Recently I’ve really liked the sound of the name [name_u]January[/name_u] (nn [name_f]Jani[/name_f]/Janni). The thing is I first heard the name/nickname combination when watching a special about a girl called this who was diagnosed with childhood-onset schizophrenia at age 6. The Schofield’s have been very diligent on getting their daughter’s story into the media as much as they can to raise awareness (They’ve been on [name_f]Oprah[/name_f], Dr. [name_u]Phil[/name_u], 20/20, multiple TLC specials, have a book out, and run a foundation in [name_f]Jani[/name_f]'s name). I personally have no issues with this - I’m a psychology writer, and have my own personal experiences with mental illness. I try the best I can to work against stigma, especially when it comes to psychosis at an early age.
The issue is, I just don’t see how I could use this name in my writing or, eventually, in my life. Because of the subject matter of the things I am good at writing and that I enjoy writing, I feel like having a mentally ill character share the same name would be too obvious - I now that if I read a work of fiction that used the same name I’d point it out immediately. And I don’t feel comfortable using it as a possible name for children that will come along one day because what am I supposed to say when asked, by friends, family members, or the child herself, where the idea of the name came from? “Why did your parents name you [name_u]January[/name_u]?” “They were inspired by the story of a schizophrenic girl with the name.”
Okay, that doesn’t sound too awful. ANYWAY I’m infamous for over-thinking things way too much, so I’d really like your opinions on this.
As soon as I read the title I thought of [name_u]January[/name_u] Schofield. If I met a little girl called Janurary with the nickname [name_f]Jani[/name_f] I would wonder if they named their daughter after [name_u]January[/name_u] Schofield. I personally wouldn’t use it as a first name for one of my children but I do think it would make a nice middle name. As for using it in a story I don’t see that as a problem.
I kind of see this as two separate issues. If you’re looking for a name to use in your writing, I probably would not use [name_u]January[/name_u]/[name_f]Jani[/name_f], because the parallel is obvious to me. Then again, I’m a psych dork and I love watching [name_u]Discovery[/name_u] health (I’m watching it right now!), reading case studies, and work in the field. Context is everything.
If you’re looking for a name for your child, however, I don’t immediately think of [name_u]January[/name_u]/[name_f]Jani[/name_f], the schizophrenic child… I think it’s a pretty name. I wonder if the child was born in winter. I wonder if you’re a fan of [name_u]January[/name_u] [name_m]Jones[/name_m]. [name_f]Jani[/name_f] is like five or six thoughts down the line. The fact that your first heard the name while watching a special about [name_f]Jani[/name_f] is just a fact-- it doesn’t have to color your view of the name unless you let it.
I completely understand your story and feelings but [name_u]January[/name_u] is a name that has multiple connotations. It has been carried by other women. [name_u]January[/name_u] [name_m]Jones[/name_m] of Mad Men fame ([name_f]Joan[/name_f] Holloway) is a stunning [name_f]Aphrodite[/name_f]-like goddess and was my first introduction to the appellation! I really like it and think it could be a great baby name after an (admittedly very important) piece of current events has transpired. However, I could see how it could be “more obvious” if it was for a fiction character name on a related topic.
My uncle is schizophrenic and if he was a sort of icon for mental illness awareness, and someone heard his story and fell in love with the name [name_m]Clay[/name_m], I wouldn’t be offended or weirded out if they adopted that name as their own or even if it inspired them. [name_m]Just[/name_m] as an example.
I think using her nickname [name_f]Jani[/name_f] along with the name would make it seem even more connected to those who have heard of [name_u]January[/name_u] Schofield.
That’s exactly what I thought. I’m constantly reading and watching whatever I can get my hands on that has to do with psychology now. The book I’m currently writing involves seven different characters, all with their own mental illness, and I’ve pretty much run the local library dry of all books pertaining to the subject.
I agree. It would be too obvious. I myself am very interested in [name_f]Jani[/name_f] Schofield’s story and I know, now that I think about it, there’s just too much obvious connection between [name_f]Jani[/name_f] and a character with the same name in this particular genre - and considering the people who read books like these are people like you and I, it would probably not be overlooked
