I don’t know about you, but sometimes names escape me. I can begin to introduce people with whom I am very familiar and forget their names in the pressure of the moment. Or I can see someone after an extended absence and completely draw a blank. It’s so embarrassing even though I know it happens occasionally to all of us.
We had a lovely surprise this weekend with the naming of our great nephew who is due this summer. His precious parents already have two beautiful children with wonderful names – Stephen Joseph and Elizabeth May. They will soon welcome a brother, James Dwight. He will be named after our family surname and his grand-father, who was named after his father, Lionel Dwight Bunn, Jr., who was named after his father, Lionel Dwight Bunn, Sr. It made me start considering names and namesakes.
Mother’s full name is Ruth Sinclair Pate Bunn. Mom told me, “Sinclair was a famous man in our community. I think it was because he was so popular with the kids. He himself loved the children very much. He would take time with the children and do something for him.” Mom’s first name is now shared with my daughter, Jessica Ruth. I’ve always thought the name Ruth to be a beautiful name. Mom says she thinks Grandmama chose Ruth because it would be a good name to survive time.
When Mom was born in the late 1920’s, the name Ruth was a very fashionable name. Thanks to President Cleveland naming his daughter Ruth, it was in the top 10 of baby names until the 1930’s. I don’t know if Ruth was Mom’s given name because it was a popular name or after the Biblical Ruth. I’ve always loved the story of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz. She is one of only two women in the Bible with her own book! (Esther is the other.) Ruth is a Hebrew name that means friend and companion. According to ohbabynames website, the characteristics of Ruth are that she would be dependable, solid, practical, hard-working, industrious, studious, and conservative.
Mom has certainly lived up to that description. She was all of that and more for Dad and for all four of her children. She’s been that to her sisters-in-law, her sons- and daughters-in-law, and her grandchildren. For her, Ruth was the perfect name.
There was a running joke when I was younger that Mom chose my name so it would be easy for me to learn to spell. With three sets of double “n,” she was right! She now says she thought Donna was a beautiful name and Lynn was a sweet name. My name means “lady,” which I always thought was funny since I’m more of a tomboy. When I was young, I wanted a nickname, but “Donna” just didn’t lend itself to one. All my attempts at trying one didn’t stick. Now some folks call me “DJ,” but for most, I’m simply “Donna.” I’m okay with that.
Some people think it odd that we named all our children with “J” names. They all have meaning beyond the letter “J.” Johnathan Michael is named after my brother John and my husband. Jessica Ruth is from Jessica Fletcher of the TV show Murder She Wrote and Mom. Julia Rachel is a combination of two sisters who were my friends in high school. Our pets all have “J” names, too. Silly, I know, but now we’re on a roll!
Names are so important. I’ve read that the most important thing to a person is his/her name. According to Proverbs 22:1, “a good name is more desirable than riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” Mom and Dad both have good names and are held in high esteem. I know a lot of other people with good names, too. Now if I could just remember what those names are when I’m introducing them!
