Would a Rose by Any Other Name Smell So Sweet?

Have you ever thought about names, name meanings, and what makes a name beautiful? Here are some great opinions on names. 



Juliet:

"What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;
So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name,
And for that name which is no part of thee
Take all myself."

-William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

Anne Shirley:

"Well I don't know.' Anne looked thoughtful. "I read in a book once that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, but I've never been able to believe it. I don't believe a rose WOULD be as nice if it was called a thistle or a skunk cabbage.” 

― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

Diana Barry:

'Oh, I don't think so,' said Diana. 'Anne seems to me real stately and like a queen. But I'd like Kerenhappuch if it happened to be your name. I think people make their names nice or ugly just by what they are themselves. I can't bear Josie or Gertie for names now but before I knew the Pye girls I thought them real pretty.'

'That's a lovely idea, Diana,' said Anne enthusiastically. 'Living so that you beautify your name, even if it wasn't beautiful to begin with...making it stand in people's thoughts for something so lovely and pleasant that they never think of it by itself. Thank you, Diana.”

― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Avonlea


Emilia, we are sure you would be just as sweet if you had a different name! We think your vibrant personality makes your name beautiful!

Just like with Martin, (wrote about his name here) we are keeping Emilia's first name due to her age and the fact that it is pronounceable in English - besides the fact that it is beautiful and we love it! 

Also, like Martin, we will be changing her middle name, which isn't pronounceable in English and has the "ova" ending that means "daughter of" like traditional Bulgarian middle names. Her new middle name will be Rose. It is a family name in Andrew's side of the family. Andrew's grandmother, sister, and niece all have Rose for either a first or middle name. So Emilia will have a great grandmother Rose, Aunt Rose, and a cousin whose middle name is Rose! Doesn't Emilia Rose have a nice ring to it?!

Emilia's Name Fun Facts:

• Emilia is ranked # 208 in US popularity, but Amelia is ranked # 17 (in year 2013). This name has grown greatly in popularity in the US in the past few years. Emilia is very popular in European countries right now! I can't find statistics for it's popularity in Bulgaria.
• The name Emilia originates from the Latin “Aemilia,” which derives from the Roman noble family name “Aemilius.” It is believed to come from from the word “aemulus” meaning "trying to equal or excel.” Emilia works very hard to over come her Cerebral Palsy and master gross motor and find motor skills, so the name definitely fits!
• We aren't for sure if Emilia's name is spelled "Emilia" or "Emiliya" in Bulgarian because we have seen in translated both ways! 
• We think her nick name is "Emi" because the Cyrillic equivalent was on the back of her shirt for a table cricket tournament in which she played.

Our sweet girl had an opportunity to participate in a table cricket competition for children with disabilities. The Bulgarian/Cyrillic letters for her nick name, Emi, are on the back of her T-shirt.