Since moving here, I’ve gotten this question a lot, “Where did you get your name?” I think it’s mostly because it seems Swedish, yet I don’t have an drop of Swedish blood in me.
Well, there is a story behind it…
My mother was born in Puerto Rico (with her twin brother) as the youngest of 9 children. Her mother named her Irma, and her brother William. When her father went to register their names and get their birth certificates he completely forgot the names. I guess it’s understandable after having had so many children. So when he got there he looked at the calendar. It was July, and the calendar said “Julio.” So he named them “Julio” and Julia.” The family still called her “Irma” though, even though they only called her brother “Julio.”
My mom had a few names decided for me when I was born. Two of which were “Margarita” and “Rocio.” But just after I was born my dad suggested giving me the name my mom was supposed to have, so she did.
As a result I have since been dubbed “Imy” (pronounced “Eeemeee”) by everyone on my mom’s side of the family since they all call her “Irma.”
I like the story, and think it gives character to my name, and I like to tell it too. I adore my name now, but it hasn’t always been that way…
When I was growing up I hated my name. I suppose it started at some point when I was around 10 or so, when the other kids really started picking on me. My name was always snickered at. I remember an incident where a bunch of girls in my 5th grade class were playing with those trolls that were so popular back then. I walked by and overheard my name, so I stopped. One of the girls turned to me and said, “Oh, we weren’t talking to you, that’s just what they (the trolls) are called.” Obviously I wasn’t stupid. I knew that wasn’t true. I walked away and then the snickering started. I think that was the point where I started to hate my name.
It just got worse from then on. Every time I would say my name to someone they would raise a brow and make some sort of lame ass joke. “What? Did you just sneeze?” or ask me repeatedly what it was since they couldn’t seem to understand it. To this day I can’t understand that. It’s not like it’s a totally wacky name. “Irma” is quite easy to pronounce in my opinion. And even though it may not be the most common name in the world, it’s not like people have never heard it. Usually older ladies have the other incarnations of if, “Erma.” Yeah, I always got teased about that too. Yeah and I got slack even from my “best friend” too…
About the time I started high school my mom started to pronounce my name the way it really should be pronounced to her, “Eeeeeeeeeeeerrrrma.” Rolling R’s and all. It made my name sound a lot nicer to me. Of course when I tried it in school I got buried. The other kids had a ball with it.
At one point I was absolutely sure I was going to change my name. I don’t remember what my name choices where, though. Such a stupid idea. Glad I never went through with it (I don’t think my parents would have let me anyway)
I finally started to like my name when one thing happened.
Steven Tyler told me it was cool.
It was the summer of ’97 and my cousin had gotten me tickets and backstage passes to an Aerosmith concert. We were backstage before the show, when Steven came out to talk with us all. When he got to me I rambled on about nothing, and asked him to sign something for me. He asked my name and when I told him he just smiled and said “Wow that’s a cool name!” Well, if it’s good enough for Steven Tyler it’s good enough for me!
After that I started to see more good things about my name. It was so very uncommon that no one really ever needed to use my last name when referring to me. Kind of like “Madonna” or “Cher.” I also made some really good friends who helped raise my self-esteem, and soon enough it didn’t bother me at all anymore.
Now I would never change it, not for a million dollars. Glad I never tried to.
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Great post, Irma. I love reading stories like this – thanks for sharing. (I really like your name, too.) You know, kids always find something to tease about. If the only thing that they could come up with was your name, you were obviously tease-proof in all other areas!
hi! thanks for dropping by my blog earlier.
Wow thats such an awesome story. I love your name. I use to get teased about my name all the time. Not Macy, my real names. Its just a nickname family and friends call me. So of course when they hear my real name they all flip out. They usually just laugh at ‘Marian’ or ‘Camile’ Theyr nice names and all but I just think they dont suite me. I like my name though, no one really makes fun of it. Just a fun tease here and there. I don’t really mind. Im use to it.
I LOVE your name. No one I knew would have made fun of that name. Kids are weird. It’s beautiful. As a matter of fact, my friend wished her name was Irma instead if Heather.
Well hey Irma… Your name is PRETTY COMMON here in Puerto Rico! LOL There’s no way to tease that name here. It’s just a plain common name.
On the other hand… my name is teased all the time. LOL You know… Edith for Edit. But the “joke” only works in Spangliss. LOL
I have few friends called Irma and I DO have to use their last names to diferenciate them.
Well, TOTALLY LOVE YOUR BLOG AND THE DRAWINGS YOU POST REGULARLY.
Peace!
Edith
You’ve got such a great gift! Amazing drawings!
When I was a kid I used to hate my name and middle name. Both are rare (one is more than the other) and you know the kids always had so common name that I thought I was different. At that time being different wasn’t that good I guess but when I went to HS, everything changed! I don’t know why but it made me feel really unique! I still feel that way!
well, I love your name too,
my real name has caught me some gentle flak in the past, but I love it now.
ooh, by the way, welcome to blogsillustrated
Oooh, I like the “Eeeerrrma” pronounciation. Kids in school can be so mean. I think the only teasing name they called me was “Buhnice”. Yeah, like THAT made a lot of sense.
I’m sure that if Steven Tyler told me that he liked my name, I would like my name more.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! Good layout. Nice colors, cool graphics. I wish i can draw…
need to buy drawing tablet but it’s soooo expensive… my old one doesn’t work and the company is gone… :’(
What a lovely story! I’m not sure if your name sounds Swedish, but it definitely is German. Thinking about it I guess I know 2 people with that name, but it’s still ather unique. On the other hand, you can find my name almost everywhere (though I’m not telling what my name is).
Hey, Irma IS a cool name. I even wrote a song by that name once.
(Psst, could you slip it to Steven Tyler next time you see him? LOL! )
According to some (baby) name sites, Irma comes from Latin and means god of war!