(Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme brought to you by The Broke and the Bookish. Want to make your own list? Clicking the image will take you to this week’s post. Happy listing!)
Today’s list: Characters after which I would name my children. Strangely enough, I’ve had this list in my head since I was in middle school. Well, I’ve had a list, not this exact one — but several names have always been on it, no matter the rearranging.
I love strong people (especially women), and I have a healthy dislike of social convention. I admire a man with a sense of humor and a naughty streak a mile wide.
1. Jane (Jane Eyre) – Jane is a favorite of mine because beneath her frail exterior beats the heart of a lioness. I’d love to grant my daughter a bit of that strength — the bravery to leave a man when he lies, and the kindness to forgive him and help him when he needs it most.
2. Elizabeth (Pride and Prejudice) – Impertinent, quick-witted, intelligent. Loves a good joke, and truly understands her sister, taking care of and teasing her by turns.
3. Esther (The Bible) – The epitome of bravery. She came unbidden before King Xerxes, when it meant certain death. And all to try and save her people. One of my favorite Biblical stories — I would wish for my daughter to be brave and do what she knows is right.
4. Thursday (Thursday Next series) – Totally kickass. Need I say more?
5. Richard (Heat Wave) – The one guy on my list. Intelligent, witty, silly when he needs to be, and very clever. I’d like my son to be these things.
6. Shana (The Elvenbane series) – Shana (full name Lashana) rises from the ashes of banishment to lead her people to freedom from their Elven oppressors. She’s whip-smart, can read minds (for real), and is brave. She makes mistakes, but she learns from them and uses those lessons to her advantage. Plus she has a dragon for a brother!
7. Artemis (Greek Mythology) – I’ve always felt connected to Artemis, for some reason. She’s the protector of young girls, the goddess of the hunt, wilderness, wild animals, and watches over women who are giving birth. She’s often depicted wielding a bow and arrow. Artemis is a great combination of strength and gentleness, love and lethality. I’d want my daughter to have Artemis’ strength and care for innocents.
More than what I appreciate in a character, the traits exhibited by the individuals on this list comprise the characteristics that I would want my children to have: strength, bravery, humor, and an unerring sense of right and wrong. If I were going to have children, these are the things I would want for them.
For whom did you name your children? If you don’t have any yet, what would your list look like?
The only time I ever wanted to name my child after a character in a book was when I read The Clan of the Cave Bear one summer when I was a teenager. I swore right then that if I ever had a girl she would be named ‘Ayla’. Turns out I had three boys. Maybe I’ll have a granddaughter one day, but I doubt I’ll have any say in naming her. *sigh*
Oooh, The Earth Children — awesome series. There’s a new one out this year, actually. It’s a great set of books, and Ayla is a good character — very strong, a survivor. Three boys, eh? Your house must be very noisy! 🙂
Thursday would be an interesting name for sure.
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I agree, Andrea. I’m not sure it’s terribly practical, but who cares? 🙂 It’s awesome.
It’s true Thursday may not be terribly practical but it is pretty awesome. And speaking as someone with an unusual name i’m not sure practicality matters all that much as long as you can explain the special-ness of the name. . .
And i really like the name Jane too. It’s so simple but there’s just something about it.
I enjoy the character of Thursday very much, and so practicality tends to fly out of the window. I’m like you, though, in that I tend to like the extremes: either very unusual names, or very plain ones.