30 Days of Gratitude: What's in a name? (Day 29)

Have you ever thought about your name? If it has family significance, or if your parents chose it because they liked it for various reasons? Is it a name that has been in your family for generations, or something more modern?

What's in a name? (Day 29)

I love my name. Olivia. It's simple, yet elegant. It dates back many centuries. Being the nerd that I am, I love that I can read Shakespeare's Twelfth Night (one of my favorites!) and see that Olivia was a name in Shakespearean times. As a result (and again, nerd speaking here), I think I was destined to be an English teacher.

I am grateful for my name. Growing up, I was the only Olivia in my class. Not kidding. The only time I ever had another Olivia in class with me was junior year of college (when I was twenty). The name is rising in popularity to be sure, but in my day and age, it was a rare name.

I am grateful for the interactions that have occurred as a result of my name. I've had many people, when I'm first introduced, say, "Oh I love the name Olivia! It's so pretty!" I also like that there are a few nicknames associated with it. Liv. Livi. My little cousins used to call me Livi because Olivia, being the 4-syllables it is, can be a mouthful for a kid. I've never minded Liv or Livi, even though most people simply call me Olivia.

Finally, I am grateful that my name is easily spelled (I feel bad for the people who have to go to coffee shops and spell their name 3+ times before the barista gets it right) and that there are some famous Olivias out there. Olivia de Havilland, the famous actress. Olivia Newton-John, the singer (Grease, anyone?). Olivia Langdon Clemens, wife of famous writer Mark Twain. And the more modern figures: Olivia Wilde, Olivia Munn, Olivia Palermo.

Good work, parents. I'm grateful for my name.