Our six year old son just memorized how to spell our last name, "Barthelemy". Which if you ask me is quite an accomplishment. I'm pretty sure that I was at least 9 before I mastered it. Hearing my son repeat the spelling over and over made me think again about this crazy last name that was given to me. So, here are some random thoughts as they apply to my last name:
In Biblical times the prefix "Bar" was used to define the person as a son of someone else. So Barjonah was son of Jonas, and Bartimaeus was son of Timaeus. I should be able to conclude that Barthelemy is son of "thelemy"? But I'm not really sure who "thelemy" is. Okay, this thought was useless! I promise these will get better.
A lot of people ask what nationality the name is. To which I have no idea. I'm not sure who it was that traveled across the pond several years ago and where they came from. I have come to discover that there is an island in the Lesser Antilles that is a territory of the French by the name of St. Barthelemy.
When I was a little older than my son, my last name was a curse that I carried. It was a huge target that other kids would use to make fun of me. The classic name was "Barf-all-over-me". Man, did that sting when I was in 3rd grade. I have come to embrace this name and actually think it is funny, I usually share this with junior highers and give them permission to call me this.
Speaking of pronunciation, there are multiple ways I have heard this name pronounced by family members, friends, telemarketers, graduation announcers and co-workers. I really don't get hung up on how people pronounce my last name (because I really don't know which way is correct). Personally, I leave the first 'e' silent. So, it is pronounced 'Barth-la-me'
It wasn't until the magic of Facebook that I realized how many other people were blessed with the same last name. Like many names, there is a Facebook group entitiled, "My last name is Barthelemy" Currently there are '80' people in this group and I only know 3 of them!
All this to say, isn't it great that my 6-year-old can spell his last name! I can't help to pray for him as he carries this name through the brutal elementary years!
In Biblical times the prefix "Bar" was used to define the person as a son of someone else. So Barjonah was son of Jonas, and Bartimaeus was son of Timaeus. I should be able to conclude that Barthelemy is son of "thelemy"? But I'm not really sure who "thelemy" is. Okay, this thought was useless! I promise these will get better.
A lot of people ask what nationality the name is. To which I have no idea. I'm not sure who it was that traveled across the pond several years ago and where they came from. I have come to discover that there is an island in the Lesser Antilles that is a territory of the French by the name of St. Barthelemy.
When I was a little older than my son, my last name was a curse that I carried. It was a huge target that other kids would use to make fun of me. The classic name was "Barf-all-over-me". Man, did that sting when I was in 3rd grade. I have come to embrace this name and actually think it is funny, I usually share this with junior highers and give them permission to call me this.
Speaking of pronunciation, there are multiple ways I have heard this name pronounced by family members, friends, telemarketers, graduation announcers and co-workers. I really don't get hung up on how people pronounce my last name (because I really don't know which way is correct). Personally, I leave the first 'e' silent. So, it is pronounced 'Barth-la-me'
It wasn't until the magic of Facebook that I realized how many other people were blessed with the same last name. Like many names, there is a Facebook group entitiled, "My last name is Barthelemy" Currently there are '80' people in this group and I only know 3 of them!
All this to say, isn't it great that my 6-year-old can spell his last name! I can't help to pray for him as he carries this name through the brutal elementary years!
If you ever decide to go visit your "roots" you should stay here. http://isle-de-france.com/
I read about it in a magazine.
Posted by: Sarah | June 05, 2008 at 11:14 AM