“Well, don't you look all pleased with yourself, Baby Prince," Naina Kohli said. She had known Vansh his whole life and had the only voice on earth that had this particular impact on him. A potent combination of reprimand and amusement that made Vansh want to wipe his face like a toddler caught eating dirt, while also making him feel like no one else ate dirt quite as impressively as he did. "And don't you look resplendent, Knightlina," he said, raising his glass of celebratory bubbly at her. A flash of anger slipped past her guarded brown eyes. She hated her given name---enough to have legally changed it at eighteen. Vansh was the only person on earth who got away with using it anymore. And he only used it when that tone of hers made the otherwise nonexistent orneriness bubble up inside him. Then she smiled and did a quick half turn showcasing her charcoal-gray silk pantsuit. "Not bad for the spurned ex, ha?" she offered. "Not at all bad for the spurned fake ex," he countered.” Childhood FriendsNicknameCalled OutGiven Name Book:The Emma Project Source: The Emma Project
“Even though she was an infant, he saw her spit and vinegar, that spirit that would soon be lighting a fire under them all. His ma said he took a shine to her right away--- and that settled it. Shine.” ShineFemale ProtagonistRedheadYoungest ChildGiven Name Book:The Moonshine Women Source: The Moonshine Women
“Merritt," he repeated, testing the syllables on his lips. "'Tis a family name?" "Not exactly. I was born during a storm, on a night when the doctor wasn't available, and the midwife was in her cups. But the local veterinarian, Dr. Merritt, volunteered to help my mother through her labor, and they decided to name me after him.” Merritt SterlingScandal In SpringGiven Name Book:Devil in Disguise Source: Devil in Disguise
“Sometimes I wish we could choose our own names, that way we could all carry something of our own, childishly our own, forever.” NamesGiven Name Book:Slow Dancing with The Stars Source: Slow Dancing with The Stars