Joyful Names Honor Grandma
They want to honor grandma with their new daughter’s name. The only problem? Grandma was named Gay – which feels downright unwearable. Let’s talk about updating awkward family names, and help this family find the perfect choice for their new arrival!
Joy writes:
I’m terrible at naming things. I’ve had two cats named Kitty, a bird named Birdie, and a dog named Puppy. Now we’re expecting a little girl due in April, and we need a name!
I know 100% who I want to name her after. My grandma. She was the most important person in my life. The problem is that my grandmother’s name was Gay.
Grandma Gay had a joie de vivre, and a kindness that made her a uniquely wonderful person.
My name is Joy. I was actually named more for my mother Joanne. But I always loved that my name was linked to grandma Gay, too.
Many names mean “happiness,” but none of them seem right for my daughter. Felicity is the most common suggestion, but I associate that more with the TV show.
Her middle name is going to be Pascal because she’s due on Easter and my husband loves the name.
I know I can’t name my daughter Gay. But that is the name I’ve thought of her as since I found out we were expecting a daughter. Help!
The Name Sage replies:
That’s a heartbreaker! It sounds like your grandmother was a special person, and her name suited her perfectly.
Sometimes I encourage parents to hand down dusty antiques, believing that Doris or Frank will be adorable on a baby born today, and will grow with their child.
But Gay does seem uniquely problematic. It’s no longer used as a given name. In fact, it’s been nearly thirty years since Gay has registered in the US Social Security data at all.
I think your approach – finding a name that shares the same joyful meaning as Gay and Joy – is promising. But as you’re finding, it’s not necessarily enough to match on meaning.
Felicity feels lacy and elaborate. It’s lovely, but it lacks a strong, modern sound. After all, it’s not just meaning that matters. Gay’s brisk, upbeat vibe seems to capture your grandmother’s energy, too.
When it comes to joyful names with a twenty-first century sensibility, I think there’s an obvious choice: Jovie.
We first heard it in the 2003 holiday classic Elf, starring Will Ferrell as Buddy and Zooey Deschanel as Jovie. It’s never cracked the US Top 1000, but it’s gained in use over the last two decades.
It almost certainly comes from the word jovial – cheerful. That ties it to Gay and Joy. Plus, it shares the Jo– of Joy and Joanne.
Better yet, Jovie sounds crisp and modern. It fits right in with names like Josie, but rather than a vintage revival, Jovie is a next generation kind of name.
Plus, Jovie Pascal is perfection.
Still, I’ll add a few more to the list, just in case Jovie isn’t exactly right. And I’m sure readers will have some ideas to share, too.
JOYFUL GIRL NAMES TO HONOR GRANDMA GAY
ABIGAIL – Abigail includes some of the “gay” sound, and the meaning fits, too – “my father is joy.”
BLYTHE – An old school English word meaning happiness, Blythe is sometimes used as a given name. And while it’s archaic – and rare – as a word, it feels fresh and unexpected as a name.
DESTA – An Amharic name meaning joy, Desta has surfaced in the US as far back as 1900. It sounds equal parts overlooked vintage pick and twenty-first century innovation.
GABRIELLE – Another option might be to build off of Gay’s letters and choose something like Gabrielle. It’s more of a mainstream choice, but might feel like an appropriate way to refresh your grandmother’s name.
GALA – Gala repeats the first letters of Gay. But it comes from the French galer – to rejoice. A gala is a festive occasion, and so Gala is faithful to the exuberance of both Gay and Joy.
JUBILEE – Another word that suggests celebration – and has for centuries. Some jubilees mark religious anniversaries, but it also refers to music and festivals, as well as a Marvel Comics character. (She’s one of the X-Men.)
MAY – Here’s another approach to honoring grandma Gay – rhyming! Plus, May has a similar feeling – vintage and light. The spelling Mae is more common in the US, but there’s no reason you couldn’t use the –y version. Another bonus? It would give all three of you word names ending with y.
ZELDA – Roaring 20s icon Zelda Fitzgerald lends this name a certain spirit. Plus, one possible origin for Zelda is the Yiddish name Zelig, meaning “happy.”
There are so many ways to honor loved ones with our children’s names. If none of these work, is there another part of her name – surname or middle – that might? Could you take inspiration from her favorite color, flower, or song?
Because while I still think Jovie solves all of your problems, it’s definitely not the only possible way to honor Grandma Gay.
No matter what name you choose, your daughter is going to have a wonderful story about how her name connects her to some of the most important women in her life.