Given names

[piperdbh]

People will name thier children whatever they like, as is their privilege, but I wish they would consider that the child will not always be a child. For the life of me, I cannot imagine an 83-year old woman named Tiffany, or two old men playing checkers at the general store: "So, Courtney, how's life been treatin' you?" "Not too bad, Jordan. You?"

Personally, I prefer first names used as first names, but to each his own.

I knew of a man named Forest Plants, I personally know Herb Dills, my father's sister's name is Terry and her husband's name is Leslie (he goes by Les). They regularly receive mail addressed to Mr and Mrs. Terry R_________.
I know a (former) couple who used their two names and rearranged them a bit to come up with thier sons' names. She kept her maiden name when they married, and gave it to one of the sons and the other bears his father's surname.

[ccga3359]

I was born in England in '65. My mum wanted to give me a unique/American name (I don't know why, I've always liked Desmond or Reg). She gave me the name Grant, I guess not realizing the Scottish contribution. She was quite peeved when a short time latter another kid down the way was called Grant. Although still not a common name over here in Canada i did work for a company that employed 3 of us (I suggested that I should thusly be called "good looking Grant" to avoid further confusion, I think they ended up calling me stumpy).

I always liked the Victorian custom of bird names. My grandfather was Edward Cecil Peacock Wells and a childhood hero was Robert Falcon Scott. So when it came time to name my first child he became Alexander Eric Falcon... then when we had our daughter she became Taylor Megan Peregrine.

With my daughter you'll notice that her first name is a transfered last name and further, transfered boys first name.