(no subject)

[cathkitten.livejournal.com]

Someone posted about Annabel Lee for a girl earlier and it got me thinking: Do any of you like names because of strong literary associations?

I've always wanted to name my first daughter Anne after the heroine in Anne of Green Gables, my all time favorite book. I love Elaine from the Tennyson poem, Evangeline from the Longfellow poem, Margaret from the Hopkins poem. Elinor and Marianne from Sense and Sensibility, Elizabeth and Elizabeth-Jane from Pride and Prejudice and The Mayor of Casterbridge. I do the same with songs: there is an old song that my dad used to sing to me when I was little called "Amy" and so I've been toying with the name Amelia lately.

Are there any names you like because you read them in books/heard them in songs?

Comments

[neroli.livejournal.com]

I know someone who was considering Waverley as a name for a girl. I wonder if that would be up your alley as well?

[dancing-crazy.livejournal.com]

I actually like Waverley a lot! And it also happens to have a strong literary association--from "The Joy Luck Club", of course. And I actually love Waverley's character, despite her.... mmm... complexity. =) Thanks for reminding me! I guess I like that sound. It's almost somewhat onomatopoeic... and I love the waves... :)

[neroli.livejournal.com]

It's also the name of a novel by Sir Walter Scott (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waverley_%28novel%29). (I don't know whether Amy Tan was referencing the earlier work in her name choice or if it's just a coincidence.)

[dancing-crazy.livejournal.com]

I'd never read the novel, though I've heard of it now that I think of it. That's interesting. There's something about that sound that just gets my attention.

[dancing-crazy.livejournal.com]

I've* never read. I'd be willing to, of course. That's a very unfortunate typo. =)