The perils of Naming

[kengr]

On the bus today, I was watching for my stop, and so I saw this young lady get on. While she was fumbling for enough change to pay her fare, I couldn't help but notice her first name blazoned across the back of the hoodie she was wearing (later, when she turned to walk down the aisle, I saw that the hoodie was for her high school swim team. Go her!)

As soon as I saw the name, I winced inside. Why? Her name is Alexa.

Knowing teenagers, I'm sure she's had to put up with more than a few stupid jokes.

And it's not as if her parents could have foreseen that her name would be a problem. And I'm sure the engineers tried to pick a less common name.

Comments

Re: Could be worse

[kengr]

I used to babysit a friend's kid. Named Grendel Erin [family name].

Roughly translated from the relevant languages: Monster Peaceful

In the early grades at school he went by Patrick. Then he had two other Patricks in his class. so he went back to his legal name.

don't know if his name ever caused him any trouble. I quit babysitting when he was 4, and just heard things about him from his mom via mutual friends.

Then came the day when I felt *old*. I was at an SCA event and I was introduced to this strapping young warrior who was (from what he'd just picked up) old enough to drink.

It was Grendel. Oy...