Renee's Name
Ok, time for a proper post with a beginning, middle and end. Sorry my posts have been so retarded.
Trevor and I agonized over Renee's name for weeks...no, months! We just don't like the same names. In general, I like names that are traditional, and Trevor likes names that are modern. But, I also have issues with certain names whether they be traditional or modern. I don't like names that sound like nick-names or that sound overly casual. My name is a nick-name, and I dislike it in formal situations, like in the workplace, or on my BS degree, and other similar instances. Thus, I prefer my kids to have names that will work in a formal/professional setting. Also, I am particular about spelling; my name is spelled in a peculiar way, and everyone misspells it. It's annoying. And so, I like names that are easy to spell. That may not be obvious based on how we named Kira! I think the more common way of spelling Kira's name is "Keira" or "Kiera"...and THAT is why we decided to spell it "Kira". Finally, we came upon "Renee" for our second daughter. I'm still not *totally* happy with "Renee" because of the spelling, but it was the closest we could get to satisfying both my and Trevor's taste.
Renee's middle name is Lillian, named after Trevor's mother, Lily. I like to give middle names that link the baby to a close relative. It's not exactly a family tradition, it's just something that I like, and Trevor is fine with it. Kira's middle name is Rosalyn and she is named after my aunt who's Catholic name is Rose. When we announced Renee's full name, Trevor's mom was not exactly thrilled. She appeared a little embarrassed and it was clear she wished we hadn't chosen her to be the one! But, don't worry, there is a happy ending to the story.
The next order of business was to choose Renee's Chinese name. This job is traditionally assigned to the baby's paternal grandmother. Trevor's mom grew up in South Africa and thus had a more westernized upbringing than say, my mom. So, she went to my mom for some suggestions. My mom came up with 4 different possibilities. Trevor's mom then consulted her calligraphy teacher about the names. Apparently, he was quite opinionated, and he tweaked the name until they ended up with "Lai Ga Ling" (not any of the suggestions that my mom made) - Lai is the surname, Ga is the middle name, which is the same as Kira's middle name, and finally Ling is the more personalized part of Renee's Chinese name. Kira's Chinese name is "Lai Ga Mun". Traditionally every child in the same family has the same middle name, but there are exceptions.
Trevor and I agonized over Renee's name for weeks...no, months! We just don't like the same names. In general, I like names that are traditional, and Trevor likes names that are modern. But, I also have issues with certain names whether they be traditional or modern. I don't like names that sound like nick-names or that sound overly casual. My name is a nick-name, and I dislike it in formal situations, like in the workplace, or on my BS degree, and other similar instances. Thus, I prefer my kids to have names that will work in a formal/professional setting. Also, I am particular about spelling; my name is spelled in a peculiar way, and everyone misspells it. It's annoying. And so, I like names that are easy to spell. That may not be obvious based on how we named Kira! I think the more common way of spelling Kira's name is "Keira" or "Kiera"...and THAT is why we decided to spell it "Kira". Finally, we came upon "Renee" for our second daughter. I'm still not *totally* happy with "Renee" because of the spelling, but it was the closest we could get to satisfying both my and Trevor's taste.
Renee's middle name is Lillian, named after Trevor's mother, Lily. I like to give middle names that link the baby to a close relative. It's not exactly a family tradition, it's just something that I like, and Trevor is fine with it. Kira's middle name is Rosalyn and she is named after my aunt who's Catholic name is Rose. When we announced Renee's full name, Trevor's mom was not exactly thrilled. She appeared a little embarrassed and it was clear she wished we hadn't chosen her to be the one! But, don't worry, there is a happy ending to the story.
The next order of business was to choose Renee's Chinese name. This job is traditionally assigned to the baby's paternal grandmother. Trevor's mom grew up in South Africa and thus had a more westernized upbringing than say, my mom. So, she went to my mom for some suggestions. My mom came up with 4 different possibilities. Trevor's mom then consulted her calligraphy teacher about the names. Apparently, he was quite opinionated, and he tweaked the name until they ended up with "Lai Ga Ling" (not any of the suggestions that my mom made) - Lai is the surname, Ga is the middle name, which is the same as Kira's middle name, and finally Ling is the more personalized part of Renee's Chinese name. Kira's Chinese name is "Lai Ga Mun". Traditionally every child in the same family has the same middle name, but there are exceptions.
Turns out, "Ling" is my mom's Chinese name! (Her full Chinese name is Lee Wai Ling). And, that is why it was not a name that my mom would have suggested; she wouldn't suggest her own name! Trevor's mom had no idea, and was very surprised when she found out. And, she was very pleased to give Renee a Chinese name that is after my mom! It almost made having Renee's American name after herself more bearable =) So, Renee is named after both her grandmothers.
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