What’s in a name?
Naming characters is either loads of fun or an exercise in frustration. Just when you find the perfect name, you realize it’s too similar to another in the story. Some have the perfect meaning, but they’re all wrong for the personality. Others suit the qualities of the individual, but they’re not quite right for the setting or time period.
And then, sometimes, the perfect name seems to flash out of the blue, and as Goldilocks said, “It’s just right.”
Shakespeare was onto something when he asked the question, “What’s in a name?”
Characters aside, I get many questions as to my own name, so I thought I’d devote a little section here to allay the occasional curiosity.
Cerella.
That’s me. Try introducing yourself with THAT one sometime. There’s usually a pause. And then, inevitably… “How do you say it again?”
Not to worry. I’m used to it. If it helps, however, I thought I’d give you a bit of a rundown on exactly what’s in a name – or at least, what there is to mine. Many people over the years have mistakenly assumed my name is some sort of generational moniker, passed down from ye-olde-ancestors. Not so.
Actually, my mother found it in a baby name book (not very original, I suppose.) Having an affinity for things unusual, she was sold on it. Being the firstborn, my father was much more inclined to let her have her way on the naming of the first child. (My siblings which followed, however, were not so fortunate. Dad put his foot down on Ariel for my brother – yes, it CAN be a guy’s name! – and Calida for my sister. Instead, they ended up simply as Caleb and Carissa.)
So no, sadly there’s no exotic story to my naming. I CAN tell you, however, that “Cerella” is of Latin derivation – the feminine form of Cyril. It translates as “of the spring” (I was born in the fall, however.)
I’ve also seen it listed as English in origin with a meaning of “Lady.” (I rather liked that one. It sounds so…Jane Austen, don’t you think???)
In any case, the proper pronunciation is like this: SURREAL-AH. (Think of the word ’surreal’ and just tack an ‘ah’ on the end.) If you can’t get it right, never hesitate to just blurt out whatever pronunciation comes to mind. I respond to just about everything. (With the exception of “Hey, you.”)
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