s Firstborn Child!

So yesterday I had lunch with Rachel Sherman (author of The First Hurt), who also teaches at Rutgers. She’s wildly pregnant, and told me she’s due in about 7 weeks. She mentioned that the baby is a girl, and I asked if she and her husband had a name picked out. She said there were several in the running, but nothing was settled. I suggested that maybe the best way to come to a decision was through an internet contest. And so, after I agreed to her single and only stipulation–which is that the results are non-binding–she basically told me to go knock myself out.

So it’s now up to YOU to help NAME RACHEL SHERMAN’S BABY. The rules of the game are simple: post your nomination for the baby’s name in the comments section of this post. Eventually, Rachel will pick a winner, and also explain what type of winner you are: (1) “winner” in the sense of “yeah I might totally call my kid that” or (2) “winner” in the sense of “that was really funny slash original slash offensive of you, but seriously dude.”  (UPDATE: Rachel says the winner also gets a signed copy of The First Hurt.)

To help get you in the right spirit, here’s a picture of a tiny adorable primate clutching a teddy bear.

Tags: , ,

182 Comments

  1. Kevin Jones

      Congratulations Rachel and Michael!
      I nominate Stella.
      Will she go as ______ Sherman-McGrath or ________McGrath?

      Either way Stella (Star) is a wonderful name. I should know – my daughter Stella Lucia Jones just turned 18 on Saturday.

  2. Kevin Jones

      Congratulations Rachel and Michael!
      I nominate Stella.
      Will she go as ______ Sherman-McGrath or ________McGrath?

      Either way Stella (Star) is a wonderful name. I should know – my daughter Stella Lucia Jones just turned 18 on Saturday.

  3. Edward Valentini

      Am I the first to comment? How about: Erin ?

  4. Edward Valentini

      Am I the first to comment? How about: Erin ?

  5. Gene

      I like Claudell. We were going to use it if this unborn fetus is a girl, but it’d conflict with the middle name we have to use.

  6. Gene

      I like Claudell. We were going to use it if this unborn fetus is a girl, but it’d conflict with the middle name we have to use.

  7. Blake Butler

      girl notwithstanding, i’ll go with:
      Herman Peter Markus Sherman

  8. Blake Butler

      girl notwithstanding, i’ll go with:
      Herman Peter Markus Sherman

  9. ravi

      Wednesday. Days of the week are in right now.

  10. ravi

      Wednesday. Days of the week are in right now.

  11. Justin Taylor

      When my mom was pregnant with my little sister I asked if we could name her Dinosaur. They named her Melanie.

  12. Justin Taylor

      When my mom was pregnant with my little sister I asked if we could name her Dinosaur. They named her Melanie.

  13. Mark

      I think Rubella would be a beautiful name. Rubella Jagger Sherman McGrath.

  14. Mark

      I think Rubella would be a beautiful name. Rubella Jagger Sherman McGrath.

  15. Anna Valentini

      How about Emily? I’ll also just throw a few of my favorite names out there. Here goes: Nina, Ella, Elie/Ellie, Eve, Zoe and Leah.

  16. Anna Valentini

      How about Emily? I’ll also just throw a few of my favorite names out there. Here goes: Nina, Ella, Elie/Ellie, Eve, Zoe and Leah.

  17. matthew savoca

      taoina lin

  18. matthew savoca

      taoina lin

  19. jereme

      adolf jamal

  20. jereme

      adolf jamal

  21. j. a. tyler

      my son keeps naming everything this:

      chacheenooneeness

  22. j. a. tyler

      my son keeps naming everything this:

      chacheenooneeness

  23. barry

      HANNAH

  24. Adam R

      Is Alexie already taken?

      Wanda, then.

  25. barry

      HANNAH

  26. Adam R

      Is Alexie already taken?

      Wanda, then.

  27. laura chipley

      Here’s my list. They roll of the tongue, no?
      I included two “far out, artsy” names and two more traditional names.
      I will be very offended if you do not choose one of these.

      Erzule Sherman-McGrath
      Jupiter Sherman-McGrath
      Ella Sherman-McGrath
      Nora Sherman-McGrath

  28. laura chipley

      Here’s my list. They roll of the tongue, no?
      I included two “far out, artsy” names and two more traditional names.
      I will be very offended if you do not choose one of these.

