No 9 - black on white by Kirsty Hall via Flickr
Thanks to Kristen of Marginamia for sharing the stories of her daughters’ names.
Reader Baby Name Story: A Number & A Memory
Where every name has a story
Where every name has a story
No 9 - black on white by Kirsty Hall via Flickr
Thanks to Kristen of Marginamia for sharing the stories of her daughters’ names.
Why can’t I read this article?
Hello —
I’m late to this party, but couldn’t believe that you posted this on my birthday — January 8th.
My nickname is Nona, because my first name and middle name, Mary Farquhar, have been passed down from mother to oldest daughter for 9 generations. I’ve been called Nona since the moment I was born because my father didn’t like my “real” name, and there were several Marys on both sides of the family already.
Thanks for sharing the Nona Plum story.
Hi Emily,
She posted it, but its not on the list of name stories. Here you go.
https://appellationmountain.net/2011/01/15/reader-baby-name-story-valo-june-reverie/
Abby, can you post the story of Kristen’s second child? I can’t wait to hear another excellent name story!
I actually stumbled on this while looking up the name Rin. My husband and I have been stuck for weeks between deciding on Rin or Magnolia. I couldn’t believe it when I scrolled down and saw that Magnolia was a name you were also considering.
I love them together (obviously.) Use them both! and congratulations!
@ Isadora
Isn’t grandma spelled like this: Nonna? Anyway Nona Plum is a beautiful name!
It’s a beautiful sounding name. But I did raise an eyebrow when I first saw it because I’m half Italian American. In my culture Nona means “grandma.” I didn’t know that it was also the name of a goddess. Interesting.
It’s a lovely name with a lot of meaning for you, I can see. My head wants to keep twisting it to Nom de Plume.
I think it’s a name that will grow well with your daughter. My HS Spanish teacher’s name was Nona.
one more thing– so excited! Charmine, thanks for reminding me of this book! I just did a search on it to see if I could find out more about the content, and I discovered that it’s actually an older book, AND I found a beautiful vintage copy on Etsy, which will look beautiful in Nona’s room! Even if it’s not content appropriate right now, I think it will be a very nice touch to her room! thanks again!
Thanks, all! I’m a fan of simple names with big meanings! She loves saying her full name to everyone she meets, which may be more of a 3 yr old’s trait than a name-lover’s one, but it usually gets a smile!
Charmaine– I found this book about a year ago while doing a simple search for Nona Plum on google and was *elated,* but we still don’t have it. It’s on my Amazon Book wishlist now and I really want to read it, and even possibly read it to Nona if it’s content appropriate. I want to make sure that both the Nona character and the Plum character are nice, first. which leads me to…
Bek– can you share the story? I would love to collect anything with nice characters in them named Nona or Plum! I collect *anything* I find with either child’s names! (the one exception being the Stephen King novel with a wicked Nona; I won’t be collecting that one.)
Sebastiane– me, too! I love Apple, taunted as she is. I really love Eple , the Norwegian word for Apple, with it’s slightly different sound and spelling. I’m thinking of that one for number three (if there is a one), but am trying to avoid an all-out fruit *theme*. hmmm. I love Eple Kate (Kate, for a dear friend, and Eple, subtly honoring another dear friend, who is Norwegian, though not named Eple… is that a form of honoring, using a word from someone’s home country?)
With subtle or altered namesakes (variants, shared meanings, etc.), I think you should ask the honouree’s opinion. It’s a nice thought though and a really interesting name.
Thanks for sharing. Nona Plum is really a gorgeous name. I love Plum, especially in the middle name spot. I am a huge fan of fruit names.
I love love love Plum as a middle name. It’s so old fashioned but a bit whimsical and really fits with Nona as a first name.
Great story! I knew two sisters when I was a kid, Nona & Rose. I totally looked up to Nona.
I adore the story behind the name. Plum is certainly unique and whimsy. I loved Nona name when I discovered her in a book titled Little Plum by Rumer Godden. When I saw the name Nona Plum I thought of the book because there a Nona and a Plum in the book. 😀
It’s somewhat funny that you shared this this week. Recently I read a story in which a character was named Plum, and it’s been on my mind ever since. For weeks I’ve been thinking how Plum would be a fantastic middle name (I also love Fern). So lovely to see such a fun and whimsical choice!
I agree with Kristin, that’s a lot of meaning is so few letters/syllables! An achievement by most standards!
Loved the story – a lot of meaning in just a few letters! The name is beautiful, though, and very fun to say… I’m guessing she’ll really enjoy saying her full name throughout her life, and explaining the story behind it.
A lovely name and a lovely story.
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful name story – loved reading all the meaning behind it. Such strength behind those two short names!