I saw this article on my msn home page and thought it was interesting. The title of it is ---
Astravaganza?! When parents regret their kids' names -- By Susan Gregory Thomas
I found it quite interesting because I do wonder just why some parents choose the names that they do, for their kids!
My first name is Rebecca. I love my name! But, I am not called that because my mother wanted me to be called "Becky", and that's ok. The problem comes when I have to sign my name on legal documents. On most of those type things, I have to sign my name as "Rebecca". I get frustrated because I always have to check to see which name I am supposed to sign... "Rebecca" or "Becky"!
Rebecca
When I named my girls, I purposly chose NOT to give them names that would have a "nickname". I didn't want them to go thru the same confusion that I have to go thru at times. Ashley sometimes gets shortened to "Ash", but not by ME! David's step-mother used to call Ashley, "Ash" when she was a baby. I hated it!!!! Now, it doesn't bother me quite as much when other people call her that.
In high school, a few of Miranda's friends shortened her name to "Randy", but I didn't mind it too much. No one calls her that any more, now.
A lot of people choose family names for their children. My mother wanted to name me after my Great-Great Grandmother. Her name was Rebecca Ann. But, my Grandmother (my mom's mom) INSISTED that my middle name be her name!! So, my middle name is "Louise". Not quite as pretty as "Rebecca Ann". **Smile**
When it came time to choose names for my own children, I decided NOT to use family names because I did not want to hurt anyone's feelings by not choosing their names.
When I was pregnant with Ashley, I was working at a day care center. There was a little girl there who's name was "Ashley". This was in 1987. I had never heard it before and I loved it! I actually made a list of names that I liked and then I let David choose which one that he liked the best. The name "Ashley" was at the top of the list and I was happy that he chose this to be her name!
Ashley
Now, it was time to choose a middle name. I had no idea what to choose! But, in the end... I went with the middle name of my "Adoption Doll". (Remember those??) Her name was "Beth Lanee'". I loved that name LANEE' (Sounds like Renee) and had never heard it before. So, Ashley was named -- Ashley Lanee'.
4 years later, we were pregnant again (Yay!) and back to choosing another name. I, of course, had a baby name book and would constantly cruise thru it searching for the perfect name. I came across the name "Miranda" and thought it was such a beautiful name! So, that is what we decided on.
Miranda
Then, it was time to choose a middle name. After much thought... I (we) decided to name her after my childhood best friend. Her name was "Chrissy", but her real name was "Christine". So, Miranda was named -- Miranda Christine.
Back to the topic of the article above...
The article talks about how names have no meaning now and how parents are trying to come up with "original" names. They also are following the Hollywood trends of naming their children crazy names like... "Apple", just to get attention. Is this healthy for children, tho?? I don't think so. But... that's just my opinion.
Lately, I have also noticed a trend of parents choosing to have their children be called by BOTH of their names... such as... "John Michael" or "Gracie Marie" or "Emma Grace" or "John Lee". I used to not like this idea, but I have gotten used to it don't mind it so much. When I was little, tho.... when I was called by BOTH of my names..... I knew that I was in TROUBLE!!! ~ LOL!!
I would love to know the stories behind how you got your name!
