The title is my stab at humor because after reading the Times article that puts forth a theory on names I was left wondering what exactly constitutes as odd name and who is judging. According to recent research, children with so-called odd names get worse grades and were less popular than other classmates in elementary school. They don’t fare any better in college because they are more likely to drop out and can’t get a job because those hiring spurn their resumes.
Okay so they do mention some highly unusual names like Candy Stohr and River Jordan but I can’t help thinking that many of us and our children are dealt the same hand when we get creative, Afrocentric or too meaningful with names. My name was atypical in my neighborhood. It was more incovenient than a hinderance since the most I had to do is correct adults—especially when they wanted to add an “a” calling my Coryanne instead of Corynne. I thought I stood out in good way in the midst of Karens and Sharons. But I got a better understanding when I met a young man named Reverend (or was it Pastor), I was totally confused because he couldn’t have been more than 13. My only conclusion was that his parents wanted him to be respected. Nice sentiment, maybe not the best way to achieve it. I imagine once he reaches adulthood that he will have to explain often that Reverend (or Pastor) is his first name, not his profession.
But what do people think that have no frame of reference for our choices? Do we re-educate the masses or be slightly subversive my using a middle name until we get in the door? Frankly, I would think we would be further along on this since I have seen other folks usurping some of our names. Watch Maury when he is helping a woman test her 10th baby’s father and you might see an Aaliyah or LaKeisha with blonde hair and blue eyes. But I digress. The bottom line is who gets to decide about which names are odd or even worse, undesirable. Should it be the nameless, faceless powers that be or are we going to have our say?
Let a sister know what you think.
A Boy Named Sue, and a Theory of Names
March 15th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
hmmm… can we say story of my life? I too always thought it made me stand out in a good way with a name like Charreah. But when it was time to apply for jobs I put my full name in there with my middle name Katie. . .
Im even more conscious of where I put my name on comments like this. Because unlike TIffany S., there is no mistaken it’s me on google.
But what about when you have a unique name and everyone wants to shorten it:)?
March 16th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
So do you think that you need to educate folks in the position to hire you? Or do you think that caution will be the name of the game for the rest of your professional life?
March 17th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
I found this blog particularly interesting, because a good friend of mine and I are always discussing how at the end of the day all you have is your name. Her name ( not one I’ve heard before), is constantly being mis-spelled and mispronounced. I can’t quite emphasize with her being that my name is as common as it gets. There has to be what a billion “Ashleys” in the world. But I do symhazie with her frustration of constantly correcting people who honestly could get it right the first time if they took the time. However I also feel that parents should of course have the creative right in naming their child, but should remember that this child will soon one day be an adult and who will hopefully one day attend school as well as a get a job.
March 17th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
I found this blog particularly interesting, because a good friend of mine and I are always discussing how at the end of the day all you have is your name. Her name ( not one I’ve heard before), is constantly being mis-spelled and mispronounced. I can’t quite emphasize with her being that my name is as common as it gets. There has to be what a billion “Ashleys” in the world. But I do symhazie with her frustration of constantly correcting people who honestly could get it right the first time if they took the time. However I also feel that parents should of course have the creative right in naming their child, but should remember that this child will soon one day be an adult and who will hopefully one day attend school as well as a get a job.