What's in a name?

[shootingstar]

I have a boring 1 syllable name from the 1950's when the name was more popular. I was born in 1959.

When you say hi to me, it sounds like hygiene. When you say hi to my partner, it sounds like hijack.

No kiddin'.

I do have a lovely middle name...in Chinese...which embarrassed me as a kid. It was so ethnic-sounding to me. Until I learned of its the English translation: "orchid". My first name in Chinese means, "precious" or "highly treasured". I am the eldest in my family so not surprising I was given this name. It bears no relationship to my English first name.

Orchid is a common flower traditional Chinese name for girls. Like rose or lily is for English/UK cultures.

I most strongly advise parents explain to their child about the meaning of their name, particularily if it is non-English language based. A child needs to be proud of their name.

and the next sister after myself, her lst Chinese name translates as Twilight or Dusk. so with her middle name translation is Twilight Orchid.

Another sister gave birth to her lst child, a daughter 2 months ago. My sister dithered over whether or not she wanted to give the child (that is half-Chinese) a Chinese middle name.

She consulted my father..who does have a more poetic soul than my mother..
So the girl is Ella, middle name is Mei (as pronounced "May). "Mei" means beautiful in Chinese.

By the way, the colloquial name for the U.S. by the older generation of Chinese immigrants is Mei Gok..or beautiful country. It must have the Gold Rush dreams...or something.