The Name Story
Starting at €2,800,00
Most people have never been told the full story of their own name. This is because no one has written it yet.
A name is not merely assigned; it arrives laden with the intentions of those who chose it — their expectations, legacies, and instincts. Over time, it is lived in, carried across borders, mispronounced by strangers, and shortened by those who love you. Until at last the person and the name become inseparable, and it is no longer possible to imagine one without the other.
Our exploration begins with linguistic origin, tracing the historical currents, cultures, and geographies that shaped the name across centuries before it reached you. It then narrows, from the general to the particular: the exact moment this name was chosen, the intention behind it, and the life it has since accompanied.
Choose Your Scope
Volume
A single, composed narrative that spans centuries of linguistic lineage before anchoring into personal history — a concise yet profound monument to an individual identity.
Tailored
Define your own pagination and interview parameters with your editor. Pricing is adjusted from our starting rates according to the scope agreed.
On Uncertain or Disputed Origins
Not every name has a single, settled history. Linguists and etymologists frequently disagree on the exact root or region a name descends from, and family lore about "why" a name was chosen often differs from what the historical record actually supports.
We treat both as valuable, and neither as an obstacle. Where scholarship is divided, we present the most credible interpretations. Where family memory and documented history diverge, both are given their place — the story you were told, and the story the record tells, side by side rather than one erasing the other.
Created For
- Commemorating a birth, adoption, or a significant familial threshold.
- Individuals who have navigated multiple linguistic or geographic landscapes and wish to understand the history they carry.
- Anyone who recognizes that a name serves as the foundation of identity and deserves to be fully documented.
What Is Delivered
- Private listening sessions focused on your personal name history and lineage.
- Independent linguistic, etymological, and historical research to trace the name's origins across time.
- A fully original manuscript, enriched with bespoke illustrations.
- Artful integration of selected personal photographs.
- A masterfully bound, heirloom-grade printed volume, accompanied by a complete digital archive.
Commission Details
We begin with a private consultation to discuss your vision and confirm scope. Payment is split into three installments: an initial deposit to begin gathering your story, a mid-point payment before writing begins, and the final balance upon delivery.
As each volume is an entirely bespoke commission, all agreements are treated as final. Our collaborative process — including listening sessions and review cycles — ensures complete alignment before fine production begins. Any rare printing or logistical issue is resolved personally and promptly.
Your heirloom volume is packaged and dispatched via secure, fully insured transit. We serve an international clientele, and all shipping considerations are included in your initial project quotation.