What’s in a name? How you became Miss Lyra Jane Bennetch

So far we have received mixed emotions about your name. Some people have LOVED it while others have given us the most puzzled look. My favorite reaction so far is when people call you “Lee-rah”.  I loved going to Italy with your mama for our honeymoon, I love Italian food, and pretty much anything that has to do with that country.  However, as much as I love Italy, we would NOT name you after their old system of money. Below, I’ll tell you exactly why we named Lyra (Lie-rah) and how it fits you perfectly.


Reason #1 – Your French heritage.
The name Lyra is a baby girl name. The name Lyra comes from the French origin. In French, the meaning of the name Lyra is: “Of the Iyre, Song”. Years and years ago (even before America was a country) the Bennetch’s came from France. We were a part of the French Huguenots that fled from France for religious freedom. My dear, this is why you have your lovely olive skin (you can thank me later).


Reason #2 – Your mother’s beautiful singing.
Along with Lyra being of French decent, we also chose your name because of your mother’s singing skills/abilities. You have already and will continue to grow up hearing just how sweet it is. Some of my favorite memories with her have been surrounded with music. For example, I’ll never forget the first time I heard her sing when I was with your Aunt Suzy or the time she was a part of a concert and pointed at me while she performed.  You can thank me for your olive skin but…if you’re really, really, really lucky…maybe one day you’ll be able to thank her for giving you an equally beautiful voice.


 
Reason #3 – Your name came from the stars.
It is no wonder that your father…the big dork who likes Star Trek AND Star Wars equally (apparently that makes me even more weird)…would name you after something dealing with outer space.  Also, when I was just dating your mama, my buddy Al used to love how your mother’s eyes seemed to twinkle whenever she was around.  For those that are reading this and are actually interested in finding your constellation, it's actually quite easy to find the constellation Lyra, the harp, by first finding Vega — one of the brightest stars in Earth's night sky. Look for Vega high overhead in mid-summer. Lyra looks like a small, lopsided square, with Vega just beside one of the corners of the square.  It is, much like the twinkle in your eyes that you got from your mama, beautiful.


 
Reason #4 – The Golden Compass.
Your Aunt Suzy, years ago, recommended I read this book and, after holding her off for a while, I caved in and read it. What I wasn’t expecting to read was such a cool, spunky, smart, leader of men that came in the shape of a little girl. I
loved her character and tried my best to get your Aunt to one day name her future daughter after her. The reason why I wanted her do this is due to me reading this book quite a long time before meeting your mother. You see, I never thought I’d get married, have kids, and possibly ever get to name a child. Fate, however, can never be planned for. Your Aunt only had boys, I met your mother, and you became my Lyra.



Lastly, how you got “Jane” as a middle name.
I must be honest and tell you I had nothing to do with it. For years, I planned on you being Lyra but I never thought what your middle name should be. It was your mom that came up to me and mentioned “Jane” as an idea. Since you are partially named after a favorite character in a book of mine already, I agreed with your mother because of the famous author Jane Austen?

No. I agreed because of “Lady Jane” in G.I. Joe! I figured having my daughter named after not only one but TWO bad ass female characters was A-MAZ-ING!

So that’s how you came to be Miss Lyra Jane Bennetch.  Some of the reasons you may find silly, cool, or just plain weird but I can’t wait to see how you’ll turn out and give me even more reasons to love your name!

You’ve only been with us for a few weeks and I already can’t imagine life without you!

Love,
Dad

P.S. Being your dad is awesome!