What's in a name?

My name being what it is, I have had my struggles through the years trying to find the best way to tell people in a nice, friendly way, that they are totally saying my name wrong. I came to the conclusion that I should just let people call me what they want, and I will silently condemn them for eternity. I have to say, that when people call me "DAR-a" I inwardly cringe and I shudder a little. I really don't blame anyone...I mean, my name is kinda hard. Someone told me once that "DARE-A" didn't sound fancy enough, and wanted to call me "DAR-a" because it sounded better. I can't say I agree.





That is why I had so much satisfaction with Eva's name. No, no, it isn't "EEE-Va," it's "AAA-Va." "Then why do you spell it E-V-A?" "It's the Latin pronunciation, you cretin!" I yell, slapping their faces. Plus, Eva means something different than Ava. If Eva had come out with a beak, then maybe I would have spelled it Ava.


I have had fantasies about making up names for others, and none of them stuck. I have a friend, Christina, who has patiently put up with me calling her Rista. I wanted my nickname for her to be special you see. But you have to say it right: "Rrrrrrista! Ay ay ay!"

As I was washing dishes today for the 23rd time, I decided if Jeremy ever became wealthy enough for us to have servants, I would rename them all after Pepperidge Farm cookies. "Sauselito, please bring in the brunch," or "Chessmen, please open the door," and perhaps, "Milano, please clean up that pile of doggie doodle." I, of course, would demand that they all call me Miss Pepper. I just like how it sounds.

Comments

The Mrs. said…
Ok, so does this mean that I've been pronouncing your name wrong all along? Egad!
Anonymous said…
I dunno...I can't remember... I think you have been pronouncing my name right. hmm...
Jen said…
Well. . . at least they say it wrong one way. We've heard Nuhkai, Nahkey, Nuhkeya, Nahkeyeia, . . .

It's almost a novelty when they do get it right. I actually praise them for eternity when they say it right. :)
Trillium said…
... a rose by any other name would be as sweet ...

:D
Zaphod said…
I have always prnounced your name "Dhsasnemmoneena", but I have a speech impediment.
Anonymous said…
Niiiiiice..
leafhopper said…
It happens to us all. I get called Tamara when my name is just Tammy. Oh and the spelling is almost never right. Now it seems that it is the fad to create fancy spellings of names and I feel for those poor kids.
Trillium said…
If you had spelled Eva's name Ava, there'd be people pronouncing it Ahh-vah, so you can't get win. :D

hysheic: people who pronounce names correctly
Amy said…
At least people have reason to get confused with your name. I still have people asking me how to spell/pronounce me name! What the heck?! What planet do you have to live on to get "Amy" confused?
Anonymous said…
Perhaps English isn't their first language??

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