For today’s A to Z Challenge post, let’s talk about names.
First names. My parents named me Jennifer (a popular name in the early 1970’s) and I’m lucky that I like my name. It’s easy to spell and provides instant familiarity with all the Jennifers I meet. Jen is an easy nickname (I’m not a Jenny though!) There are some downsides to the popularity of my name–another student in my small college class had my exact same name and constantly got all my emails. Same thing with the large medical system where I work.
How do you like your first name? Why did your parents choose it?
Middle Names. My middle name is Elaine, and this name is fine with me too because it reminds me of the wonderful character from Seinfeld. (I hope I dance better than her!)
Do you have a middle name(s)? How do you like it?
Last Names/Changing Your Name. Psst! “Lane” isn’t my surname. One cool thing about being an author is choosing a pseudonym I liked for my last name. (It would be strange to have the name Jennifer Elaine Lane ha ha).
I’ve never married but if I had, I’m not sure I would’ve taken my husband’s name. I’ve worked hard to develop a solid professional reputation and my dad had three daughters, so I think I would’ve kept our family name. And what if I married Mr. Snugglywump?
Have you ever thought about changing your name?
I’m headed to the Romantic Times Convention tomorrow in Chicago, yay! I hope I can keep up with the challenge while I’m gone. Thanks for dropping by.
Jennifer Lane Books 
LOL, Mr Snugglywump? š š Kyra Lennon is not my real name, unfortunately! I don't mind my real name, but for writing, I wanted to have something more memorable and fun!
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Hi Jennifer,I enjoyed your post and love the \”Group Therapy Followers\”! I liked you post so much, I had to add you to today's A.D.'s FAV 5 of the A to Z Challenge!http://adduling.wordpress.com/A.D.
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Of course! Why wouldn't J be for Jennifer today? LOL Great post š
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I'm not a fan of my first name. I like it in theory, but I'm names after my mom, and I'd like a name that is just mine. My middle name, Sue, is pretty generic, but wouldn't you know that it's my mother-in-law's first name. Once again, a name that was just mine would be wonderful.http://carolsnotebook.com
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This was such a fun post! I did change my name when I got married, and now my first and last name rhyme. š
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I used my real name. It just seemed right for me. \”Roland\” was given me by Mother from France's \”Song of Roland.\” He lost his best friend and his own life due to pride. Mother wanted to teach honest humility safeguarded what we loved most. Durand is my middle name. Durandel was Roland's mystical sword as Excalibur was Arthur's. She Americanized it to spare me fights in the schoolyard! LOL. Lovely post, Roland
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Cute and thoughtful post. Really like your blog, too.If you've the chance, pop over to my blog. I'm the author of the Bella and Britt series for kids.Thanks!
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I love my first name. It was very unique when I was younger (relatively unique now). My surname is my husband's name, but I like it too. It never occurred to me to use a pen name, because just because I want people to at least query wether that book they saw on Amazon was mine.
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Kyra, I like that nom de plume. Do you pronounce it KEYE-Rah or Keer-ah?
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A.D., why thank you for that honor. I'm heading to the airport but I will head over to your blog soon to check it out. And J is for JACK too!
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Yay!!! Jen's coming to Chicago! Hey, if you do make it to the dinner Saturday and you have an extra copy of Streamline, could you bring it? I'd love to buy a signed copy for my daughter. :)Now on to names – you know how much I love the nickname Jen (not Jenny!) š My original middle name was Lynn, which I didn't particularly like & it had no meaning, so when I got married I changed my middle name to my maiden name. The new last name worked out well, since that's what my pen name is derived from. Have safe travels, Elaine Lane!
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Heather was terrible growing up but now I love it.Michelle is good and makes a great middle initial.Gardner is my married name.It's not just the name that makes one memorable.HMG
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Oh, what an ironic post for me! I've had so many problems with my names. Married twice, I was Rita Ann Carbine Best Barr. You can probably see why after my second husband died, I stripped it to Ann Best. Besides, my four children were Best, not Barr.But even more ironic is that my disabled daughter is, like you, Jennifer! But in fifth grade she decided she was Jen. And she hates Jenny, I mean HATES it. Steam comes out of her ears if someone calls her this! But she has no middle name. I like the name Elaine. Yes, ha ha to Jennifer Elaine Lane! I would never go to something like that for a child!I'm here from the A to Z Challenge, but I think I've been here before. I recognize the \”red\” you! Hope you enjoy the Romantic Times Convention. The way my month is going, I would never have been able to do the challenge if I hadn't drafted every post last month!!Ann Best, Author of In the Mirror & Other Memoirs
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Carol Sue, how are you? I'm going to rename you Felicia based on your photo, ha ha.Hi Alyce rhymes with peace. I bet your married name is catchy.Roland, WOW you have an entire story behind your name! Sounds like you were born to be a writer.
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Nancy, your books sound cool! Thank you for stopping by.Annalisa, I haven't seen your name before that I recall. I like it a lot! Psychologists are all into privacy, so I definitely wanted a pen name.Nicki, I know many people with the middle name Lynn. Glad you got one with more meaning for you! And I'd love to bring a copy of Streamline to dinner. Can't wait to meet ya!
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Heather, I'm glad you love your name now. I hope there wasn't a lot of teasing going on. Gardner evokes a pleasant association for me, like a…let's see…maybe a garden? ;)Holy guacamole Ann, that's a lot of names. You chose a good way to shorten it. What's better than best? There are nights I wished I would've written advance posts but I haven't missed one yet *crosses fingers*
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So I blog with a pen name but my real first name is Jennifer. I'm not a jenny, I'm a Jenni although people tend to misspell that a lot. My middle name is Marie. I can't really say I enjoy my first name though. A lot of girls born in the 70's and 80's so when people scream Jen in the grocery store it's not shocking when 4 or 6 girls turn around LOL.
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