tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post980559334924520605..comments2024-03-28T06:20:48.661-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: On Names We're Saddled With...Jungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-85564973231255883412013-02-19T20:31:26.416-05:002013-02-19T20:31:26.416-05:00Oh... just got that - Ladasha. Poor baby.Oh... just got that - Ladasha. Poor baby.Maureen Harringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03499876353651763590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-47991901330189459672013-02-18T19:46:42.871-05:002013-02-18T19:46:42.871-05:00One of our sons just stopped by to visit, and I to...One of our sons just stopped by to visit, and I told him about this name discussion. Steve and I adopted him and his twin sister when they were 8. We were their third placement for adoption, and they had gone through 3 sets of names before joining us.<br /><br />They were as unfamiliar with their birth names as they were with the two sets of names they were given by their adoption placements that didn't work out. They came to us with their birth names, since they had never been changed legally.<br /><br />We asked them what they wanted to be called, and they came up with names that were different parts of the names they'd had previously, even mixing part of one name, with part of the other twin's name. For example, one called herself Marmay, a blend of Mary and Mark. You should know we all giggle about this now, but it took more than a few years to see the humor.<br /><br />We finally told them that they should pick out any name they liked, as long as it wasn't made up or weird. I expected them to ask what we meant by weird. They never asked. They knew.<br /><br />Krista had a friend named Krista and a counselor named Beth. She wanted to be called Kris, short for Krista Beth.<br /><br />We forgot to tell Paul that Steve was off limits, as we already had several in the family, including another son named Steve. He, of course, chose Steve. We convinced him that it might be wise to make Steve his middle name, and he could call himself Steve when he grew up or was away at school. He agreed to that but has stuck with Paul.<br /><br />When I asked him about it today he said he was happy with the name Paul but wished it could have been Steve.Maureen Harringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03499876353651763590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-80954114152612348632013-02-18T19:36:46.106-05:002013-02-18T19:36:46.106-05:00Michelle - I'd have loved to have had your nam...Michelle - I'd have loved to have had your name. <br /><br />Now SO MANY different spellings can drive a person nuts. Michelle Michele Barbara Barbra Steven Stephen ... <br />Hallie Halle Halley ...Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-12755566068314932712013-02-18T18:48:50.060-05:002013-02-18T18:48:50.060-05:00Michelle is my name and Lee is my middle name. I ...Michelle is my name and Lee is my middle name. I didn't go to school with too many other Michelles, even though I was born in the '70's and it was a popular name then. There were a lot of Jennifers that I went to school with. A lot of them had last names that started with D!<br /><br />When I graduated there was another Michelle whose last name started with F (Finkbeiner, I think), so she might've been right after me.<br /><br />My mother wanted to name me Rebecca Ann but I guess my dad picked the name Michelle. Some people can't even spell it right. A few times people have left off the final e. Since the First Lady is named Michelle maybe now more people can spell it right.<br /><br />Punctuation names -- no way! I couldn't figure all of them out in your post and it made me dizzy. I also don't like it when people come up with different ways to spell names. I wouldn't think of spelling Hayley differently, although now Haley may be a more popular spelling. It just looks wrong. People also have lots of ways to spell Brittany, which I wouldn't have thought of.<br /><br />I like sensible, normal names and not the funny ones (modern) they come up with now. I agree with the person who said that last names as first names are weird. Might as well call a girl Wainwright and be done with it!<br /><br />I thought it was funny when Barbara Ross said that she got Google notices of her obituary because her name was so common.Michelle Fidlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10285519745590239008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-40859956045306095842013-02-18T18:43:52.402-05:002013-02-18T18:43:52.402-05:00Very funny today, ladies!
