photo credit
My name is Herchel. I bet two things jumped out at you when you read that.
1) I thought this was a Mommy blog. (It is.)
2) You’re..asian? (of course that implies that you have glanced up or to the right at my smiling mug)
Yes, my name is Herchel and I am a Mommy. Of course, being a mommy implies that I am a female. Which I am—despite having a male name.
Having a male name has caused a little bit of confusion in my life. I used to be a telemarketer, not a call-you-at-dinner telemarketer but an answer the phone when you call the 800 number kind of telemarketer, and I once got into this argument with a caller:
photo credit
Thank you for calling blah blah blah blahburity services, this is Herchel. How can I help you today?
How do you know my name?
Excuse me?
How do you know my name? You just said it. How do you know who I am? I’ve never called your company before.
Sir, I don’t know your name.
You just said it! You just said my name! {screeching rather masculinely}
No I said, this is Herchel. How can I help you today. As in, my name is Herchel how can I help you.
*Staticky headset crickets*
Oh, my name is Herschel too…Did you know you have a Jewish male’s name?
Sigh. Yes. Yes I did.
Now in my parents’ defense, my name is pronounced Her-shell, not hur-shul.
And then there’s that whole Jewish male’s name thing. I am Filipino and not Jewish.
And there is the whole Herschel means “deer” thing. I am not particularly graceful nor nimble. I don’t stand at the side of the road trembling with the need to leap away. I don’t have long slender legs or big trusting eyes.
However, though it doesn’t make sense to me why, my name fits. I can’t imagine being named anything else.
Once at work the recruiter gestured to me and whispered, “I’m about to interview a girl named Herchelle and she’s Asian too.”
She is actually Filipino. I was horrified. Didn’t she know that since I am a manager and have been with the company for over ten years that I would always be THE Herchel???
Thank goodness for me…and her, she was hired–but for a different department in a different building. That was a close one.
There’s only one of me. Let’s not confuse people, ok?
What does your name mean and does it fit you? Leave me a comment. It will make me smile.
Sarah Cross says
My name is Sarah… with an (h), meaning Princess. I once tried to write it without the (h) on a homework assignment and my dad about went nuts. Apparently, from his account, my mom had a handful of horrible names picked out for me. The only name he liked on her list was Sara but was too close to being like his Aunt Ara’s name. So the (h) was tacked on.
As for me being represented by the meaning… I’m not a wealthy heiress. I’m also about the furthest thing from being frilly or girly and definitely do not wear a tiara. However, I did marry a man who treats me like a queen so… I’ll stick to the name. 🙂
Sarah Cross recently posted…The Proverbs 31 Wanna-be Club: Week 4
Herchel says
LOL I tried to go by middle name once in elementary school and my parents had a fit when they heard my teacher call me “Ann.” 🙂
Susan Maccarelli says
My name means ‘a graceful lily’, but I like your name and name story much better! This is so interesting to read!
Susan Maccarelli recently posted…My Husband’s Mysterious Night Noise Is Keeping Me Awake
Herchel says
I like the name ‘Susan’. I’m going to have to call my mother in law “hey, Graceful Lily” to see if she answers. My siblings all have names that can be found in the “top 20 baby names of the 80’s” lists. It has always struck me as odd that my first name is so different!
Sarah @ Play 2 Learn with Sarah says
I LOVE that story about the man calling you! Hysterical! My first name is pretty plain…the only issue I have is the h at the end, but I married a man with a Polish last name and I just giggle any time anyone tries to pronounce it.
Thanks for sharing!
Sarah @ Play 2 Learn with Sarah recently posted…Happy Holidays!
Tammy says
I was named after the movie back in the mid 50’s. I don’t mind the name of Tammy, but as I have aged, it really isn’t an older woman’s name. Tammy was a perky very young girl in all those moves.
Your story was great. I have to say I’ve never heard of a girls name of Herchel, but I love it!!
Tammy recently posted…Merry Christmas
Herchel says
Thank you Tammy!
