Posted on 01/24/2003 4:41:20 PM PST by A.J.Armitage
When my husband and I moved from Utah to the Washington, D.C. area seventeen years ago, we knew nothing of the inadvertent legacy we carried from our four years in Utah. Shortly after we arrived in our new home, we saw a television commercial for a local grocery store chain. The spokeswoman's name was the unusual "Odonna." "She's gotta be from Utah," I said to my husband. "That's a Utah name if I ever heard one."
We eventually learned that Odonna was, indeed, Utah born and bred.
It dawned on us that many names we'd heard during our college careers, and found only mildly remarkable, were indeed unique to the Utah Mormon culture. Thus began our quest to define what makes some names singularly Utahn, and what sets them apart from ethnic names with roots in other cultures, such as Juanita or Shoshanna; or African-American names such as Tawanda and Shaquille; or the newly common, soap-operaesque handles such as Skylar, Tiffany, Raven, and Adrienne. There's a difference, and it's not just the obviously Mormon scriptural names like Mahonri or Nephi or Moroni. Often identifying a Utah name is a gut feeling akin to Justice Potter Stewart's definition of pornography: you know it when you see it.
The quintessential Utah name often has a French-sounding prefix such as Le-, La-, Ne-, or Va-. Often names appear to have genesis in the combined names of the parents--Veradeane or GlenDora, for example. Related is the practice of feminizing the father's name--as in Vonda (dad is Vaughan) or Danetta. Others, such as Snell or Houser, appear to be surnames called into service as first names.
Related is the curious tendency, more common in Utah than elsewhere, for men (women do not seem to do this) to use the first initial, then the full middle name as the given name, such as L. Flake Roberts, who ran for office in Utah County when we lived there. (Come on, you've noticed this habit among the general authorities of the LDS church!) Besides puzzling over why someone would want to be known as "Flake," it makes one wonder just what the "L" stands for.
[Hmmmm. Where have we heard about that before? --A.J.]
So my husband and I entertained ourselves by collecting the often bizarre names we found in Utah publications (including the obituaries, which indicates that this is not a recent fad) and of Utah natives we met. We compiled a list and shared it with our friends, who often as not had a few more to add. We really hit a bonanza when one woman shared our observations with her mother, who worked at a Utah bank and had access to lots of names. She started her own list and began sending the names to us. (My personal favorite, LaNondus, came from this source.) Another friend told us of a set of sisters, all of whose names began with "Ja."
Once my husband had Internet access, he collected more names and corresponded with another couple who amused themselves the same way. They made cleverly categorized lists: "The ward choir director's daughters: LaVoice, Choral, Audia."
It makes you wonder what some parents were thinking when, for instance, they named their baby girl Lanae (la-nay)--and she unfortunately ended up with a big nose (le nez [la-nay] in French means "the nose"). Or the girl named M'Lu--are clever wags endlessly asking her to skip to it? And how the heck do people with apostrophes in their names fill out computerized forms? There's no apostrophe space. The guy I really pity, though, is the one saddled with the unfortunate moniker, Rube.
Of course, parents cannot predict what new interpretations the marketplace will bring to the names they lovingly bestow on their offspring. I once worked at a company which had dealings with a woman named LaPriel (pronounced la-prell). When I told my former roommate about this inexplicable first name, she sardonically replied, "What's her sister's name--LaTegrin?"
With the generally larger-than-average family, often saddled with the very ordinary surnames Smith, Johnson, or Young, it's not surprising that many Utah parents look for unique given names for their children. When you throw in the reverence for family and ancestors forwarded by the LDS Church, it seems inevitable that someone would end up with LaEarl, KDell, Arnolene or Hariella.
Some names, though, seem to defy description--if not pronunciation. While pride of place may have spawned Utahna, how did somebody come up with Wealtha? And while Lloydine's genesis seems plausible, how on earth were Printha or Noy coined? And I have no idea what constitutes the correct pronunciation for Kairle or Tawhnye. (I suspect they may be wildly creative spellings of Carol and Tonya.)
Perhaps the following list (by no means comprehensive) will amuse you. Perhaps it will offend you. Perhaps you will find your name, or the name of a relative, on it. Or perhaps you will be so enchanted by a particular name that you'll want to bestow it upon one of your own offspring. If that is your plan, first do this: go to the back door, fling it open and yell the name at the top of your lungs six or eight times, because that's how it's going to be heard for the next eighteen years. And remember, when little Wynante (boy or girl, you choose) grows up, you'll have to live with the consequences.
