My beloved friend Donna Tagliaferri of My Life From the Bleachers is expecting twin grandsons in the near future.
Choosing names has become a priority.
Donna has happily supplied several. (Romulus and Remus being her most recent contributions.)
None has been considered.
Donna, Husby feels your pain . . .
We have a tradition in our family.
I know what you’re going to say . . .
Another tradition?!
Hear me out . . .
When we were expecting our babies, and fighting arguing over considering possible names, my ever-helpful Husby gave me a list from which to choose.
My Husby has doctorates in History and Anthropology. Did I mention that?
It’s significant.
Moving on . . .
The list was seven pages long.
And included such classics as: Trophimus. Trogillium. Vafthrusdinal. Gundohar and Gundobad (If we should ever be blessed with twins.)
I see your face.
Mine sported a similar expression.
And I named our babies. Mark. Erik. Duff. Caitlin. Tiana. Tristan.
Now, I'm sure you’re wondering about the aforementioned tradition.
That comes here . . .
Because I was rude ignorant smart enough to ignore his helpful advice, my uber-determined Husby started in on the next generation.
With one significant change.
Our children weren’t given a choice.
Nope. They were given a name.
One name per grandchild.
Oh, they chose their own names, too. The names that would appear on birth certificates and numerous and sundry other legal places throughout the child’s life.
But each of them has a Grandpa Name (hereinafter known as GN) as well.
Unofficial, but just as important.
Let me enlighten you. These are the names as they now stand:
Megan Sarah. GN: Cruchenperk
Kyra Danielle. GN: Ataxerxes
Odin Erik. GN: Dashley-Odensis
Thorin James. GN: Ragnowinthe
Erini Tiana. GN: Salmanezer
Jarom Elliott. GN: Abindaraz
Bronwyn Bell. GN: Pintiquinestra
Linnea Viktoria. GN: Adrevalde
Hazel Jane. GN: Bardowick
Willow Victoria. GN: Cantabrie
Leah Brooke Rachelle. GN: Ettelwulf
Aksel Grant. GN: Burthred
William Duff. GN: Hieronymus
Emma Charlotte. GN: Boadicea
Elizabeth Rose. GN: Clytemnestra
Quincy Rue. GN: Mehitabel
Nora Isabel. GN: Goleuddydd
And are those kids proud of their Grandpa Names?
A resounding: Yes!
But still their parents, in true 'parent' fashion use the names they chose.
So there’s the usual (and well-remembered) angst. The ‘Why don’t they use my good names?’ question.
Maybe you can answer that . . .
Smiling. And grateful that my father and your husby never met.
ReplyDeleteFun. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYour grandchildren must feel extra-special with those wonderful GNames! I wish we had done something that fun with our kids :)
ReplyDeleteThat wouldn't have happened in my religious tradition, where we name children after deceased relatives we admire or want to otherwise honor. But, truth to tell, I chose a first name never in my family. And I'll bet the grandkids think their grandnames are pretty cool. Especially Clytemnestra, sister of Helen of Troy. But watch out for her, she murdered her husband Agamemnon. Hmmm, have you researched these names, lol?
ReplyDeleteMy children were given names, as i told them, that "wear well in the wash and don't fade." They were told if they wanted crazy nicknames, to get their friends to give them one.
ReplyDeleteYour Husby is the nicknamer in the family, he should be proud.
Why not use those grandpa names? Because having to spell them out for the rest of your life is a nightmare and that's just one reason. Having to teach others the pronunciation is another...
ReplyDelete