La Vie En Rose for 2005 June 5 (entry 1)

(11) Sun Jun 05 2005 13:30 PST And while we're here: You know what name I like? Vera. Vera Brittain. Vera Lynn. It's just so...patriotic. Ish. You don't see many Veras about, and it's a really nice name. I think if I have a second daughter, I'll totally name her Vera. Failing that, a character in a book.

Comments:

Posted by Christina at Mon Jun 06 2005 07:12

I've always liked that name, though it used to be because of its Russian-osity (you know my Russian lit phase at Riverside..ha!)and Vera was a character in War and Peace, plus I knew a Russian girl in high school who's name was Vera. So, I agree completely...aren't you glad you have my approval? :P

Posted by Brendan at Mon Jun 06 2005 15:46

What will your first daughter be named? (I searched your archives and everything.)

Posted by rachel at Mon Jun 06 2005 17:11

Katherine. I don't know if I wrote about it but over Thanksgiving me & Susie had a famous fight about who got to name their daughter Katherine. She said whoever had a daughter first, which I thought was unfair, and in the end we comprimised because she will call hers Katie and I will call mine Kate.

Posted by Sumana at Mon Jun 06 2005 19:46

My Russian host mother was a Vera! Probably still is.

Posted by John at Mon Jun 06 2005 20:24

I should also mention that Susie and I are definitely naming our daughter Katherine, as we both like the name. Rachel still has to convince a future spouse!!!

Posted by Frances at Mon Jun 06 2005 21:11

Vera is also the name of Vladimir Nabokov's wife.

Posted by Susie at Mon Jun 06 2005 21:22

John: I thought you wanted "Catherine". Oddly enough, we've also considered using Helen as a middle name (Grandma June's first name).

As long as there are no Kathys. Bleagh.

Posted by rachel at Mon Jun 06 2005 22:14

So it would be "Catherine Helen" like the inverse of aunt helen! Kate and Helen are both characters in my novel. The thing is, I feel sorta weird about using names I want for children for characters, because what if I get publidhed.... I mean, how would one of JKR's kids feel if their name was Harry? Of course it'll never be that high profile, but still... I'm reminded of an Ann Landers column or something were someone asked if it was all right to name a kid same name as the cat because they really like the name, but she said it wasn't ok. So now I feel like you are only allowed to use the name once. And I've already used all the girls names I realllly like (Emma, Kate, Madeline, and Helen) except Vera for the main characters in this one novel! But maybe I will think of some new names I like.

I never really thought about Vera being russian. I just automatically think of Vera Brittian.

Posted by Susie at Mon Jun 06 2005 22:29

Except Helen would be for a different kid. John likes Emma, but I think it's way too popular (such a turn-off for me).

Posted by Kristen at Tue Jun 07 2005 21:33

My brother-in-law and his wife had a cat named Mila and then they got rid of the cat. And then they had a daughter and they named her Mila. I guess you can do what you want.

Posted by Rachel at Tue Jun 07 2005 21:36

Well... maybe they will get rid of the daughter too! :o)