The new parents couldn't be happier: Gladell & Delightra (sisters), Luvit, Delecta, Delite, Joyette, Joi, Joyia, Joyellen, Joycell, Hallah Lujah [How about Hallah Back Y'all? --A.J.], Bliss, Joyanne
Cleanliness is next to Godliness: Zestpoole, Sparkle
The Ward Choir Director's Daughters: Aria, Audia, Aurel, Choral, LaVoice, Tonilee, Capella, Chime, Rocksan Violin
Jewels every one: Amulet, Pearlette, Pearlene, Emerald, JewlyAnn, Ahmre Jade, Treasure Tonya, Turquoise Nova, Sequin, Amethist.
Girls you just know have big, floofy hair: Blondeen, Rayette, Faundaree, Shazette, Shasheena, Honilynn, Najestica, Teasa, Shazzanna, Pluma, Bobbette, Blonda, Breezy, Wenderella, Aquanetta, Brinderella, Dazzlyn
Maybe they're in the Klingon Ward: Tchae, Xko, Corx, G'ni, Vvhs, Garn, Ka, Deauxti, Xymoya, Sha'Kira [Her older sister is called Macare'na.], Zy, Xela, Tscharna, Nivek, Zon'tl, Zagg, Xan, Judziah Datz (a female, named after a character in Star Trek), K'lar (ditto), Jarna Nazhalena, Chod, Xarek, Grik, Stod, T'Shara, Tral, Sherik, Curg
[I am Krang the Merciless!! And I'm a Mormon!]
The Worth of a Soul: Cashley
Astronomical: LeVoid, Sunan, Moonyene, Starlene, Sunelly, Luna, Lunia, Solinda, Sunirae, Staryl, Marandastarr, Season, Aries, Starlyn, Cressent, Celestial Starr, Summerlyn, Astrolena
Could only be LDS: Cumorah Hill, Liahonna, Ensign, Nauvoo, Kirtland, Templa, Templer, Tempella, Tempalia, Ziona, Deseret (and Desereta), Tabernacle, Woodruff, Pratt, Tithing, Quorum, Helamans Warrior, Iron Rod, Morona, Manti, Stripling, Nephi Courage, Celestial Glory, Celestian, Brighaminie, Zion, Xione (pronounced "zion")
Parents were BYU math majors: Alpha Mae, Seven, Seavenly, Twenty, Prime, Omega Lee, Jennyfivetina, Tenna [Mormon porn star: Tenna Tameson.], Elevena, Ninea, Eighta
[How would you like to be named after your birth order?]
You can name a kid this, but you shouldn't ingest it: Cola, Vinyl, Orlon, Chlorine, Clorene, Florene, Florine, Lexann, Dow, Tide, Downy, Codiene, Daquari, DeCon, Starbuck, Crayon, Treasure Cocaine
[Classy. Real classy.]
Names inspired by the family car: Audi, Fairlene, Celecta, Pontiac, Vonda, Vonza, Auto, Cherokee, Lexus, Porsche, Skylark, Truckston, Avis, Chevrollette, Chevonne, Caprice, Dodge
["Honey, nothing says class like Lexus. Now go make some jello."]
Wishful thinking: Darlin', Courage, Winsome, Justan Tru, Pictorianna, Paradise Sunrise, Sage, Angelic, Breed, Godlove, Myrth, LaVirgin, DeFonda Virtue, Chastice, Normalene, Lovie Angel, Precious Blessing, Heavenly Melanie, Glee, Mormon Beauty, Pledger, Jentill, Devota, Coy, Fondd, Bridella, Verna Noall, Vervine, Viva, Golden Noble, MarVel, MemRee, Brunette, Merrily, Merry Ann, Celestial, Cherrish, Kash, Cashelle, Teton, Forever, Luvit, Mystiq, Worthy, Truly, Pleasant, Speedy, Hereditary, Shrudilee, Halo, Gentry, Truthanne, Finita, Mavryck, Amen, Merrijane, Marvelous Man.
Dad's hobby is obvious: Justa Cowgirl, Rode O, Hazer, Durango, Rifle, Laker, Jazz, Truck. Granite, Garnet, Gneiss (and other sisters with rock names beginning with “G.”)
