Tuesday, September 18, 2007

results

Many thanks to everyone for your votes and comments on the pseudonym. After considering your suggestions, I had a difficult time making up my mind. While Athena won the poll in a landslide, for me, the name is so closely linked to the Greek goddess that I have trouble imagining applying it to anyone else. But I liked the ideas suggested by many people of choosing a Greek name and a name that had some relevant meaning.

So, here's the name I've picked: Kyrie. As part of the phrase kyrie eleison* it's associated with the Christian liturgy, but its roots can be traced to the Old Testament, particularly the words of this psalm:

Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am weak; heal me, O Lord, for my bones are frightened.
The words are lyrical, the sentiment apt, and the significance obvious.



*I suppose the name could be viewed as somewhat sacrilegious, since it's the vocative of Lord in Greek, but I'm going to ignore that, and treat Kyrie as it's almost always treated, as shorthand for the prayer as a whole.

27 comments:

S said...

I must be especially daft today, because your "Missing the point" post leaves me befuddled.

***********

I like Kyrie, though wasn't there some pop song that corrupted it?

niobe said...

Slouching Mom: It's not you. It's me. I wanted to say something, but then again, I didn't want to say something. If you know what I mean. This was my kind of weak compromise. Sorry, I guess that's not too illuminating.

And yes, there was a pop song called Kyrie. It started playing on the radio just as I pulled into the parking lot this morning, which I decided was a sign that I'd picked the right name.

Lori said...

I think it is beautiful and completely appropriate.

Beruriah said...

That's a beautiful name. Kyrie. I love it.

Julia said...

Very nice, and right on.
I don't know the song, but then I don't know most pop songs. Maybe I am better off that way, at least in this case. :)

Bea said...

Oh, so beautiful.

(And I love that Mister Mister song. Or was it Mr. Mister?)

niobe said...

Julia: I actually am very fond of the song, but you may not share my (and apparently bubandpie's) taste. Here's a link to the video.

Bon said...

i think the psalm is lovely...and is it Kyrie, then, who has brought you to that feeling of the peak in Darien?

if so, i understand the instinct for concealment...but i will hope for you the Pacific and all the realms of gold.

if that wasn't what you meant...well, i had fun trying to figure it out. :)

Magpie said...

Kyrie is nice. And, there is lots of great music to go along, not just that pop song.

I hope that Kyrie is everything you hope for and need.

niobe said...

Bon: No, my cryptic (well, really incomprehensible) post has nothing to do with Kyrie or, in fact, with anything I've ever mentioned on this blog. It's actually part of a much, longer, much more explicit (no, not in that way) draft that I ultimately decided not to post.

Caro said...

Good name.

meg said...

Yeah, I like it too. I missed the poll somehow, but I think this is perfect. I like the psalm too.

ms. G said...

I haven't thought about that song in forever!! Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

I think it is a lovely name, and I like the old testament psalm it is associated with.

Aurelia said...

You know now that ever time I go to Mass, and hear the kyrie being sung I'm going to think of you and your Kyrie. And yes, I'll be praying for you both.

Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy
Lord have mercy

Kind of fitting I think.

painted maypole said...

i like the name

Antropóloga said...

Sounds good to me! Wish you all well. I am super-curious what Kyrie thinks about your blog!

L said...

I like that you went with the Greek name. I know the song well because, and I can't believe I am admitting this in public, when I was much, much younger I had a full choreographed roller-skate routine to it. It was quite a spectacle.

Ms. Planner said...

Kyrie - both beautiful and meaningful. I truly hope this prayer comes to fruition for you.

Thank you for your comment on my blog. I hope you do not mind that I referenced your blog. But I don't mind hiding the fact that reading about your journey has helped me navigate the grief I was feeling with my own.

susan said...

Kyrie is a wonderful choice!

I didn't actually make it around to commenting on the other post (although I was one of the Athena votes), but as I was voting, I thought that I liked Athena but that somehow it wasn't quite right. Not that any of the other Greek names I contemplated were nearly as good as Kyrie, which just seems perfect now that you've announced it.

Furrow said...

A nice name. I approve.

I had forgotten the pop song, but at a summer camp I attended in high school, we put on a performance of Faure's Requiem, and I remember somberly belting out ky-ri-e, ky-ri-e, e-le-i-son> many, many times. Pretty.

Anonymous said...

Kyrie is perfect.

Mrs. Collins said...

Wow is all I can say... and what made you think of it? I think it is beyond perfect. It's so good all I can think of are hyperboles.

Christine said...

kyrie is lovely. . .

Suz said...

I love it. There was a song "Kyrie Elison" back in the 80's that might be the pop song that others refer to, but I kinda liked it.

EmmaL said...

Good choice!

froggy mommy said...

I love Kyrie!

thailandchani said...

I like Kyrie, too. :) It's an interesting name, particularly given the meaning.


Peace,

~Chani
http://thailandgal.blogspot.com