Is it time to put me out to pasture now? Is it time to commit me? Run for the hills, I’m going to talk about Edna!
Two things have brought me to my Edna musings. One is my genealogy research: Edna is a family name on my mother’s side. Her grandmother was an Edna, and it is my Aunt Louise’s middle name. The other is a thread on Doris on BNaBBT. I really like Doris, and the thread got me thinking about “frumpy” names.
I like Edna’s sound and history. It’s got two roots: one as an Anglicisation of Eithne, and another from Hebrew, meaning “pleasure.” I know I’m going waaay against the grain when I say I like the sound of Edna, but I personally don’t see the problem with it. Hannah is top 10 and I find it unpleasantly breathy; I much prefer the solidity of Edna. Edie is an adorable nickname, too. Edna’s a great alternative since I don’t care overmuch for Edith; seems dirty to me in a weird way. Too pioneer girl. I know a ton of people think Edna Krabappel from The Simpsons, but that doesn’t bother me too much. It’ll fade.
A few Edna combos for your perusal
- Edna Daisy
- Edna Beatrix
- Edna Frances (unrepentantly “frumpy”)
- Edna Lucienne
- Edna Penelope
- Edna Catherine
- Edna Marianne
- Edna Jessamine
Too lazy to do some three namers. I’ve been on a single middle name kick lately anyway. There are two or three up there that make my heart go aflutter, but I’m not going to bias you guys!
So, let me have it. Tell me what you think of Edna. You won’t hurt my feelings, promise.
Sunday, April 5th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
I’m not going to hurt your feelings, Cat. I like Edna, quite a bit. Funnily enough, what brought Edna to *my* attention was “The Incredibles”. Really. Edna is the one (voiced by Brad Bird himself) who makes the costumes for the Parrs (Incredible family). Can you tell I’ve been watching it in fairly heavy rotation recently?
Edith still gets all my love, because I’m a sucker for her lispy little ending. but I can easily see Edna’s charms. Of your creations up there, Edna Penelope makes me want to sing, it’s so light! Edna Daisy is sprightly as well, but more lightweight. Yeah, Edna Penelope clearly wins out here for me. Edna Lucienne is lovely, but still, pales in comparison. And while I’m fond of Marianne, Beatrix & Jessamine individually, they just don’t feel right with Edna to me. Edna Catherine is a classic beauty, but I still prefer the chartming piece that is Edna Penelope!
Monday, April 6th, 2009 at 9:58 am
Thanks Lola! I’m not sure if Edna Penelope doesn’t feel lumpy to me. Both names are pretty lumpy, so I’m not sure of them in conjunction, but I’ll think further on it.
Sunday, April 5th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
I’ve been wondering about some of these frumpier names… especially the A-enders, since they are unmistakably feminine. I mean, it’s only a small step from Anna, Emma, and Mina to Edna, Irma, Myrna, and such.
I can’t say I like Edna, but I don’t have any positive associations for her. If she were on my own family tree, it might be a different story.
If you do use it, pair it with something that unfustifies it a bit. Edna Daisy has the closest feel to what I’d like, but I’m not sure it’s quite right.
Monday, April 6th, 2009 at 10:00 am
I was trying to look for “unfustifiers” as you so deftly put it, but it’s hard, because most of the names I like are at least slightly fusty! I’m trying to think of more modern ones I like, but I’m coming up blank.
Tuesday, April 7th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Edna’s lovely. Elegant and simple and ancient. Maybe a little bit dusty, but in a beautiful, solemn kind of way, like sunlight filtering into a dusty room. I don’t know how I feel about Edie on Edna, feels a little contrived, but I think occasional nickname Ed is fun and in general it does not really even need a nickname.
Edna Lucienne is by far my favorite. Wherever Edna is a little dusty, Lucienne is a smooth, beautiful sheen. Gorgeous. Solemn. Breathtaking a little. I also love Marianne – youthful and elegant and a little romantic – and Beatrix – fun!
Also my connection is kind of wack and I don’t know if this already went through – but I wanted to add: how interesting would Edna be as a middle name! Catherine Edna: how very interesting and unexpected! Edna Kathleen and Kathleen Edna may also appeal to you; they appeal to me.
Monday, April 20th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Thanks! Edna would be interesting as a middle, but I worry about it having that “relative we felt obligated to honor” vibe. I wouldn’t want my poor Edna to be relegated to the ugly spot, if you will. Edna Kathleen is v. nice, too; I quite like Kathleen as a spin on Catherine. It’s warmer, if not quite as regal.