ALMA (AL-mə)

Alma is a sweet, cozy name with great meanings. It's from the Latin word almus meaning “nourishing, kind, propitious”. It also means “soul” in Spanish. In Hungarian, it means “apple”. Then, in Hebrew, it means “young woman”.

It makes me think of early mornings in late summer where the mist hangs in the air over the fields: warm, fresh, and new. It brings to mind dried flowers in a simple vase, the scent of beeswax candles, and sun-warmed linen. It's the memory of carefree childhood summers.

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JOHANNA (jo-HAN-ə)ㅤ

Johanna is an honoring name whose meaning to me dwarfs that of the actual etymology, though it is still meaningful. From the Greek Ἰωάννα (Ioanna), Johanna means "God is gracious". And he is.

In terms of honoring, it is after my father, Joe, and the Ann part is for me. My father is one of the most important people in my life and an inspiration to me. If my mother were in my life, it also has a nod to her tucked in there as well.

It makes me think of creamy pinks, ceramics, soft blankets, cotton blossoms, and simple wooden accents.

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HONEY (HUN-ee)

Honey is a nod to my grandfather, an apiarist. I also grew up on 'Beehive Farms' and love bees. The symbolism of honey is quite special.

In many ancient cultures, honey was associated with heavenly bliss and the divine. The Greeks made offerings of cakes, wine, and honey to their deities, and the Promised Land of the ancient Hebrews was described as “flowing with milk and honey”.

Honey's association with the divine has also made it a symbol of immortality. Honey acts as a natural preservative and possesses strong antiseptic qualities. It's been discovered that honey found in jars in the tombs of ancient Egyptian rulers were still edible today.