What's in a Name?

My Mom (who retired from a career in nursing a little over a year ago) has been cleaning out her attic (with the help of one of my brothers since neither Mom nor I feel confident enough to navigate the ladder to the attic) and going down memory lane with each box.  Today she was going through one of those boxes and came across a little hand-out that she received the day I was born.  It is too good to keep to myself so I am taking to my blog to share.

When I was born (the fourth child mind you) my parents had been reassured and warned by my Mom's OB/GYN and the family pediatrician that they should prepare to have another boy.  In fact the pediatrician, Dr. William Britton, went so far as to tell my Mom that no one ever had a girl after having three boys.  So imagine the huge amount of surprise and wonder when my Mom gave birth to me - their first daughter.  Since they had planned to name me after Dr. Britton (I was to be William Britton Darby) they were at a loss as to what to name me.

My Mom told me that the day I was born, since they were at a loss for a female name, she was given the hand-out "What's in a Name?"  In it were 799 first names for your son or daughter...with their origins and meanings.  Apparently, a lot of people decided to chime in on possible names as well and my Mom wrote those suggestions down on this hand-out.  For your enjoyment I now share those names with you all - and the meaning as offered by the "What's in a Name" hand-out.  Feel free to offer your thoughts on the names if you feel so inclined.

Amelia (The worker)  Aileen (Fair)
Jennifer (Friend of peace)  Irene  (Messenger of peace)
Helen (Light) Gay  (Merry)
Suzette (A lily) Marie  (Exalted)
Monica (An advisor) Leigh  (Quiet)
Holly (Friendly, happy) Ann  (Grace)
Angelia (Angelic)  Hope  (Hope)
Gloria (Glorious) Faith  (Faithful)
Felicia (Happiness) Fawn  (Shy, deer-like)
Victoria (The victorious) Yvonne  (The archer)
Ivy (From the vine)  Carol  (Song of joy)
Peggy (A pearl) Claire  (Bright, illustrious)
Pamela (all honey) Lynn  (A cascade)
Penelope (A weaver) Lane  (no meaning for lane - I think this was a reference to a Beatles song)
Daphne (The laurel tree) Dawn  (no meaning for dawn - probably alliteration for the fun of it)

And one name that didn't make the list but has been offered up as one of the many stories shared on my birthday is the name of Eula (Fair of Speech) Beulah (Married).    This name is a combination of my Mammaw Darby (I was born on her birthday and her name was Eula Elizabeth) and Mama Casaday (her name was James Beulah).  

And the winner was of course Peggy (A pearl)  Elizabeth (Oath of God).  My Mom's first name and Mammaw Darby's middle name.  

So, what's in a name?  Sometimes fodder for some good laughs. 
Happy Festival ya'll!