Tuesday, July 7, 2009

What's in a name?

I have quite a few theories on things…some totally offbeat but yet, some I've hit paydirt. Like the theory that some babies being carried upside down see and read better when things are upside down instead of right side up. To prove that theory, I created my own curriculum to work with special needs and lower learning students. I tutored a handful of kids using my own "twisted" theory and wow! The results were amazing. I taught drawing and sketching to at risk students using the same method and so many of them were shocked that they could draw when they all along thought they couldn't. But that isn't what this blog post is about. It's about another theory.

Have you ever stopped and considered that what a child's name is somewhat fits or places certain personality traits in them? For instance, I was owner of a daycare and preschool. I saw many Joshuas and Jasons come into the daycare. Their personalities were very much the same. They were mischievious and had to be told no a few more times than others but they were very smart. They could figure things out faster than any other kid. (How to unlock doors, take something that didn't belong to them without being caught, learning songs and the alphabet faster but not necessarily caring that much other than wanting to run and play.) I had one little guy named Jason in the daycare and he was enamored with Michael Jackson. While others watched Disney videos, he was watching MJ videos and learning every song and dance move. It was amazing to see how much of a sponge he really was.

I've noticed that same thing with John's and Jonathans. I now have a son in law, Jonathan and very highly possible, another son in law, named John. They are free thinkers, soft spoken at times but other times, when they are passionate about something, they take off with it. Johns and Jonathans also have the funniest laughs and sense of humor. Sometimes, they don’t realize that they are even funny but they are. They can also be sensitive to others needs, especially the women in their lives. And, they can be dreamers, but in a good way.

Take Mikes though. They are out there! They are go getters but business minded and can turn off the antics when it comes to being analytical. They are sometimes very hard to read their thoughts but they can also be emotional too. (Not emotional in a bad way.) Most Mikes or Michaels that I know are very talented in one thing, creativity - music, art or athletics. Mikes are also very one track minded. When they see something they want, they are determined to get it and nothing will get in their way.

Now, on the female side of things, girls named Michelle are usually quiet, giving and easy going. They tend to be very helpful and don't mind picking up the slack when you're in a pinch. Then there's the Jessicas. They are often mama's girls and don't mind being babied a bit. When they finally figure out the advantages of being a big girl, they break out into their own. They can also be strongwilled and vocal. Take Ashleys - daddy's girls who know how to manipulate to get their way. Sometimes, it's just a sweet smile and they've talked their daddy's keys out of his hand and into theirs. They can also be quite competitive with other girls, wanting to be the best.

For those kids, like my own who have names very uncommon like Whisper, Riley, Summer, etc. Those are the most free spirit, free thinkers I know. They tend to think outside the box instead of sticking to the norm. Most of the time, their ideas are good ones too but in case they aren't they will fight to the very end that they are right. They are their own people, even as babies. They know what they want and they want it and no one is going to stop them!

Do you agree? I'd love to hear your thoughts are on my theory.

13 comments:

Deidra said...

I so totally agree with you! I've always been fascinated by names, but never thought to actually apply a theory to my thoughts. My son's name was spoken to me by God and my daughter's was suggested to us by a nurse in the hospital after she was born (we were expecting a boy, and weren't prepared with girls' names). They have both lived into their names - one a free spirit with her heart on her sleeve, the other a kind, thoughtful and sensitive but protected heart. It will be interesting to see what others think.

V2V said...

My son's name is Grayson and he is definitely a free thinker and a free spirit. Already at two I can see he has got it all figured out and he is an "old soul." Great blog!

Justine said...

Okay, first of all, I think you're a bit weird that you've even thought of this stuff! But then reading what you thought about the names listed, I realized that the people I knew with those names DID have those personality traits! How weird is that?

Justine :o )

Lion-ess said...

fascinating observations.. I'm an Andrena... I've never met one before.. so I guess it's one of those unique names... I'm very free spirited and always searching for meaning in what I do and in life. It'll be amazing to meet some Andrenas so that I can put this to the test!

It makes you really be conscious of the names you gave your kids.

Buckeroomama said...

I agree! I seem to see similar characteristics in people who have the same names as my children.

Liz Mays said...

I have looked at someone and thought, she looks like a "insert name here" sometimes so I guess we do get some kind of a feeling about names. But, I never thought of them as a whole.

Interesting.

Cinder Rail'lee said...

WOW, Simone.. you ROCK! Loved this post!
I have no cell phone, it's been out since 5:45 I have no house phone either =(
I do have my trusty net though!

I have my call ticket in.. waiting for my cell to come back up..I'll try to call you Thursday as Church is tomorrow night =)

HuGZ & THJANK YOU FOR THE TXT BACK!
YOU ROCK GURLIE!

Anonymous said...

Very cool. I do have to agree. Especially with the uncommon names as my name is one of them and I honestly will fight to the death to prove I'm right. I'm also a go getter and nothing stops me from getting what I want.

Interesting theories! Love it! You amaze me as usual.

Veronica Lee said...

My sister who teaches in a preschool says she notices that kids with the name Nicholas kinda share the same traits - they are extra cheeky!!

Debz said...

Well my husband is a "Mike" and you pegged him to a T.
I would love to hear what you have to say about my name.
Deb. Not Soxy. Soxy is not my given name. I know, I know, hard to believe. :)

So what's in a name my dear? Tell me.

Hyla said...

I agrre, we are in for a handfull we have two boys
Celtic (Kel-tik)
Sheamus (Shay-mus)
and two girls
Guinevere (Gwen-ev-ier)
Willow


And the girls are redheads!!!


On certain names I steer incredibly clear of Liams, they shriek, the cry, they are incredibly annoying and I can NOT stand them..

Hyla

Unknown said...

UPDATE -- Deb has requested my thoughts on her name and this is mainly my view (no other person's view)....Debs, Debbies, Deborahs tend to be quiet not shy, just quietly observing and then, can be blunt, outright, gutsy, not giving a care what other people think. Debbies are also more inward and thought capturing. Sometimes, you have to brace yourself for the things that come of of the Debbies mouths because they can often be shocking. Debbies are also good friends and bond really easy to people that are very different from themselves.

Debz said...

Holy Crap! Do you have me bugged or something? Add to that, loves to drink and you got me nailed.

Thanks! I was curious how close you would get and you were eerily close.
:)

 

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