Do you ever wonder why you got the name your parents gave you? Do you know what your name mean?

Believe me, I wondered what my mother was thinking when she named me. For the longest time, I did not like my name. I’m sure that I’m not alone in that thinking.

My name Dale means, “A dweller in the valley.” It’s a gender-neutral name deeply rooted in the natural landscape. My name comes from the old English word dael and the old Norse word dair. Both describe a wide open valley stretch between hills. It began in medieval England as a surname for people who lived in or near a valley. It is used as a habitational name across Europe. This includes Norwegian farm names and Americanized version of the German name. My name inspires images of peaceful, green, and lush rolling hill. The symbolism behind my name is because the valleys are low, sheltered areas bordered by mountains. It carries a sense of serenity, protection, and deep, grounded strength.

When I looked at this meaning of my name, I can understand why I prefer a cabin in the woods, to either be by the lake or in the mountain over the big city as I get older. This explains a lot about my nature. Maybe my mother saw that in me when she chose my name.

My name can either be s girl’s or boy’s name. I mean, there was a singer named Dale Evans. My name isn’t as common as some name out there. It’s different and unique. Every so often I find someone else with my name, both male or female.

Growing up, I would be teased a little when some would say, “Dale, where’s Chip?”, from the cartoon characters “Chip and Dale; not to be confused with Chippendales. Now Chippendales is a world famous dance team known for live adult male striptease shows.

I would even get teased by my last name Heger. Some would call me “Hagar the Horrible,” from the comics. Hager the Horrible was a Norwegian Vikings; and my family originated from Germany. It was the high German; which is similar to the Scandinavian country. My last name gets misspelled a lot.

Growing up, I would asked my mother why she named me, Dale. I would rather been named Steve.

I learned that I could have been named after my real father, Ervin; but out of respect for my Aunt Dorothy, who had an Ervin Jr, who had passed away at the age of 12, my mother chose not to do that.

It’s usually some family tradition for the first son to be named after their father. In Luke 1:13, “But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.” In that day, it was unheard of to not have a son named after the father.

Some people named their children after famous people. Some after a family member. Some are even named after an old girlfriend or boyfriend. I mean, how would you like to be named after your father’s old girlfriend ? You would probably have an icky feeling.

Or how would you feel to be named after a celebrity. A famous child celebrity that some parents would name their child after was Shirley Temple. Another celebrity name a child is usually named after is Mickey Mouse.

So who were named after? Do you like your name or are you like me and preferred to have a different name? How would you like to go around with the name “Sue” as in the Johnny Cash song, “A Boy Named Sue?” Especially if you are a boy!

Like I said, “I didn’t much care for my name growing up.” After seeing the meaning of my name, I can now understand and appreciate my name. I prefer a peaceful, tranquil quiet life of the country over the city. So I guess my name make sense in a way.

It’s a parents choice to name their child whatever name they want. Just like it’s a child not to like their name and prefer to be named a different name. My name is unique because it’s not as common as some . Some of the older name is coming back as well. I just hope the name Eliza Jane doesn’t come back; because I don’t really care for that name also. When I hear the name Claudia for a girl name, I’m reminded of someone with claws.

Something for a parent to think about when choosing a name for their child; but in the end it’s their choice. A little fun insightful blog on names.