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Monday, April 24, 2006What's In a Name?I was born Jill Suzanne Schafer on April 24, 19-something. Almost from the beginning, I was "Jillybean" to my family. As a matter of fact, I still am. Schafer, a good German name that, loosely translated, has something to do with shepherds (help me out here, Iris), has approximately seven different spellings. So almost every time I was in the local newspaper, my last name was misspelled. Quite a bummer when you've got the lead role in a high school musical. Schaefer Beer was fairly popular during my childhood. You can imagine the nicknames I endured. Then, too, there was the never-ending, "Hey, Jill! Where's Jack?" One might think I grew up with a few issues concerning my name. Naturally, I fell in love with a man whose last name was ridiculously unpronouceable by the majority of Americans who encountered it. Boehme is also a good German name, albeit with an Americanized spelling. (Go ahead; I dare you to try to pronounce it.) Not only is Boehme problematic from a how-do-you-say-that standpoint, but it didn't work well with my first name. Two, one-syllable names side by side don't sound particularly poetic. Jill. Boehme. (Yes, it rhymes with "home.") Jill-boehme. Jill-BOEHME. Sounds like two pieces of poop hitting a wall. Splat. Splat. So, to honor my father and add a couple of extra syllables to my name, I dropped the "Suzanne" and became Jill Schafer Boehme. Of course, no one in the South can pronounce "Jill" with just one syllable, anyway. In that light, I really didn't need to assume my maiden name for extra syllables. My daycare children called me, "Miss JEEyuhl." Telemarketers called me, "Mrs. BoHEEmee." Or, "Mrs. BO-ehm." Which is fairly close to "Mrs. B.M." (There's that poop hitting the wall again.) Eric once got a letter delivered to his office, addressed to "Mr. Eric Bone." But I digress. One thing I can say in my name's favor, though, is that it does look good in print. And as a writer, that is by far more important than whether or not people can actually say it. "Hey, have you read that book by JEEyhul BoHEEmee?" Of course, when I decided to make the shift from non-fiction to young adult fantasy, I knew I needed to use a different name. Pen names don't really flip my cookie -- I don't want to be published as "Sage McFleur" or "Windy Storme." In fact, I really wanted to keep my last name intact. It was the "Jill" that had to go. Mind you, I've always liked the name Jillian. Shortly after Eric and I were married, I actually phoned my mother and asked her if she would mind my legally changing "Jill" to "Jillian." I just couldn't get past that two-one-syllable-names-side-by-side thing. Must be the musician part of me. My poor mother. She showed great restraint, but I'm sure she must have been rolling her eyes on the other end of the phone line. I didn't do it. Becoming a legal Jillian wasn't worth the hassle. It's the perfect answer for a "not completely made-up" pen name, though. Being a fantasy writer, I came up with all sorts of odd spellings: Jyllian. Jillyan. Gyllian. In the end, the basic spelling won out. Why mess with the first name when people were still going to stumble over the last name? So. That's why I'm Jillian Boehme. Over the years, I really did learn to love Jill instead of hating it. The name is derived from a root that means, "Youthful Spirit." I like that. (Another Jill in my life once told me that our name means, "Volatile." I summarily reject that. No, you're not allowed to ask Eric what his opinion is.) Anyway, the people who love me the best call me Jilly. Or Mommy. Or...well, never mind. Some things are too private -- even for let-it-all-hang-out me. 'Tis but thy name that is my enemy; Thou art thyself, though not Montague. What is Montague? It is nor hand, nor face, nor arm, Nor any other part belonging to a man. What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other word Would smell as sweet. So Romeo would, were he not Romeo called. Retain that dear perfection which he owes without that title. Romeo, doff thy name; And for thy name, which is no part of thee, Take all myself. Yes, that was from memory. After all, I share a birthday with William Shakespeare. Jill and Will -- born on the same day! That must mean something. Surely it must... |
About Me
I am: Mother to five stunningly individualistic children... Writer of young adult fantasy... Passionate advocate for Women At Home... Madly in love with my husband... In need of Organic Gourmet Chocolate on a regular basis. I've got a Paypal account if you'd like to contribute to the cause....
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11of my readers are feeling chatty:
Happy Birthday!
So cute...I imagine your mom was rolling her eyes as well. She wouldn't be a mom if she didn't. At least you're still in the same ball-park and you didn't ask her if it was alright if you were now known as Stormy Season.
Happy Birthday JILLIAN :)
to pee or not to pee... that is the question... but poop... Aye, there's the rub! LOL
Hope you had a good birthday! miss talking to you! hope to hear from you soon!
Shasta
"Jill" is very informal, and "Jillian" sounds a lot more professional...if that's what you are going for. I personally like the informal one better, but it sounds a lot better if one day you are on Jay Leno promoting your book and he says "here is Jillian B..."...
Jillyan would have been nice too.
Happy late birthday!
Sorry I missed it! Mwaaaa! kisses to you!
Happy Birthday!!!
I'M SO SORRY I MISSED IT!!!!!
I have no good excuse for being somewhat MIA. Back now and I'll guess I'll make your site my home page so I don't miss another post!
Is there any cake left for a fellow Kraut? One who at least knows how to spell? ;-)
Ken Schaefer
Jay Leno.....hmmmmm!!!!!
And...KEN! No way! I can't believe it. I'm stunned. Floored.
So, did they sing the song to you, too?
Schaefer....is the...
One beer to have, when you're
having more than one....
*gag*
I almost never get cake on my birthday. Sad, isn't it? And I love birthday cake.
And thank you all for the birthday greetings, etc. :)
Happy Birthday my friend. I know it is belated, but it has been busy around my house as of late.
Yes, you are right - Schafer is 'Shepherd' in German, except it is missing to two little dots on top of the a - we call it 'Umlaut'. :)
I really never had a nick-name, but my hubby rarely calles me by my first name - most of the time is 'sweety' *grin*. If he does call me by my first name - I better watch out - lol.
Happy belated birthday! love ya!
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