Not long after we arrived in Taiwan we called on one of our language teachers for help in choosing names. We weren't very picky about them sounding like our English names, we just wanted them to sound like any normal Chinese name. And so Allen became Weilwen which means "maintain ethics" and I was Chianli which means "abundant jasmine." For our last name our teacher suggested we choose one that had an "m" sound for "Messimer." This left us with the choice of Ma, meaning "horse," or Mu, meaning "wood." We didn't like the idea of being horses or wood and opted for Lee, meaning "Plum." Since then we have learned of a few tests of a good name. It should sound beautiful, the characters should look beautiful together, it should have a good meaning, and it must not sound similar to any words that carry a negative connotation. Now we have had the priveledge of choosing names for our daughters. It is common for siblings to have one character in their names be the same. For Kirstie we chose Anting which means "peace and beauty." And now we have our Katelin. Her Chinese name is Anya which means "peace and elegance."
Thursday, May 15, 2008
What's in a name?
Not long after we arrived in Taiwan we called on one of our language teachers for help in choosing names. We weren't very picky about them sounding like our English names, we just wanted them to sound like any normal Chinese name. And so Allen became Weilwen which means "maintain ethics" and I was Chianli which means "abundant jasmine." For our last name our teacher suggested we choose one that had an "m" sound for "Messimer." This left us with the choice of Ma, meaning "horse," or Mu, meaning "wood." We didn't like the idea of being horses or wood and opted for Lee, meaning "Plum." Since then we have learned of a few tests of a good name. It should sound beautiful, the characters should look beautiful together, it should have a good meaning, and it must not sound similar to any words that carry a negative connotation. Now we have had the priveledge of choosing names for our daughters. It is common for siblings to have one character in their names be the same. For Kirstie we chose Anting which means "peace and beauty." And now we have our Katelin. Her Chinese name is Anya which means "peace and elegance."
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We all have "chuu len" or play names here in Thailand, since everyone goes by them. My name is Wandee, meaning good day, my son's name is Mii, or bear, my daughter's name is Meew, or cat. My husband's name has no meaning, but it is an Eastern Thai name. We like having these names because it is easy for folks to remember and pronounce them.
Blessings!
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