March 04, 2008

What to name Mekdelawit?

I've been trying to find the perfect name for Mekdelawit, one that will carry over her Ethiopian heritage and one that will not be a burden for the rest of her american life. Mekdelawit is simply too long and difficult. And I just don't feel right calling her something ordinary like Jane or Emily or another common american name, even if I keep Mekdelawit as her middle name. So I thought perhaps a shorter Ethiopian name might suit her, and also be easier for her to deal with throughout her life.

Here are some other Ethiopian names I got from a web site that aren't bad, although none stand out to me as THE name for her:

Adina - Amharic 'she has saved'
Aida - Ethiopian princess who was captured as a slave in Egypt 'returning'
Amara - Amharic (Abyssinia) 'paradise' or 'eternally beautiful'
Amira - Muslim/Biblical 'a princess '
Amina - Muslim name 'trustful' 'honest'
Ayana - Oromia 'beautiful flower'
Beza - Amharic/Ge'ez 'redemption'
Eden/Aden - Amharic/Biblical 'the place of pleasure'
Layla/Lela - Amharic 'another'
Makeda/Makda - Amharic Ethiopian Queen (Sheba) 'high tower' or 'beautiful arm-rest'
Mare - Amharic 'my honey'
Mena/Mana - Amharic 'to allot' 'to weight out' 'also a river and town in Ethiopia'
Menen - Amharic 'grace' Ethiopian Empress'
Meron - Amharic ' gift from God'
Naomi - Amharic/Biblical 'pleasant'
Rahel/Rachel - Amharic/Biblical 'a ewe'
Roman - Amharic 'some type of fruit that grows in Ethiopia'
Saida/Saidah - Muslim 'happy'
Sena - Amharic '?'
Sitina - 'to be joined' 'joined by love'
Sofia/Sophia - 'wisdom' 'God sees'
Zenha- Muslim 'beauty'
Zenna - Amharic 'news'
Zennaye - Amharic 'you are my news'

from http://www.myethiopianame.bravehost.com/Ethiopianames.html

As any parent would probably attest, this is a very difficult and important decision. I'm sure once I meet her, it will be easier. But for now, I think all the time about what I will name her and I have no clear answers. I don't even have a short list. I just hope I end up picking something worthy of her.

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