Do You Like Your Name? How Did Your Parents Do In The Baby-Naming Department? What Would You Change It To?

My parents played it safe. As you can see by this graphic, which I found on some random, questionable website, Jeff/Jeffrey was enjoying its highest level of popularity around the time I did a forward-roll into the world. In fact, I believe it was the most popular boy name of the day. I could look it up to confirm, but I’m relatively lazy. Also, they told me they were going to name me Lisa if I’d been a girl. Which was the most popular girl name the year I was born. So, my folks were not breaking any new ground in the baby namin’ department. That’s for certain.

But I’m reasonably happy with it. It feels like the first name should’ve had two syllables since the last name only has one. That would be my main complaint. Jeff Kay is very choppy. It also sounds like JFK, who was president when I was born. Weird? It was almost certainly a coincidence… My mom and dad would never go in for such cuteness. I’m sure it never crossed their minds. I should ask them about it. Indeed, here’s a 45 from the Kennedy years, some political novelty song. Check out the artist’s name. You know… ’cause it sounds like JFK.

So, except for the syllable complaint and the accidental John F. Kennedy connection, I’m cool with it. Jeff is a good solid name. Right? Unfortunately, I don’t think there are many current kids named Jeff. According to that chart, we had our day in the sun during 1962 and 1963, then it all went off a cliff. Oh well. We’ll rebound. Jeff will live to fight another day. There will be more baby Jeffs! Mark my words.

I never thought about having a different name or going by my middle name: Scott. But what about you? Have you considered changing your name, or using your middle name? I doubt that it would even work unless you moved to another city and started over. Once you’re known by a name, that shit is locked-in. You can’t expect people to update something like that. It’ll never happen. Am I wrong? Do you know anyone who has successfully made such a transition, without putting themselves into a completely different setting? Tell us about it, won’t you? And if you ever thought about it, what was your new name going to be?

I know someone, right now, who is attempting to bully the world into calling him Alex. But that’s not his name. He just doesn’t like the one he was given at birth and is trying to pull a fast one. I, for one, will not participate. And I don’t think I’m alone. You’re not Alex! We all know this.

What do you have on this subject? Are you happy with your name? Did you ever consider changing it, or demanding that everyone start using a variation of some sort? Please tell us about it. Also, share your tales of people who wanted everyone to start calling them some completely different name, or a nickname or whatever. Use the comments section.

And I posted a new podcast episode last night, right before midnight. Yeah, it came out at 11:57… but it was technically a Monday episode. Back on track, baby! Today, anyway. Here’s the summary:

In this one, I provide exciting updates on a couple of our earlier stories, share a breakdown of the small little things that are irritating me these days, and play a bizarre message left on the hotline. I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for listening!

It’s available wherever you get podcasts, right here, or at the widget below.

And I’m calling it a day, my friends. I have work this coming weekend, which is already weighing heavily on my mood. Grrr… Then Nancy and the Translucents will be here for a few days, and then… The Raconteurs in Pittsburgh followed immediately by our Cincinnati trip. And I might see Squeeze/Marshall Crenshaw the day after we return from our Ohio adventure. So, it’s about to get crazy. It’s stressing me out a little if you want to know the truth. There will be no downtime for a long time. And I require the downtime. Oh well.

I’ll see you guys again soon.

Have a great day!

Now playing in the bunker

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