Lisa A
Alzo of The Accidental Genealogist started the Fearless Females prompts for
Women’s History Month. Throughout March, each day will feature a different
female ancestor. Today’s
prompt is: Do you share a first name with one of your female ancestors? Perhaps
you were named for your great-grandmother, or your name follows a particular
naming pattern. If not, then list the most unique or unusual female first name
you’ve come across in your family tree.
To my knowledge, I am the only
Jeanne on either side of my family. Mom said she chose my name because it had
to smooth the rough sound (her words) of Ruczhak. It also (I was raised Roman
Catholic, Latin Rite) had to be the name of a saint or a derivative of one.
Jeanne d’Arc was the natural patron saint then. She lived a short life, 1412 –
1431. When I converted to Orthodoxy, I chose St. John Climacus, also known as John
of the Ladder. His Icon speaks volumes to me. I have a small one on the wall
above my desk.
Two of my three girls were named
for family members. Our oldest – Mary Theresa – was named specifically after my
maternal grandmother Mary Rose Welsh Still. Theresa was a favorite saint (St
Theresa the Little Flower), as I was still Catholic at the time. Anna Mabel is
named after my paternal grandmother, Anna Kurenda Ruczhak, and hubby’s
grandmother, Mabel Eckman Eckman.
Our other daughter – Zorina Katherine
- has a unique name. I was so sure the twins were a boy and a girl that we had
a boy’s name picked out. We had agreed on Joseph Frank. Joseph is the name of
both my dad and his father. Frank is my father-in-law’s name. I did not like
the name Frances Josephine even though both are family names. Frances Frances
The girls all had saints’ names
without trying. Mary of course is the Theotokos. Anna is the mother of Mary.
Zorina is a derivative of Zoe - St. Zoe Zoe means “life” so it seemed fitting on that
level as well.
You would think that Zorina is
the most unusual name in the family. However, hubby’s great grandmother is
Apolina Morrill. According to a baby name site, Apolina means “gift from
Apollo.” The most unusual name on my side is my 3rd great
grandmother Knapy Penelope. Knapy was the name listed on her daughter’s - Anna
Keating- death certificate but it is the only place I have been able to find
the name Knapy.
What is YOUR most unusual name?
Have you come across mine in your travels or searches?
Fearless
Females is a daily prompt throughout March celebrating Women’s History Month
©
Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman, 2015
Those are some unusual names! And, it's great that you shared the stories of your daughters' names, too. My most unusual name was Elender, but she was often found as Eleanor.
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