The name’s Virginia. I usually go by Ginna. Although to my friend Seth I’m “West” at all times, on all occasions. That’s stuck with him since the 8th grade. I saw him working at Chick-fil-A today, and I still answered to it. (as in West Virginia)
The name’s had its problems over the years. Some examples, I couldn’t spell my real name until 2nd grade. The many references to the first 2/3 of my name and all the derogatory things you can associate with it.
When I was born, I got the nickname Ginna because my Grandma “B” went both by Virginia and Ginny. Both were quite apparently taken before I was ever conceived, and yet they stuck me with the name anyway. (My mom reads this blog by the way. So, sorry mom!)
The nickname isn’t better. It has to be explained and pronounced, then spelled over and over again for anyone to even have a chance, and that’s if they take the time. Or if I’m with Jen and we’re introduced to new people, it’s an automatic correlation. Nice to meet you Jen. Nice to meet you Jenna. There’s no escape. That’s why in the so-called professional world, I’m just Virginia. My grandma doesn’t live in Orlando, so no explanation required.
I was chatting with a woman I work with while cutting out freshly laminated letters for a new bulletin board. (It’s always an exciting day in the office.) She’s lived in the US for 3 years to attend graduate school.
When I explained my name to her, she thought it was strange and said, “In Taiwan, to take the name of an ancestor… It would be almost rude.”
My family has been rude about the whole name thing for generations. Let me show you.
Admittedly the whole name thing is probably worse for my oldest brother. Must be obnoxious to be called by your father and every father of that father’s name. The cool thing is, he broke the chain, or stopped the curse if you will. :) I’m not 100% on this, but I’m thinking about avoiding trying to create some name legacy in the future. What kind of identity is there in a name after all? It’s just a hassle is all I’m sayin’.
My nephew, the “boy who should be William Allen,” is named Maximus because my brother liked the movie Gladiator. Case closed.
even though I had known all of this for a long time, it was very interesting to see written down! I love your name GINNA! I remember I use to get mad at you when you would tell adults your name was Virginia, but now I know why….and I also remember knowing your name was spelt GINNA but didnt realize that you pronounced it differently than JENNA for a while, ha. I LOVE YOU!
Yea, I remember when I first met you. I would try and pronounce it “Ginia,” like dropping the “Vir.” Way confusing.
it took me forever to actually get your name right…