What’s in a name?

As you know I have an unusual name, Cecily. The name Cecily is an English baby name. In English the meaning of the name Cecily is: A feminine form of Cecil, derived from the Roman clan name Caecilius, which is based on the Latin ‘coccus’ meaning ‘blind’. A quote from SheKnows.com.

Throughout my life, I used my given name for all those fun school years…lol, and my career. However, my family and friends have always called me Cec, Cecy, or CJ (short for Cecily Jane). It’s not that I don’t like my name, it’s that it has been pronounced enough different ways to create its own dictionary…just kidding, but it has been a lot. It’s hard to pronounce and it’s hard to remember. So, by the time I retired I was ready to relax and go for the easy name of CJ. When I met Dan and remarried I was introduced to my his family and friends as CJ. It became a new commonplace for me.

When I started building my photography website I put my work under Salt Creek Images. That name came from the first place Dan took me camping in Colorado. A beautiful place that holds wonderful memories. However, there are too many references to Salt Creek Images on the internet, and I don’t want to be mistaken for someone else or take credit for their far superior photography. I separated my portrait photography by putting it under Cecily’s Photography.

I bet you are wondering what this is all about? It’s about building a brand. I’m going back to using my full name for my photography and will pull it around to my author name, too (though a longer process). All of my photography will be under Cecily Vermote Photography, instead of Salt Creek Images. And I’ll rebrand my writing under Cecily Vermote.

After going for almost eight years using my nickname of CJ for the most part, I realized I miss my name, Cecily. At the time I retired I was ready to become someone else. I know many people struggle with who they are when they retire, but not me…I knew I wanted to be an author and photographer…two of my passions, so I had no problem creating a new image.

As time has gone on I have met other people named Cecily, okay, maybe only two, but I have met more and more people who are able to pronounce my name correctly on the first go around…YAY. For those that aren’t able, it’s okay, I am used to it and I’ll help you out.

Part of this decision came because I am, as some of you know, writing my autobiography. When I thought about my parents picking out this name for me, and saying it for the first time as they looked down on my tiny face, I felt a different connection to it, so in their honor, I am going to be Cecily again.

I will always answer to CJ, Cec, and Cecy, of course, but if you want to use my full name, Cecily, or even Cecily Jane, you will get my attention. As always, thank you for reading my ramblings and have a wonderful day.