We always loved your name, Saskia.
It was a clear favourite. Lots of other girls names were bandied around, written against our two last names, added to the list, but it was always to be...Saskia Rose.
I had once read an article about a talented and beautiful florist in a Dumbo Feather magazine (Issue 20), and mentally scribbled her name on my list of favourites. I thought of a dark haired little girl.
It's funny how quickly the conversation turns to names when you discover that you're pregnant. There were so many breakfasts, lunches, dinners at our dining table spent discussing names. My Mum, a primary school teacher, told me she taught a lovely little girl called Saskia and I was immediately reminded of that sweet name.
Your middle name, Rose, is in memory of your Great Grandmother, my Granny. I always think about how she would adore you. Just adore you.
If we talk about names, we also have to talk about nicknames (that was always my favourite page in my baby book)...
Sassy
Sassy Lassie
Sasky
Lassie
Chu-chuka or chuka or Tu-tuka (Papa's special names for you...there's a little song that goes along with it - and you always give it a bit of 'crazy head')
The Sass (Aunty Meas and Uncle Rich)
Kiki or Kikkies
Sax
Cracker/Firecracker
Little One
Schnoster
Spangle dangs
Schnoggle bog (the last three being Grandfather's work)
*My blog name actually comes from my father's nickname for me as a young child - Oscar Lucinda. There's some debate as to where the Oscar came from (Lucinda is my middle name)...it's either that I was a bit of an actress as a little one or a big old grouch. Some say both. Rude, I know.
**Saskia's Christmas ornament from the always beautiful Paper Boat Press
How lovely. And yes, it is such a beautiful name. Well chosen. :-) xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Katrina. It's a big responsibility choosing a name! x
DeleteSaskia is a lovely name. Its a very Dutch name too!
ReplyDeleteMy parents wanted to call me Saskia but they are/ were good friends with Saskia Harvekes' parents and I guess her parents got in first!! (I say 'were' because her father recently passed away).
I am kind of glad though because I had (before I got married) such a long and tricky Dutch surname that I am glad my parents chose something pretty common as a first name.
Although I was called 'Kaatje' as a nickname when I was little.. Not so fun once I got to primary school!
Oh wow! How funny that you know (the other!) Saskia.
DeleteBoth K and I have very European sounding surnames so we wanted to pick a name that was easy to pronounce, but one that sat comfortably next to our names (Saskia has both our family names - as is the tradition in Brazil).
Love hearing about nicknames...and yours was cute! (but anything 'too different' when you are young can sometimes be traumatising, I suppose!)
Hoping you are keeping well - can't be too long?
x
ps. It's funny how often I get told that Rembrandt's wife name is Saskia too!
I love her name.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many pretty names for girls. Just quietly my fave is Constance. I think I saw a photoshoot once of a gorgeous French mama with two little girls with brown shiny bobs and one of them was named Constance. However no one in my family could abide it! And of course Rose just was a Rose so... you know. I must make a list of her nicknames for her too :)
p.s I always thought of your blog name as being after the Peter Carey novel.
I agree! Girls names are easy! So much of a name is in the association too. I love the name Ophelia (it was also on our list) - perhaps because I find the Ophelia painting so beautiful and ethereal...although it has a rather tragic element too.
DeleteOur parents didn't like our selected boys name - so they were all pretty pleased that Saskia was a girl!
x
ps. I thought people might assume I had a thing for Peter Carey!
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ReplyDeleteI thought so too - it's unusual enough without being too hard to pronounce...and yes, so beautifully feminine and sweet!
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(PBP always make such beautiful gifts, I think - I'm always on their website)
I am 20 weeks pregnant with my first bubba & the name debate is hard work. We have a couple of girls names we agree on & i was planning to use Rose as a middle name because i think it's beautiful & it goes with any name. We are going to be in alot of trouble if we have a boy as we can't agree on a single name! It's such a big responsibility coming up with a name that your child will have for their whole lives.
ReplyDeleteSaskia is such a pretty name, a girl in my street when i was growing up was Saskia, i wished i had a name as pretty as hers. Monica just didn't have as much appeal to me!
Oh I agree! Boys names are tricky....we could really only think of one that we liked. Although our parents weren't impressed by it, everyone else thought is was perfect (for us) - and now i think it sounds sweet next to Saskia's name (if we are to have a boy next....)
DeleteHope the pregnancy is smooth and all is rosy in your pre-bebe world (it's about to get much much rosier) x
ps unintentional pun, I swear!
Saskia is so beautiful and rare - which I love. I wanted something soft and different too - hence our 'Avalon' who matches her name - airy fairy and strong. Her middle name "Molly" is after her dads Mum who passed away before we met her. I love Oscar Lucinda :) Name picking is tricky but you just know when you have stumbled across the 'one' beautiful post lovely x
ReplyDeleteCan you tell I love discussing names? It's a lovely thing to be able to name someone after a very dear family member or friend. One of the best compliments, I think. Avie is indeed soft and pretty - and Molly is just the cutest name - especially for a Granny :) x
DeleteAnd such a pretty name it is. Schnoggle bog however... ;) x
ReplyDeleteI have one word for you, Milky. Balance.
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(I'm hoping she'll drop this nickname by the time she makes it to school though.....)
a unique name. such a lovely blog you have. beautiful words & photos. xo
ReplyDeleteps: my little girl is Penelope Rose - her Rose also in memory of her grandmother. xo
ReplyDeleteGorgeous x
DeleteI love reading the meaning behind names. This is so lovely! I have just finished writing a little story about Everly's name, which I will read out at her naming ceremony next weekend (we're doing a combined 1st birthday / naming day). Saskia will love reading this when she's older! I love the nickname Sassy - it's very cute :) x
ReplyDeleteLoving the sound of a little story! How precious. Am looking forward to hearing more about Everly's special day x
Deleteps. Isn't it funny how names or nicknames tend to mirror little personalities too?! As I said, she was always going to be Saskia...and Sassy!
Oh and thank you for the reminder to order an ornament for Everly - I *just* missed out last year for Everly's first Christmas, I was a little upset :( But never mind, she will have one for this year! x
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous ornament! Must put those on the list for Christmas this year. Saskia is such a cute name, and I love all your little nicknames! Lila is our little lady. We chose the name before she arrived and it fits perfectly with the meaning being "'Dark-haired beauty", which of course she is :)
ReplyDelete::just popped over from babyspace post today x
Another pretty name! That would look sweet on a star :)
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ps. Don't leave it too late to order - I think the cut off is in October (but don't quote me!) to get them all made and out in time...
(thanks for popping by)
Saskia is such a pretty name. I love hearing about how names are chosen :) I've often wondered where oscarlucinda came from :)
ReplyDeleteMy name is Saskia! I love it too, my mother and father were influenced by their dutch heritage...also they liked the fact that their favourite artists Rembrant's wife was called Saskia. I used to have a very long second name which made it a mouthful for people who were meeting me for the first time, since being married my last name is simple and also starts with an S! Perfect!
ReplyDeletex love your blog.