Nicknames.
I’ve been thinking about nicknames lately. Anybody else do that? Just ponder nicknames? What they are? How they’ve come about?
Anybody?
Anybody?
My husband gives out lots of nicknames. To people, to animals, sometimes to objects (this is where I practice the art of mind reading when he asks where said object is located).
Over the years I have been given many nicknames… Sweet Pea, June Bug, and most recently Sweet Love.
Other times, the nicknames are less cute: take “Wookiee” for instance. I suspect this one came from the fact that my mother has always called me “Amy Woo Woo”. However, I was not enamored by being called Wookiee by my husband. It did not evoke feelings of love from me. It took pointing out that this was a giant, hairy creature (even if they are cute) to curb that nickname.
And also, not responding when called it.
But his nicknames always come from a place of love and add to the charm that is him.
Naming Children.
When I chose the names of my children, I wanted to be sure that people couldn’t change up their given names. One of their names can technically be shortened, but I didn’t realize it at the time. That name belongs to the child that I claim named himself.
Anonymity.
I’ve been pondering nicknames for some time because I leave my children anonymous in this space. The oldest has not chosen to remain completely anonymous, but when I started this blog, he was pursuing YouTube edits and Instagram growth, and now that he isn’t pursuing those things I find myself less active in putting his name out there.
While I don’t really have an issue with “the girlie”, calling my boys “the oldest” and “the middle son” leaves me with a distaste in my mouth.
Mostly it bothers me for my middle child. The second son. Only 17 1/2 months younger than his brother and 26 months older than his sister. This sometimes no man’s land of discovering your role. I doubt he’ll ever read my words, but just in case he should ever look back at this blog and read his mother’s words, I want him to have an identity. Not just the nebulous “middle son” as his title.
Our teenagers have nicknames given over the years.
Most of them are used here and there and are plays on their name. However, that really wouldn’t work in this space.
My middle son has nicknames based on his first name and also ones based on his middle name, which is a name that his father loved so much that it had to be included in the Smith line.
Blog Nicknames.
At 6’5″, and with a size 15/16 shoe, the oldest is often called Bigfoot by his friends.
But I have a different name in mind. A name his father has called him consistently over his 17 years:
Big Mr.
And along with that, the nickname that has been consistently used for our next child:
Mr. D.
The girlie is often called “squirrel” by her dad.
I have no idea why.
But in fairness to the fact that she isn’t a hairy creature (even if they are cute), I will continue along with my previous theme and she will be:
Miss Sunshine.
Identity.
Identity is an important facet of human beings. It helps us mark our place in this giant world. While plenty of people are happy living their lives behind the scenes, quietly going about their business, they still have a name.
A name that was most likely chosen by someone who knew them. Someone who looked down upon their face and then said:
“Your name is….”
Big Mr… Mr. D… Miss Sunshine…
Even a {nick}name offers a glimpse into identity.
Do you have a nickname?
A preferred name?
Did you keep your chosen name or trade it for another?
What does a name mean to you?
Let your light shine!
Amy
