One of the interesting pastimes during my pregnancy is choosing a name for our baby. We didn't have problems with English names, but choosing a Chinese name, with our limited knowledge of the Chinese language, can be an extremely complicated process for us. We, together with our parents have put a great deal of thought in this respect. We want to pick a name that’s simple with biblical meaning, beautiful, unusual but not too outrageous or weird (that itself complicates the whole process, huh?) and as well as pronouncable when it's transliterated into "Pin Yin". We all know how annoying it is to have someone get your name so wrong.
Generally, people know what's a good sounding name. I believe a good Chinese name sounds 'musical' that flows well with the family name, but if names are not chosen carefully, may end up giving her a bad pun for a name. Plus, we have also learnt that some Chinese names appear aesthetically beautiful (when written down, like square-based characters, if you know what I mean:) but with a slight change in intonation, it could sound strikingly odd. We were extremely careful about this and ...that's partly the reason why it took us 3 long months to finalize her Chinese name.
So after much deliberation, we have finally decided on the name 馨愉, in Pin Yin, it reads Xin Yu. I want to specially thank my mom for all the inspirations and ideas.
馨 - Fragrance
2 Corinthians 2:15 ~ "For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing."
愉 - Joyful
Nehemiah 8:10 "The joy of the LORD is your strength."
馨愉 when coined together means fragrance and joy of the Lord. Our only prayer for her is that that she will be a sweet fragrance for Christ and spreading joy to the people around her.
We reckon the character 馨 might be difficult to write (as it is exceptionally difficult for me)...but it's okay, I believe she will be able to master it as she goes along with it.
Friends who have asked about her English name, we shall announce in 2-3 weeks time ^_^.
Generally, people know what's a good sounding name. I believe a good Chinese name sounds 'musical' that flows well with the family name, but if names are not chosen carefully, may end up giving her a bad pun for a name. Plus, we have also learnt that some Chinese names appear aesthetically beautiful (when written down, like square-based characters, if you know what I mean:) but with a slight change in intonation, it could sound strikingly odd. We were extremely careful about this and ...that's partly the reason why it took us 3 long months to finalize her Chinese name.
So after much deliberation, we have finally decided on the name 馨愉, in Pin Yin, it reads Xin Yu. I want to specially thank my mom for all the inspirations and ideas.
馨 - Fragrance
2 Corinthians 2:15 ~ "For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing."
愉 - Joyful
Nehemiah 8:10 "The joy of the LORD is your strength."
馨愉 when coined together means fragrance and joy of the Lord. Our only prayer for her is that that she will be a sweet fragrance for Christ and spreading joy to the people around her.
We reckon the character 馨 might be difficult to write (as it is exceptionally difficult for me)...but it's okay, I believe she will be able to master it as she goes along with it.
Friends who have asked about her English name, we shall announce in 2-3 weeks time ^_^.
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