Thirty-nine years ago today I made my debut into the world. (^) Thankfully, my mother was so doped up on drugs she couldn’t name me Daisha Danine (to me this has always sounded like a Baskin Robbins flavor, which in retrospect might have been more appropriate) and my dad took the opportunity to name me Rhonda Raina. And Raina is Renee, not Rain-uh. I weight 5lbs 5oz and was 18 inches long. I was tiny. I also looked remarkably like my dad. Had I had black hair, Mom was going to name me Raven Jade. Is that a romance writer’s name or what? Pity I’m a blonde. To tell you the truth, I have never liked my name all that much, or any of the alternates I might have been. Could I name myself, I think I would choose something like Rhiannon or Elizabeth or Caroline.
Which brings me to my question(s.) Do you like your name? Are you named for someone? If you don’t like your name and could change it, what would you choose? When I start a book, I can’t do anything until I have the characters names. Names, to me, are so important. Once they’re named, then I can figure out what they look like and what it is they do. But the name *has* to come first.
I’ll be MIA today, since it’s my birthday. 
We’re going down to Tuscaloosa to watch the Alabama vs. Auburn basketball game–and they’re going to hand out the Iron Bowl trophy (ROLL TIDE!!!!)–and then we’re heading over to Dreamland BBQ for ribs. (Y) I can’t wait. I don’t watch the football games–unless there’s a lone player streaking down the field with the ball, then I have no idea what’s going on–but I played basketball when I was in school and actually understand that game. I cheer really loud and humiliate my children. Good times. 
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I know I’m going to enjoy mine.
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Hey Rhonda, happy birthday to you. I loved Raven Jade…definitely a romance writers name, but I would think it is more along the lines of Erotica! LOL!!! Have a blast at the bball game. I played too, and I still try to, but it is not the same when you are in your 30s that’s for sure.
My mother named me after my dad, and I love my name because I have a piece of him that I will always remember. He died when I was 8 years old. I wouldn’t change it for anything.
In terms of writing, I have to know the character before I can give him or her a name. Once I figured out who they are, the name pops in my head. Does that make sense to you? So I do it in reverse. Once again, Happy Birthday! Have a blast celebrating…there is nothing like rooting for your team on a special day. If you were at my games, I wouldn’t mind if you rooted for me…I do the same to my students. Once, one of them asked me not to cheer for them because they get embarrassed. I was so surprised. Since it is a boarding school, you would think that they would appreicate the fact that someone was there to cheer them on. I still do it though…it is just a part of me. LOL!!!
Peace and love,
Paula R.
I’m named for my maternal grandmother (first name) my middle name is Elizabeth and for a couple of years I insisted that my teachers (in grade school) call me Elizabeth, but that was because I liked it better. Now I’m very happy to stick with Ellen.
Happy Birthday Rhonda! (D) (^)
I’m pretty sure my Mom got my name from a spanish soap opera. I’m fine with it. Didnt meet anyone with the same name till I was a senior in high school, so I never got confused with anyone else, lol! The only bad part has always been people saying it wrong. I get called Alana alot, which is kinda annoying. But my family and friends call me Nina. So all in all Im pretty happy with my name, lol! Hope you have a great day! (*)
Happy Happy B-day!!!! Enjoy yourself! The doctors told my parents that I would be a boy, so they had a name chosen that had my grandfather’s and my dad’s name together… then I came out… they quickly plucked names that they had liked… lucky for me I love my name!!!
Happy Birthday Rhonda!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday, Rhonda. Alabama won – Roll Tide Roll. My Dad named my after the movie Tammy and the Bachelor. When I was younger, I wanted a more serious name, but I like it just fine now.
Happy Birthday to a fellow Pisces!
I always hated my middle name. Sue. Not Susanna or Suzanne or anything long and flowy and romantic and stuff. Just Sue. And with the last name of Lea (pronounced Lee), I heard way too many “Sue Lee” jokes (say it fast like “sue–eey” like you’re calling a pig). Total trauma.
I dropped my middle name when I got married and moved the maiden name over a slot (which confused the heck out of every bank/credit card/utility bill everywhere–apparently I’m an oddball for changing middle names).
Anyway, I’m still a newbie (unpubbed) writer. But I have the worst time with names. Sometimes I go 2 or 3 chapters with characters named “Hero” and “Heroine” before I give them real ones. And then sometimes end up changing it. I’m just glad I only have 2 real-life children and am not planning any more…
Happy Birthday!! (^)
I like my name, I’m not named after anyone. My dad did choose my name, I’m forever thankful, no offenses to Lisa’s, but my mom wanted to name me Lisa. To me that just doesn’t fit me.
Happy Birthday! (^) (^)
I always liked my name, it is actually spelled Karen, but my user name is Karyn, just to be different. Like Nicole S, Dad chose my name, no one in the family ever had it before, he said he always liked it. Mom liked Jennifer, so when they had another girl, mom got to name her.
I am also an unpubbed, I am into genealogy, I have family tree maker, I just go in there to pick out names, works every time! Hope you had a great day!!
Happy, happy birthday, Rhonda!!!! And while Raven’s a great name, too, I do love Rhonda because it’s yours!
As for my name, my dad chose it out of a baby name book for its meaning (“gift of God”)–I actually disliked it greatly as a child (I could never find anything personalized, for instance–forget those little mini license plates!) and actually contemplated all sorts of names I would have preferred instead. I’m come to appreciate its uniqueness as an adult, but I did swing the other way and give my own kids rather mundane names
Hope you and the family have a terrific time–cheer loud, Rhonda!!