Every name gives birth to a host of "lifetime stories." Check back often as we feature wonderful accounts about how real life individuals have been affected by their names... and feel free to submit your own special Lifetime Name Stories for publication here at "The Naming Experience"!

While the name on my birth certificate is Elizabeth, I was never called that during my early years. It was always Lizzy growing up, and then Liz as an adult. I didn't really think much about the effect of my name until I decided to fulfill my dream of writing a romance novel. Then, somehow visualizing just Liz on the cover of my book seemed too casual and unprofessional. It felt better to think of Elizabeth as the name of a successful author. So I made the announcement to family and friends that I would be using my formal birth name without exception. There were a few people who stubbornly insisted on calling me Liz, but when they realized I wouldn't respond, they got the message. After a few months, it was interesting in that I found my writing to go easier. Seemed like the ideas came to me with more flow and less effort. Eventually, I made the commitment to write through my three weeks of vacation from work. And now, I have my little novel just about completed and am ready to start looking for a publisher. I can't help but believe that I'm following in the tradition of other women who have carried my name and have realized success as writers... women like Elizabeth Gilbert, Elizabeth Marquardt and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. In checking out my name on Maryanna's Report Card, I found out that I'm a "Delicate Daydreamer." Just maybe we "Delicate Daydreamers" of the world can inspire others with our words!

As 31 year old Colleen Williams helplessly watched her weight reach 700 pounds, she sought out the help of Dr. Oz and his "Move It or Lose It" program. Feeling powerless to achieve a healthier lifestyle on her own, Colleen was seeking answers on the way to changing her eating habits. There are many factors at play when someone's life careens out of control as a result of addictive behavior, and regaining control never happens effortlessly. Yet, in Colleen's case (and for many like her,) a name change, even a temporary one, could assist in realizing a new sense of personal will power. The name Colleen carries the archetype of "The Entertaining Party Lover." That doesn't mean every Colleen loves to party. What it does mean is, every Colleen, at some time in her life struggles with the effects of emotional emptiness and overindulgence on the way to learning how to create balance in body, mind and spirit. If it becomes too difficult to achieve that balance in the midst of living with the name's energy, adopting a name with a different archetype can bring a settling mood. Even a nickname or slightly different spelling might produce a positive shift of perspective. So Colleen, consider going by Colee as you "move it and lose it." You may just find yourself experiencing life from a less empty place.