I hate my name. Apparen...Very funny today, ladies!<br /><br />I hate my name. Apparently, my mother had named my 2 older brothers, so my father got to name me - Nancy - after the song. (My mother says she would have named me Andrea).<br /><br />The funny thing is that when my husband and I took our daughters' names from Shakespeare (Ariel and Cordelia), I caught hell for not using family names, etc. - when they named me after a stupid song!<br /><br />Nonetheless, if I were to ever become a famous writer, I don't think I'd change my name. <br /><br />NGWNancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06495937280335984726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-27365359504891298312013-02-18T18:29:20.405-05:002013-02-18T18:29:20.405-05:00What a crummy teacher, Linda Rodriguez... as if wa...What a crummy teacher, Linda Rodriguez... as if was any of her business what your name was. Sheesh.Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-81432288588789613272013-02-18T16:44:47.377-05:002013-02-18T16:44:47.377-05:00Love the punctuation names as jokes you all did--s...Love the punctuation names as jokes you all did--so witty! Don't care for them in real life, though.<br /><br />I was called Lynette (my middle name) until I went to school. The teacher insisted that I had to be called Linda and pushed my family to comply, as well. I've never cared for Linda. There were always twelve or so Lindas everywhere I went--it was the most popular girl's name the year I was born. I secretly longed to be called Elizabeth or Gloria, names with some style. I did love Lynette, which was what my family intended me to be called. *sigh*<br /><br />Now that I'm older, I'm fine with Linda, but oh, there are so very many Linda Rodriguezes out there! It's like the Latino version of Mary Smith.Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-61889421801785130932013-02-18T15:19:26.072-05:002013-02-18T15:19:26.072-05:00I have never cared for my name -it sounds like som...I have never cared for my name -it sounds like someone throwing up!- and when I first meet people they sing, "Hey, hey, Paula..." (Because no one else has ever thought of that, thanks...) Plus, all the other girls in my elementary school grade had names that ended with an "-ie" (Julie, Emily, Kristi). I would have given anything to have a name that ended in "-ie." (Though not Polly!!)<br /><br />I feel my mom's pain, though. She was a teacher and every name made her think of a student. After working in day cares and preschools for ten years before we had kids, I had a similar problem (no Austins or Jacksons, please!). It hasn't occurred to Kate and Craig to hate their names yet...we'll see!<br />paulabucknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-33892521197954939852013-02-18T15:17:29.779-05:002013-02-18T15:17:29.779-05:00One of my sisters had a college friend named Ziggy...One of my sisters had a college friend named Ziggy, short for Zygmund. When asked if it was difficult going through school with a name like that, he said he was from a predominantly Polish town, and there were several other Zygmunds in his kindergarten class. I guess all the Johns and Davids, etc, were the ones who felt out of place!<br /><br />In my childhood neighborhood, there were so many Debbies that I finally stopped responding when I heard someone call the name; most of the time the person was calling one of the other Debbies. In the apartment next door to us there were TWO Debbies; both spouses had a daughter named Debbie from a previous marriage and both children lived there. It's been a lot of years so I can't remember exactly how they distinguished between the two, but I think they called them Big Debbie and Little Debbie.<br /><br />By the way, I like the nickname DebRo:-)Deb Romanonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-44504988656484116332013-02-18T15:16:02.913-05:002013-02-18T15:16:02.913-05:00Mar, Reine --
I've always wondered about both ...Mar, Reine --<br />I've always wondered about both of your names... mysteries solved!Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-65211081776107965492013-02-18T14:54:51.878-05:002013-02-18T14:54:51.878-05:00I still dislike my name "Mary" prefer M...I still dislike my name "Mary" prefer Mar (rhymes with "hair")<br /><br />My grandfather wanted me named Heidi, my mother refused so I got named after my grandmother's<br /><br />Mary Veronica <br /><br />when I was confirmed and had to pick a confirmation name (never understood that one) I chose my Paternal grandmothers first name "Rose" <br /><br />I always thought I should have been Veronica Rose and had I realized at 18 that I could have changed my name legally - I would have been on the courthouse steps the day after my 18th BD<br /><br />I don't know why they didn't Veronica first, I always liked that name once I knew what my name was<br /><br />both my mother and her mother were named Mary but were called by their middle names, me I got stuck being called by my first name :( really don't know why they thought another Mary was needed in the family anyhow - somehow I think my Dad had no say so in my name <br /><br />I grew up catholic in a very catholic populated area, I lost count on how many "Mary's" were in my class<br /><br />I'm in a fog - it took me looking at La-a and Ladasha about 5 times to connect, what are people thinking<br /><br />MarRosie123https://www.blogger.com/profile/11528374618939863598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-6072195067123910432013-02-18T14:29:58.527-05:002013-02-18T14:29:58.527-05:00My parents' families were at war. My father wa...My parents' families were at war. My father was certain I would be born Irish. ????? No, I don't know why he thought like that. His side of the family assert I am Irish and nothing else. To quote my aunt, Ellen, "What do you mean, what kind of a name is Szyminchkwiky? He's Irish, like us."<br /><br />So... my mother wanted to make peace between the warring factions: On his side, the Irish (not as Irish as they think); On her side, the French, Mi'kmaq, Métis, English, and whatever else.<br /><br />French is the default language on her side. They wanted Marie-Reine, with the indigenous putting in for Rain.<br /><br />His side said that doesn't sound Irish. Mother said Marie-Reine was the same as Maureen. They said, then spell it right. So she did.<br /><br />Everyone was happy. I am Maureen to my father's family. Marie-Reine (Reine for short) to most of my mother's family, and pronounced Rain to the indigenous and those so inclined.<br /><br />I tried, with my grandfather's help, to reconstruct it as my mother had intended. I should have left it alone. Names, though, feel very important. I don't think mine is finished.Maureen Harringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03499876353651763590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-48269443158868651742013-02-18T13:52:12.176-05:002013-02-18T13:52:12.176-05:00Lupeangela?
Jeremiah Jedediah?
