Clearly, when naming your baby, an awareness of what you're saddling the baby with is paramount. Version 2.0 and Abyss are not 100% suitable!
In an attempt to assist you with your decision, here is a selection of rather fine names given by responsible parents to their offspring. Which will you choose?
1. Jigme [Richard Gere + Carey Lowell]
2. Fifi Trixibelle [Paula Yates/Bob Geldof]
3. Satchel [Mia Farrow/Woody Allen]
4. Moxie Crimefighter [Penn Jillette]
5. Daisy Boo [Julia/Jamie Oliver]
6. Yamma [James Brown]
7. Jermajesty [Jermaine Jackson]
8. Moon Unit [Frank/Gail Zappa]
9. Betty Kitten [Jonathan Ross & Jane Goldman]
10. Nell Marmalade [Helen Baxendale/David Eliot]
Still not entirely satisfied? There are another ten coming up next time.
What the hell is wrong with people? When did normal names go out of style?
ReplyDeleteWhat's even worse is a regular name spelled ridiculously... like Katherynne, Jewelia or Bayleigh....
You should have heard the MC at my high school graduation struggling to pronounce some of the made-up, oddly spelled names on the list... what a horrible thing to saddle a kid with.
I quite like the name Betty Kitten. It's the boys who suffer most if they are given strange names. Fortunately, mine both have very sensible names,David and James.
ReplyDeleteI do think naming is an extraordinarily important aspect of parenting, and I often wonder the extent to which it matters in this hypersensitve age of identity-politics.
ReplyDeleteI hope you don't mind a link to a post of mine from last year, about a friend who wanted to name his son Ebenezer.
I might also add that I'm not a fan of names that are diminutive versions of other names. So it should be Charles, not Charlie, and James, not Jamie. Its fine as an everyday name, but not on a birth certificate I reckon.
ReplyDeleteRuthie, are you really 'Ruthie' or 'Ruth'? Ellee, are you really 'Ellee' or maybe 'Elenore'?
Exampary for the state the world is in: totally lost our way and let nonsense pass for creativity (or something)!
ReplyDeleteRuthie at least has very beautiful eyes!
James, do you have any info what's going on the Right Links Exchange? I get messages that the account has been suspended ... I miss Mr Eugenides!
A minefield! I went to school with a Hazel Nut.
ReplyDeleteRuthie, it leaves me cold.
ReplyDeleteEllee - it is the boys who suffer - boy named Sue, for example.
Robert - most welcome and will check it out. Agree on diminutives on certificates.
Cassandra - no question of it. Re Ruthie - I'll be in trouble if I comment on her yet again. I have my opinion.
Re Right Links - that's Euroserf and yes, it's down - didn't pay the dues. I've currently removed it.
Welshcakes - Hazelnut? That's cruel.
The safest bet is to follow the lead of boxer and low-fat grill merchant, George Foreman, whose motto seems to be, if it ain't broke, don't fix it:
ReplyDeleteHe has five sons, all named George (George Jr., George III, George IV, George V, and George VI), as well as a daughter, Georgia.
Chris - now that is truly classic!
ReplyDeleteWhen my son No.1 was born I circulated the usual self-congratulating email announcing the appearance of one "Brutus Archimedes Cadwallader", and regrettably half the recipients fell for it, like the proverbial blind roofers. Many wrote to me asking to reconsider for the sake of the child but my favourite moment was when the Interflora lady rocked up to Sussex Tony (at the time) Towers shouting "Is this the Brutus Household".
ReplyDeleteWe still have their card in pride of place here.
Liked the tale, Tony but also interested in:
ReplyDelete...son No.1...
Er...just how many are there?
Doesn't matter what you call them, all kids hate their name and wish they were called something else.
ReplyDeleteWell that's true of girls for sure.