What's In a Name? (and an ARC contest!)
It's the question that Shakespeare poses in Romeo and Juliet, of course. "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."
As I was doing some edits on A Time for Peace (third book of the Quilts of Lancaster County, out next fall) I noticed that I'd accidentally used a name twice...first for one of my favorite heroes ever in Peace and then again for an important male character in the sample chapter of my new series which is featured in the back. Uh oh.
It's easy to make this mistake. There is only a small pool of first names within the Amish community I'm using as a setting. I found that out when I started doing research several years ago. It's not just first names, either -- it's last names, too. You'd think that as more babies are born that someone would say that other first names should be used. But tradition and a closed society dictate otherwise. And if you think about it, in Englisch communities we use the tradition of naming a child after a favored relative or friend.
If you want to read more about Amish first and last names, I recommend two websites: http://amishamerica.com/what-are-common-amish-names and www.amishnews.com/amisharticles/nicknames.
And now for the contest: I'm giving away another Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of A Time to Heal, my second book in the Quilts of Lancaster County out in late February. You'll be just the second person to read the book early (except for reviewers)! Just enter a comment at www.AmishHearts.com I'll announce the winner in next week's blog. For every person who writes in using your name you'll gain another chance to win.
Until next week, happy reading!
Barbara
As I was doing some edits on A Time for Peace (third book of the Quilts of Lancaster County, out next fall) I noticed that I'd accidentally used a name twice...first for one of my favorite heroes ever in Peace and then again for an important male character in the sample chapter of my new series which is featured in the back. Uh oh.
It's easy to make this mistake. There is only a small pool of first names within the Amish community I'm using as a setting. I found that out when I started doing research several years ago. It's not just first names, either -- it's last names, too. You'd think that as more babies are born that someone would say that other first names should be used. But tradition and a closed society dictate otherwise. And if you think about it, in Englisch communities we use the tradition of naming a child after a favored relative or friend.
If you want to read more about Amish first and last names, I recommend two websites: http://amishamerica.com/what-are-common-amish-names and www.amishnews.com/amisharticles/nicknames.
And now for the contest: I'm giving away another Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of A Time to Heal, my second book in the Quilts of Lancaster County out in late February. You'll be just the second person to read the book early (except for reviewers)! Just enter a comment at www.AmishHearts.com I'll announce the winner in next week's blog. For every person who writes in using your name you'll gain another chance to win.
Until next week, happy reading!
Barbara
Posted by Barbara Cameron at 1/8/2011 11:51 PM 
Categories: Amish novels
Tags: A Time to Heal Barbara Cameron Quilts of Lancaster County
Categories: Amish novels
Tags: A Time to Heal Barbara Cameron Quilts of Lancaster County
Yes, names are an interesting one, huh!\
Jessica Dawn
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Good morning Barbara, how right you are,
I was named after two of my parents sisters and a great aunt, Martha Ellen, what a tag on baby, and for the longest time always wanted to change my name and as I got older I finally was able to change it to Marti and sometime was called Mattie, in highschool, because the kids thought Martha was so old fashioned.. As I grow older I still go by Marti since it Martha is so rarely heard. Our name sort of helps give us our feeling self respect and esteem doesn't it? Thank you for letting me tell you this, have a great day and for writing us such wonderful, inspiring stories.. I love each and everyone of them and can't wait for the next one, best wishes always, God bless you, always, hugs and prayers.. keep those stories coming...
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I love reading these articles. The links are very informative. Thank you.
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I vote for the name Jacob. I like the name for one because it is also my grandson's name. I look forward to reading the book no matter what name you choose.
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I came across your website on Facebook. Being PA Dutch I am very interested in the Amish life style & love reading books & watching movies depicting the Amish lifestyle
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What is in a name? From what I can see, they often use Biblical names. So let's take it from there--How about Zephariah Esh? Or, Nahum Miller? Hedwick Von Hildermann? Or Hosea von Hildermann? Just a thought.
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I would love to be entered for a chance to win your book! Thanks for this opportunity. I saw this over at Amish Living, where I'm a member.
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I've always taken pride in my name. Of the three of us children I am the only one that my Dad named.
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I am new to your website and I find your information helpful. I would like to win a copy of your book "A Time To Heal". Please enter my name in your contest. Thanks
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I am so excited about the second book, I look forward to reading it. thanks for writing.
