Thursday, January 17, 2008

A rose by any other name

We picked Nicole’s name because it was “normal” but not too overused. Everyone knows how to pronounce “Nicole” when they see it. Further, we felt it left the door open for her to develop a personality of her own without her name directing her. She could be studious and still be a Nicole. She could be a cheerleader and still fit her name. Nice and versatile.

Karen on the other hand has never been a favorite name of mine. Because I think of it as kind of old fashioned and my personality isn’t quite as much, I don’t feel like a “Karen”. This will sound totally strange, but there are many times that I think of my name as just that – a word to help others recognize me when mentioned much like “car” or “shepherd”. Even when I sign things and try to write the word beautifully it really holds no meaning for me.

The alternative name for me when I was born was Christine. While this is way too formal, I think I would have enjoyed being a Chris or even a Chrissy. Of course through much of my childhood I claimed that I was going to promptly change my name to DiDi upon my 18th birthday. That’s why 9 year olds aren’t allowed to make legal decisions, thank God.

Some people I think do fit their name. I think of Viki as a Viki for example, however in my opinion she’s not a “Vickie” at all. I tried to think of what other name would fit Lisa but I'm at a mental block and Lisa is all I could come up with. Original, I know…

12 comments:

Martha said...

since you're critiquing names...What about Martha??!?

Finlands finest said...

I think what is nice about Karen is there is no direct personality connected to it. It did give you a chance to become your own person. Look at the difference between you and Karen Cruse. You are both very intelligent woman, but I would use the word studious to describe Karen while I would use flirtatious/social to describe you.

Jennifer as a name sucks for me. I am not a Jennie or Jenny because both to me sound like cheerleader/peppy types and I don't think I fit that now even if I did at one point. I think Jennifer is too formal and stiffy. Jen is okay but not always right...

I do believe a name is just a descriptive of what you are talking about. Just like we use blue to describe blue, it is only blue because we say it is...I hope that makes sense.

Finlands finest said...

I like Martha!

Mamma Sarah said...

Yeah... and what about Sarah since you know 2 of them and they are both spelled the same. :-P

I think Karen is very suiting for you. I always knew Karens who where peppy, annoying, smart, crazy, silly, and very caring... and you certainly fit that. :-)

Anonymous said...

i think about names quite a bit... too much probably. i'm always annoying dave with baby names because i think a name makes a person. my little girl? definitely betsy. and then i'll call her 'little bit' and 'beezy.' plus, i'm sure that a betsy of mine is bound to be spunky and super cute.

now, i am no rachel. seriously. i hate my name. i hate saying it, and i hate that there aren't any cute nicknames for it. however, i love hearing other people say it and i love seeing it in print. but, i stick by it--i'm no rachel. i think that i would be a really cute samantha, though. and people always say i look like a sarah. um, what does that even mean?

and, let me be honest. sometimes i dislike people based on their names. i know. i'm an awful person, but there are just some names that i don't mesh with. no offense.

me said...

…well at least no one got stuck with the awful name “Carol” oh wait… my parents were both teachers and neither had a kid with that name so I got stuck with it. It always sounded like and old woman. The only two I know of are Carol Brady and Carol Burnett.
I would have been much happier with the name Madeline and I would have used Maddi.
What do you think Karen…does Maddi fit me better?

BTW you were the first Karen I ever met so now I expect all Karens to live up to you.

Martha said...

Thanks, Jen, I like me, too. ;) I had to grow to like my name. When I interview for jobs it eventually comes out that people were expecting someone older. Although it is becoming a "popular" (??) name for young girls (like age 10ish? and younger nowadays). Just not very common for my age range, which can be good! I didn't meet another Martha until college? did I meet a Martha in college??
I think Jen is a Jen. I agree, not really a Jennifer or a Jenny. Even though when you're bubbly excited you're a soooo a Jenny. :D I think I use Jen and Jenny most for you.
I think Karen is definitely a Karen. Always thought that name fit you.

Karen said...

I was surprised that Martha didn't go by Marti or somethign like that to 1) appear younger or 2) because it's less formal. I don't mind martha but you're still the only one i know! :)

Martha said...

you know my mom! :)
But she goes by her middle name. Or "Mrs. A...."
No one is permitted to call me "Marti" except for my immediate family and my nephews and niece. I have a cousin and one friend out here who get by with calling me "Mart". Actually...I think you used to call me Mart, too.

Anonymous said...

You look like a "Sharon" to me.

LisaMarie said...

I wonder how many people out there really like their name? I don't know if my kids will like their names or not. I don't think my parents really cared if I'd like my name. They liked it. And that's why I'll name my kids things I like. Because my parents did it to me. HAHAHA.

I HATE being a Lisa. I knew several other Lisa's growing up and I was nothing like them. I think that's why it bothered me. I always liked my middle name much better. I should have started asking people to call me Marie. It's prettier. And less 70s. Too late now....

On a different note, I also don't want my kids names to rhyme with dumb stuff. It used to drive me nuts when people thought they were funny calling me Lisa Pizza. That doesn't even really rhyme! Grrrr.....

Viki said...

Chiming in way late on this one... Although I love my name now, I hated it as a kid. I always wanted to be Cindy, because of Cindy on the Brady Bunch. I think Christine would work for you, but only if you were nicknamed Tina. Really, though, I think Karen suits you fine, and I'm glad you're not DiDi.

While we're talking about names, though, Trey's real name is Daniel, and it still sounds incredibly strange when someone calls him Dan.