I always thought I'd be wading through girls' names, trying to find just the perfect one. After all, there are so many lovely options.
But, when I actually had to choose a name, I've found that I wasn't excited about the search I had so looked forward to. Throughout my pregnancy, I have had a very specific name in mind, and as much as people try to help me broaden my horizons, I remain set on just one name. My family reads to me from baby naming books, my friends send me links of good baby-naming websites, yet I remain stuck. I just think this baby should be named Emmeline.
I love it because it’s after the founding editor of Woman’s Exponent and former Relief Society president, Emmeline B. Wells. I love it because her nickname could be Emma. Look at that! Two strong Mormon women covered with one name! And, I’ll admit that I love it because she has a cousin who will be 13 months older than she who’s name is Eliza. Seriously, I can hardly wait to get pictures of those two together.
But, perhaps, I'm limiting myself and her by not exploring more options. And, I'm a little ambivalent about this name because it is so similar to my name, "Emily." That'll make things difficult for the rest of the family. And, with the current knowledge of famous Mormon women, I suspect that most people will think I was vain and just made up a name that was similar to my own.
I know that I do so want her to share a name with a strong Mormon woman. I think it is in large part because I hope that such a name will give her power and strength to thrive and grow in the Church. I also want her (and myself) to proudly tell the story of the woman she was named after when the topic comes up; I know I always love to do that with my namesake, Emily Dickinson.
I told this to Nate, and he thought these were good reasons to stick with historical Mormon women. (Well, that and the fact that the only name I could settle on from the Bible was Jezebel because really, that woman gets a bad rap!) So, he went through a bunch of books on Mormon Church history. He came back saying, "Huh, there really aren't many women in that book." Darn!
So, in the past couple days, I have felt like I should make one last push. But, I'm pretty lazy, which is why I turn to you.
What strong names (Mormon or otherwise) have you or would you pick for your daughters and why? Has your name helped you feel stronger or more confident in your life? How so?
7 comments:
hmmm, this I will have to think on for awhile... I will get back to you :D
but I agree, naming #3 has been so difficult!!!! we still aren't really sure what he'll be called, though Thomas calls him Jacob :)
Honestly, I love the name Emmaline, although I reserve the right to call her Lina. I always liked that nickname.
But for the sake of options, so far, all I can think of is Zina Diantha Young. She was quite a woman.
Um ... I didn't know you were having a GIRL! YIPPIEEE! We like names with a lot of meaning in our house ... but Ben promised me if/when we had a girl ... we could name her for beauty and not meaning. So when I would give him several options and he'd say, "Okay ... what does _____ mean?" I'd respond ... Who the heck cares? Beauty, remember?
We did end up naming Audrey for a very significant purpose and meaning (so I guess we both won) ...
I'm just thrilled that you're having a girl!!!!!
I haven't loved my first name but I love my middle name...Stacey Lee, it goes back generations on my father's side and when I got married, I actually kept my middle name and dropped my maiden last name.
We also have friends who call their daughter by her middle name 'Soleil' - which I also love.
As a mom of two boys, if I had a girl I would give her a STRONG first name (i.e. Elizabeth, Penelope, Esther etc.) but also a special middle name...
Sooooooooooooo jealous you are having a girl!
Hugs,
S
For obvious reasons, I am biased in favor of your initial choice. Having Emma Smith as my namesake has been a source of strength for me. Especially lately, when I am toiling (in a very modern way of course) over my children, I crave connection with a strong Mormon woman. It helps to think that the small things I do are the small, meaningful things pioneer women did. I think in some way Emma has provided that strength. Congratulations, Emily! I love this post. What a lucky girl, she will also have you to look to for an example of a strong Mormon woman.
How about Minerva as in "Minerva Kohlhepp Teichert"? You could call her "Minnie" and it would be like naming her after Granda's Mom, "Minnie Groomes Hales". I love her work and she was a very strong woman who literally made the world a more beautiful place. I LOVE Emmeline, so I say stick to your guns. You would be naming her after a strong mormon woman...YOU!
I vote for Emmeline as well.
In the interest of providing options, though, I would suggest that you consider the ranks of strong women in the film industry: Ava (Gardner), Louise (Brooks), Debra (Winger), or Rosanna (Arquette).
It probably says something about me that I immediately think of the film industry when asked to name examples of strong women :/
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