I hadn’t planned on sharing how we came up with our baby name, other than what E! News had asked about, but with many of you asking how Aaron and I came up with Navy Lee Williams name, I figured I share. Sharing my labor and delivery story was what y’all wanted more than anything. I hadn’t expected the overwhelming curiosity for bAAbywilliams’ name. So here’s how we came up with it.
What’s in a name? Everything!
It all started with my grandpa Frazier, whose name is Edward Lee Frazier. My grandparents named my dad Bruce Lee. Yes, Bruce Lee. No relation to the actor (ha ha), although my dad has played that up my entire life, and I’m sure most of his too. My guy friends or guy strangers always tend to love this a lot more than the females. Apparently, Bruce Lee is king to some. Anyway, my dad’s name was passed down after his dad.
As most of you know, I was adopted at 6 years of age. When I was born, my name was spelled Ashley. Once I was adopted, my parents changed the spelling after my dad to have a capital L and added two e’s. Being that I’m such a daddy’s girl, I always loved this. It made me feel more included into my parents’ world. This was true even more so for my dad. When someone asks me, “what’s in a name?” I tell them everything!
When Aaron and I were dating, we took a lot of trips together. One was to San Antonio for the weekend. While we were there, for the first time, started talking about a baby name. I knew then and there that Aaron truly was meant to be a daddy. The fact that he was super into this conversation spoke volumes and put my ovaries into overdrive. Aaron was the one and I knew it. While in San Antonio we discussed it, and he agreed that if we had a girl, I could use Lee as her middle name to pass down the tradition.
How we came up with Navy
I wish I had some magical story for you here, but I really don’t. Aaron and I were in Austin, enjoying a few cocktails on a pretty, nice day (wasn’t too hot and wasn’t cold either). Mind you, we weren’t engaged at this time. Again, this shows you how amazing Aaron is and how much he wanted a family. He was completely okay with these conversations. He would often bring up our future children’s names himself. Which, of course, made my heart skip beats.
As we were a few drinks in, the baby name convo started. We both loved the name Emma. Aaron said, “I can call her Em.” When he said that, my heart melted. It was so sweet. Of course, when you are so in love with someone, they can do the smallest thing and you go crazy.
The only reason Emma was axed is because I wanted the name Lee as her middle name. If you say Emma and Lee out loud, it sounds like Emily. And I definitely didn’t want that. That’s when one of us mentioned going through color names. We liked Grey, but Christian Grey is too popular — and since he is a sexual character, I’m in love with making that connection to my baby’s name (ha ha). We went through all the colors, and then I said, “Navy.” Aaron actually liked it.
From then on, we would always refer to our child as Navy. The name stuck. And just like that, you have Navy Lee. We still love Emma. I personally love how much Aaron likes it and also because he came up with it. So, if we were to have a second child … you never know. Her name may be Emma!
I love this story! My daughter is Emma and my middle name is Lee and we had the same thought about “Emma Lee” because it sounds like Emily. We named her Emma Bradlee (Bradley is a family name and we changed the spelling to Lee to match my middle name)! Navy Lee is such a sweet name. Congratulations on your precious little one!
I love this! Boy names for girls is my fave.
AshLee love your story and Navy Lee is gorgeous just as her Mom. And I know first hand how much you mean to your wonderful and precious Dad. Also, He is King Bruce Lee. It is a very special honor that you are named after Him and now Navy Lee will carry on this honor. Will your Dad be doing the Dedication Service? If so if possible I would love to attend?Love You and thank you for keeping updates etc.
We may have him do one but it will be a little while. I want to make sure she gets her shots before we take her out into crowds. I will keep you posted. Love you!
What breast pump do you use?
It’s call Sonata by Medela. I love it.
I absolutely love her name! Something you don’t always hear right away 😍
I love this story, and am obsessed with her name! Every time you post a story with baby Navy I just get heart eyes all over the place! She is so precious. You make me look forward to being a mama.
I love how you made sure her name was special and meant something to your families to carry it along!!! I love your blog and how you make it on just real life lol.
I love family names ❤️ Both of my girls carry family names.
I love hearing about keeping family names, I plan to use my mom and dad’s middle names as well if I am lucky to have children!!
Also, LOVE that Aaron showed interest so early on, you really do have a keeper!! I definitely think you made the right choice in Navy Lee instead of Emma Lee.. my name is Emily and I don’t think that I would have been too keen on that version hahahah.
So I made the right choice, haha! Thank you.
Love her name! And love your story about your name! My biological father was not in the Picture growing up but also would not sign over rights. So when I turned 18 for my birthday my step dad helped me get my name legally changed his name. And I’ve always gone by my middle name, so we dropped my first and last name and then added his last name. When I got married, i wasn’t ready to let go of my new to me last name so, I just made it my middle name that way it would still be with me. Super special to me.
Love the name. Your a awesome person. I am so happy for you that life turned out for you.
What a sweet story! Thanks for sharing.
Love the name and the story behind it. Unique names are the best, but when there’s a beautiful story attached to it, the name is that much better.
What a great story. Lee is a great middle name! It’s mine and my moms!
I love her name!!! We have had the hardest time figuring out a good name for our little girl she in April. We think we finally decided! Did you ever have any doubts that you chose the right name??
Not once. My husband had doubt once when we told a family member and got an odd response. But I quickly snapped him out of that, haha! I love the name. I hope she will too.
Navy is such a sweet name! Precious girl.
Such a sweet story❤️ I love how you two discussed baby names so early on. My hubby and I did the same thing. He picked the name way before we got pregnant with our son.
You’re such an amazing momma! It’s been a joy to watch you flourish & shine through motherhood. I’m a strong believer in the fact that God put some people on this earth to be mommas! It’s so natural for you, I hope (someday) it will be the same for me!