Writing my way through the A-to-Z blogging challenge, I’m sharing my thoughts and reflections on a lexicon (vocabulary specific to a certain subject) of unusual, obscure, or simply charming-to-me words. Ludic is defined as “playful, in an aimless way” and that’s my plan for approaching this challenge – keeping my feet on the joy trail and meandering wherever the daily word takes me.
E is for…
euonym – (n) a pleasing or beautiful name; appropriate or well-chosen name.
I was sorting through old journals and found an entry about something I’d totally forgotten about – that September 1st is celebrated as my name day. I remembered being rather excited when I discovered this. I vaguely recall hearing about name days as child, and remember associating it with a Catholic practice of those being named after a saint celebrating a feast day of their particular namesake.
But actually the tradition is observed in many countries and not necessarily connected to a religious observation. And I find it kind of interesting to think that there’s a day celebrating all the Deborahs in the world.
Deborah, as I’ve likely mentioned a billion times because it delights me so much, means Bee. Or sometimes it’s even suggested, Queen Bee. Deborah, as the historical judge and prophetess of the ancient Hebrews, likely lived around 1100 BC. So clearly the name has been in use for some time.
It delights me that my first name means Bee and my surname Weber means weaver, and of course the best weaver is Spider, so in fact I’m Bee Spider.
And what kind of creature is that?
- a somewhat shy creature, known to play amidst flowers, dance with the moon, wear red shoes, weave connections, and espouse the joy way of the everyday sacred.
- someone who enjoys word play, and whose name anagrams into things she love. For example: Wore Herb Bead; Adore Herb Web; Hoard Bee Brew
- has numbers named after her. The Deborah number (De) is a dimensionless number, often used in rheology to characterize the fluidity of materials under specific flow conditions. It is based on the premise that given enough time even a solid-like material will flow. The Weber number (We) is a dimensionless number in fluid mechanics that is often useful in analysing fluid flows where there is an interface between two different fluids, especially for multiphase flows with strongly curved surfaces.
It’s true the definitions of the numbers makes my head hurt and are basically meaningless to me, but I like the dimensionless part, and the flow part, and it’s numbers!
How fun is it I’m a person, a combo of animals, and numbers?
I also love making up words and titles – there’s something entirely delightful about it and at another level something deeply sacred. And those things are certainly not mutually exclusive. I take joy in naming the year I intend to live into, and what I’ve chosen for 2021 is Embracing the Infiniteness of Self. Doesn’t that sound like a wild and wonderful undertaking?
What about you? What does your name mean? Ever anagram your name? Love naming things? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
I’m all about having more to celebrate. There is certainly a Saint Margaret! I will have to check for my date.
There you go, Margaret – mark your calendar. Might I suggest you celebrate with a slice of Torta Margherita, aka Queen Margaret’s cake? It’s a bit like a chiffon cake and quite yummy.
It is July 20th. 🙂
Hari OM
Well, as you are aware, every post over at Wild YAM begins with an entirely nonsensical word of my own invention – just because!
I did a three part posting on my name and naming conventions back in 2016. I would certainly say that my name of the last 12 years is my euonym and suits me rather better than my original birth name (although “Alison” does equate to ‘nobility’, which may be one facet of character to live up to…)
I turned my names backwards for the URLs of the photo and WY blogs – and quite like the. Could be good pen names if that novel ever gets finished! YAM xx
I’ll definitely be heading over to read your name posts. And I’m cheering you on regarding the novel. Using a pen name would be such fun.
Now I have to go see if I have a name day. I do remember when younger and going to Catholic school that name days were for the saints. Every time I see a bee I think of you!
I hope you find a name day to celebrate, Janet. And it makes me smile that you think of me when you see a bee!
My name, Linda, comes from my father’s name, Linden. He was named after the town in the Blue Mountains where he was born and his father was a railway employee. The “a” part is from my mother’s name, Elsa. She was a great admirer of the actress Linda Darnell who died rescuing children from a burning house. Linda means “snake” or “beautiful”.
What a wonderful story about your name, Linda!
You have a lot of grounding information about your name. It gives you a context in the cosmos.
My “E” Jethro Tull song is here:
http://tao-talk.com/2021/04/06/a2z-2021-jethro-tull-songs-day-5-ears-of-tin-from-rock-island-1989/
What a lovely way to put it!
A bee spider sounds pretty cool to me. Weekends In Maine
I’m smiling with you. 🙂
So happy that your name brings you so much joy! You’ve mentioned that in previous years, so I’m glad for the reminder.
Beth
https://bethlapinsatozblog.wordpress.com/
You’re right, Beth – it does bring me joy. And no doubt I’ve mentioned it many times. When you love something you love it, no?
Your name and the delight you take in uncovering everything about it is so joyful. I love it.
My name means an offering or the act of praying in Hindi.
I was given another name when I was born as in some Hindu households, the time of birth decides the first sound of the new-born’s name. Luckily, my mother wasn’t a stickler for rules and named me Arti instead –which, I think, suits me:)
What a lovely meaning to your name Arti. And yes, I think Arti fits you perfectly.
How interesting about the tradition of birth time sounds beginning names. That’s fascinating to me.
Hi Deborah – Queen bee … you be! Interesting post … I’m happy, hilarious from St Hilary’s Day on the 13th or 14th January … the day I was born (13th) … I am appropriate for my naming, though there were other connotations … beginning of the St Hilary term at Oxford and Dublin … it’s a law connection too. Beautiful apple and bee … cheers Hilary
Oh, happy cheerful Hilary – that’s perfect for you!
My name means friend who cooperates with others. It’s literal and inspirational all at one time.
[I’ve had a difficult time commenting here, so I hope this goes through.]
Lovely post. I was an exchange student in Sweden where they celebrate names days with presents and small cinnamon rolls and cookies. My last name means mountain, so I’m the holy mother of a mountain. Not so bad.
madame bee buzzing with excitement around flowers and the spider weaver of webs and connections with the capacity to reweave your world anew.
so I have a name day well I never- March 3 they tell me.
I do like my meaning the defender protector of (man) humankind though I prefer to think I am more of an elemental soul defending those without a human voice but in the great weaving it is all interconnected.
have you made up an acronym of your name though with dimensionless numbers flows who needs anything more but I find it helpful to recognise the energies within my naming.
Sacred Angel Nurturing Divine Radiant Action. = Sandra