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Bonnie
Sheesh! Talk about a bunch of *opinionated* people! :-)
As a lifelong "Bonnie," I never really cared for my name, growing up-- *entirely* because I was the "only one." (Like many children, I'd little value for "uniqueness.") I always wanted to be more "ordinary"-- a "Cathy" or a "Susan" or...
Tho' I knew my name came from "bonny," the Irish/Welsh/Scottish adjective meaning "pretty" &/or "fair" (& the same for its Spanish equivalent, "Bonita"), I felt it presumptuous or conceited to pronounce myself so. (I'd describe myself as "pleasant-looking," i.e., not "pretty.")
Then, one day, my Dad, from whom I'd "inherited" my love of books, explained he'd fallen in love w/ the name after reading GWTW. ("Bonnie Blue" was Scarlett & Rhett's daughter, in "Gone With The Wind.")
That info and the 1960s values espousing individualism, caused a rapid "about-face" in my attitude towards my name.
A writer now, I'd not change my name for anything and I honor my Father every time I sign my name to a manuscript. As a feminist, I realize many women continue to use the *diminutive/s* of their birth names upon reaching adulthood. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of 70+ y.o. Debbies & Susies & Beckys & Ginnys... etc.
*Most* men, on the other hand, shed their "boyhood" monickers-- become Williams & Edwards & Johns... --as a sign of their adulthood.
"Bonnies," except for the rare nicknames for "Bonifacia" & "Bonnell," et al, are exceptions to the above. It is *not* a diminutive or a nickname for most. As far as my "nicknames," over the years? My favorite is "The Bonz" -- a takeoff of Henry Winkler's (the *epitome* of "cool") character in "Happy Days," aka "The Fonz." ("Aaaay!") :-)
Also... what would Easter be without "The Easter Bonnie," eh? Love & Light!
Bonnie
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Bonnie  ·  silverbonn  ·  2/11/2010, 10:32 AM
Re: Bonnie  ·  Anneza  ·  2/11/2010, 10:26 PM
Re: Bonnie  ·  Lily  ·  2/11/2010, 5:13 PM