Where Did You Get Your Name
Have you ever wondered about your name, or where it came from? I have no idea how my parents, from middle Tennessee, came up with the name Tania. Probably from one of those baby books of names. I once looked up my name in one of those books, and it said Tania meant Russian Princess. Yep, that’s me, Russian royalty. Lol
I may not know where my name came from, but you have GOT to hear the story about my grandmother and her siblings. Apparently my Great Grandfather had a brother-in-law named John, who was killed because of his name. He was leaving a bar, and someone with a grudge said, “John, is that you”? When my Great Grandfather’s brother-in-law said yes, he was shot. But, he was not the RIGHT John. Great Grandpa said none of his children would ever die because of mistaken identity. Here are a couple of the names he gave his children: my grandmother and her twin brother are A G Neoma and Q X Quillard, my Great Aunts were Tipsy Topsy, Gracie Toe Toe, and Roxie O Z, then we also have my Great Uncles Hop Leathers and Hank Brusher. Maybe I get my humor from my Great Grandpa. Lol!
I was in a denim frame of mind. I am wearing a chambray (fancy name for denim) button-up shirt from Old Navy. Mine is a medium wash, but they also have the light wash. A chambray shirt is so versatile. It can be worn very casual, or dressed up. I went with dressy casual. The top is a find from a street festival that I attended this past fall. It is from an online boutique called Envy and Lace.
To take this outfit to the dressy side, I added pearls. Starting with the top and traveling down. The earrings are peek-a-boo pearl studs. My necklace is a multiple strand pearl choker. Here is a necklace that is really cool. I have on a couple stretchy pearl bracelets and a mother-of-pearl vintage bangle.
Normally I would have opted for a purse with some color, since the rest of the outfit was neutral. But the Stella and Dot purse matched perfectly, and was already loaded with my things. In this case, laziness won out. Hahaha The ankle booties are a Cato’s brand. I bought them last year, and I have been surprised at how well they have held up. Amazon has a similar pair.
The distressed high-rise jeans are from Old Navy. These jeans have become my go-to jeans. I like the color, I like the fit, and they have just enough distress to make them current. Skinny jeans are great with flats and fit nicely in boots. It is funny to look back when skinny jeans first were introduced. I remember thinking there was no way I could, or would, wear skinny jeans. Never say never. Lol
Do you have any strange names in your family?
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My name is Seena and I’ll bet that you have never met another woman with that name. The only other one I can find with the same spelling was a silent film star in the 1920’s.
My name is Linda, along with a million other women of my generation. My mom wanted to name me Bindy, so glad she didn’t.. That would not have fit me at all! My oldest daughter is named after an old family friend. My son name was chosen from credits of a movie I watched while I was in labor, My dad tells everyone his grandson’s names are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Aaron (guess which one is mine 😀 ) and my youngest daughter, my hubby picked the name, because I named the other two!
About 50 miles southwest of Nashville
Must be a middle Tennessee thing! My uncle suggested Anastasia, but since there were so many people in my family with Ann or Anne in their name, my mom came up with Stacia Anne!
I love that name. What part of middle Tennessee?
I think Tania is a pretty name, so you lucked out! Funny story, but sorry about poor ole John (my husband’s name) My Dad wanted to name me Lisa, but my Mom liked Melissa, so I’m a compromise of both, Melesa. It’s pronounced like Ma leesa. My Dad’s name was Grady Bill and his twin sister was Sadie Bell. I could go on with some very unique names, but I’m a little embarrassed with some.
Thanks for sharing your cute story and have a great weekend, Melesa
I like the spelling, and the story behind your name. Very unique.????
I love reading your posts Tania, they always bring a smile. My sister named me, she was 14 & HATED Mom & Dad’s choices…so they let her name me. I was born in 1956 so she was already embarrassed by Mom being pregnant.
I didn’t realize Grundy was close to VA/TN state line, I live in Greeneville. We were just at the Pinnacle last Saturday & we go to Abingdon. We love the Creeper Trail. Small world!
