There is poem called "The Naming of Cats" which addresses the idea of these furry friends having three names: their Family names ("Peter, Augustus, Alozo or James"), their Peculiar Names ("Names that never belong to more than one cat...") and their True Names which are secret. I will (obviously) never know what Ronan and Pandora's True Names are but I refuse to give them silly and undignified Family names. And as for Peculiar Names, well, that's between the three of us.
Ronan Jamieson Fenriz
Ronan is a traditional name associated with both Nordic and Celtic roots, although my Israeli friend Shiri informs me it is also name found in the Hebrew language.
In the Nordic language, however, it means "Little Seal" which is extremely appropriate if you've ever seen Ronan try to run on a slippery tile floor.
Jamieson was the original name his Fostermom Joannie and Fosterdad Roy called him. Lovely Irish lady Joannie is married to Newfoundland-born gentleman Roy and the tradition of excellent whiskey is alive in both Ireland and the Canadian east coast. He has also been called "Jimmy" for short by them at various points in his foster-stay in their home. I felt it was appropriate to honour these wonderful people by keeping this name as part of Ronan's full title.
Fenriz. Here's where my music geek comes out in full force. Any self-respecting metalhead will know immediately that Fenriz is the drummer/lyricist of Norwegian Black Metal band Dark Throne. Avid musicologist and unwitting humourist, Gylve Nagell aka. Fenriz is a hardcore softie through and through. He is simultaneously bad-ass and adorable.
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Pandora Rune
Pandora was the name given to her originally by Fosterdad Roy who took one look at her and said, "That's Pandora". And thus she was. She uncompromisingly refused to answer to any other name since that day and seemed secretly pleased when Joannie or Roy would commend her with "Oh, Pandora, you're so dark and mysterious!" Traditionally, it is a Greek name meaning "Gift to all".
Rune is what I had chosen as her name when i discovered I was applying to adopt two kittens and not just one (story to follow in a future post), but she just wasn't down with it. She would steadfastly ignore me if I tried any name on her but "Pandora". For that she would turn her keen eyes towards me as if saying, 'Yes, THAT is my name. Not this "Rune" person you keep calling'. But "Rune" is so lovely, Scandinavian (Nordic and Celtic) in origin (Joannie was again pleased), and means "secret lore" (thereby appropriately paired with a "dark and mysterious" kitty). I also like to think of Rune as being associated with the idea of Truth because of its use in ancient and modern divination practices to determine clarification of situations past, present or future.
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