If you haven't yet commented on the Mairzy&Swistle name discussion, then pop on over there and Inform Us. Yes, we really do think it's terribly interesting. Yes, we do discuss, at length, the ramifications of names like "Kielyn." No, whether we keep having babies just to name them isn't any of your business (OH how I wish I had the nerve to say things like that in person).
For those of you who find baby naming tedious, you can apply to Mairzy&Swistle, Inc. for all your baby-naming needs. For a reasonable fee, we can identify your style, give you options, and steer you clear of Namer's Remorse. You can pay by credit card, or negotiate your bill in chocolate and toffees.
Showing posts with label Names. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Names. Show all posts
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Namer's Remorse
I talked to a lady recently who said her son's middle name was the same as my son's first name (which, I hope you assume, isn't really Titan). Titan's name isn't really trendy -- when he was born, one nurse simply assumed that he was named for his father, and was surprised to find out that we'd chosen it because we liked it. So when the lady told me that her son's first name is Grover, I felt a sinking feeling for that poor boy.
"I don't know why I did that," she added. "It was his father's name and his grandfather's name. But still."
It is in cases like that that I have sympathy for parents besieged by namer's remorse. I narrowly escaped it myself. If Dilly had been a boy, and if we'd gone with the boy name we'd chosen, I think I'd have had some moments of soul-searching to decide if this name was really one we could live with. The name was Emeth, which is the Hebrew word meaning "truth." It has a contemporary sound and a great meaning, but it's just a little too outside the lines to be comfortable. Fortunately we were spared the dilemma, and we'll probably stick to more mainstream names from now on.
All that said, I can't dredge up a lot of sympathy for the parents in this article. They aren't rescuing their children from burdensome or ill-considered names; they just changed their minds about what they liked. The only distinctive change was from Luke to Beckett, and even that has the same sound to it. As for the others, what's the difference between Emma and Caroline, Sophie and Isadora? It's like changing a red sweater for a green one: you still won't stand out in the holiday crowds.
I think many who read baby-name books take to heart the warning that we are doing an Important and Vital thing for our children by giving them names. So important and vital, in fact, that a bad choice can ruin their future careers, love life, and mental health. The pressure throws parents into a panic. Some get over it, decide on a good name, and learn to live with their choices. Others, however... well, let me just say, if you think choosing a name is tough, wait till you get to potty-training.
There are viable reasons for changing a child's name... I guess... but from the looks of it, there are simply a lot of parents who need to take deep breaths, relax, and realize that they are bringing forth a miracle of life who is, ultimately, just as ordinary as all the rest of us.
"I don't know why I did that," she added. "It was his father's name and his grandfather's name. But still."
It is in cases like that that I have sympathy for parents besieged by namer's remorse. I narrowly escaped it myself. If Dilly had been a boy, and if we'd gone with the boy name we'd chosen, I think I'd have had some moments of soul-searching to decide if this name was really one we could live with. The name was Emeth, which is the Hebrew word meaning "truth." It has a contemporary sound and a great meaning, but it's just a little too outside the lines to be comfortable. Fortunately we were spared the dilemma, and we'll probably stick to more mainstream names from now on.
All that said, I can't dredge up a lot of sympathy for the parents in this article. They aren't rescuing their children from burdensome or ill-considered names; they just changed their minds about what they liked. The only distinctive change was from Luke to Beckett, and even that has the same sound to it. As for the others, what's the difference between Emma and Caroline, Sophie and Isadora? It's like changing a red sweater for a green one: you still won't stand out in the holiday crowds.
I think many who read baby-name books take to heart the warning that we are doing an Important and Vital thing for our children by giving them names. So important and vital, in fact, that a bad choice can ruin their future careers, love life, and mental health. The pressure throws parents into a panic. Some get over it, decide on a good name, and learn to live with their choices. Others, however... well, let me just say, if you think choosing a name is tough, wait till you get to potty-training.
There are viable reasons for changing a child's name... I guess... but from the looks of it, there are simply a lot of parents who need to take deep breaths, relax, and realize that they are bringing forth a miracle of life who is, ultimately, just as ordinary as all the rest of us.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
A Tale of a Pen Name
When I was about nine years old and already planning to be a famous writer, I knew I'd need a pen name. I'm not sure why I thought I needed one. Probably because at the time we were playing with the Jem dolls. Remember Jem? She was the 80s Hannah Montana: She was the blond-haired Jerica by day, and the pink-haired rock star Jem by night. Both Jerica and Jem had a true love: dark and handsome Rio, who couldn't decide between the two of them. Obviously, it was cool to have an alter identity. (Apparently it was also cool to have such serious insecurity issues that you would stick with a guy who was cheating on you WITH YOURSELF.)
So, looking ahead to my glittering literary career, I considered possible pen names. I rejected any form of my own name as Boring. I wanted something elegant, mysterious, and uncommon. My decision?
Sophie.
Twenty-two years later, the literary career is still waiting with bated breath. My chosen pen name, however, has gone from uncommon to practically threadbare. Apparently there were lots of elementary-aged girls standing in the lunch line thinking of names that were elegant, mysterious, and uncommon, with the result that lunch lines now are full of Isabelles, Olivias, and, of course, Sophies.
What could I choose for my exotic pen name now? Maybe something retro, like Betty. Or there was always that bandmember of Jem's, the blue-haired one, that I liked. She never caught Rio's eye back then, but maybe there's still a chance for Aja.
So, looking ahead to my glittering literary career, I considered possible pen names. I rejected any form of my own name as Boring. I wanted something elegant, mysterious, and uncommon. My decision?
Sophie.
Twenty-two years later, the literary career is still waiting with bated breath. My chosen pen name, however, has gone from uncommon to practically threadbare. Apparently there were lots of elementary-aged girls standing in the lunch line thinking of names that were elegant, mysterious, and uncommon, with the result that lunch lines now are full of Isabelles, Olivias, and, of course, Sophies.
What could I choose for my exotic pen name now? Maybe something retro, like Betty. Or there was always that bandmember of Jem's, the blue-haired one, that I liked. She never caught Rio's eye back then, but maybe there's still a chance for Aja.
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