Rabia @TheLiebers says
I love the story of your name! I, too, have a unique name. People are always spelling it and pronouncing it incorrectly. I actually wrote a whole post about my name too, if you’d care to read it: http://www.thelieberfamily.com/2013/04/rabia-story-behind-name.html
Rabia @TheLiebers recently posted…Grandma’s Icebox Pecan Cookies {Recipe}
Herchel says
I loved your story! Rabia is unique. I love it. I ended up going with “normal” but uncommon names for my kiddies. My siblings all have regular names. I’m the oldest of three full siblings and two halfs.
Michelle says
Smiling! I think it’s great you have an unusual name…as you said there is only one you! My name is not unusual but its not really used any more. I never really thought about having another name. It would be strange.
Michelle recently posted…The Mother of All Meltdowns SALE – Give Mom The Gift of Sanity!
Herchel says
I know people that have Self-given nicknames that are completely different from their birth names!
Herchel says
That’s true. I have never thought of it but in know far more Michelle’s near my age. (And Jennifers) but don’t come across many littles with the name. It’s a cycle though. I think Michelle is a classic name…and one I get called all the time over the phone.
Heather says
My name means “A low-growing Eurasian shrub (Calluna vulgaris) growing in dense masses and having small evergreen leaves and clusters of small, bell-shaped pinkish-purple flowers.” As found on thefreedictionary.com. It fits me perfect because I’m 5’0 (low-growing), girlie (flowers) and love to spread happiness in masses. Also, my favorite colors are pink and purple. Not sure it gets any more fitting 🙂
Heather recently posted…Ask Away Friday with Amber, BoldFabMom
Sandy Sandmeyer says
I’m Sandra. I hate being called Sandra, so I go by Sandy. My name comes from Alexander (or Alexandra) and it means “Defender of Mankind”. This is kind of amusing since I’m a Social Worker working to help people.
Sandy Sandmeyer recently posted…Patience: Day 333
La'Shawn says
I love meeting people with different names. I think having a name that stands out is something to be proud of. My name is La’Shawn. It means strong. It originated in Africa. I have heard both male and females called La’Shawn. Usually men. Usually African American. Nothing like watching a football game and hear a big burly guy being called your name! lol. However, I LOVE my name!! I wouldnt change it for the world.
La’Shawn recently posted…Scrapbooking Saturday | 012
Kim Miller says
I have a normal (insert boring) name- In fact, as a child of the seventies, it was a very common name, so I was plagued with being the Kim, Kimmy, Kimberly, Kimberly P., Kim P., or in my french class, “Collette” because there were so many of us. Which one we were chosen to be, depended entirely on the teacher’s whim. I still shudder from memories of the year I was stuck with “kimmy” My mom thought she was doing me a favor- she has one of those “unusual” names that you never see on a keychain, that no one knows how to pronounce, or that is never..ever..spelled correctly. Ervil. Or as i like to say, evil with an “r” tee-hee…. I think I got it in the middle with my kids. They can still find their names on the swag at disney, but rarely have more than one of their namesake in their class. Third generation’s a charm.
Kim Miller recently posted…The LAST day.
Maria says
My name is derived from a popular song by RB Greaves back in the day. My mother had no oimagination, as is shown in my 2 younger sisters who are also named after songs; Julia & Brandy. The older generations (older than me) tend to forget the A at the end & I become Marie. I cant seem to find a definite meaning of my name. In French:bitter.( As is German, Italian, Swedish, Spanish) Hebrew: Sea of sorrow. None of which describe me 🙁
Tracie says
My name is Tracie (yes, with an “ie” – a “y” ending will not be accepted) and it means courageous warrior. I’m not sure if that fits or not…I’m too busy trying to get people to just spell Tracie correctly. 😉
Tracie recently posted…I Think I Can Publish A Blog Post Tonight
Herchel says
I have that problem too. Not only is my name a male name, it’s spelled with no “s”.