What's in a name? Some love-stricken Italian asked this once and the question has since become quite famous. Romeo, of course, was talking about Juliet and the fact the two families got on about as good as two 2-year-olds with one toy.
My last name Du Fresne is French, which explains my affinity for French, fries, French bread and French toast, all of which explains why I tend to be rounder than I am tall.
According to the name booth at Paramount's theme park "Great America," as it was formerly named, Kelli means warrior woman. As if you didn't guess that already.
Du Fresne means dweller of the ash thicket. No, not like Cinderella, though she's got quite a story, too, but ash as in tree. (Yes, a typographical error here could put a whole new meaning to things.)
According to the name research thingie, at one time my ancestors must have lived in the forest, in the ash thicket. There is a place in France called Fresne. It is northwest of Paris, but I've no idea if that's where we're from. It's another one of those things I've got to look up.
But it's quite romantic to think somewhere in the past my ancestors hobnobbed around the villas in France.
I've always thought my name -- Kelli Rae -- was a gift from my mother who once thought she would run away and become a movie star named, Kelli Rae, but I had no idea it could make me constipated.
I didn't have time to spend at the State Library and Archives digging around for more information on the Riepetown extortion in last week's column. Whizzing through the microfilm makes me woozy. I prefer to take my time. Besides, you find more to write about if you go slow. So instead I came up with the 'what's in a name idea.' Think it was a bad plan?
According to the Kabalarian Philosophy -- which I found on the Internet ( Kabalarian.com) doing a name search -- Kelli is a formula for total confusion. The site said the Kabalarian Philosophy teaches constructive living based on principles of right thinking, right breathing, and right eating. Right.
According to the KP site my first name of Kelli has created contrasting qualities in my nature. I desire change and varied experiences and am capable in many areas, but I do not excel because of my scattering, impulsive desires. Hey now! That's not very nice. The site says with supportive influence from other names I may use, I could be creative or artistic in a practical way, but basically this name is a plodding influence.
Although I desire to avoid monotony, I seem to be attuned to system, order, and attention to detail. I can be very analytical, exacting, and patient as long as there is a challenge holding my interest. When your interest is exhausted, you switch to something else even though it means leaving your undertakings unfinished.
This name makes me inquisitive and scientific in your approach to life, requiring everything to be proved to satisfy my skepticism. This name creates strong physical desires, such as an appetite for heavy, starchy foods and meat. Tension affecting the solar plexus and digestive organs could lead to ulcers, growths, or constipation.
Well, there's something to think about and goes along perfectly with the French fry theory above.
My middle name Rae is a whole other story. Following the philosophy if I use both I may achieve balance.
According to the site, the name of Rae "gives you a clever mind, good business judgment, a sense of responsibility, and an appreciation of the finer things of life. You are serious-minded and not inclined to make light of things even in little ways, and in your younger years you had more mature interests than others your age. Home and family mean a great deal to you and it is natural that you should desire the security of a peaceful, settled home environment where you can enjoy the companionship of family and friends.
"Whatever you set out to accomplish you do your very best to complete in accordance with what you consider to be right. In the home you assume your responsibilities capably, having the self-confidence to form your own opinions and make your own decisions. Others can rely on you; once you have given your word you will do your utmost to fulfill a responsibility. However, there is a tendency to be a little too independent in your thinking and it is difficult for you to accept the help of others when you should.
"Due to your strong sense of responsibility, you could experience worry and mental turmoil through assuming more responsibility than you should. Friction could arise through others feeling that you were interfering with their rights and privileges, even though you are only trying to help."
I think I'll stick to warrior woman, which I also found on the Baby Names Web site. It sounds much more settled.
Kelli Du Fresne is features editor for the Nevada Appeal.