Yikes.Lupeangela?<br />Jeremiah Jedediah?<br />Yikes.Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-85182205139483256012013-02-18T13:46:01.332-05:002013-02-18T13:46:01.332-05:00When we were trying to decide on baby names I made...When we were trying to decide on baby names I made a long list of names I liked. The Munchkin is adopted so we knew she was going to be a girl. I read the first name, Victoria, to my husband and he said, "I dated a Victoria." He'd dated a woman with the same name as my second choice as well. More than half the names on my list were the names of women he'd dated. Turns out he'd had a much more active social life than I realized!Sofie Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16830230500527705589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-16813345774480848222013-02-18T13:31:43.508-05:002013-02-18T13:31:43.508-05:00Also loving all the stories.
My brother-in-law i...Also loving all the stories. <br /><br />My brother-in-law is a history professor, and named his son, the only male with the family name, Jeremiah Jedadiah. (If you know me in "real life", you know our last name is a mouthful, but especially to go with that additional mouthful). He was always known as Jed, and never would tell anyone his full name. The very day he turned 18 he took his carefully hoarded graduation money to the courthouse and changed his name legally to Jed, no middle name. Karen in Ohiohttp://seetheusablog.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-42768463259214870952013-02-18T13:00:23.603-05:002013-02-18T13:00:23.603-05:00I was supposed to be named after my maternal grand...I was supposed to be named after my maternal grandmother, Lupeangela. Happily, I was born on my paternal grandmother's birthday, so Catherine it was. <br /><br />Until I turned 12 and decided Cathy was cuter. <br /><br />When I turned 39 I reconsidered. I realized I really was a Catherine and asked everyone to call me that. <br /><br />I was surprised by how many of my friends at the time were able to make the transition but there are still some from my cute period who call me Cathy.<br /><br />I really do like CatherineCatherinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11011994380939800262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-87008885695728535762013-02-18T12:57:32.659-05:002013-02-18T12:57:32.659-05:00Oh, too funny, Hallie. That poor kid ...
Kristop...Oh, too funny, Hallie. That poor kid ... <br /><br />Kristopher, I have a cousin named Krister - named after a Swedish theologian - and for a long while he went by Kris. You guessed it - of course people assumed from the name he was female. Now he's back to being Krister. <br /><br />But Smith? ? Yikes ... I begin to sympathize with governments that disallow certain names.Sara J. Henryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16145626175256433448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-16440516187229346192013-02-18T12:50:40.049-05:002013-02-18T12:50:40.049-05:00Characters as letters in an official name. Hmm. I ...Characters as letters in an official name. Hmm. I could see those being legally changed in adulthood, like some of those old hippie baby names. <br /><br />Edith - I can totally see you as a Max. If you ever need another pen name ... :) <br /><br />I'd never heard the Beach Boys song "Help Me, Rhonda" until I went to college. My parents named me for Rhonda Fleming. I'm glad my childhood nickname, very Disney-based, never made it to school with me. What sounds cute when you're 3 makes you chum when you're 13 ... :( Rhonda Lanehttp://rhondalane.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-21280086002604165302013-02-18T12:49:09.328-05:002013-02-18T12:49:09.328-05:00I think the truth is that when it comes to naming ...I think the truth is that when it comes to naming your kids you cannot win. Dogs are much more forgiving.Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-53759578850016547972013-02-18T12:47:41.451-05:002013-02-18T12:47:41.451-05:00My mother named me Jane and gave me her maiden nam...My mother named me Jane and gave me her maiden name for a middle name. Jane was extremely popular when and where I grew up and I hated having the same name as everyone else. After much experimentation I changed it to Jayna at 16 and fought to make it stick. Eventually I changed it legally. I truly think people should give their children two names, one common and one unique because some prefer one and some prefer the other. There was a Marjorie Jane in my class and she insisted on being Jane because nobody else was a Marjorie. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-45892408937906493722013-02-18T12:34:32.502-05:002013-02-18T12:34:32.502-05:00ANd yet, I turned out fine..xooANd yet, I turned out fine..xooHank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-10420070760453068262013-02-18T12:30:39.008-05:002013-02-18T12:30:39.008-05:00Thing 1 and Thing 2? Child abuse.
Barb Ross - lau...Thing 1 and Thing 2? Child abuse.<br /><br />Barb Ross - laughed out loud reading yours.Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-77641650078893771052013-02-18T12:28:02.779-05:002013-02-18T12:28:02.779-05:00Hank, I think ALL parents call their kids every na...Hank, I think ALL parents call their kids every name but their own. My poor daughter gets called by the cats' names!Julie Gerberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05990409312754201655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-28536622609733988892013-02-18T12:17:44.882-05:002013-02-18T12:17:44.882-05:00Well, Julie, my mother actualy did call us Thing 1...Well, Julie, my mother actualy did call us Thing 1 and Thing 2. ALl the time!<br />ANd she was always calling us each others's names.Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-76709808760995445552013-02-18T12:10:37.715-05:002013-02-18T12:10:37.715-05:00Oh ouch Barb!
Hallie, I do remember the Mickey Mo...Oh ouch Barb!<br /><br />Hallie, I do remember the Mickey Mouse Club. I can sing it too: M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E! Mickey Mouse! Donald Duck! and so on...<br /><br />Ramona, yes I'm certain we're kindred spirits.<br /><br />Love every one of these stories!Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.com