I think Perpetua is extremely interesting! I can see why some friends have shown hesitation, because it is strikingly uncommon, but when it comes to names, usually what makes them work is that you know an actual person with that name, and the name seems real because of that person. I could see it working.
Some reservations: 1. Is Perpetua *A LOT* of Ps combined with your last name? 2. The only Perpetua I can think of is a priggish character from Bridget Jones' Diary. 3. When I hear the word, I don't immediately think Latin and Catholicism; I tend to think 'New Age' first. 4. Would you call baby something for short? Like, I dunno, Pet or Tootie? Perp is out, 'ceptwise when she's being bad, hee. My mom had a good friend growing up who went by Tootie. I can't remember what it was short for...
Setting aside those concerns, why not? Although... have you considered any other fonts, like Verdana? Or Big Caslon?
I like Ingrid also and think it's been absorbed into the popular mindset enough that it doesn't have to be taken as too Scandinavian. Besides, what are people gonna do? Quiz you? How many Scandinavian ancestors would you have to have?
I'm not as fond of Constance as the other two, but the meaning is strong, and I think it would grow on me. It's just one of those names I hear and think 'Victorian moralizing.'
Thing is, none of that really matters once the kid is here and has the name, you know? Because then it's just the kid's name, and all your associations get turned on their heads anyway.
We've talked about the issue of multiple "P"s and come up with the following plan. We convince the Foleys to have another girl ASAP, and to name her Felicity. Then we'll have matching saints WITH matching tea-party names: Perpetua Pearson and Felicity Foley. Brilliant, no?
I don't remember that character from Bridget Jones' Diary. Is she in the movie? *heads to Google to try to remember*
I'm not sure what to say about the New Age concern, except that shouldn't be a problem in the circles we tend to run in. It might be an important consideration for when she's an adult filling out job applications - are potential employers going to think that she comes from a crazy, hippy, New Agey household?
Given that Samuel is still Samuel, I suspect we'll call her Perpetua. However, I have read that Peppi is the standard pet name for Perpetua. I kind of like it.
I guess my concern with Ingrid isn't so much the lack of Scandanavian ancestors, as how likely it is that she is going to look oh so completely un-Scandanavian, you know? If Samuel is any hint, she's going to be olive-skinned, brown-eyed, and brunette. Is that appropriate for an Ingrid?
re: the concern about "Ingrid" - while working at the adoption agency, I learned that Ingrid is a popular name in Central American cultures. Many of the Guatemalan girls I placed were named "Ingrid," and they certainly did not look Scandinavian.
That's really interesting. Any idea how Ingrid became so popular there?
Sorry I wasn't able to get you called back yesterday. I had the cleaning bug and Samuel had just gone to sleep (I actually missed your call because I was putting him down), so I figured that I had better indulge it. I've found that the desire and opportunity to clean coincide so rarely that when they do, that I have to immediately jump into it regardless of anything else! :) Are you going to be free and at home tonight?
I don't know why Ingrid is so popular there. When I have time, I'll do a little research to see if I can find out. I've always been curious about that.
I am home tonight if you're free to talk, although I realize it's already pretty late there. I won't be home tomorrow night or Wednesday night, but should be home on Thursday and Sunday.
Some reservations:
1. Is Perpetua *A LOT* of Ps combined with your last name?
2. The only Perpetua I can think of is a priggish character from Bridget Jones' Diary.
3. When I hear the word, I don't immediately think Latin and Catholicism; I tend to think 'New Age' first.
4. Would you call baby something for short? Like, I dunno, Pet or Tootie? Perp is out, 'ceptwise when she's being bad, hee. My mom had a good friend growing up who went by Tootie. I can't remember what it was short for...
Setting aside those concerns, why not? Although... have you considered any other fonts, like Verdana? Or Big Caslon?
I like Ingrid also and think it's been absorbed into the popular mindset enough that it doesn't have to be taken as too Scandinavian. Besides, what are people gonna do? Quiz you? How many Scandinavian ancestors would you have to have?
I'm not as fond of Constance as the other two, but the meaning is strong, and I think it would grow on me. It's just one of those names I hear and think 'Victorian moralizing.'
Thing is, none of that really matters once the kid is here and has the name, you know? Because then it's just the kid's name, and all your associations get turned on their heads anyway.
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I don't remember that character from Bridget Jones' Diary. Is she in the movie? *heads to Google to try to remember*
I'm not sure what to say about the New Age concern, except that shouldn't be a problem in the circles we tend to run in. It might be an important consideration for when she's an adult filling out job applications - are potential employers going to think that she comes from a crazy, hippy, New Agey household?
Given that Samuel is still Samuel, I suspect we'll call her Perpetua. However, I have read that Peppi is the standard pet name for Perpetua. I kind of like it.
I guess my concern with Ingrid isn't so much the lack of Scandanavian ancestors, as how likely it is that she is going to look oh so completely un-Scandanavian, you know? If Samuel is any hint, she's going to be olive-skinned, brown-eyed, and brunette. Is that appropriate for an Ingrid?
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Sorry I wasn't able to get you called back yesterday. I had the cleaning bug and Samuel had just gone to sleep (I actually missed your call because I was putting him down), so I figured that I had better indulge it. I've found that the desire and opportunity to clean coincide so rarely that when they do, that I have to immediately jump into it regardless of anything else! :) Are you going to be free and at home tonight?
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I am home tonight if you're free to talk, although I realize it's already pretty late there. I won't be home tomorrow night or Wednesday night, but should be home on Thursday and Sunday.
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