Why Maya Ellen?

Well, since we'll be calling you Maya Ellen for a good long while, how about a little explanation on that name? First off, finding a name that flows well with 'Havener' is not an easy task. Secondly, we wanted to give you a name that would be as unique as you are, but not something trite and silly. And thirdly, we decided your name should have some family influence, some real meaning.
Getting all three of those down did not prove to be an easy task. However, the answer was right in front of us the whole time...

First off, there is your great-grandmother (my gramma). Her name is Margaret, but she goes by Maya. Not 'Mai-ah', like you, but 'May-uh' like the month. She's a real nice lady, and everyone who knows her thinks the world of her. You should be very proud to share her name, even if it isn't pronounced quite the same. She may talk tough, but she's got a heart of gold, can cook you a meal that will make you melt, and has a story for just about everything. And don't think you can get away with sneaking one by her, she knows everything and everyone and is one sharp cookie.

So that's how you came to be known as Maya. But what about Ellen? Well that was an easy one too... Your mom's mom, of course, is named Ellen. Grandma Ellen! Another great choice for a namesake, she is both kind and wise, and she had already thought the world of you before you were even here! Grandma Ellen has always been a wonderfully nice lady. She's a smart one, too. She is an educator - but she doesn't do something 'simple' like teach math, she teaches people how to teach math to other people! She was always very nice to me, even when I was just some strange man who was dating her daughter. She has a way of reading people very quickly, and knowing right off if they are good ones or not-so-good ones. Again, you should be really proud to share her name, she is a wonderful lady.

So there you have it. 4 baby name books, countless hours of bringing up and throwing out names, trying to define how many syllables and vowels your name should have, and all we really needed to do was to look at our own families. We think Maya Ellen has a nice sound, is a pretty name, and stands very well on its own. But it is also a kind of reference to the women in our families, and we would be very happy and very proud if you took after them. Thinking about it, you have a lot to live up to carrying a name like Maya Ellen. So when someone asks you how you got your name, you can tell them proudly that you are named after two great women who also happen to be part of your family. You are one lucky little lady indeed.