      Erzule Sherman-McGrath
      Jupiter Sherman-McGrath
      Ella Sherman-McGrath
      Nora Sherman-McGrath

  29. sam pink

      jereme already won in my opinion but what about “bluto scorpion”

  30. sam pink

      jereme already won in my opinion but what about “bluto scorpion”

  31. Matthew Simmons

      Superbaby

  32. Matthew Simmons

      Superbaby

  33. Matthew Simmons

      Bobbi Sherman

  34. Matthew Simmons

      Bobbi Sherman

  35. daniel bailey

      bob johnson

  36. daniel bailey

      bob johnson

  37. Justin Taylor

      i love that Barry picked Hannah.

      Barry + Hannah = Awesome.

  38. Justin Taylor

      i love that Barry picked Hannah.

      Barry + Hannah = Awesome.

  39. Alison

      Halley (pronounced hail-ee) like the comet! Once in a lifetime.

  40. Alison

      Halley (pronounced hail-ee) like the comet! Once in a lifetime.

  41. e.k.

      wilhelmina bitch crotch

  42. e.k.

      wilhelmina bitch crotch

  43. Ken Baumann

      Basketballface

  44. Ken Baumann

      Merman

  45. Ken Baumann

      Basketballface

  46. Ken Baumann

      Merman

  47. Ken Baumann

      Tutubango

  48. Ken Baumann

      Tutubango

  49. Ken Baumann

      Girl

  50. Ken Baumann

      Girl

  51. Matthew Simmons

      § Sherman-McGrath

  52. Matthew Simmons

      § Sherman-McGrath

  53. sam pink

      basketballface or adolf jamal.

      pick one rachel.

  54. sam pink

      basketballface or adolf jamal.

      pick one rachel.

  55. Rachel

      Matilda
      Fiona
      Alice
      Malia

  56. Rachel

      Matilda
      Fiona
      Alice
      Malia

  57. jereme

      Matilda Fiona Alice Sherman

      MFAS

      that would be super nerdy. do it.

      i’m also fond of

      stuffitinme von taintbroosk

  58. jereme

      Matilda Fiona Alice Sherman

      MFAS

      that would be super nerdy. do it.

      i’m also fond of

      stuffitinme von taintbroosk

  59. sam pink

      awesome dude jr.

  60. sam pink

      awesome dude jr.

  61. sam pink

      i just had a thought that everyone on this site including myself is a complete idiot but it is nice like two kids who play together at recess and they have fun making up their own games but when someone else approaches them they remember that they are alive and they feel weird about it and stop playing their game and feel embarrassed.

  62. sam pink

      i just had a thought that everyone on this site including myself is a complete idiot but it is nice like two kids who play together at recess and they have fun making up their own games but when someone else approaches them they remember that they are alive and they feel weird about it and stop playing their game and feel embarrassed.

  63. Matthew Simmons

      That’s kind of a long name, Sam. Would she call her “I just hadda” for short?

  64. Matthew Simmons

      That’s kind of a long name, Sam. Would she call her “I just hadda” for short?

  65. J.R. & Melanie

      Melanie says Emma Christine McGrath

      J.R. says Victoria Michelle McGrath

      This is a cool idea. It takes a village….or a borough.

  66. J.R. & Melanie

      Melanie says Emma Christine McGrath

      J.R. says Victoria Michelle McGrath

      This is a cool idea. It takes a village….or a borough.

  67. jereme

      sam,

      i do not feel embarrassed. too much importance is put on ‘name’.

      i seriously thought of naming a child adolf jamal dean way before this.

      i think he would find it funny or hate me.

  68. jereme

      sam,

      i do not feel embarrassed. too much importance is put on ‘name’.

      i seriously thought of naming a child adolf jamal dean way before this.

      i think he would find it funny or hate me.

  69. jereme

      oh and i am fond of the name ‘collette’ for a girl.

      it sounds purdy.

  70. jereme

      oh and i am fond of the name ‘collette’ for a girl.

      it sounds purdy.

  71. sam pink

      chest hair watkins

  72. Robin K. Blum

      All of sudden, the name ‘Elisabeth’ came to me (with an s for some reason).

  73. sam pink

      ryan manning

  74. sam pink

      chest hair watkins

  75. Robin K. Blum

      All of sudden, the name ‘Elisabeth’ came to me (with an s for some reason).

  76. sam pink

      ryan manning

  77. jereme

      holy shit sam

      that is an epic name

      i actually lol’ed at work.

      chest hair watkins is the best.

  78. jereme

      holy shit sam

      that is an epic name

      i actually lol’ed at work.

      chest hair watkins is the best.

  79. sam pink

      the lol-ing will cost you your job. if you are about to lol, do it into your shirtsleeve.

  80. sam pink

      the lol-ing will cost you your job. if you are about to lol, do it into your shirtsleeve.

