Though I can't remember the first time I would have told my name Carnic to people but I can recollect very well that from the day I could understand the origin of name, I have been always proud of its uniqueness. So much so that I would ensure that its never spelt incorrectly!!! There are enough and more occasions where I have walked up to the person-in-charge asking them to correct the spelling even if it was an entry in a register!And when Google dawned I was even more happy to know that mine is a really really unique name not just in India but across the world! Every time I was asked the origin of my name I would proudly share the 'story'!!!
With this as the background I wanted to have a really really unique name for our kid. One of the few things the home minister agreed to! Having said that initially I did almost nothing about it. But as time neared I got down to business. Google zindabad...went through a whole host of baby naming portals only to find that almost all of them are copy past of each other! I was not just tired but angry to see very very common names like Ajay & Meenakshi enough and more. But then I had no option but to continue looking. I also looked up on mythology & history to prepare my first list...While I did have a few interesting names I was not too impressed. There was a unique 'test' which the name would have to pass through...have be 'accepted' for both Tamilian & North Indian people given our backgrounds.
During this period I also made a trip to Delhi and spent time with my close friends Anu n Som. Parents of adorable n gorgeous Srishti, they too got into the act of looking for unique names. And over the next hour or so we got Ekarnava (The ocean of life), Atheet (very goo charioteer), Hiranya (Gold; most valuable), Ekalavya (famous tribal prince in Mahabharata) and a few others. I did message some to Reema for her opinion. We both liked Ekarnava instantly! But then I was wondering what will he be called and will the name pass the South Indian-North Indian test??? Coming back to Chennai I continued with my search. I was racing against time as only few days were left for the arrival of 'our bundle of joy'!!! I would spend long hours at cybercafes looking for options. Meanwhile we had decided that the full name would be __________ C Karthikeyan. So that was another filter / influencer in my quest.
It was 09.10.11 and our little bundle of joy did arrive! Our plans of 'naming' the kid was postponed as we hadn't finalised it yet. and my search continued...
After a few days we did finalise a few names to chose from:
- Viduran (the famous sage from Mahabharata)
- Atharvan (The sage who wrote Atharva veda)
- Kshitij (Horizon)
- Kairav (White Lotus)
The true marketing / advertising guy that I am, sent out a 'survey' on my Google page asking for feedback and opinion. As with the Indian parliament there were opinions, points of view, debates and suggestions. But people like Atharvan a lil more than others!!!
After lot of deliberations and discussions we did name him Atharvan C Karthikeyan! As per culture and customs the naming ceremony has to be conducted on an auspicious date during his third month but we announced it to our friends courtesy Facebook on the day of Diwali
Today hardly a month later when my friends and family react to his name and the meaning...'Very nice name' it does bring a smile on our faces....
Welcome to this world Atharvan C. Karthikeyan!!!
very unique and nice........like father, like son:)
ReplyDeleteAtharva/Atharvan is also the first student of the world who was given brahmhagyan by no one other than the creator himself....you have chosen well Carnic :)
ReplyDeleteWelcome Atharvan C. Karthikeyan :)
Vandana
LGV: Thanks
ReplyDeleteVandana: thanks for sharing this info. Makes me even more happy :)
For more details you can refer to the first shlok of the Mundak Upnishad (one of the primary upanishads)...his name is there as the learner of all that is there to learn :) happy parenting Carnic n Reema!!
ReplyDeleteVandana