Mama Kat had another set of fabulous prompts this week. I am having to squeeeeeze in a post since I have a freelance gig going on (remember that “laser focus on time management” I promised myself in this post a few weeks back?).
This week, I go with the easiest: Share how you came up with your kids names!
With my daughter, Tenley (now 16), we weren’t sure what we wanted to name her. I had quite a few ideas floating around that played on “Elizabeth” in order to honor my sister-in-law, Ann Elizabeth, who had passed away a few years prior. Eliza Grace was a contender (I had an Aunt Grace who I really loved). Hubs is a big Russian history fan, so he was lobbying for Anastasia. I was concerned that would get shortened to a Stacy or other derivative, robbing the name of its beauty. My love of figure skating led us to name her after Tenley Albright, who has a great story. (She had to overcome polio to resume her figure skating training, won a gold medal at the 1956 Olympics, and went on to be a heart surgeon.) That’s how we ended up with Tenley Anastasia!
With my son, Wayne (now 13), there was no democracy involved. My husband is a Wayne, his dad is a Wayne. Wayne it would be. His middle name is Kevin after a brother who was stillborn a few years before I was born. Wayne’s cousin Atticus used to call him “Wagon” as a youngster — he couldn’t pronounce “Wayne Kevin.” It’s a great family story.
Easter 2011
Wife of one, Mom of two, Friend of many. My pronouns are she/her/hers.
I like how you have something special behind your kids names and that they will be able to tell others about it.
Great post that let’s us know more about your awesome family!
I had never heard Tenley before until my son joined a soccer team. His fellow teammate, Karsyn, has a younger sister named that. Very original!
Great! I love the stories behind your kids’ names!
Awesome story!
I love that you have a reason behind the names you chose instead of “we just liked them”. My oldest was named after his two Grandfathers, his first name being a family name in my family. The other two don’t have such great stories. Unless you think putting names in a hat and pulling them out make for a great story that is 🙂
Excellent – this is a fun prompt.
What a great story! I think it makes kids stand a little taller to know they’ve been handed such precious names.
I love Wagon! That’s so cute!! And Tenley is lovely–why didn’t I know you when I was looking for unique girl names? I wish I had a nickname, but Heather just doesn’t shorten easily.
Love this! Reminded me of the story of my name: my dad only agreed to the name Michelle if my Mom swore she would never shorten it to Shelly. She never shortened it, and only one guy dared to…..and I married him!
I love the history behind Tenley, I had no idea! What a beautiful name. And Wayne is so strong, and, of course, makes me think of a cowboy 🙂 I love them. I chose this prompt, too, and it is so fun to read all these stories behind the names!
I love the name Tenley! How cool!