GREAT story! And adorable outfit – can’t go wrong with all of those casual classics in the mix. : ) Ana
Well, I’m Brandye because of a book my mother read while pregnant. I was supposed to be Liza, but my aunt “stole” the name for my cousin 6 mos older than me. While growing up “Brandye” was not easy (I’m 51 and the oldest one I know of), Liza would’ve been HORRIBLE with my maiden name. It worked so much better for my cousin’s! (Yes, I literally HATE that song. If a guy sang it to me back in the day, I’d just walk away. UGH!)
My grandmothers were Eula Mae and Pauline. Old school names are making a comeback. There’s a 2nd grader on my campus named Hazel. I doubt Eula or Pauline will come back around.
Both of my children have a strong name and a faithful name. Just something that was important to me in my 20s. I’d probably use more family names now.
I named my oldest son, Matthan, which is in the book of Matthew. He is the father of Joseph. My other son is named Joseph, but after his father. It just worked out that way. Haha
I bet going to family functions growing up was a hoot with all the characters you’ve shared! Fun fun fun!
All the names in my family are very bland and ‘waspy’ ~ my own is inspired by my mom’s grandmother……. now my paternal grandmothers middle name was “Virnitia” (her Grandmothers name) and I have never heard of that name ~ southern name maybe? (they were from- yep you guessed it~ Virginia! LOL)
Well, how about that! My name means Princess as well but my heritage is Polish and I even have a shirt that says, Polish Princess! My 40 year old son is having his first child in 3 weeks and he wanted to name him Zoltan. Zoltan? Where did he get that? Thankfully his wife said, “It sounds like a circus performer. Heck NO!” They are naming him Wyatt and giving him my husband’s name for a middle name. I like Wyatt and I am going to get the little guy cowboy boots and a Stetson!
I agree about the circus performer. I was thinking a fortune teller! Haha. Wyatt, however is adorable ????
I stumbled on your blog while looking for “age appropriate ” outfits on Pinterest. We have very similar style! ???? My name is Barbara, which most call me Barb. According to my parents, I was supposed to be Karen Lynn until their friends delivered their daughter a week before my arrival and named her Karen. My Dad chose my name, and actually I think it suits me! I’m originally from West Virginia, and have been to Grundy, VA. I had a dear friend that was from there, but also, when my sons were in school, they wrestled. Grundy has been known for that since my husband was in school! So glad I found your blog!
So glad you stumbled on to my site. My mom is always amazed at how many people have heard of Grundy, since it is so tiny and off the beaten path????????????
That puts us all to shame Tania-middle of nowhere and still beautiful clothes and style for miles!
Another Virginia “girl” here — from Richmond ….love your blog. My older sister was named by my mother after her mother and favorite aunt. So it was my fathers turn when I came along two years later….Martha Ann – don’t know where the Martha came from but the Ann was from my mother’s name….sort of glad he didn’t name me after his mother “Blanch”- loved her just not the name. With my older sister Mary and me, Martha we always say my brother was grateful not to be named Lazarus!
That’s funny, Martha????
Cute outfit and love the stories!
I am so happy to have discovered you yesterday! I already thought we had a lot in common, from taste in clothing, to haircut, to reading about your change in diet dye to your husband ‘s health scare. Now this morning I see that you live in Grundy…..I am from southwest Virginia as well….Roanoke, to be exact. I went to Virginia Tech, in Blacksburg, where I met my husband. We became friends with a group of guys that lived on his floor, who were from Abingdon. We used to go there a lot. Our best friend even named his dog Grundy! And, my brother went to Emory and Henry, where he met his first wife, who was from the Abingdon area. Their wedding was at her dad’s house in Heyter’s Gap. Small world!
So you are well aware, Cindy, that I live in the middle of nowhere! Lol!! We have beautiful scenery though.????
Oh yes, indeed! I’m really impressed that there is a fashionista in Grundy! So which direction do you head when you shop for your beautiful clothes?
Exit 7 in Abingdon, and The Pinnacle in Bristol,Tn
Tania, love your outfit. Funny story about my name. My Mom always told me I was named after a character in the movie Westside story.
The Paramount theater in town was running old movies and it happened to be one of them. I had never seen it so I wanted to go and my Mom went with me.
