My name came to me by way of my parents, of course. I was the firstborn child to my parents in 1958. This was long before we ” knew” what was coming, my mama said we were just excited and surprised at birth by a boy or a girl. I know my Daddy wanted a son. Suppose most men do inside, a son to carry on the name.

Well, I was a girl, the first of three they would have. They told me. I was named Joni for John, my father’s and my grandfather’s name. Lynn was my mother’s father, Leonard so Joni Lynn it was.

The name Joni ultimately traces back to the Hebrew name Yochanan, which means “God is gracious”. 

Lynn is a versatile name with a strong connection to nature, particularly water, and a history of use across various cultures. 

As a child who grew up in the south, having a first and middle name was so that when we were in trouble we knew it. I can still in my memories hear that call, Joni Lynn!

After looking into my name, it suits me well. God has certainly been gracious to me. And I feel closest to God and have a reverence for nature since I was a kid and a love for water.

My birth name. Maiden name as we say, Joni Lynn Ellis… the Ellis came from England which is where my great-grandfather came from in 1887 with his brothers. I never knew him but from stories and old photos. But I filled the role in part of the first son. I was a tomboy as a kid, the one who went fishing, loved gardening with my grandfather, and was a baseball and football fan. But then I did grow up in the greatest of times… of this I have no doubt. My name suits me well I say…