Conversational: Whisper, Chat
Indications of possible birthplace: Arizonia, Floria, Montania, Utah, Utahna, Idahana, Idaho, Mauntana [Flunk spelling, name you kid Mauntana. Study hard!], Michigan, Nevadna, Okla, Vermont, Wyoming, Wyoma, Cache, Jordana, Payson, Vernal, Boise, Brookelynn, Lexington, Demoyn, Fredonia, Leremy, Platte, Salina, Seattle, Takoma, Tulsa, Tustin, Vail, Lundyn, Londyn, Irelynd, Irelan, Madrid, Manila, Cairo, Damascus, Tyre, Desert, Shahara, Trinidad, Houston, Cachelyn, D'Asia, Edon, Takoda, Orem, Shannon doah, Davenport Shore
No man (or woman) is an island - exceptions: Oahu, Irlanda, Tonga, SeaBreaze, Tiki Lou
Possible conception placenames: Hilton, Nafeteria, Bridges, Castle
Indications of possible birthdates: Juneth, Junola, LaJune, Julyn, Halloween, Novella, Summerisa, Winnter, Christmas Holiday, Merrienoel, Kris Miss, Tuesdee, Aprella
The day dawn is breaking: Dawnae, Dawnia, Dawnel, Dawnelle, Dawnene, Dawnalyn, Dawnette, Karadawn, RaDawn, Keturah Dawn, SheriDawn, LuDawn, LaDawn, Le Dawn, El Dawn, Dawnetta, Dawnese, Mistidawn, Berva Dawn, Celestial Dawn, Bodawn, Honey Dawn, Sunrise, Dawny, Yodawn, Dawnika, Dawnray, Denverly Dawn, Sunni Dawn, Dusty Dawn, Taradawn, Twyla Dawn, Georgia Dawn, Iva Dawn, Marva Dawn
Dad was a plumber: Valva, BeDae, Latrina, La Jonne, Digger
Dad worked for the postal service: Mailene
Dad's a lawyer: Justicia
Dad had a hernia: Truss
Less is more: La, Oa, NB, T, M, Q, JJ
I hope the computer will accept apostrophes in the name fields: D'Ann, D'Aun, D'Bora, D'Dee, D'Elise, D'Loaf, D'Shara, E'all, L'Deane, L'orL, Ja'mon, J'Costa, J'dean, J'Leen, J'net, J'Shara, J'Vonna, La'Donis, Me'shell, M'Jean, M'Kaaylie, M'Kenna, Mi'Lara, M'Lisa, M'Liss, M'Lu, M'Recia, O'lea, R'dell, R'lene, Shan'l, Young'n, B'andra, De'lys, D'Dree
["And the called her... O'Lestra. She had the runs a lot."]
Future names of prescriptions: Lyravin, Monalaine, Nyleen, Merlaine, Monease, Naquel, Ronalene, Nylan, Rolayne, Tyron, Lexine, Lyrin, Mikatin, Artax, Xtrin, Tylene, Qedrin, Tamrin, Denilyn, Kevrin, Nicolin, Xylan, Tolex, Zylan, Daycal, Falycid, Zerin, Davon, Sydal
Wow! What a Babe!: Wavie, Zhalore, LaTanna, Tressa, LaDreama, Amourette
Fluid-related: Thermos, Soda, Logan River, Jordan River, Susquehannah, Canteen
When simple alphabetic characters aren't enough: K-8 (pronounced "Kate," I guess)
[Kids: that's happens when you're illiterate. Stay in school!]
Politically incorrect: Sambo, Aryion
[Maybe they weren't thinking "Aryan", but "Arian". Heretics gotta stick together!]
Heard chanted in the Salt Lake airport: Ara-Om
Has food connotations: Dianarea, Dicey, Vindalu, Blenda, Strawberry, Sugarlee, Beena, Pork Chop, Sesami, Jar, Karmel, Kresent, TaffiLyn, Chipo
Had breathing problems in the hospital nursery: Azure, Syrullean
You might find in a forest: Wrendie, Jilbear, Timber, Oaks, Pixie, LaFawnduh, Fawn-Dew, Ember, Bird, Magpie, Serenity Fawn, Paradi, L'Aire, Brookelle, Sylvan, Fawna, Lawn, Rain, Gazelle, El Fawn ["El" makes it masculine, "Fawn" makes it girly-poofy. El Fawn: expressing pride from Salt Lake City to San Francisco.], Aspen, Acacia, Panda, Briar, Rhodendra, Fernnola, Birdene, Hummingbird, Disney, Chinchilla Zest, Haven, Glade
No doubt about it, this kid's in charge: Rexina, Rexine, Queenola, Dominee, Ruger, Messiah Angel, Oden, RexDee, Navy, Jentry, Czar, LeeMaster, Quintessa, Marquessa, Leviathan, Captain.