We sat thru the whole movie and when it ended I looked at her and said “Well there was no character named Angela?” She just laughed and said I have no idea then where I got your name from! What a hoot!
Have a great day!
That is hilarious, Angela!!!
Wonderful post, Tania. Russian royalty is a stately name heritage! I am Patti because Patti Page, a singer, was popular in the 50’s – not as exciting as yours : > Thanks for sharing, xo
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Loving your accessorizing! Pearls w/denim! Woo-hoo! – I have “Petticoat Junction” relatives: Bobby Jean, Linda Sue & Tammy Jo. Dad told me he wanted to name his firstborn (me) “Herkimer”????. Lucky I was female! lol (pretty sure he was pulling my leg)
Herkimer, you were indeed lucky!
I can’t think of any unusual names in our family off the top of my head, but my parents had a friend who’s first and middle names were Forrest Tissue. Very unique for sure!
That’s a super nice looking necklace of pearls! xo Have a great day… it’s sooooo cold here in the Fincastle area. Thirteen degrees at 9AM. I’ll be staying indoors for sure!
Wish I could stay inside too, Diane????
Cute outfit, looking for me a great chambray shirt, I will check out Old Navy. We don’t have quite the adorable names that are in your family, but we had a Gerona, Matilda and Virginia Clementine! Have a great day
Clementine is pretty cool!
omigosh….that story is AWESOME!! well…not the part about the man being killed but all the names is hilarious!!! Not sure why my parents named me what they did but I do know that they wanted to do a family name for my brother and when going through the great grandpas they had to pick from Axel, Emerald, Ole and Nikolas….lucky for my brother that Nikolas won out. 🙂
Although now I do sorta like the different names! I did name my daughter Savannah after a contestant on Wheel of Fortune that I saw when I was fairly young and always loved it. And then when I was pregnant with Mikayla I was obsessed with Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman so she got that one-I just spelled it different!
Mealanie, I wanted to name my daughter Paysha, which was a family name. But my husband put a stop to that. Haha
Glad I recently stumbled upon your blog !! Have so enjoyed reading it and love your style since we are the same age. Could you please link your necklace? The link you gave is another link the the same earrings Thanks!
Sorry Laura, thanks for letting me know. I have updated the post to show this link. http://www.amazon.com/IPINK-Fashion-Jewelry-Multi-pearl-Necklace/dp/B00ZP5G9NC/ref=sr_1_71?ie=UTF8&qid=1453122520&sr=8-71&keywords=pearl+choker+costume+jewelry Goodness that is a long copy and paste. You can also just go back to the post, and click on that link if it is easier.????
Tania,
I just love reading your posts! You’re my fav!!
Thanks Marie Dee????????????
My name Connie came from a book my mother was reading. I wish I knew which one but she can’t remember. I have grandmothers named Peicola and Illa Bryd. Not names you wish to be carried on with your children. Evidently there wasn’t many places to get babies names from. I have relatives named Baby and Sister? Go figure. LOL They were raised in the mountains of Ga. Always love your style! Makes me want to revisit my own closet today. Enjoy your week!
Haha Connie, those make me smile.????
You do give me a laugh so early in the morning! I dodged a bullet the day I was born! My family was not so creative naming babies; everyone got a handed down name but me! Dad wanted to name me after Aunt Geraldine but I was the first girl and mom declared me ‘hers’ to name. My sisters, however, did not escape! One was Jeanette (always little Jeanette cause it was mom’s name); the other Netta after maternal grandmother. Netta became Tootsie very early and at 62 we all still call her that! I was always a little jealous! Can I ask where in Virginia are you? I am going to Virginia Beach for 2 months to help my daughter with her 4 children.
Linda, we all would like to doge those bullets, makes me think of the Matrix. Haha I live in Grundy, VA, which is on the other end of the state from Virginia Beach.
I am curious. I live in the Breaks and my sister in law who lives in Knoxville told me about your blog. I love it! But since Grundy is not that big, I am wondering if you a native of Grundy or a transplant?
I am a transplant from Tennessee.