Monday, June 8, 2015

Michael or Michaella?

 

What is the story behind the oldest Bates daughter's name? When she was born, her parents named her "Michal," but when Gil and Kelly realized the negative connotation of the name while reading through their Bible, they changed the spelling to "Michael."

As a young child, Michael was unhappy about having a name that was traditionally male, so her family started calling her "Michaella." Today, she goes by either Michaella or Michael and does not prefer one over the other, but her legal name is still Michael.

Photo courtesy of UP

31 comments:

  1. either way, beautiful names

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  2. It's actually Michaela (pronounced Michael-uh), not Michaella (pronounced Mi-kay-luh) according to the Bates family, including Michael herself (see her blog http://brandonlovesmichaela.com)

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    1. Hi Nicole,

      The Bates use both spellings. Sometimes it's Michaella, and other times it's Michaela. :)

      Blessings,
      Lily and Ellie

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  3. I feel sorry for the girl that they couldn't be bothered to change her name to something feminine so they stuck her with a boy's name. But we've seen worse. At least they didn't name her Moxie Crimefighter or Fifi Trixibelle. She can always legally change her name, if she chooses.

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  4. I thought the whole point of picking a Bible name was for the meaning. You mean to tell me they picked a Bible name without first knowing the character it belonged to?

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    1. Judgy much???

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    2. Thank you. People would rather just be nasty sometimes

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  5. It's nice to know the story behind Michaella's name.

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  6. I wonder why Gil and Kelly decided on spelling her name"Michael" at the time of that change from Michal. Surely, they were aware it is masculine.love to understand their thought process at that time!

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    1. I read (I think on the bates blog) that they could only change it by one letter without incurring an expense to do so.

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  7. Thanks for clarifying that for the folks who have been so confused...now I don't have to keep explaining it over and over :-)

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  8. Thank you for sharing this, Lily and Ellie.
    Since I discovered the Bates a little while ago, I have wondered at why her name was Michael, so this was very helpful and interesting.
    By the way, would you mind telling me how they pronounce Michaella?
    Just curious, thanks.
    Lily

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  9. What is the correct pronunciation?

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  10. Hi Readers,

    The family pronounces Michaella "Michael-uh." :)

    ~Lily and Ellie

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  11. My first name is Michal, I pronounce it like Michael and I'm a female. People have asked, "Did your mom & dad name you that because they wanted a boy?" I say, "No. They already had 3 of each." Most of us have biblical 1st & middle names. I've had this name for over 50 years and as a female, I'm proud to have it. I have no intention of ever changing it.

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    1. The main female actor, Olivia, in the Waltons series is Michael Learned. Just an interesting name for a girl.

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  12. Have to be honest, I wonder why the parents chose a masculine name to make things confusing for their precious and sweet and very feminine daughter? Why do that? Why not have given her a female name so there is no confusion for her her whole life. I feel bad for her.

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  13. Lily and Ellie,
    Can we please have some more details on Ellie's wedding please?❤❤❤

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    1. Sure thing! I have been posting wedding updates on my new site, NashvilleWife.com. :)

      Blessings,
      Ellie

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  14. My sister used to babysit for a girl named Michael :)

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  15. Well, the name Michael doesn't belong to a man or a woman... it's the name of an angel.

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  16. I love the name Michal and wish it had been a good example from the Bible so I could use the name for a girl. :( Oh well.

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  17. My name is Michal and it is pronounced Mi -call. My parents thought of it as a feminine form of Michael.

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  18. Been wondering why Michaela and her husband hasn't had a baby yet.Made me feel sad on the show where she holding Zack and whitneys baby you could just see the love she was feeling and wishing she had a baby.Been praying for her and her husband.

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  19. The actress who portrayed the mother on the tv show The Waltons is billed as Miss Michael Learned.

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  20. According to wikipedia Michal is a very common female first name in contemporary Israel. Although possessing an identical or almost identical spelling when using the Latin alphabet, the Czech and Slovak language "Michal" and the Polish language "Michał" (popular male given names) are the local forms of "Michael" rather than of "Michal".

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  21. My name is Robin. I went to high school and college with just as many male Robin’s as I did females. Let’s please move past talking about her name and focus in the precious woman she is.

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  22. It is just how Taylor can be a name for a boy or a girl. I do wish that she does get blessed with the news that she is expecting a baby this year. It must be so hard for her to see all of her sisters and Whitney having these babies and she is not able to get pregnant. But she is such a trooper. I especially admire her for her work as a nurse especially right now with the global pandemic.

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  23. Hello dear brothers and sisters in Christ.
    I have written many times to you regarding this. Names are very important to the Lord and scripture often tells us where the Lord has changed a person's name. Abraham and Sarah, Saul, Jacob to Israel. As we listen to the comforting voice of the Holy Spirit we will be guided as parents when choosing names for our children. As a parent myself I have had to change my sons middle names from a family tradition name to one the Lord wanted for him. It's a precious thing to do and God gives the grace to obey it. Michal in scripture was barren until her death. This needs to be broken off Michael's life. We should also consider not giving the appearance of evil and sadly Michael and Brandon do sound like a joint male couple. This is not pleasing to our Lord.
    Her name change is imperative to her life and future happiness and destiny.
    I ask again that you will both consider for her to listen to the Lord and receive her new name from him. It will be as refreshing as getting born again!
    In a renewal way, not obviously born again in a spiritual way. We will continue to pray for you as her parents and her family and for all of you.
    Rejoicing greatly in our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ.
    Deborah Shepherd
    Blessed wife and Mum to 14 here 7 in glory and 15 grandchildren.

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