  81. Meredith

      Since I am like a black hole of WASPiness (and Rachel has already shot down my name suggestions for that reason once) I feel like I need to at least come up with a name suggestion that does not conjure the image of sweaters around necks. I think Ruby is a good one. And NOT Rubella. Might as well call the kid Measles…

      I also kind of liked Astrid. Which is sort of old-fashioned and bad-ass.

      Then again, Plaxico always works.

  82. Meredith

      Since I am like a black hole of WASPiness (and Rachel has already shot down my name suggestions for that reason once) I feel like I need to at least come up with a name suggestion that does not conjure the image of sweaters around necks. I think Ruby is a good one. And NOT Rubella. Might as well call the kid Measles…

      I also kind of liked Astrid. Which is sort of old-fashioned and bad-ass.

      Then again, Plaxico always works.

  83. ceridwen

      louisa? maybe? no one’s doing it and it’s strong and feminine.
      i also like nina … and nola.
      antonia was always a favorite of mine.

  84. ceridwen

      louisa? maybe? no one’s doing it and it’s strong and feminine.
      i also like nina … and nola.
      antonia was always a favorite of mine.

  85. Laura

      Hi you two gorgeous pregnant ones,
      I suggest:

      Sarah Sabine Sherman
      Sarah Simone Sherman
      or
      Ella Sabine Sherman
      Ella Simone Sherman
      or the name I was always thinking of when we got boys:
      Eden,
      Eden Sabine Sherman
      Eden Simone Sherman
      I could go on:
      Orly (is a Hebrew name) which feels good in the mouth
      Atea in lieu of eden or ella or sarah….
      Well, I guess that is enough options.
      Sometimes you don’t know until you meet the little one
      on the outside. Let me know if I win a book!! XOX

  86. ceridwen

      also cant go wrong with rebecca or susannah

  87. ceridwen

      also cant go wrong with rebecca or susannah

  88. sam pink

      flavia (flah-via) is a pretty name.

  89. sam pink

      flavia (flah-via) is a pretty name.

  90. drew

      child # 1

  91. drew

      child # 1

  92. Neva

      These are the names I’ve come up with for my hypothetical daughters:

      Aricelly (can also be spelled “Araceli”)
      Patty
      Rosie
      Dreamy

      Congratulations on being a mama!

  93. Neva

      These are the names I’ve come up with for my hypothetical daughters:

      Aricelly (can also be spelled “Araceli”)
      Patty
      Rosie
      Dreamy

      Congratulations on being a mama!

  94. Ken Baumann

      Birth of the Mommy Bathing Suit Area

      or

      Talking Fathead

      or

      Basketballface Esquire

      or

      LeChic DeFreac

      or

      ShoopDeWhoop

      or

      Jive Turkey

      or

      Vulva

      or

      Pappy

      or

      Hamburgler

      or

      Blaker Butler’s 874th Novel

      or

      Baron von Colonspink

      or

      Susan

  95. Ken Baumann

      Birth of the Mommy Bathing Suit Area

      or

      Talking Fathead

      or

      Basketballface Esquire

      or

      LeChic DeFreac

      or

      ShoopDeWhoop

      or

      Jive Turkey

      or

      Vulva

      or

      Pappy

      or

      Hamburgler

      or

      Blaker Butler’s 874th Novel

      or

      Baron von Colonspink

      or

      Susan

  96. Ken Baumann

      Destined To Fail

  97. Ken Baumann

      Destined To Fail

  98. Ken Baumann

      “Hi, I’m Destined to Fail.”

  99. Ken Baumann

      “Hi, I’m Destined to Fail.”

  100. drew

      adalaide von crackenstein

  101. drew

      adalaide von crackenstein

  102. Gene

      Chodell.

  103. Gene

      Chodell.

  104. sam pink

      i had a gradeschool teacher named chodl. pronounced chodell. he told me i was an asshole.

  105. sam pink

      i had a gradeschool teacher named chodl. pronounced chodell. he told me i was an asshole.

  106. Meredith

      I have a brother named Matthew Simmons…

  107. Meredith

      I have a brother named Matthew Simmons…

  108. Uncle Ell

      Yes Names:
      Elliot
      Masaye Deux
      Fiona (good name!)

      NO names
      Tiffany
      Chelsea
      Jessica

  109. Uncle Ell

      Yes Names:
      Elliot
      Masaye Deux
      Fiona (good name!)

