The OA and Names, pt. 2
Hi guys, I made the first part years ago and just now got around to making the second part now, which will cover the Crestwood 5
Steve – garland, crown: In the beginning, Steve thought he was untouchable and inscrutable, he thought he was the hottest shit on the planet. He was untouchable, much like how kings and royalty seem to be. But then, OA changed him, made him realize he can become something so much more than that, become in-tune with his invisible self. He relinquishes his crown of superiority to become just another person, but a person who knows themself now. Crowns could also reference his curly blond hair, extremely coveted and praised throughout history
Jesse – the Lord exists: Jesse is shown to be a pothead, smoking with his sister. He doesn’t have much exposition, but we do see that he becomes concerned about the existence of angels when OA says she is the Original. He wonders if his mom really did turn into an angel when she killed herself, which ties back into the common doctrine sometimes spread by the Catholic church, which is that, “when someone kills themselves, it’s because God needs more angels”
Buck: Buck’s name doesn’t have a direct definition, because it’s considered a nickname, but I did manage to find this: “The word for a male goat or deer, used as a given name or nickname that denotes a robust and spirited young man.” This is obviously Buck’s chosen name as a transgender man, and it seems fitting that he chose a name that asserts his identity and place in the world. He does have spunk, he’s excited and emotional about various things, he wants to belong to a group, the Crestwood 5. And thankfully for him, the Crestwood 5 took him in and made him a part of themselves
(His deadname means “who is like God?” Although not a proper name anymore, it does connect him back to the angel theme, especially considering he stayed with the book about angels)
Alfonso – ready for battle: This is a name that’s been favored by Spanish royalty. French is on the lacrosse team, he knows how to move on the field, knows defensive and offensive tactics. He also seems to have been in fights before, namely with Steve back when they were 12. French is also ready for responses to Buck when they were discussing Hap, and how he could’ve possibly changed into a bad person; French assures him that they’re not going to change like that. Going back to the king theme, a good king strives for peace but prepares for war – French seems to do that by protecting his younger brothers and mom from his drug use, he does well in school, he won a scholarship that let him attend any university in Michigan to stay close to take care of his family. He worries a lot
Betty – God is my oath: BBA is still hurt and raw from the death of her brother, Theo, and even told OA that she wished she’d met her sooner, that she would’ve loved Theo. BBA even takes up an acronymic name like OA, it being just her initials. “God is my oath” can also mean fidelity to something or someone in which you believe in, loyalty given with love: she rushes back into the cafeteria because her boys were there, and performed the five movements with them to protect the rest of the students, and inadvertently helped OA jump dimensions.