when i was 4 years old, i went into my mother's bathroom, on my birthday and told her i wanted to change my name to amy. as my birthday present (no less). my mom played along for a while. until she found the perfect way to give me my new name and keep my real one. i didn't have a middle name (now it's my maiden) so she named me anna amy. from then on, to her, i was anna amy. and sometimes she still calls me that.
isla is 3 (will be 4 in 2 months). today, she asked me an interesting question.
Isla: mom, when i was a baby, why did you name me?
Mom: what do you mean? why did i name you isla?
I: yeah, i don't like that name.
M: what name do you like?
I: i like rosabelle. i really like rosabelle.
M: i like isla.
I: well, i want my name to be rosabelle. i like it the best.
M: okay.
needless to say, she's now isla rosabelle. clearly, she's smarter than i was.