- One of the prompts this week for the NaBloPoMo blogging challenge is:
http://www.blogher.com/nablopomo-november-2013-prompts - If you had to switch your first name, what name would you choose and why?
- I can remember starting my education at the local elementary school and finding a few other girls with the same first name as mine. I was an extremely shy child and withdrawn in social settings but I do remember saying my name and adding that it began with “C” and not “K”. It seemed the name Kathy was very popular in the 1950’s and most seemed to be spelled with a K-athy. I knew back in Beginners that I wanted to be different. In my upbringing there was little encouragement to be yourself so I muddled along trying my best to be their version of me.
- When I discovered that my grandmother referred to me as Catherine I was thrilled. Every letter or card or comic subscription or birthday check was sent to Catherine, not Cathy. My mother was livid. She had named me Cathy Lynn NOT Catherine. I wanted to be Catherine so bad because it was different and I wanted to be different. I kept that secret desire to myself. Most of my school mates who were called Kathy were Kathleen. Catherine was different.
- It was only about ten years ago my husband started calling me Cate. I felt like I came alive. That was me. I wasn’t plain Cathy – I was adventurous and fun-loving Cate – with a “C”.
- *** Please KNOW that I do not think of those named Cathy or Kathy as plain people. I thought of me that way.***
- Cate took off. Most of my friends who truly knew me agreed that I was a Cate. Some who just met me thought I was a Catherine.
- I have always had to say to people it’s Cathy with a “C” because they automatically spelled it with a “K”. I even looked on as they would hear me, but write it with a “K” after I said a “C”. Now I have people actually say they thought my name was Catherine (with a C) but spell Cate with a “K”. Why would they do that? It makes no sense to me.
- I realize it really isn’t so very important that others get it right as long as I do. Or is it? I do think one’s name is important and spelling it correctly does mean a lot to the named. My name is my label, so to speak. Each name has a meaning and an origin. They do say a lot. Cathy means Pure (as does Catherine) and Lynn means of the Lake. Pure Lake – that is lovely. I like to think of myself as a Pure Lake or One of the Pure Lake…….
- I relate so well to the character Anne in the Anne of Green Gables series by Lucy M. Montgomery http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_of_Green_Gables
- Anne: I’ve always imagined that my name was Cordelia – at least, I always have of late years. When I was young I used to imagine it was Geraldine, but I like Cordelia better now. But if you call me Anne, please call me Anne spelled with an e.
- Marilla: What difference does it make how it’s spelled?
- Anne: Oh, it makes such a difference. It looks so much nicer. When you hear a name pronounced can’t you always see it in your mind, just as if it was printed out? I can; and A-N-N looks dreadful, but A-N-N-E looks so much more distinguished. If you’ll only call me Anne spelled with an e I shall try to reconcile myself to not being called Cordelia.
- http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Anne_of_green_gables
- Get happy with your name. Look up the meaning and the origin. It is very fascinating. I really don’t think my mother looked it up prior to naming me. I’ll never know. But I like what she came up with – and my Grandmother’s help also 🙂
- Enjoy!
- cate (with a “c”) b
Let's Have Another Piece of Pie 
Hello adventurous and fun-loving Cate – with a “C”! I always have the nickname Semi which I like. It means half or incomplete and that incompleteness allows me continue to venture, to “seek” the other half 😀
Thank is awesome – Semi! ❤
Hehehe, reading your Judy Garland quote now and am thinking which character is my favourite. I’m glad yours is you. I have to find mine now 😀
yes – let me know who you are…