Smells: Cachet, Reaka, Violeet, Avon, Budla
Faux ethnic: Laddie, Walkasheaqua, Bsjonet, Hishla, Chilnecha, Forthilda, Kaltighanna, Alainka, Chip-wa, Pawnece America, Zem Saxon, O'Ann, WaThene, Sheighlagh, Valliere
Commemorating something or another: Welcome Exile, Confederate American, Southern Justice, Liberty Lulu, Young Elizabeth, Genesis, MistiNoele, Imagine, Thankful Flood, Friends Forsaken, Joyous Noel, Tennyson, Knight Train, Miracles Precious One, Sunday's Hoseana, Disney, Blessing Ream, Stormy Shepherd, Denim Levi, Vernal Independence, Sincere Devotion, Mothers, Elvoid, Noah-Lot, Mormon Miracles, MyLae, Nightrain Lane, Zion Anakin, Jeopardee, Statehood, Denim Levi
Let's hope not: Rube, Sleeza, Nymphus, Golden P., Burns, Hydra, Non, Malis, Talon, Beefea, Patches, Storm, Slayer, Sterile, Slaughter, Jynx, Hyde, Prynne, StormiAnn, Sham, Apathy, DeRail, Dull, Gamble
In a class of their own (In fact, I'm not sure I believe these but we asked for details and a confirmation and got convincing replies, so here they are): NaLa'DeLuhRay, Phakelikaydenicia, Zaragrunudgeyon ("Zarg," for short), Jennyfivetina, Tiarrhea, Nudity, VulvaMae, DaLinda LaDale, Tugdick, Saunsceneyouray, and, yes... Clitoris.
["Well, it sounded pretty when the doctor said it, and my wife Placenta likes it."]
Teletubbies: Laalaa
Guaranteed to get last place on our list (or anyone else's): ZZkora
I can't think of anything clever to write but these must be mentioned: Barbeli, Revo Cram, Feramorz, Glint, LaNondus, Wynante, Camera, Lecoya, AureJudd, NaNon, Bimberly, DavidO, Leumas ("Samuel" backwards), Ralphene, Shimber, T-vive, Synthi, CoJane, Nona-rene, Gaylawn, Txanton, LaZello, Daycal, Sancie D'Wan, RaVoe, Zenus, Gatobon, LaEarl, Trystal, AndiOdette, Serenity-Tabitha-Ann, Alexavier, X Y Zella, Bonquisha, Musser Cenia, Jubeltine, Oryeon, Shlori, Danlonaga, Zedwain, Casualeen, Young'n, Shambertine Crille, Canon, Malique, LeeWitt, Jazzeri, DeRaunz, Teru, Aaro, Divid, Cimemthymia, LaDonnaJosephrania, LaDeeDee, deRalph, MaddLynAlain, Vyquetoriya, Falycid, Rophis, Mick BonScott, Kaysional Tempest, Darianlelo, DeLaVerne, BoChe', Minnet, Kandle, Seena Tawnya, Dwodger, J Thoral, Xanderrick, Abcde, KNikkol, Demeatrice, LLean Shanalyn, Scytha Solena, HiDee
Your Spirit brother!
All Spirit babies
are spirit siblings!
Dear Sister and Brethen help me to hold my tongue!
Was this a lie?
From Time magazine interview with Hinckley August 4, 1997
On whether the LDS Church holds that, "God the Father was once a man, he sounded uncertain, I dont know that we teach it. I dont know that we emphasize it ... I understand the philosophical background behind it, but I dont know a lot about it, and I dont think others know a lot about it," Hinckley told Time.
And they think the idea of the Trinity is too confusing. :-)
The Subject is cloning?
You do know the differents don't you?
I am starting to wonder about you!
Rest, first of all your position is nuts. You stated: clones evolve from a test tuble and when they expire they they no longer exist not even in the spirit world, and are NOT resurrected on Judgement Day!
So the implication is that babies who are conceived or evolve??? in a test tube have no soul. Now if you mean that only cloned test tube babies have no soul that still does not make your argument any more sane. Your position on this case completely lacks any scientific or theological basis. The fact of the matter is that there are millions of clones in this world today. I used to date one. About one in every 100 births is a clone.
Now if you can give me any scriptural or scientific basis for your theory that these people have no soul, I would appreciate it.