      NO names
      Tiffany
      Chelsea
      Jessica

  110. Ken Baumann

      I’m going to re-second my favorites of my favorites:

      Basketballface
      Talking Fathead
      &
      Pappy

  111. Ken Baumann

      I’m going to re-second my favorites of my favorites:

      Basketballface
      Talking Fathead
      &
      Pappy

  112. sparkle pom pom

      Sparkle
      Sparkly
      SparKelle
      Sp’Arkl
      SparkleAnne

      if you have twins and one of them’s ugly, you can do Spakle and Fade

  113. sparkle pom pom

      Sparkle
      Sparkly
      SparKelle
      Sp’Arkl
      SparkleAnne

      if you have twins and one of them’s ugly, you can do Spakle and Fade

  114. barry

      where did all these female commenters come from?

      i think you should go with sam pink. even if its a girl… its kind of a girlie name isnt it, like in a sam macelli from who’s the boss kind of tom boy femm name.

      no??

  115. barry

      where did all these female commenters come from?

      i think you should go with sam pink. even if its a girl… its kind of a girlie name isnt it, like in a sam macelli from who’s the boss kind of tom boy femm name.

      no??

  116. Nick

      When I was going to have a younger sibling, I was a supporter of the name “samantha olivia” if it was a girl. (It was a boy.)

  117. Nick

      When I was going to have a younger sibling, I was a supporter of the name “samantha olivia” if it was a girl. (It was a boy.)

  118. Nick

      Flavia is the name of my coffee maker at work.

  119. Nick

      Flavia is the name of my coffee maker at work.

  120. sam pink

      flavia is my grandma’s name.

  121. sam pink

      flavia is my grandma’s name.

  122. mike fallon

      Unnamable is the obvious choice.

  123. mike fallon

      Unnamable is the obvious choice.

  124. Rachel

      I second Sabine. I also like Sirene or Sirena. I would second Olivia, except it’s like the 3rd most common girl’s name this year…

  125. Rachel

      I second Sabine. I also like Sirene or Sirena. I would second Olivia, except it’s like the 3rd most common girl’s name this year…

  126. Ryan Call

      Mia

  127. Ryan Call

      Mia

  128. barry

      french flaps flavia

  129. barry

      french flaps flavia

  130. chelsea

      gramma

  131. chelsea

      gramma

  132. barry

      Brenda, LaTisha, Linda, Felicia,
      Dawn, LeShaun, Ines, and Alisha,
      Teresa, Monica, Sharon, Nikki,
      Lisa, Veronica, Karen, Vikki,
      Cookie, well I met her in a ice cream parlor,
      Tonya, Diane, Laurie, and Carla,
      Marina, Selena, Katrina, Sabrina,
      About three Kim’s,
      LaToya and Tina,
      Shelly, Bridget, Kathy, Rasheta,
      Kelly, Nicole, Angel, Juanita,
      Stacy, Tracy, Rohna, and Rhonda,
      Donna, Ulanda, Tawana, and Wanda

  133. barry

      Brenda, LaTisha, Linda, Felicia,
      Dawn, LeShaun, Ines, and Alisha,
      Teresa, Monica, Sharon, Nikki,
      Lisa, Veronica, Karen, Vikki,
      Cookie, well I met her in a ice cream parlor,
      Tonya, Diane, Laurie, and Carla,
      Marina, Selena, Katrina, Sabrina,
      About three Kim’s,
      LaToya and Tina,
      Shelly, Bridget, Kathy, Rasheta,
      Kelly, Nicole, Angel, Juanita,
      Stacy, Tracy, Rohna, and Rhonda,
      Donna, Ulanda, Tawana, and Wanda

  134. matthew simmons

      I Have A Brother Named Matthew Simmons Sherman is a great suggestion! Rachel?

      Hi Meredith.

  135. matthew simmons

      I Have A Brother Named Matthew Simmons Sherman is a great suggestion! Rachel?

      Hi Meredith.

  136. Adrienne B White

      My daughter already has my first choice girl name, Persephone. My second choice is Astrid.

  137. Adrienne B White

      My daughter already has my first choice girl name, Persephone. My second choice is Astrid.

  138. Adrienne B White

      Nick, so is his name Samuel Oliver?

  139. Adrienne B White

      Nick, so is his name Samuel Oliver?

  140. TMC

      I know a woman whose name is spelled La-ia, but it’s pronounced “LaDashia”

      So, what I”m saying is, you should do that.

  141. TMC

      I know a woman whose name is spelled La-ia, but it’s pronounced “LaDashia”

      So, what I”m saying is, you should do that.

  142. Paul

      How about combining the first two letters of Rachel and Michael? You have a choice of: Mira, Rami, Rima, Irma, Mari, Amri, etc. I like etc. particularly. It covers a lot of territory.

  143. Paul

      How about combining the first two letters of Rachel and Michael? You have a choice of: Mira, Rami, Rima, Irma, Mari, Amri, etc. I like etc. particularly. It covers a lot of territory.

