What’s in a Name

I have an unusual name, and most people can’t pronounce it. So much so, in fact, that I usually tell baristas at cafes and sandwich shops to write down “Nyla” so I don’t get called up as Neila or Nayla. Sometimes people say Nalia, or – inexplicably – Naomi or Nadia.

That may explain my particular delight when I hear nice things about my name. A Lebanese friend of mine once told me the name is quite common in Lebanon. “Do you know what it means?” he asked.

“No,” said I.

“One who gets what she wants,” he said. I started laughing. “But in a good way!” he added hastily, and began laughing too.

Then, the other day, I found this in the ever-fascinating Urban Dictionary.

Naila
A crazy yet wild and lovable woman who will threaten you one moment then smile and laugh with you the next.

I can handle that definition! And, part 2:

Naila
A Biblical character who fought Roman soldiers from taking her husband. The name means pertaining to success. Naila is Middle Eastern in origin and refers to a dark, long-haired beauty who is quite charismatic and yet mysterious, an individual who is endowed with an independent spirit offset by stubbornness, grace under pressure, and the Nietzschean will to power. Nailas of the world go on to conquer whatever goals they set for themselves and infrequently take no for an answer. Nailas are self-sacrificing, brave, intelligent, noble, and beautiful. Regardless of hardships and suffering, Naila will remain steadfast and strong, loving and considerate, a believer in the goodness of humankind.

I’ll take that, too. And I’ll let you check the Urban Dictionary yourself for other, slightly less favorable definitions for Naila – like the one that starts “a strange, cross eyed smelly creature…” Ahem.

I don’t have Middle Eastern heritage, but in my parents’ native Brazil, there’s a large Lebanese population, from which they borrowed my name. My mother always said she named me after a Persian princess – and indeed, a headstrong Calipha bore my name. I love strong women and I’ll share her name any day:

Naila (Calipha)

I even have my own German town. According to Wikipedia’s entry: “The name Naila first appeared as ‘Neulins’ (and variations thereof), and has its origins most likely in the meaning ‘Small new settlement’.”

Hmm.