I, Colibri

Theme Song: Not For Sale

(Here is a Bonus Link For Lyrics in the off chance you can't understand what these wise ladies are saying in all their metal girl glory!)

There comes a time in every woman's life when she must optimize for search. This could be a personal quest, or, perhaps more banal, for search engines.

That time, ladies (and gentlemen!) has come for me, Anna Colibri.

Vrrrooom, vrrrooom!

As those of you who know me well know, I have started a business called ANNACOLIBRI and, rather than divide my "google juice" I decided I should have, in my capacity as a tech savvy, online marketing and internet publishing coach, just one name behind my brand.

I originally changed my name from Cooper to Kelleher when I was pregnant, expecting my first child.

So much thought and sincerity went into the decision, I'm practically embarrassed. And you should know, we considered changing our names to Anna and Michael Bodega, because we had written our wedding vows in Bodega Bay, we thought it sounded cool and, at the time, we both called ourselves feminists. Very California.

But, in fact, my ex-husband's heart wasn't in it. All feminism aside, he loved his name and wanted to keep it. Whereas I always thought Cooper was a little boring.

And, though it may seem strange now, at the time I loved my husband so much that I was willing, with a light heart, to put his feelings above my principles.

We even had cards printed that quoted, as a nod to my love of French, his of math and to our mutual love of a grand gesture, Blaise Pascal ("The heart has its reasons, which reason does not know.").

We sent them to friends and family announcing the name change (I guess that's what happens when you have no children and two incomes).

And when little Chloe Linda Kelleher died, I was so glad to have done it. I wanted every thread conceivable, even a shared name, to bind me to her, to show that, yes, there had been a beautiful, radiant baby and I was her mother.

But times change and so does love.

Although I am not, by nature, a nostalgic person (I do, however, appreciate with a sense of wonder those who are), even I must remark upon the fact that where once I changed my name for love, now I do it for SEO!

As well, I delayed the decision despite the fact that it confused my "web presence" because my boys like me to be named Kelleher, just like them. Lately, though, I can feel them warming to the idea. Bless their sweet souls they have been pointing out hummingbirds to me and saying, "Look, Mommy, a colibri!"

A Little Secret

Alright. I'll let you in on a little secret. I enjoy drama. It makes things more fun, so. . .

If you promise not to tell anyone, here goes:

This time, I changed my name for me.

You see, when I publish my e-book later this year, I want that book to say, "by Anna Colibri." Yes, friends, I work hard and I've been through a lot. For me, as a single mother and woman, the name Anna Colibri celebrates who I am -- which is to say, no longer the white man's lapdog.

And, you should know, Anna's Colibri (hummingbird) is, as my children would say, Beast.

You can read more about the bird behind the brand -- and now the bird behind the woman -- but here are some hummingbird quick facts. Anna's hummingbird (yes, the one named after me, er, Anna Masséna, the French Duchess of Rivoli):

• Flies faster than any animal on earth, able to withstand 10 times the force of gravity
• Has the strongest heart of any animal and
• Is the only animal that can fly backwards

Bird, brand, woman: we are all about strength, courage and creativity. (Plus, we're small and pretty.)

Your Turn

What's in your name? Like it? Love it? Just glad it's easier to spell than Murgatroyd?