Fearless Females Blog Post: March 3 — Names and Naming Patterns

Lisa Alzo over at The Accidental Genealogist has created Fearless Females: 31 Blogging Prompts to Celebrate Women’s History Month.

March 3 — Do you share a first name with one of your female ancestors?  Perhaps you were named for your great-grandmother, or your name follows a particular naming pattern. If not, then list the most unique or unusual female first name you’ve come across in your family tree.

My name is Jennifer. I think I am the only Jennifer in my tree. My mom named me after a cover girl. My middle name, Eileen, is from a childhood friend of my mom's.

My sister got the family names, or at least my Dad tried (he got a bit mixed up). She is Beth Anne, after her great-grandmother, Vasiliki (called Bess), and grandmother, Anastasia. Needless to say Beth is glad she is not a Bess.

My favorite "unique" name is Lucretia. My brickwall ancestor for a long time was Lucretia Putnam. Every time I hear her name I think of the song "Lucretia MacEvil" by Blood, Sweat & Tears. It's especially ironic since I've linked her to the Putnam family of Salem fame.