 |
| Enzo, who could have been given several different names |
F is for Festus
Names are important.
People may wave you off, when you can’t pronounce their name correctly. “It doesn’t matter,” they shrug. But, it really does.
When Hubby and I found out we were having a baby, we discussed names, searched the Internet and studied a few iPhone apps.
If we had a girl, I asked Hubby about naming her after my grandmother Ada. He agreed and thought he should determine a boy’s name. He suggested Festus. I don’t remember Gunsmoke, but Hubby did. He laughed as I cringed.
On our way to the Grand Canyon, we listened to the book The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. The book is told from a dog’s point of view. The four-legged narrator pieces together a wonderful tale of love and heartbreak.
As we were in tears near the end of the story, Hubby suggested we use Enzo for a boy’s name. A couple months later, we found out we were having a healthy boy.
I wrote a poem about my son’s name called Your Name By That Lady Who’s Always With You a few months before he arrived. It doesn’t rhyme well, like many of my poetry attempts. Still, I put it in his baby book — still a work in progress —because I wrote it for him. I wanted to share with him all the name options tossed out by friends and family.
When people ask about the Italian origin of my son’s name, I tell them he was named after a very noble dog in a book, who was named after Enzo Ferrari.
Hubby contends Festus was a joke, but in my mind it will always be his first suggestion.
 |
| Hubby’s shoes vs. Enzo’s first baby shoes. |
Oh, how sweet! How old is Enzo now?
Speaking of Gunsmoke, our son is named Dillon. I think the main character was Marshal Dillon. That’s not why we named him that but it’s a cool idea, anyway. I think it’s beautiful that you wrote Enzo a poem… a work in progress, much like anything that lasts.
Aw! Enzo is so beautiful! And I love the story of his name. (And I think Enzo was a more inspired choice than Festus 🙂 which would always make me think of the Addams Family :))
I think I like Enzo much more than Festus. I like the shoe picture 🙂 I like your poem too! I was almost named Oscar.
I love the idea of writing the poem for him and I absolutely adore the photograph of his tiny little shoes!
The idea of naming caught me, Stacey. I love your capturing of your memory today about your baby boy, the poem and the prose, and the way he got his name. All through the years I had my students write about the history of their names. They interviewed their parents and anyone else that might have had a hand in the choosing, and found out quite a lot about themselves in the process. I hope someday Enzo will get to interview you and your husband to discover this story. And I must tell you that I’m glad his name isn’t Festus!
Festus sounds hilarious, I would have loved to have seen your reaction to that. Happy Easter Stacy!
I love hearing the story of your son’s names. Sometimes the stories of how we were name (or how are children were named) are even more significant than the names.
It is very important that a name is pronounced correctly. I should know…Siv ( like steve without the T) I was very careful when I picked my childrens names so that they would not have to deal with the same thing. I gane them both very international names. Nice blogg 🙂 Happy Easter!
I agree with Beth – the story is almost more significant than the name as it gives the flavor of who and what we evaluated in the decision process.
The newborn Enzo photo is precious. I hope you all have a beautiful Easter!
Festus? Good grief, why not name him Sue and be done with it?
I knew that had to be a joke, and love that there’s a story behind the name, it’ll mean much to Enzo and his wife when/if he marries, stories to hand down to their children.
Love this precious story. And Enzo is quite happy he isn’t Festus. My day loved Festus. Ha.
Beautiful photo, my friend. 🙂
Great post. I love the origin of your son’s name. My first born is named Scout, so I can relate to being influenced by literature.
Stacy, wonderful post. Enzo is a beautiful baby. How old is he now? I like the picture of the shoes.
Such a nice story and I love the name Enzo!
Ooo, Enzo! How cute! I’m with everyone else. 🙂 How old is he now?
Oh he’s so sweet–and I love the shoe photo too!:)
Loved the sweet post. A name is everything and I love the story behind choosing Enzo. It’s a beautiful name.
Beautiful, Stacy. What a great name!
Nice post. I like the photo of the shoes. Shoes can tell many stories.
Stacy, I’ve just caught up reading your last four posts, but will just comment here. You’ve shared some amazing memoirs, as well as one of my favorite books. So glad to be sharing in the A to Z with you and reading your writing.
A2ZMommy and What’s In Between
I love that name, and I love your story of arriving at the name. And he’s soooo sweet.
Enzo is a much much cuter name than Festus 🙂
I remember that story about Enzo’s name. A noble one, if I do say so myself. And how adorable is that photo? Just melted my heart!