The Cherished Story Behind My Meaningful Name May Annella

How and WHY I picked my name!

Crafting a meaningful brand name….

Choosing the right name for your brand is not just about words, it’s about capturing a cherished story and I am aware it is a crucial step in establishing a strong brand identity. It should be unique, memorable, and reflective of your values and purpose. As I brainstormed different names, I realised that I wanted something personal, something that would hold meaning for me. I wanted a name that would not only represent my art but also pay homage to someone or something important in my life.

The story and serendipity….

In my case, the name came to me in a rather unexpected and random way, it happened to pop into my head while I was making dinner. I always believe signs are sent to us and this was certainly mine!

My name is a reference to my two Great Aunts May and Ella, who tragically passed away when I was very young due to carbon monoxide poisoning. They had just returned from a cruise, which they went on every January. It had been a particularly bad winter and as they had been away for a month, the snow had unknowingly gone down into the ventilation part of their chimney and frozen, so when their coal fire was lit, the fumes, unfortunately, came back into their house.

I have found memories of them as a child, babysitting my brother and I and as they were well travelled, they always brought me back a doll from every country they visited!

May and Ella on one of their adventures!

How it all came together…

Although my Great Aunts were not twins, they were incredibly close as sisters and my family often referred to them as May An Ella (in Scottish slang the ‘d’ gets dropped in “and”). What makes the name May Annella even more special is that Ann is my middle name. It felt like the perfect opportunity to incorporate a part of my own identity into my brand name. The combination of May and Ann and Ella just fit together, creating May Annella.

Having a name that holds such personal meaning adds an extra layer of connection and purpose to my artistic pursuits. It represents not only my art but also the love and connection I have with my late Great Aunts. It’s a name that I am proud to call my own and one that will continue to inspire me on my artistic journey.