Feature Friday: Katie

Hey guys! Guess what time it is!!! That’s right Feature Friday time! This week is Katie. Along with Katie’s formspring (http://www.formspring.me/AvonleaGrace) she also has a youtube (http://www.youtube.com/user/AvonleaGrace?feature=mhee) and a listography (https://listography.com/6911725382). I had so much fun doing this interview and it was nice to see what naming style Katie had. I liked talking to someone whose videos I watch. So let’s get started with the interview.

Me: How did you get into baby names?

Katie: I can't remember exactly how old I was. I ran across a baby name book in a book store and flipped through it. I was intrigued at all the origins and meanings. And it was fun to find a name I'd never heard before. So, I bought it! I've had an interest in names ever since.

Me: I love how a baby name book sparked your interest. How old were you when you first started liking baby names?

Katie: I think I was about 13 or 14 years old.

Me: That seems like the perfect age. What are your current favorite baby names?

Kaite: I have a unique taste in names. Here are my top four combos. Théoden Phoenix, Cassius Jones (Jones is honoring), Naminé Winry and Kairi Aeris. Another name combo I like is Seraphina Wren.

Me: I really love your names. Théoden and Kairi are my favorite. If you remember, what were your first favorite baby names?

Katie: My favorite boy name was Jadon. My favorite girl name was Riley. I liked the combo Riley Jae for a long time.

Me: Riley is a cute name. Why did you decide to start making videos and join formspring?

Katie: I came across a few baby name channels on Youtube and thought it would be fun to make some videos in my spare time. I decided to make the Geek Name Series, because no one had done videos like that. I joined formspring after a fellow baby namer and subscriber urged me to get on there. I had heard a few people on Youtube mention it, but had never given much thought until then. On formspring I get more feedback, which is nice.

Me: I watched the geek series. It was a great one. What has been the most fun about making videos and formspring?

Katie: Youtube videos have been fun, because I get to talk about names from my favorite shows, movies, books, etc. And I think it's nice for people to have a face to go with the user name. It makes it more personal and friendly. You can see people's personalities better in a video, I think. I've made a few friends from Youtube and Formspring. Formspring is nice, in the way you can just pop on whenever a question comes to mind and within minutes have a few people answer. 

Me: I agree! It's hard to get to know everyone over just the computer without videos. What has been your favorite video and/or formspring question (rename, collages, etc.)  you have done?

Katie: I think I enjoyed doing the Lord of the Rings' names the most, because most of the names and their meanings were created by Tolkien himself. Quite a few people consider created names tacky, but some are very beautiful. My favorite formspring post was inspired by other's collages. I don't know who started it, but you had to find pictures that you felt matched the names given. It was a creative idea. I decided to find pictures of children that I thought had some of mine and my husband's features and use our favorite name combos.

Me: I think created names can be so nice. I lived when everyone was doing to colages. They were so fun. Are you working on any videos, listography list and/or formspring spam/questions?

Katie: I've been working on another name video, because it has been awhile since my last one. I've been having a hard time finding meanings of these names. It can be difficult to find accurate meanings for uncommon names.

Me: I know! I have had such a hard time finding means to some of the names I have on my blog. I can't wait to watch it. What do you love about baby names?

Katie: It's hard to pin point what I love about names. I guess love how many different styles there are. It's interesting how some names have stayed common for decades, and others just pop up as trends. Uncommon, fantasy-like, and foreign names are my favorite. One thing I really enjoy doing is writing the names. They seem to have so much more character when written rather than typed.

Me: I'm the same way. Not really sure what I love about baby names. What types of baby names to do like (ex. Trendy, vintage, etc.)?

Katie: Like I said, I am partial to uncommon, fantasy-like, and foreign names. You can probably see that in my top four baby name combos. Some other examples are Kyo (b) and Temari (g).

Me: I love uncommon names and I love your names. When did you tell your friends and family about your love to baby names?

Katie: My parents knew as soon as I bought my first baby name book. My mom isn't too sure about my taste in names. Haha. Oh, well. I have a cousin who shares an interest in names. We would talk about what names we would give our children when we were still just kids.. and still do! Her favorite names are Wyatt and Lorelai. I've talked to my sister-in-law about names more recently. She seems to enjoy talking about it, but I haven't known anyone in person who finds it as interesting as I do. That's why I was so thrilled when I found others who love names on Youtube and Formspring.

