(no subject)

[katallison]

I've been really enjoying the comments on my earlier post about names, and find myself moved to follow up by tossing out a few questions for anyone who feels like responding:

1) Your LJ user name--how did you come up with it, where did it come from? And do you have a different pseud for writing/lists/whatever? How do you decide when to use which?

2) Any stories about how your family chose your RL first/middle names? Is there something you were *almost* named until saner heads prevailed?

3) What's the coolest name you've encountered (either real or pseud), one you really wish you had?

Answering for myself: (a) Kat Allison is simply a slight revision of parts of my RL name; it's the only name I've ever used in fandom. (b) My mother once told me that, if my father had had his way, I would have been named "Ariel," which ... well, let's just say I'm very glad he lost that one; it would have been wildly incongruent with both my RL last name and my basic temperament (I'm not remotely ethereal and poetic enough to be an Ariel). And (c) there are two public figures whose names I've always envied: Tai Babilonia (figure skater) and Moon Landrieu (former mayor of New Orleans). Those are just ... *cool.*

Comments

[amadyce.livejournal.com]

1) It's my RL middle name misspelled, because someone else had already stolen the correct spelling. Actually, it's a name I picked for myself. Unlike my other siblings, I was not given a middle name. By the time I came along my mother was having a hard time coming up with names, so she always told me I could pick something for myself if I wanted. Never could decide until about nine years ago. I'd always been interested in names and etymology. I used to read name dictionaries as a kid. Still do. Amadis was one I came across and liked instantly. Originally, I'd intended it for some future daughter, but I got tired of waiting and it started to feel more like my name so I added it. It's Spanish for Amadeus and is the name of the protagonist in a medieval Spanish Arthurian style fable. I don't think I've ever used any other pseuds. It's too hard for me to pick a name that feels like mine. I've either used Amadis or my first name.

2) My first name is Adriene. My mother had a cousin with the more common spelling, and my mom always liked the name, though I was wasn't named *for* her. I think my mom saw the "one N" spelling in a pamphlet the nurses gave her at the hospital. According to highlighted marks in my moms baby name dictionary, I was almost named Wenona. I can't remember the other almosts. I fared better than my two oldest siblings though. My grandmother picked their names and they are one step away from cruel jokes. As a kid I always thought my name wasn't exotic enough, *snicker*, and was always trying to come up with the most outlandish fantasy names. Orianna was my favorite for a long while, though I cringe at the thought of that now. Not me, at all. Incidentally, I recently learned that that was the name of the literary Amadis' lady love. Hmm.

3) I'm so absolutely happy with my name as it is now. There are a lot I've found really interesting. I once knew a girl named Kerenza de Mars and really envied her name. Thinking about it now though, it's a tad on the MarySueish side.