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Barbara,
I would love to win this book. I love all Amish books.
Debbie Epperson
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Well at least the Amish do not go with the latest fads in names. Jacob, Edward, Bella are now at the top of the 2010 list for favorite names. Wondering what is at the top of the list for Amish babies????? My neighbor has Amish friends in Ohio, Mose and Erma. He also has Amish friends here in Alabama, Esther and Paul. So excited about A Time To Heal, A Time to Love was the best. Love all of your books.
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I love reading the amish stories in our Church library and would love to experience reading A Time To Heal
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please enter me in your contest, i love your books and would love to have a copy to read, thanks for this opportunity
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I love reading Amish books; it is so great reading about a simpler life. Now, I have gotten my Mom and my Dad reading Amish books and they love them as well!
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Barbara,
I would love a chance to win your book. Please enter me.
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I'd love to be one of the 1st to get to read it!
Kate
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I would love to win the book contest !!
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This very interesting. I hope to see this book.
Jacquie
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i am new to this site and a first time poster.i have always been interested in the Amish (since i visited lancaster yrs ago)i love the simplicity of their lifestyle.For most people it would be a very hard life but, the Amish make it look almost easy. I love it.
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I like reading about the Amish and would love to win and read your book.
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I would love to win "A Time to Heal". I love books about the Amish and would love to read it.
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I would be honored to be only the second person to be able to read this book!
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Hi barbara, How are you.. talking about names, you know, I've often wondered if an Author would make a mistake or do something like use a name twice or how they/you even keep them straight with so many characters in the story, and yes, I was named after a Great Aunt of mine, thus, the name of Rose, I also have a 1st. cousin who's first nmae is also Rose, only difference is we have different middle names, mine is Jean and hers is Lea..Have a great day and God Bless You!!
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I love visiting Amish Country here in Ohio and eating all their wonderful food.
And would love to read your book.
Kathryn
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I am so excited for another chance to win one of your books!
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Your books are so amazing! I love every one of your books.
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Would love to win the book, i love the first book and know the second will be as good or better.
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Thanks for all the hard work
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Hi Barbara, would love to win this book. So what do you have to do change the name in your book or are you leaving it as is? Very interesting......
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Oh this is going to be fun. I can't quite figure out what fascinates me in the Amish stories but I know I don't like the real preachy ones. I would love to have this new book tho. So many are not in our library. I'm glad I discovered these web sites. all in Christ...M.A.
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Hi Barbara! Would love to win an ARC Copy of A Time to Heal! I love to read amish christian fiction Amish Love is my Fav book so far! I have An Amish Christmas also love that one too a very close second! I just joined amish living and I am already having fun looking around the website! Thank you Barbara for offering the contest hope I win!
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I would love to get a advanced copy of A Time To heal. If its anything like your first book then it will be awesome and could possibly win many awards. Please enter my name in your contest. Thanks for the web page on names.
Thanks,
Connie
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Please enter my name...would love to win and read this book.I love your books.Thanks....Jackie
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I would love to win this book!! I love this series!!! A good name for a man might be Jonas Zook or Josiah, for a female perhaps Ruth Esther, too many names to choose from!! Or Jonah or Hannah Rose.....
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Sorry, my brain is tired- too much quilting today!!!My name Karla Sue would never be an Amish name!! Maybe a southern belle- don't know how my parents came up with it, but it was the only girl's name they could agree on, after naming two boys.
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Thank you Barbara for another wonderful contest and an opportunity to read your new book!!! That would be a wonderful gift. I am anxious to wrap myself up with a cup of tea and your book.
Thank you for inspiring all of us to slow down and simplify!!
Donna Hungerford
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Sure hope to win this book. I am an avid reader of Amish Novels.
Thanks
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Barbara, I would love to win A Time To Heal. Thank you for the opportunity. My favorite Bible and Amish name is Joseph.
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I have a copy of your frist book and would love to have a copy of your second. I enjoy being your friend on facebook. Please enter me. Thank You for the chance.
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I have enjoyed your books in the past, I would love an opportunity to win one.
I'm totally hooked on Amish fiction. Keep writing and I'll keep reading! God bless.
