Names That Have A Story

I come from a family of 8 kids and I do have to say that my darling mom did a pretty good job at naming us with names that had a story behind them or a reason for why she chose that name for us. I've always loved talking to other people and figuring out where their names came from or were they found the name for their kids.

My mom is a sweetheart and the most hard working person I know and it's always the best compliment to me when someone says that we have the same features or that I am just like her because of the way I do things. She came down last weekend and made her famous pizza (those of you who have had it know what I am talking about) at my place for everyone, and I just had to post this pic cause she looks so adorable in my apron! Ok, well back to the name story...

I was the first girl on my mom's side and I'm the 4th child in the family. I treasure my first name Elisa a lot because I was named after my great grandma who raised my mom in South America when she was little. My mom has a very deep love for my great grandma cause in a sense she was really her Mom. She is actually the one who sent my Mom and all of her brothers and sisters to the United States to have a better future. Of course I've never had the opportunity to meet her and thank her for everything that she has done for my mom, but I've been able to do something even more eternal for her. When I was a teenager I was able to go and do the work for my great grandma in the Mesa Temple with my parents and I actually remember being baptized for her too. What an honor that was for me to be able to participate in something so meaningful. I hope my great grandma can look down from Heaven and know that I am trying my best to uphold the name we share in the best way! :)

My middle name is Alexandra and that is after my Dad whose middle name is Alexander. My mom always told me that she wanted it to be Alexandria but my Dad wanted it as close to his name as possible! Jeff and I have also decided that our first little girl's middle name will be Alexandra too, so that we can carry the tradition on.

Another one of my favorites is that my sister Tara was named after my Mom's favorite movie Gone with the Wind. Well hopefully some of you can share some great stories about what the background of your name is!

**Also, I had to add this to my post cause I forgot to mention that a long the way while I was attending Eastern Arizona College 2 of my spectacular friends Kimmery Howard (Hebner) and Rachie Peck (Lewis) gave me the nick name of Ellie. A lot of you know me by that name and for older friends who know me as Elisa it's weird for them to ever call me Elle. I love the name Ellie too cause it reminds me of all the happy times I had at EA!! When I moved to Phx the name just stuck here too!! It's funny cause I won't let the people at work call me Elle cause I don't like them as much!! Ha ha!! I know my fam thinks that it's kinda weird that everyone referes to me as Ellie now, but don't worry Mom and Dad I still let everyone know my real name is Elisa!! :) Other fun nick names that I have been called are: Ellie Pie, Ellerie, Errie, Elle Burger, Elle Mac, Elles, Elliot, Ella-Runka-Roo, Ellerita and I'm sure there is more but I have a bad memory!!!