I’m having a hard time coming up with a name for one of the characters in my novel.
A few months back I created a list of names that I really like but none of them really match this person. As I puzzled, I started thinking about my own name and where it came from.
I’m not sure.
sadly, it is highly unlikely I was named for this activist actress
My parents were both raised Catholic so maybe Elizabeth comes from that influence. Elizabeth was the mother of John The Baptist, relative of Mary, mother of Jesus. The meaning of my name is very religious: “God is my Oath” or “God’s Promise”. I was also born about five months after my parents were married so maybe the name Elizabeth was a concession to my very Catholic maternal grandparents? I wouldn’t be surprised.
I am named after my aunts Marlena and Lucia who were named after my grandmother’s grandmother Lucia who was an artist. My name means Tower of Light but I doubt anyone knew that at the time.
I love this! "Tower of Light" and a great grandma who was an artist! That connection reminds of some of your pencil sketches from MHS. I think, pencil? Thanks for sharing this, Marlena.
Interestingly enough, my name is shrouded in folklore and intrigue. Originally I was supposed to be named Samantha Renee with the initials SRB to match my Dad's initials of SRB. He was fond of Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha in the popular TV show Bewitched, hence the origin of Samantha. My Dad goes by his middle name, Rene, thus the origination of Renee. As the story goes, at the last minute, my mom decided she loved the name Holly as it represented the place where they met - Holly Beach in Gloucester, Virginia- and she superseded Samantha by adding Holly onto this saga. So I have the longest name ever - Holly Samantha Renee.
Wow, just wow, Holly! "Samantha" from Bewitched as inspiration. That is a humdinger of a reason. And I had no idea your real name was so long. All those standardized tests with you filling in bubbles for all those letters!
I believe it was my Dad's aim to give us Southern first names to match our last name. Therefore, we are Charlotte, Susannah, Scarlet, and Savannah Southern.
Hi E! My name is Elizabeth Marie. We share the meaning "God is my Oath". I also found "my God is Abundance" which I quite like. My mother's name was Marie Elizabeth, so our names mirror each other and I think that was her wish. Elizabeth was also the name of my maternal great grandmother, also a very strong-willed woman :-)
How marvelous to hear the history of another Elizabeth here, Beth! I love it. And how beautiful that your mom's name and yours mirrored each other. Another gift from her to you. <3
No clue where my name came from, but are you writing a novel??? FWIW I change my novel characters’ names a handful of times before I land on the right one. Eventually it does click though!
I was hoping someone would say they ALSO have no idea where their name came from! Thanks Julia! And- gahhh....yes to a novel. The memoir is more the focus but the novel won't let me be. Which is weird but I'm trying to roll with it. :-)
I was named after my Mother’s twin sisters Gwendolyn Bathia and Dorthy June. All of those are family names. Mother chose Bathia June. Pronounce Ba thia Long I . My great grandmother was Bathia . I love that I have a family name!
I am named after my aunts Marlena and Lucia who were named after my grandmother’s grandmother Lucia who was an artist. My name means Tower of Light but I doubt anyone knew that at the time.
I love this! "Tower of Light" and a great grandma who was an artist! That connection reminds of some of your pencil sketches from MHS. I think, pencil? Thanks for sharing this, Marlena.
Interestingly enough, my name is shrouded in folklore and intrigue. Originally I was supposed to be named Samantha Renee with the initials SRB to match my Dad's initials of SRB. He was fond of Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha in the popular TV show Bewitched, hence the origin of Samantha. My Dad goes by his middle name, Rene, thus the origination of Renee. As the story goes, at the last minute, my mom decided she loved the name Holly as it represented the place where they met - Holly Beach in Gloucester, Virginia- and she superseded Samantha by adding Holly onto this saga. So I have the longest name ever - Holly Samantha Renee.
Wow, just wow, Holly! "Samantha" from Bewitched as inspiration. That is a humdinger of a reason. And I had no idea your real name was so long. All those standardized tests with you filling in bubbles for all those letters!
Yes! I actually had to drop the Renee and only claim Samantha on most forms. Sigh, all the irony.
I believe it was my Dad's aim to give us Southern first names to match our last name. Therefore, we are Charlotte, Susannah, Scarlet, and Savannah Southern.
How creative and clever of your dad, Susannah! What a cool idea. Thanks for sharing this backstory.
Hi E! My name is Elizabeth Marie. We share the meaning "God is my Oath". I also found "my God is Abundance" which I quite like. My mother's name was Marie Elizabeth, so our names mirror each other and I think that was her wish. Elizabeth was also the name of my maternal great grandmother, also a very strong-willed woman :-)
How marvelous to hear the history of another Elizabeth here, Beth! I love it. And how beautiful that your mom's name and yours mirrored each other. Another gift from her to you. <3
No clue where my name came from, but are you writing a novel??? FWIW I change my novel characters’ names a handful of times before I land on the right one. Eventually it does click though!
I was hoping someone would say they ALSO have no idea where their name came from! Thanks Julia! And- gahhh....yes to a novel. The memoir is more the focus but the novel won't let me be. Which is weird but I'm trying to roll with it. :-)
https://elizabethmjohnson.substack.com/p/how-827-became-2-book-projects
Here's to rolling with it!!!
thanks friend!
I was named after my Mother’s twin sisters Gwendolyn Bathia and Dorthy June. All of those are family names. Mother chose Bathia June. Pronounce Ba thia Long I . My great grandmother was Bathia . I love that I have a family name!
What beautiful, unusual names, June! "Bathia" is so interesting. I love it. And don't all of your kids have family names too? Just a lovely tradition.