When does it count as naming for family?

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-12-2003
When does it count as naming for family?
7
Mon, 11-08-2004 - 3:11am
I wondered what most people consider as naming for a family member. I ask because we used the actual family name for mns for our dd and ds but for this baby the mns would either be forms of the name, family last names, or have the same meaning to honor a family member. Do you think it makes a difference how we honor them? For example we have considered using the family name 'Noel' but I am finding that 'Nolan' sounds better w/ most first names we like. Is it still honoring the person as much if we use Nolan? I know I am probably totally over thinking this but just wondered what opinions are out there about this!

TIA!


Chessie

EDD 2-28-05

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-01-2003
Mon, 11-08-2004 - 8:27am
I do think it "still counts" when you use a variation or even just a similar name (like in your case with Noel/Nolan). But I know that others would disagree - I guess the jury is still out on this...
Avatar for lesetlo
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 11-08-2004 - 9:27am
I think it has more to with the intent than the closeness of the sound, within reason.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-18-2003
Mon, 11-08-2004 - 1:43pm
I say yes, it still counts if you use a form of the name or something that sounds similar.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-18-2004
Mon, 11-08-2004 - 3:17pm
Our 4 1/2 year old is named Anna for my good friend Angela that was killed in a car accident when we were in our mid-20s. I wanted to honor her and we gave our daughter Angela's full initials: ADC and our last name. The D is my grandmother's name and the C is Angela's last name. Clearly Anna is not the same name as Angela, but it better suited our family. Both begin and end with the same letters.... Anyway, I think whether you use a direct name from a relative or just a similarity, it is still an honor and people are always tickled pink by it. When my grandmother passed away 11 months after Anna was born, she was the only great grandchild listed by her first and (1st) middle name in the obituary. It had meant that much to my family that she had Grandma's name. I did it because I have an enormous love for my grandmother, but it apparently meant the world to her. I am so glad that we did that!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-29-2003
Tue, 11-09-2004 - 4:36pm
I agree with the previous posts. What matters is that you feel that you are honoring someone, and to a lesser extent, that the family member feels honored.

Most people I know who were named for someone were given a slightly tweaked version of the honoree's name. For example, my mn is Angela, and that is for my mom's grandfather Angelo. My sister's mn is Marie, and that is for my mom's grandmother, Mary. And my friend Kathryn was named for her grandmother Katherine.

I think it is nice not to stray too far from the original name, if possible, but some leeway is ok in my book!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Tue, 11-09-2004 - 5:15pm
I think Noel/Nolan is good, but it is really what you are comfortable with. We simply use intitials, but not everyone is comfortable with that.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 11-10-2004 - 8:22pm
I tweaked family names for all three of my DDs first names! The people we honored still consider them namesakes!

Help or hinder?

Good luck finding that perfect name!

Amy~mom to Patrisha Louise, Isabella Ruth & Lilybet Rhian; ages 12, 9 & 17 mos