WHAT'S IN A NAME?

When parents realize they are expecting, they generally run out and buy a baby name book or they research baby names on the web, looking for just the perfect name for their child....a name that has character, strength, and can somehow connect to the family history or tradition.

I named my first daughter after my real mother who died when I was 10 days old, showing my respect for the mother I lost. I named my second daughter Paula because of the song featured on today's jukebox pick. I liked the song and it just seemed right to name her that. My other children's names just came about.

Personally, I was named for the American Flag, "Old Glory", to which I have finally attained the true representaion of my name. I was born in 1945, my father was in the Army, and patriotism ran abundantly through the country. They were convinced I was to be a girl and I am not sure what my name would have ended up by being if I had been a boy. I would hate to think they would have been so cruel to have stuck me with that name anyways!

My one daughter named one of her daughters Samantha with the foresight that Sam would still be used whether it be a boy or girl. Samual/Samantha................the same except for gender. Her other daughter is Alexandria. Their nicknames are sure to confuse others..........Sam and Alex. Boy or girl?

We have all seen where some parents seem to lack creativity by assigning a last and first name that is similar (example: William Williams) or parents that try to find a name that coincides with the month of the birth. While some may think this a cruel trick to play on a child, it is one of the first things a parent gives to their child. So who are we to judge?

We all like to think that those names we give our offspring and those names given to us are unique. Even if there are thousands of babies named the same, our name IS unique because it was chosen for us by our parents and IS special because it belongs to us.

It is symbol of who we are and many times a reflection of our personalities. Have you ever looked a small baby and said "He/she looks like a Matthew, or a Sarah." We recognize certain characteristics as being incorporated in a name. My one grandson's name is Anthony and the family just assumed he would be called Tony. But when he was born, we realized that he was not a Tony, but an Anthony.

So what is in a name?.....tradition, creativity, a compliment to the person he/she is named after, or just something that sounds right. Whatever the name, it is ours and unique even though we may share it with thousands of others with the same name, it is our recognition in the world (how else would we be able to receive mail....chuckle, chuckle?). So if you don't like your name, try to find something positive in it because as in Johnny Cash's hit song, you could be "A Boy Named Sue".

ANSWER TO LAST TRIVIA QUESTION: What was Lucy Ball’s middle name? Desiree
TODAY'S TRIVIA QUESTION: What does the slang term "Cast an eyeball" mean? THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Wouldn't it be nice if whenever we messed up our life we could simply press 'Ctrl Alt Delete' and start all over?