  144. crispin

      tallulah shoeshine

  145. crispin

      tallulah shoeshine

  146. crispin

      oh, no

      mumdad ‘khan’ mcgrath

  147. crispin

      flapjack jones

  148. crispin

      oh, no

      mumdad ‘khan’ mcgrath

  149. crispin

      flapjack jones

  150. Dennis Cooper

      I suggest Goop

  151. Dennis Cooper

      I suggest Goop

  152. David

      Paul – Rima is good. I have a wife named Rima.

  153. David

      Paul – Rima is good. I have a wife named Rima.

  154. David

      Here’s my suggestion:

      Thirdperson Close

      I have no idea what you’ll name the next one.

  155. David

      Here’s my suggestion:

      Thirdperson Close

      I have no idea what you’ll name the next one.

  156. jereme

      boy:

      CUNNILINGUS THE MIGHTY

      like that. i want it in all caps on his birth certificate.

      or

      Adolf Oliver Neepels

      girl:

      Sassafras

      i’m not sure of the race of the baby either. good african american names could be:

      propecia, celexa, ativan, sinutab, flexoral, petey wheat straw, bubbalishous

      asian,

      jesus rice, rikey rikey, hero kitty

      white,

      crank shaft, oppressor, white devil

      i would like you to consider these names seriously.

      names are serious business.

  157. jereme

      boy:

      CUNNILINGUS THE MIGHTY

      like that. i want it in all caps on his birth certificate.

      or

      Adolf Oliver Neepels

      girl:

      Sassafras

      i’m not sure of the race of the baby either. good african american names could be:

      propecia, celexa, ativan, sinutab, flexoral, petey wheat straw, bubbalishous

      asian,

      jesus rice, rikey rikey, hero kitty

      white,

      crank shaft, oppressor, white devil

      i would like you to consider these names seriously.

      names are serious business.

  158. gena

      celeste

  159. gena

      celeste

  160. gena

      i take that back, my choice is

      synthetic pubes

  161. gena

      i take that back, my choice is

      synthetic pubes

  162. Brad D. Green

      xxlfkkajflflf

      Really, it can mean anything and be powerful in that way.

  163. Brad D. Green

      xxlfkkajflflf

      Really, it can mean anything and be powerful in that way.

  164. Judy Mandel

      Any dead grandparents you can name her after? Or live ones that you can use their first initial for a name? I like Jessica and Rebecca. But also, Sabrina –which was a good witch.

  165. Judy Mandel

      Any dead grandparents you can name her after? Or live ones that you can use their first initial for a name? I like Jessica and Rebecca. But also, Sabrina –which was a good witch.

  166. Mark

      Nrk.

  167. Mark

      Nrk.

  168. Melinda

      Sophie.

  169. Melinda

      Sophie.

  170. Bubbie Sus

      I don’t care at all about her first name-all the entries have merit. Could her middle name be Milla?
      P.S. Please disregard my brother El’s entries-he’s such a jokester-though I do agree with his “no names”

  171. Bubbie Sus

      I don’t care at all about her first name-all the entries have merit. Could her middle name be Milla?
      P.S. Please disregard my brother El’s entries-he’s such a jokester-though I do agree with his “no names”

  172. Emilie

      some thoughts:

      Viva

      Georgia

      Noa

      Giselle

      Josephine (Josie)

  173. Emilie

      some thoughts:

      Viva

      Georgia

      Noa

      Giselle

      Josephine (Josie)

  174. Emilie

      Charlie says:

      Bobie the baby

      Brobry (the baby)

  175. Emilie

      Charlie says:

      Bobie the baby

      Brobry (the baby)

  176. Patrick

      Damhnait

      it’s a legit girl’s name, albeit gaelic… just picture the first days of school every year when every teacher thinks her name is “dammit.”

      But, in all serious, I like Ella Marie, or Ella Rose… those are pretty names.

  177. Patrick

      Damhnait

      it’s a legit girl’s name, albeit gaelic… just picture the first days of school every year when every teacher thinks her name is “dammit.”

      But, in all serious, I like Ella Marie, or Ella Rose… those are pretty names.

  178. Jason

      Detective Sherman-McGrath

      or

      Elly

  179. Jason

      Detective Sherman-McGrath

      or

      Elly

  180. Victoria

      how about natasha

  181. Victoria

      how about natasha

  182. <HTMLGIANT> » Blog Archive » “Name Rachel Sherman’s Firstborn” Contest Winner announced!

      […] day before Thanksgiving, we posted a contest to NAME RACHEL SHERMAN’S BABY.  Well, that contest has a winner now. Rachel […]