Book Blog Tour: Claire
Claire asks:
I grew up with one of my grandparents' friends named Quinn, a man. In my head Quinn is a boy's name. And I had a great aunt named Aunt Virgil, obviously a woman. To me, Virgil is a girl's name but everyone I have ever met has looked at me funny when I mentioned Aunt Virgil because to them it is a boy's name. So is Quinn a family name? Is it traditionally a boy name or is it either? Do you have a naming story about your name?
It's an ancient Celtic name meaning "Wise," which only proves how little the name affects the child. It's also a boy's name. Here's how I got it. My mother wanted her child to have a strong androgynous name which couldn't be made easily into a nickname, whichever gender it was. She spent the better part of the pregnancy looking around, finally settling on a couple of options. When she was about ready to deliver, my parents went to have dinner with friends who already had a couple of children. The three year-old was testing limits, because three year-olds must do that or lose their union card. The hostess finally said in frustration to her son, "Daniel Quinn Monaghan, if you don't get back into your room and into bed, I swear to God I'll..."
The rest of the threat was lost to history, but the invoking of the dreaded middle name gave my parents a new option for a middle name. They took it. And here I am, numbly aware that thanks to a boy who couldn't stay asleep, I'll have to spell my name until I die. But I do like the name.
I grew up with one of my grandparents' friends named Quinn, a man. In my head Quinn is a boy's name. And I had a great aunt named Aunt Virgil, obviously a woman. To me, Virgil is a girl's name but everyone I have ever met has looked at me funny when I mentioned Aunt Virgil because to them it is a boy's name. So is Quinn a family name? Is it traditionally a boy name or is it either? Do you have a naming story about your name?
It's an ancient Celtic name meaning "Wise," which only proves how little the name affects the child. It's also a boy's name. Here's how I got it. My mother wanted her child to have a strong androgynous name which couldn't be made easily into a nickname, whichever gender it was. She spent the better part of the pregnancy looking around, finally settling on a couple of options. When she was about ready to deliver, my parents went to have dinner with friends who already had a couple of children. The three year-old was testing limits, because three year-olds must do that or lose their union card. The hostess finally said in frustration to her son, "Daniel Quinn Monaghan, if you don't get back into your room and into bed, I swear to God I'll..."
The rest of the threat was lost to history, but the invoking of the dreaded middle name gave my parents a new option for a middle name. They took it. And here I am, numbly aware that thanks to a boy who couldn't stay asleep, I'll have to spell my name until I die. But I do like the name.
posted by Unknown at 5:30 AM
6 Comments:
Just bought your book "Notes from the Underwire". Can't wait to start it.
My name is male and female and was decided upon long before my birth...so it didn't matter if I was a boy or a girl, people would still be calling me the same thing.
Our 15 month old daughter is named Quinn Isabella. I googled "girl named Quinn" and found a link to your blog a few minutes ago. There is no great, awe-inspired reason we chose the name for our daughter. We are both Irish, and we are both fans of Bob Dylan, thus, the Mighty Quinn seemed a cool story as well. But short version is we threw it out there and it was the only name we both really liked. I am tall, and my wife is for a woman as well. She is in the 100% percentile for height and 90% for weight. The doctor says she is going to be a tall girl. She is a joy, very strong willed and very intelligent, so the name will suit her well.
As far as nicknames, around here that is far from the truth, she is called Q, Quizabella, Quizbo, Quiz, Quizzy, Quizabella Mozzerella, etc. Her name seems loved by all. I enjoyed your story, and will check out more of your blog.
Peace,
McG
When Sara first told me the name, I Googled you (sorry!), and was surprised to find you a woman. :)
It only makes your name more special, Quinn! And I love it, too.
When it came time, before we knew gender, to name our first child, I asked my wife if she had any ideas and she responded (quite firmly): "Quinn or Reese." Luckily for me, I liked the options and our son seems quite happy to be named Quinn. Since our last name starts with T, he gets to be "Q.T."
I am also a female with a (historically) male name - Kyle. And I constantly get, "Is it Kylie?"
Am loving the book, BTW!
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