Possible Honoring Name

[how-obscure.livejournal.com]

I've thought for a long time that I would like to name a child for my grandmother. The thing is her name is Edna Jean, which I don't like (and she doesn't really either). I'm not really fond of any "Ed" names except for maybe Edmund, but I hate Ed/Eddie. I used to think I might name a boy Eamonn James since Eamon(n) is a form of Edmund, but Eamon(n) has really lost its shine for me.

Edith has been growing on me, but I'm not crazy about the nn Edie, and I'm scared it might be mispronounced as Eddie. I've occasionally considered doing two middle names. Right now, I really like Cordelia, so today, I thought about the combination Cordelia Edith Jane. I really like it; my grandma wrinkled her nose. She almost never likes any of the names I like though and said she'd love her anyway. :P

So do you think Cordelia Edith Jane sounds good? And is it weird to use names someone doesn't like when you're naming after them? I'm not actually expecting, just thinking ahead.

Comments

[lilacmermaid.livejournal.com]

I love Cordelia, not at all a fan of Edith ... and I don't like them together, that repeating E sound too close together bothers me.

What about just using the Jean part of her name, or something that sounds like it?

[how-obscure.livejournal.com]

I don't really notice the "e" thing.

I don't like Jean at all, never have, and it's a part of multiple family members' names. If I were ever to have a girl and name for my grandma, I would want it to be something just for her. My grandmother was always called by her first and middle by my grandfather, so I think of it almost as a double name. If I were using one of the exact names, one would do, but since I wouldn't be, I feel like I should use initials of both. So, that's my reasoning. Thanks for the suggestion though.

[dustthouart.livejournal.com]

Does your grandmother have a favourite flower, gemstone etc that might be an alternative source of honouring name?

[how-obscure.livejournal.com]

That's a nice idea, and I know it works for some people; I just feel like I want to have a name connection myself. Personal preference and all. Also, I'm not too keen on the idea of naming a kid Orchid. :P

[miss-tee.livejournal.com]

I like Edith but if I was going to use a middle name to honor someone I would just use the actual name
Cordelia Edna Jane is nice too.
In my case if I ever have another daughter I want to name her after my grandmother. My grandmother's name was Elfrieda and she went by Frieda, but I can't do that to a child so I would use Freya as a first or something else and Frieda as a middle.

[box-of-rocks.livejournal.com]

I'm not nuts about honoring someone by using a name that 1) isn't actually their name and 2) they don't even like the name. If, for instance, someone told me they were honoring me (Angela) by calling a kid Antoinette or Angus, I'd be... confused, not so honored. Just my two cents!

[kitchen-poet.livejournal.com]

Really? Huh. Maybe it is a cultural thing? In Jewish naming tradition, babies are almost always named after family members, and after a while you tend to run out of names, especially if there are multiple siblings competing for them, so I find it really commonplace to take the first letter of a name and make a new name, or even to take a name with a similar definition or something more creative. (Edna means pleasant, and so does Naomi, Meriwether, and Beatrice.) OP, I wouldn't think twice hearing someone named Edith was named after a grandmother named Edna!

[roseofjuly.livejournal.com]

Me either. Edith and Edna are pretty close.

[how-obscure.livejournal.com]

See, I think using same initials works since I would use both initials. Plus, I'm going a step further and keeping the name starting with Ed---. It's also the same number of syllables for each name, and Jane is an anagram of Jean, although that's really a coincidence. To me, that part works, although I understand that opinions may vary.

As far as your second point, that's what gives me more pause. The thing is she doesn't like most of the names I like, and I wouldn't want to use a name I didn't like for my own child, so it's sort of an impasse. In my head, she'd still like the sentiment behind it. Also, and this harkens back to your first point, as well as relating to this point, she doesn't like her own name, so using a name neither of us likes just seems silly.

Now, I feel like I've just tried to convince you of my point of view when, really, I was just trying to explain it. I hope this doesn't sound argumentative!

[kitchen-poet.livejournal.com]

I love Edith! And I think it is a lovely homage to Edna! I think Cordelia Edith Jane sounds very glamorous. (Although, I wouldn't think to call a girl named Cordelia "Edie"...but maybe Elie or Elia or Delia, or even Dea or Eda (dee-uh/ee-duh)? Besides Cora and Lia, of course.) It seems like a lot of fun nickname possibilities.




Fwiw, I have a friend who's Hebrew name is Edna, and she goes by Ellie or Ella. I think Edna can totally be modernized. Plus, Edna St. Vincent Millay is a wicked namesake. ;)

[how-obscure.livejournal.com]

My concern over Edie was if I were to just use Edith Jane without Cordelia. I wouldn't think to call a Cordelia Edie either. It's because I don't like Edie very much and am concerned over pronunciation issues that I thought I might use Edith Jane as two middles and pair it with Cordelia, one of my current faves, as the first. I would use Cordy and Cora as nicknames. :)

I had to look up Millay. I only skimmed the Wikipedia article, but perhaps, I will have to search out some of her work.

[laminy.livejournal.com]

I think that it sounds quite nice all together.

[roseofjuly.livejournal.com]

I love the classic old-fashioned sound of Cordelia Edith Jane.

I think you're still honoring her, but she doesn't have to be in love with the name.

[chillinbabejodi.livejournal.com]

I find the flow of Cordelia Edith really off, because I have a weird thing about vowel sounds being next to each other. That aside, I think that the sentiment behind the name is honouring your grandmother, regardless of whether she's in love with the name or not. As neither of you love her name, I wouldn't use it. And I really like Edith Jane as a way if honouring her.

[lalazizara.livejournal.com]

I would say drop the Cordelia part. Edith Jean or Edith Jane sound fine on their own. You could try Eden maybe.

My grandpa hated his name Ralph Ernest and told me to never name a kid after him, so I will honor his thought by not naming any boys after him.