What is in a Name?

Names are a funny thing. They can date us, empower us or even debilitate us. In my sleepwear line I name the styles after women’s names that are age appropriate for the menopausal woman. These are names of the girls I grew up with. Women names that there was more than one of in a classroom. Women names that everyone can identify .Barbara, Debra, Sandra, Karen, Susan or Linda are plentiful names in the over 45 year old crowd. I also use names that transcend generations like Kathy and Mary and MaryAnn. I don’t use a cutesy spelling that is part of the individuality of the person.

Friends of mine who are teachers swear in the 80’s and 90’s “J” names for boys spelled trouble. Jacob, Justin, Jeremy and Josh were all suspect because of their names. Names follow trends. Biblical names catch on and for awhile it was hard not to see several Hannah, Rebecca, Rachael, Caleb, or Samuel in one classroom. Seasonal names like Autumn, Summer, April, May, June, and Noel seem perennial.

Most people think they want their name or their child’s name to be unique. In the 30’s through the 50’s nicknames was all the rage. Both my parents were nicknamed as were some of their siblings. I was an adult by the time I learned one of my Aunt’s real name. Nicknames now are given to grandparents more often than to kids.

Last names as first names and gender neutral names are very common. How many of us have been around kids and their names are Morgan, Taylor, or Griffon and you aren’t sure if it is a boy or girl or if that is their first or last name? Then there are the; this should be a joke name. The Beech kids, Sandy and Rocky. The Nickels kids; Penny and Abe. Come on, life can be tough enough with-out burdening a child with a joke for a name.

The spelling of names is often used for individual uniqueness. Let me say here that since I have an unusual name, having to spell your first and last name every time you give your name has not made me a more unique individual. Sure I never suffered from any identity issues like some of my childhood friends, but they never have to spell Susan every day of their lives either!

A name that is all the rage right now is NEVAEH. If you have not heard about this name yet, aren’t you glad you read this blog? Nevaeh is a name that will have to be spelled for the child’s entire life. Nevaeh is HEAVEN spelled backwards. Heaven help us!