Shayla:

The name Shayla is an old Irish name meaning Fairy Palace, although my mother was unaware of this when she named me. The name Shayla is used for the head scarf worn by Muslim women, my mother was also unaware of this when she named me. Shayla LaVeaux is a porn star. She wasn’t “acting” when my mother named me, so she was obviously unaware of this. Shayla is the name of a 1978 Blondie song. Blondie would have had to copy Mom: again unaware. Shayla is also the name of a Vietnamese singer born in 1975: in 1971 unaware. Shayla is the name of a contemporary ceramics artist who began showing in 1991 as well: also unaware. Shayla is the name of an Anime character that began in 1995: guess what…unaware. Shayla’s Double Brown Baby Blues is a book written in 2001: last but not least, unaware. For a name that I have to repeat every time I introduce myself, usually followed by spelling it and listening to someone tell me they have heard of Sheila but not Shayla, the name is not that unusual. I must say something else my mom is unaware of; the time she spent “making up” the name Shayla was well spent and appreciated. I have always loved the name, Mom. Thank you for the gift.

Love,
Shayla