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Would love to read this book Love all your books
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Yeah, another book and another give away! Of course I'd love to win the copy, who wouldn't? Interesting about the names. I thought it was true about the last names, but never really thought about it with the first names.
So yes please, enter me in the drawing for the book.
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I would love to get this book ahead of time. I can't wait to read the book. I love amish books. Please enter me in the contest.
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I am PA Dutch and love reading amish books! Can't wait to read this book. Please enter me in the contest to win!
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How exciting would that be...an advance copy before anyone else has a chance to.
Love Amish fiction...the great escape
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Can't wait to read it. Loved the first one.
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Would love to win this book!.
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Interesting article. I love the names the Amish families use. Thanks for the opportunity to enter.
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I have been looking for a new author to read when I came across this contest on my facebook. I would love to try your book.... thanks for the opportunity!
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I am waiting with excitement for your next book to come out. I enjoyed A Time to Love very much.
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My mom and I both love reading Amish books! This is something that we can do just for us and has helped us to stay close. We even got to go on an Amish Tour in Berlin, Ohio we had a wonderful time!
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whats in a name? ~ I like the name Jacob King!
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Barbara, I cannot wait to read A Time to Heal! I am anxiously awaiting it!
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My name is Gail, and I feel that would be a very odd name for an Amish woman. But how about Owen for a man and Sylvia for a woman? There's an Amish couple with those names in this area.
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I love Amish books fiction and non-fiction.
I read your story in the "An Amish Christmas" Expanded Edition. It was very touching and when I got done reading the whole book, I would like to read more of your book that you have written.
Would love to win this book and to read it.
Happy Writing to you.
Tina
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Whats in a name is a good question. When we were naming our children I tried to pick something that would mean something. My first born Nathan means gift from God and he really was. On my second I liked the name Matthew and my husband liked Eric so we ended up with Eric Matthew.My third we went to the Bible and came up with Malakhi Elias yes we decided to change the c to a k to just be different. I wanted more after Malakhi but I guess we are done since I am now age 48. When picking out a name you must remember it will be with your child for the rest of their lives. No matter what every child is a Gift from God and we shouldn't take this responsibility lightly. We should raise them to love the Lord in the way they should go so when they are old they will not depart from it.
Robin
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I read An Amish Christmas over the holidays it was a wonderful book!
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I like Mose King. I'm not sure why the Amish leave the 's' off the end of the name, but they do. But to me it just sounds like you're saying 'More' or 'Most' King, and that just speaks of the King of Kings to me.
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I love Amish fiction! So many good books and so many good authors...what's a gal to do?
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Please enter me into the contest for a free copy of your book. We named our youngest son after both of our fathers...Thomas Earl. Both fathers are now deceased.....
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I love amish books. My first amish book i got was about 3 years ago and it was for my birthday and from then on i fell in love with amish books. My favorite name is Jacob after the name in the bible.
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The way we come it with names can be interesting. My mom and I were not traditional. She named me, and I named my daughter because we liked how it sounded when someone else said it. Later I decided if I had another daughter I would name her after both her great grandmothers. Clida Elizabeth, Clida being my husbands grandmother, and Elizabeth is my grandmothers middle name. Now I kinda wish I had done it all along. My grandmother said none of the grandkids were named after her and it seemed to mean a lot to her. I get a lot of flack about Clida but I like it. I usually go by Danie for short or when there are more than one Danielle around. In chatrooms most people tend to spell it Daniel lol.
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Hello Barbara,
I cannot say enough about how much I enjoy reading your books. It would be a dream and a miracle to win an advanced copy of your book. I know there will only be one chance for me . Not too many out there using both first and last names. Oh well. Hopefully, I will be lucky enough and blessed enough for this special privilege. God Bless
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I would love to win this book. Thanks for having this contest.
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I just finished Plain Paradise. One almost feels like you know Lillian, Noah, Sarah, Linda and the rest because they are so real. I've learned much about the Amish culture reading the books. So looking forward to the next book.
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Dear Barbara!
I hope you will consider giving me a copy of your new book, "A Time to Heal." I love Amish fiction and scour the library and internet for new books. Keep up the good work and God bless you.
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Love the Amish books. As for whats in a name, mine is the female of my father Charles and my middle is from my mothers catholic upbringing giving be a saints name
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