A to Z blogging challenge: J is for...

J is a popular letter in my family. All three of us have names beginning with J.

Thus, J is for: Jennifer!

When I was born Jennifer was THE top name on every baby name list.
And because of that I hated it.

My neighbor was named Jennifer. During my school years, I was one of three (maybe four) Jennifers in each class. Always. It made it kind of difficult to set us apart. So I was known as "tall" Jennifer.

Ugh. Even less original.

I wanted a nickname but I definitely wasn't a Jenny. So people usually just called me "Jen".
But I didn't like Jen any better. So when I was in college and around people who didn't know me as Jen or Jenny--I went back to the full name in an attempt to be original again because a lot of Jennifers never really went with the full name. It's stuck ever since. And then I finally liked my name! (It only took thirty years) LOL

When my daughter was born, I decided to give her a J name too, but one that was a little more unique, so she wouldn't go through what I went through in school. In fact, she is the only one in her ENTIRE school with her name. She's kind of like "Madonna" or "Cher" that way. LOL But she still complains and wants a name more common name.

So you see, you never can win. :-)

What about you? Do you like your name? Is it very common or is it unique? Do you like your full name or nickname better?