Me: That seems fun to have someone who likes names just like you in your family. How did/do your family and friends react to your love for baby names?

Katie: I haven't really had anyone act weird about it, but I can tell it's not as fascinating to them as it is to me. It's just like any hobby. Some people just don't share the same interests.

Me: The good. I can see it as a hobby lol. On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate your love/addiction/obsession for baby names?

Katie: I'd say 8, maybe.

Me: That's a nice round number. What is the reason behind your formspring and youtube name?

Katie: I just wanted to use a pretty name for my youtube channel since I planned to make name videos. I'm glad I left it at that, instead of using "names" in the channel's title, because I make other videos as well. I carried it over to formspring, so people I knew from youtube would recognize me. Avonlea comes Anne of Green Gables, which is a book and movie series. Avonlea is a fictional place. The sound is just so pretty to me. And it's appealing to the eye. Grace just seemed to flow well with Avonlea. Grace is also old fashioned, like the book setting. All in all, it seemed to work. Some of my subscribers thought that was my real name for a while and said it fit me. I was flattered, as I find it beautiful.

Me: I love the name of your channel! It is so pretty. Do you have a favorite baby namer (YouTube, blog, formspringer, etc.)?

Katie: I really enjoyed everthingbabynames, Amelia's channel. Her videos were wonderful. It was obvious she put much time and effort into them. Unfortunately, she hasn't made any in a while. Rebecca's channel is another good one, ohhbabynames. She is pregnant now, so her videos have been focused more on pregnancy lately. That's understandable! Haha! I enjoy watching those too.  There are so many name channels out there. I should pick one that is currently making name videos. Saki has a unique taste in names. I found her through formspring (SakiHeart). Her channel is BastetofEgypt. 

Me: I really love all of those people. I'm said that Amelia stopped making videos :(. I did find another baby namer on youtube and her videos are really nice. Her name is Virginia and her channel is VirginieLorraine. Do you have a #1 fan on your listography/videos/formspirng or someone who you talk to a lot because of them?

Katie: I'm really not sure. Bayli, Holly and Saki almost always comment on my videos. I really appreciate that! I have had conversations with several people through formspring. Some of us namers find we have other interests in common too, which is nice. It's a great community. 

Me: It's great to find that you have other things in common with them. What inspired you to make a formspring, listography, and/or videos besides baby names?

Katie:  At first, it was only about the names. I wanted to talk about names and get feedback. Now, it also has alot to do with meeting people. Some of my favorite people are online. It's so neat that I live in Alabama, and I have made friends who live all across the US, Canada, and who knows where else. 

Me: I know! The community has gotten me through the toughest times in my life. We are down to the last 5 questions! Where do you find your baby names at?

Katie: Most of my favorite names come from books, movies, games, etc. And in many cases, they were created. I don't really have a favorite website for names.

Me: A lot of people find their names in books and movies. It is cool to see how pop culture inspires names. Do you know anyone in real life that has a formspring/youtube/blog?

Katie: No, I don't.

Me: Me too. We are down to the last 3 questions! Random fact about you?

Katie: These always feel a bit awkward. Haha! I never know what to say. Hmm.. I know how to play Dungeons & Dragons.

Me: That's a good fact! I didn't know that :). What did you think of this interview?

Katie: I've enjoyed it! I was excited to see I had been picked for Feature Friday! This was a fun experience. : )

Me: I'm glad you liked it. Every week I get so excited just waiting for the number to show who won. Is there anything else you would like to add?

Katie: I'd like to say to all the name lovers, you can find beautiful names in places other than baby name books and websites. Keep your ears peeled. Some of the most beautiful names are overlooked.
Thanks for featuring me on your blog, Ren! : )

Me: Yes! Katie is right. You are very welcome! I am glad you did the interview.

So that is the interview. I had so much fun doing the interview. Thanks Katie for letting me interview you. I am encouraging everyone to go watch Katie’s videos and go ask her questions. She is a great person to talk to. Bye for now :). 

Photo Credit: http://www.formspring.me/AvonleaGrace