And is your position the official position of the LDS Authorities?
A Clone is DNA from a previous living or living being!
Test tube babies are created from a ~
Sperm & Egg
There are no proven human clones in existence !
Yet PM said he dated one!
"The fact of the matter is that there are millions of clones in this world today. I used to date one. About one in every 100 births is a clone."
Another such example is a woman in SLC heard about a hospital in Guatamala who were wrapping the babies in newspaper to send home with their mothers. This LDS woman sprang into action, and enlisted the women in her ward's Relief Society to make quilts for newborns for this orphanage. I know upwards of 800 quilts were sent down in a very short time. A woman in my home ward who is a quadriplegic (she has limited use of her hands and arms) has made over 400 dresses for little girls, the dresses are sent to Africa. In the ward I am visiting right now, at our RS Enrichment night, we put together 370 newborn kits (comprising a fleece blanket, a nightie, a pair of booties, a pkg of diaper pins, a bar of soap, and some white cloth for diapers.) The women in that ward had spent the previous six months sewing the blankets, booties, and nighties, and donated the money for the other items. I don't want to go on because I feel like I am boasting.
I think it is wonderful what Samaritan's Gift is doing. I went out to their website and looked around. Wow, it is very impressive. I think the point is to serve others who are less fortunate than we are, where ever they may be. The members of the LDS church have always been active in serving others and providing service to the communities that they live in. It has been very exciting to have the Humanitarian Center also, each ward has a couple of specialists that are assigned to organize activities that will bless the lives of others. I've made blankets that are donated to the police department to give to frightened children who are taken from their parents for whatever reason (abuse, etc). On an ongoing basis, I knit tropical sore bandages (for those who suffer from leprosy). They range from 4 feet to 7.5 feet long.
I guess I didn't realize it was a competition between churches to see how much we donate monetarily to others, or how much time. I think the point is that we serve others, as we have been admonished by Jesus Christ: "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
If you want more information about the Humanitarian Center or other things that the LDS church does in service to other, here is the URL: Humanitarian Center. For me, it is exciting to have such resources available, I try my best to serve in the local community, but it is a good feeling also to be able to give to those in immediate need also overseas, etc.
And one more item I found (sorry, I didn't mean to go on so long). Humanitarian Services often partners with other humanitarian organizations to help provide relief to those in need. The impact is much greater than each organization could have made alone. Humanitarian Services partners with organizations that have a strong local presence and understand local needs.
However, I will set the record straight on my father and others who serve as mission presidents (I have firsthand knowledge of that.) They are provided a home to live in, a car to drive, and a frugal budget. They are called for three years and serve 24/7. The money comes from the tithes of the members of the LDS church. He was very blessed to be called to serve the Lord in this capacity, and did so honorably.
And I do not begrudge any of our leaders anything. You may cast aspersions upon their heads, if they are misspending the money for "nice suits", they will be held accountable for it. Period. It is kind of ironic that you say that poor people can't serve in the LDS church or be called to certain positions because of money, and yet if they have temporal needs, you then cast aspersions because they are taking money from the LDS church for those temporal needs while serving.
For me, it is an act of faith to pay my tithing. I am showing obedience to my Heavenly Father and to Jesus Christ by doing so. I have seen in my life blessings for paying tithing, I have seen how that tithing money is spent. It is not wasted, the people administering the money are very careful and prayerful in their decisions. It is also an act of faith to trust in the Lord and in those whom he has directed to use tithes properly. Audits do go on in the LDS church, each ward is accountable for the money that comes in and is spent, each stake is, and so on up the line.
But I think it is more titillating to say that the figures aren't made public, so of course some hanky panky MUST be going on. I like to have more trust than that.
BTW who makes a profit on the sale of the underwear ..that is handled by the local bishop right? What other things is he the middle man for? Does he have a credit card for fuel etc?
No profit is made from the sales of garments. I can give you prices, it is well under what underwear costs, that is all I will say. No, one can purchase them at Distribution Centers, at Beehive Clothing stores (located in various communities, mostly in Utah), and in the same communities as there are temples. There is no middle man who gets paid. The bishop is not the middle man, and doesn't have a credit card from teh LDS church. There are no secretive people getting rich off of our tithing funds. It just isn't so.
I've been in leadership positions, and been in ward council meetings where the ward yearly budget is discussed. It is out in the open, and is discussed at the yearly ward conferences, where the ward clerk makes an accounting of the funds for that ward. You really are barking up the wrong tree here.
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