What’s In A Name?

My name is Steven Craig McConnell.  It’s not an unusual name; not difficult to read, or pronounce, or spell.  Steven Craig McConnell.  Simple.  Right?

My first name, Steven,

is a masculine first name, derived from the Greek name Στέφανος (Stephanos) meaning "crown, garland."  The name is significant to Christians: according to the Book of Acts in the New Testament, Saint Stephen was a deacon who was stoned to death and is regarded as the first Christian martyr. The name has many variants, which include Stephan, Stevan, Stefan and Stevon.  The name reached its peak popularity in 1951 but remained very common through the mid 1990s, when popularity started to decrease in the United States.  In the United Kingdom, it peaked during the 1950s and 1960s as one of the top ten male first names (ranking third in 1954) but had fallen to twentieth by 1984 and had fallen out of the top one hundred by 2002.¹

Since I was baby, I have been called by my middle name:  Craig (pronounced “Krehg).  I liked it.  Unlike my first name, Steven, you don’t run into it around every corner.  Craig; it’s not uncommon, but less common enough to stand out a little in the crowd.  It’s a good strong Celtic name, Scottish and Gaelic in origin.  It means “rock.”

The given name Craig is popular in Scotland, and is used throughout the English speaking world, though in North America it is often pronounced with a short vowel sound like "egg" while the original pronunciation is more akin to the long a in "James".¹

And finally, my last name:  McConnell.  While there are some McConnells in Ireland, like all others their ancestry can most likely be traced back to Clan Donald, in Scotland.

The surname McConnell is the most accurate English phonetic spelling of the name for the MacDonald Clan in Gaelic, "MacDhomnhuill." Early English documents usually refer to the MacDonalds as McConnells. McConnell is one of the more common of hundreds of spelling variations which also include MacDonald, McDonald, McDaniel, and McDonnell.²

With all of that information, I suppose that it can be fairly easy to get confused and refer to my family as the “McDonalds.”  Really?  Actually with the above information at hand, the confusion should go in the other direction.  McDonalds should be called “McConnell,” or at the very least, “McDonnell.”

Steven Craig McConnell.  It’s a strong name; “Crown,” “Rock,” and a nice sturdy Celtic/Scottish heritage.  I once asked my mother why they decided that I should be known by my middle name, “Craig,” rather than my first name, “Steven.”  She said, “I think your Daddy had a cousin, or other relative, that he didn’t really like, who was named Steven!”  It was OK.  I always kind of preferred the name, “Craig,” anyway.  It was certainly less common than “Steven.”  But why the heck give me the name in the first place, if it is only going to remind you of someone that you don’t like?

All my life, I have been plagued by folks who have vision issues, or perhaps literacy issues, or, let’s face it, are just too damn lazy to read and pronounce my name correctly.  I will never forget an incident that occurred when I was a senior in high school.

I was the drum major of the band at my high school during both my junior and senior years.  I followed in the footsteps of my best friend, who held the position before me and graduated two years before me.  Being in the band, and serving as Drum Major were very instrumental in helping me survive what was a very difficult time in my life.  I didn’t have a lot of friends, and I was bullied quite a bit.  Music offered me an escape which made the rest of the time more bearable.

Anyway, I had a co-Drum Major during my senior year.  She was a great friend in general, and partner on the field.  Her name was/is Aundie Etris; pronounced:  \ȯndē ētris\.  It’s not a difficult name to read or pronounce, for one who is paying careful attention, but it is certainly a bit more unusual than “Craig McConnell.” 

So, during our senior year we participated in a marching band competition.  We were one of the best bands in the county, and we were ready with a great show.  The band was at “parade rest” on the side-lines of the field, and Aundie and I were in position, awaiting the announcer’s introduction so we could begin our performance.  And then it came; over the loudspeaker for everyone to hear:  “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to the field the Campbell High School Marching Band, under the field direction of Aundie Etris (pronounced correctly) and Greg McDonald.” 

I felt deflated. 

I managed to pull myself together, and complete a good performance, but I never got over feeling quite diminished in the eyes of that announcer.  Who the hell was Greg McDonald, anyway.  I’m sure he’s a nice enough guy, but he’s not me, and I’m not him.  And it wasn’t him leading the Campbell High School Marching Band on the field the night!  It was me, Craig McConnell!

I’m 51 years old now, and I’m still haunted by people who refuse to take the time to actually read the letters and pronounce my name correctly.  There are people who have known me for many years who still call me “Greg.”  When I get phone calls, asking for Mr. McDonald, or some other wild pronunciation ( I think “MkKoonell, is my favorite), I truthfully tell them that “there is no one here by that name.”

Of course, these days, even I sometimes get confused.  As far as the government, health care systems, and other “official” agencies are concerned, I am Steven C. McConnell.  No matter how hard I try to get them to call me “Craig,” They insist on “Steven,” every time.  I can stand it.  It is my name, and at least they’re not calling me “Greg!”

So, what’s in a name?  It’s important.  It’s our primary source of identification.  If someone were to ask you, “Hey, do you know Greg McDonald?”  You might say, “Yeah, he and I go way back,” or “He’s a really great guy!”  The truth is, he may very well be a great guy.  But, I don’t know him.  I’ve never met him.  There is no one here by that name!

¹ from Wikipedia 

² McConnell Family History, www.mcconnell.com