We did it. It wasn’t easy, but we’ve decided on names for the twins! I would like to “introduce” our babies…

Claire Elizabeth Balhoff

Claire is in memory of our dear friend, Marjorie Claire McAnelly, and in honor of my godmother, Joan Claire “Aunt Joanie”. Elizabeth is in honor of Jim’s sister, Elizabeth “Aunt Liz”. It’s wasn’t difficult to decide on Claire’s name. We’ve known all along that if we had a girl, we would name her after MC. I’m glad we’re having a girl so we can name our daughter “Claire” in her memory!

Origin of the name Claire: Derived from the Latin clārus (bright, clear, famous). Clare is a common name throughout Europe and the British Isles, its popularity once due in part to the fame of St. Clare of Assisi (c. 1193 – 1253). The Italian nun who founded the order of the Poor Clares.

(From The Baby Name Wizard)

Edward Charles Balhoff

It was tougher for us to agree on a boy’s name. We wanted a name that was not already taken by a Balhoff. The men in Jim’s family eliminated many traditional boy names. (His grandmother has 11 children, 38 grandchildren, and more than 22 great-grandchildren with at least 4 more on the way!) Finally there was one choice we both loved. Hello, noble Edward! Charles is in honor of my dad, William Charles Monroe, with a nod to Charles Darwin as well.

Origin of the name Edward: Derived from the Old English Eadweard (wealthy or fortunate guardian), a compound name composed of the elements ēad (prosperity, wealth) and weard (guardian, protector). Edward is a royal name, having been borne by three Anglo-Saxon kings and eight kings of England. Currently, the name is borne by Prince Edward (b. 1964), the youngest son of Queen Elisabeth II and Prince Philip.

(From The Baby Name Wizard)

I’m thrilled with the set of names we’ve determined for the twins. We’ve enjoyed calling the babies “Claire” and “Edward” for a couple of weeks. Patrick likes referring to “his” babies as Claire and Edward too.