My mother named me after Emily Dickinson and my maternal great-grandmother, Emma Stevens.

According to thinkbabynames.com, my first name grew out of the Latin Aemilia, which means "rival; laborious; eager." Famous Emilys of days gone by include Brontë (author of Wuthering Heights), Watson (British actress), and Post (Miss Manners).

Another page on thinkbabynames.com reports that my middle name is from a Hebrew word meaning "to bind." Rebekah was Isaac's wife in the bible, described as "a maiden of beauty, modesty, and kindness."

My last name, Palmer, refers to the "palm branch carried by a Christian pilgrim while traveling to a holy shrine."

I have three brothers: Nathan John, Andrew Jesse, and David Christian. We all have names that tie into our Lutheranism (brought over from Germany by our ancestors).  I can't hear one of these names without starting a roll call: "Nathan" leads to the automated completion of "Andrew-David-Emily."

Although I carry a piece of my religion with me everywhere I go in my name, I cannot claim to hold much biblical knowledge.  I searched the website mentioned to the left for details on biblical figures.

Nathan was "God's prophet during the reigns of David and Solomon."

The Bible tells of two different Johns (the same number I have in my family, as my father's middle name is "John" also), one being "the longest-lived of the 12 apostles" and the other John the Baptist.

Andrew was "the first chosen of the 12 apostles."

Jesse was "the shepherd father of King David."

David was "a shepherd, musician, poet, soldier, statesman, prophet, and king. He wrote about half of the Psalms and very likely composed music for them as well."

Knowing these descriptions, I am impressed by my parents' careful weaving of my three brothers' names.  Jesse, David, and Nathan all lived in the same time period. John and Andrew served together to spread CHRISTIANity. 

I must wonder then, why my parents chose to separate my siblings from me - they in the New Testament and I in the Old.  Must ponder this idea.

I tend to steer clear of confrontation, so the idea that my name bestows the quality of a "rival" upon me seems a bit hard to believe.  I will say that I am laborious and eager when something interests me (writing, reading) though these qualities cannot be forced (note my recent change of major). I am often introduced to a new activity (Facebook games) or a new subject (Organic Chemistry) that I approach eagerly, only to abandon it a few days/weeks later.

I had never sought a definition for "Rebecca" before today and am a bit shocked to learn how well this name fits. I am not one to obsess over or flaunt my looks, but I have been complimented on my physical appearance on a few occasions. I strive to be generous and understanding towards all people, even those that might not wish me well.  I have been accused of being too accommodating (a push-over); I have been encouraged to showcase my talents and appearance...but something keeps me from attaching too much importance to the superficial.

As far as "Palmer" goes, I always enjoyed the Palm Sunday services at church in my youth. I am drawn to places palm trees call home, going so far as to hug trees in Florida and California during visits.

On a family vacation to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, (a place fraught with Native American influences), I obtained a doll from somewhere around Mackinac Island and named her "Tigerlily." I loved that doll and envied her her name at times.

When I encountered another Emily in elementary school (which took a little while, as I attended small schools), I became fixed in my identity, as if it were necessary to assert myself as the "superior Emily."

For a period of time, I wanted to change my middle name because it could be shortened to "Becky" - the name of my mother's heavyset, irritating coworker that was allergic to deodorant. My brother sure liked to imply commonalities between the two of us...

I'm going to have to check with my mother on that one. Perhaps I can draw meaning from the fact that I never asked my mother this question.

I've tried giving myself nicknames in high school - every Powderpuff Football jersey had a different one (Cheetah, 70% Nerd, Tunafish) - because nothing really stuck except for "Em." 

I did have a customer call me "dickhead" last week.