Shakespeare posed the question, "What's in a name?" Although in context he was attempting to steal it's thunder, I happen to truly like my name and the history behind it. My family calls me "Kris" on a daily basis, but when I examine my maiden name, Kristina Blair Bock, it's a story in of itself. It definitely sends a feel of pride and maybe a little mystery too.
My Dad, Kenneth, wanted all of his girls' names to begin with a "K"; "Kristina" for no other reason than he "liked it." I happen to really like "Kristina," too. My last name takes me back to Germany where it was spelled "Bach." My paternal grandparents migrated to North America in the early 1940's, and like many immigrants of that time, the spelling of the last name was changed to avoid capture by the Nazi army. All men were subject to active military duty during the Holocaust. My grandfather strongly opposed what what taking place and wanted no part of it, therefore he and his wife fled to America. My father and his siblings were the first generation to be born here.
I love my name. "Kristina" has a strong and beautiful ring to it and my last name speaks for itself. My dark hair and eyes are just a reminder of the struggles my family faced as Germans in the 1940's, and not only did the name survive in America, it thrived! So Shakespeare, take that!
