I update as inspiration strikes, when tends to be about
Why "Roses and Cellar Doors"?
Well, as it turns out, people who enjoy and write about names are a clever and punny bunch! Most of the good or obvious names were already taken. :p
'Roses' refers to that famous Shakespeare quote: "What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."
'Cellar Doors' is from an idea often attributed to poet Edgar Allen Poe, but which more likely originated from J.R.R. Tolkien that, phonetically, "cellar door" is the most beautiful phrase in the English language.
Together, they're a bit of nonsense only vaguely related to baby naming, but at least they sound cool.
Do you have kids?
I have three small ones--Jonas, Bridget, Daphne, & Malcolm.
Why do your kids have normal names if you love unusual names so much?
First of all, it's not that I only love unusual names; I certainly appreciate the enduring classics as well. I highlight more unknown names because everybody knows the classics!
Secondly, I wasn't the only person involved in naming my progeny, my husband had some say as well. My love of antique, historical, & mythological names was tempered by his concerns that our kids would be teased, or constantly explaining their names--both very valid, in my book. Plus, he just thinks a lot of names I like are "weird".
Thus, we compromised on first names that had deep historical roots, are fairly known to the general populace, but aren't overwhelmingly linked to one or two famous individuals. Their middle names are family names.
Where do you get all these names from?
I have a several websites I turn to, which can be found on the Awesome Links page.
I have an idea for a post!
That's not a question!
Feel free to send it to me at: shanamahtopoeia(at)gmail(dot)com, along with any other questions, comments, or what-have-you. I try to have a sense of humor and be open-minded, but I don't respond well to text-speak, confusingly poor writing, or expletives. ;)
Who are you to be recommending names?
I'm just a nerd, nothing more. I've been interested in names since a bit over six years ago, when it become apparent that I'd imminently have the enormous responsibility of naming another human. As for schooling/career--my degree is actually in physics, and I'm a stay-at-home mom. I speak American English and Spanish, studied Latin & Greek in college, and have started to teach myself German, Scottish Gaelic and Esperanto many times. :p
