It's all in a name.

Does "Fikry" imply it all?

I looked up Fikry and it is derived from Arabic and means "intellectual". I think it definitely describes AJ. This is a man who went on-line to find out how to diaper a baby, what a baby eats, every aspect of raising Maya at the beginning he seemed to research.

Bettyt's answer is spot on!

Thank you for the research.

This title is great. Bettyt's answer is wonderful and add to it the storied--Steps of the Intellectual.

Robert Bruce Ismay was the highest ranking White Star Lines official who survived the Titanic. He's been labeled a coward for allegedly putting his own survival before that of others. Maybe Ismay comes by her name for a similar reason. I think she's cowardly for many reasons, not least of which is not stepping forward to care for Maya even though she knew who the child's father was.

In certain cultures maya means epiphany.

Clearly, Zevin chose her names deliberately. I'm impressed.

I also appreciate the insights presented in these posts. Thank you for making this book an even richer experience.