The Story of "F.E."

     My given name is Faye Elizabeth Farmer.  I was named after my maternal great aunt Faye and my paternal grandmother, Elizabeth.  My maternal grandmother's name was Effie.  That name occurs in a longer version in several languages.  Some examples are: Effigenia (found once in Las Vegas belonging to a Philippino woman), Eppifania/Eppifaña (this is what a Spanish speaking mother of a friend calls me), and Euphemia (an early Christian martyr burned at the stake.)  My name was turned into F.E. as homage to all of the above mentioned women (those that I'm related to that is). 

     I was known as F.E. from birth until my first year of college, where it became too complicated to easily explain my nickname to people, so I passed on it.  To this day, I exist to long time friends as F.E. and recent friends as Faye.  (You can identify when they met me accordingly.)  I actually prefer F.E. (it's less formal), but allow people to choose for themselves what to call me.  Apparently, people feel that Faye is easier because that is the name that's chosen often.  Maybe someday, I'll purposely switch back to F.E., but for now, I guess I'll answer to "Hey Faye."

For more information on etymology of names visit: McReynold's Middle School Library