I’m not sure when my parents sat me down to have “the talk” with me — you know, the one where we discuss the origin of my name. (Why, where did you think I was going with that?!) Throughout my childhood, I can easily recall my mom talking about a mini-series she adored in the early ’80s — “The Thorn Birds,” starring Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward. The story of Meggie, the daughter of a sheep herder in Australia, and her great love affair with the handsome and ambitious Father Ralph de Bricassart, this epic saga first aired on ABC in March of 1983, two years before my birth.
I was a little late joining the party, but Alyce from At Home With Books recently discussed one of her favorite reads from the past — Maureen McCullough’s The Thorn Birds, the novel upon which the mini-series was based. The summer I turned sixteen, my mom gave me an inscribed hardcover copy of the book and told me I was finally old enough to read and understand the story. As it deals with some pret-ty controversial themes — seducing a priest and prompting him to break his convenant with God is generally, um, frowned upon — I wasn’t really sure what I was in for. But I spent the month and a half between my birthday and the first day of school steadily making my way through the tome, which measures out to almost 700 pages. I was as enchanted with it as my mother was, reveling in the heartbreak, indecision and deep turmoil almost all of McCullough’s doomed characters seemed to face.
Meggie and Father Ralph in "The Thorn Birds" (1983)
Not long after finishing the novel, Mom and I sat down to watch the mini-series — available then as a set of VHS tapes. We didn’t make it through all of them, I know, but I watched enough to smile fondly as my mom pointed out that when I was born with a full head of dark hair and grew older with dark curls, I actually bore a resemblance to my famous literary (and cinematic) namesake. My name, it seems, was fated.
For all of these reasons, Meghann — or “Meggie” — has always had a special place in my own life story. I know other Megans and Megs who also got their monikers from mothers who loved the television show or novel, and I love that we all share that connection! One of these days I’m definitely going to finish watching the series, which I’m happy to say is now out on DVD. Heartbreak, romance and turmoil join the twenty-first century!
Let’s just hope the name isn’t a self-fulfilling prophecy — I certainly wouldn’t want to be responsible for anyone breaking their covenant with God and leaving the priesthood. Though my tresses and brooding, mischevious looks have been known to inspire serenades! (Just, you know. Once or twice.)
write meg! 
What a great story. I wasn’t allowed to watch The Thornbirds growing up. My mom thought it was too adult and I remember really wanting to see it. I still haven’t seen the movie ore read the boo til this day.
It’s funny that at this point in time priesthood has had way more bigger scandals than a country girl seducing a priest. If only things had remained so simple.
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Actually, there was this nice dog down the street named Megan. We just made up the Thornbirds part.
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Awesome! I’d assume I was named after The Raven, but I was named after my great aunt. Maybe she was named after The Raven?
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What a wonderful story behind your name! I never watched the mini-series, but I have fond memories of reading The Thorn Birds as a teen.
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Cute story! It’s a good thing, I suppose, she wasn’t a big fan of say, Ethel Mertz on I Love Lucy!
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Great story! My mom and I watched the miniseries in the mid 1990s when I was in high school. I ran out and bought the book and loved it. I think it’s neat that you’re named after a character in a book. I wish I would’ve thought of that when I had my daughter.
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Great story of a beautiful way to gain a lovely name. I remember reading The Thornbirds when I was 17 and on a train trip to New York. I absolutely devoured that book!
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It’s awesome you have a story behind your name! I just read this book and whenever someone said “Meghann” it really distracted me, it was like my name but just a little too long. I’ve very rarely come across my (our) name in books, so I wasn’t used to it.
My mom just liked Meghan, I don’t have a cool story. =(
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I was named after The Thorn Birds as well! I’ve never met a Megan with the same story before!
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Loved the mini series…loved the book! How cool you’re named after Meggie!
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Such a great story! It’s fun to look at famous literary characters that share your name.
The Thorn Birds was big favorite of mine, and I watched it when it was originally on the (very small in those days) screen.
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I remember reading The Thorn Birds and totally falling in love with this story. The topper was when the mini-series came out, my mom and I swooned over it and never missed an opportunity to watch it each time it came on!!
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