What's in a Name



It’s funny how we get attached to a name. Whether it is a given name or family name, most of us get very insulted when our name is mispronounced or misspelled. Our name is who we are, it is given to us at birth whether we like the name or not.

In my case, having a French name sometimes complicates things.  I often get called Lisa, Lees, Lyse or Liz. I have a co-worker that does not seem to be able to remember that it is Lise not Liz. This really annoys me and even though I have corrected her countless times, she just keeps calling me Liz. I have fantasized of miss-pronouncing her name so she can see how it feels, but that would be nasty, and I’m not a nasty person.  So I have decided to let it go and just grind my teeth when she says...hi Liz!!!

Growing up with a family name like Bigras (translation in English would be something like "twice fat") and being overweight on top of it, I was lucky that I was never teased about my name...probably because I had great friends!!

However, I was more than happy to take on Lacroix, when I married Serge.  No insult intended to my family (cousins, aunts, uncles and dad who proudly carry the name). It’s a great family who is very close knit and I am proud to be part of it, even if I chose to change my name to Lacroix.

Since I have been Lise Lacroix for almost 30 years, imagine my surprise when we purchased the cottage on the Quebec side and I was told that I would be known as "Lise Bigras" on the purchase agreement (since women keep their maiden names in Quebec). Even my will is made out in my maiden name. I am also known as Lise Bigras at Hydro Québec and in the municipality and post office of Saint-Emile-de-Suffolk.

When it came time to sign the papers, I had not signed Lise Bigras in such a long time, I had to focus really hard to ensure I did not make a mistake and sign Lacroix instead. When the receptionist called "Lise Bigras" in the waiting room, it felt weird and as if she was calling someone else, not me. Even weirder that she should call me "Madame Bigras", as this was my mom's name, not mine.

Lise Bigras to me was a young girl who I left behind at the altar to start a new chapter in my life. I became Lise Lacroix by choice and my daughters carry the name.

You may think this is trivial and that I am making too much out of a name. Perhaps as quoted in Romeo and Juliet: "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet", but nonetheless my name is at the essence of who I am.

I may be known legally as Lise Bigras in Québec, but the responsible mature adult that I have become, is and will always be, Lise Lacroix.