the story behind my daughter’s name
my daughter’s name is ella. it’s has a beautiful meaning (who wouldn’t want to have a name that means fairy maiden and goddess?!) but that’s not why we picked it. in fact, i didn’t even know that was the names meaning until after she was born.
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when i was young, my parents both worked full time jobs. lucky for them, my dads mom and stepdad were available to watch us for free so they could avoid paying for childcare. my sister and i spent almost every day with them, and when they eventually moved in with us, we saw them 24/7.
my grandma had four kids. a daughter and three sons. her first son died when he was only 16 days old due to a hole in his heart. nowadays this can be repaired via surgery as it can be detected during pregnancy. at that time, there was nothing to be done. she also had several miscarriages. she once told me she named every child she miscarried, but never told anyone the names. i hoped to one day figure it out, but never did.
she was diagnosed with parkinson’s when i was a teenager. at first it was just small tremors and she was able to continue living at home with us. eventually it got worse and she was diagnosed with dementia as well. at this point, she needed full time care. we tried to hire home health aides and nurses to come care for her in our home, but eventually the only option was a full time nursing home.
despite all this she was able to see me marry the love of my life and even meet our first child. when we had my son, she was often forgetting who we were or thinking we were other people. she often called me by my aunts name, called my sister by my dads name, etc. but she NEVER forgot who my son was. she was always so excited to see him when we would visit and would light up.
her middle name was ella. each of our children have one family name, and we wanted to honor the woman who spent so many years taking care of me, as well as all of her babies that didn’t make it. i wish she would have been here to meet the newest ella.
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When we chose Ella, I admit the deep meanings like 'fairy maiden' and 'goddess' weren't our primary reason, but knowing them now adds another layer of beauty to her name. It’s fascinating how a single name can hold so much history and different origins! From its Germanic roots meaning 'all' or 'other,' to its potential as a short form for names like Eleanor or Elizabeth, Ella truly feels like a name that transcends time and cultures. It even has a presence in Hebrew, where it can mean 'goddess' or 'oak tree,' symbolizing strength and resilience. It makes me think about how much a name can truly embody – not just a person, but stories and hopes across generations. As a parent, I often wonder about what kind of person our little Ella will grow up to be. While a name doesn't dictate personality, I love thinking about the gentle yet strong characteristics often associated with names like Ella – grace, wisdom, and a kind spirit. Seeing my baby in her sweet romper, I can't help but dream of the wonderful traits she'll develop. Maybe it’s just my mama heart, but I see a spark of that 'fairy maiden' magic in her already! It's heartwarming to imagine her carrying forward not just the name, but perhaps some of that inherent strength and warmth that my grandmother, the original Ella in our family, embodied. Thinking about the journey our family has taken, and especially my grandmother's life, makes the name Ella even more profound. My grandma, a truly remarkable woman who nurtured me and my sister, faced so many challenges. From the heart-wrenching loss of her first son and several miscarriages – each baby she named in her heart – to her courageous battle with Parkinson's and later dementia, she carried immense strength. The image of her smiling, holding a baby or at my wedding, even as her memory faded, is so vivid. It reminds me how resilient the human spirit can be. That connection she shared with my son, recognizing him even when other faces blurred, truly speaks volumes about the power of love. Naming our daughter Ella, her middle name, feels like a way to keep that incredible legacy alive, a constant reminder of the love and resilience passed down through our family. It's more than just a name; it's a living tribute to a woman who gave so much and to all the little ones who never had the chance to leave their mark. Every time I say 'Ella,' it’s a whisper of all those stories and all that love.
