Turn back the clock with me:
You're in third grade. Your class is lining up to head out to lunch, or to recess, or to the library to pick out a book. Waiting is excruciating, and places in line are all-important. Then your teacher tells you all not to shove, that the order will be...alphabetical.
If your name is Aaron, chances are that memory can still bring up a rosy glow of entitlement. If you're a Zoe, you may still feel a bitter pang of resentment at the injustice of alphabet tyranny. But it's all just a memory, right? As the grade school years fade away behind us, we enter a world that's overwhelmingly first-come, first-served. When was the last time you lined up by name, with perks awarded to the alphabetical elite?
I'll tell you when: the last time somebody called you from a cell phone.
Today, most of us walk around with an alphabetized social register in our pockets. Depending on your lifestyle, your register may number a dozen names or a thousand. It may be subdivided into personal and business, or home and school. It may be grouped by letter, or even by name. (An executive with a huge contact list recently complained to me about how long it takes to scroll through the "Michael" section of his PDA.) But whatever the format, you probably find that certain names pass before your eyes again and again out of alphabetical happenstance.
Think about the potential significance of that kind of "personal product placement." In the social realm, what's the chance you'll forget to call a friend whose name is in front of you several times a day? If that friend gets similar prime placement on other friends' phones, it could lead to a real bump up in his social life. When it comes to business contacts, the right name could translate to closer client relationships, more active networking, and fresh opportunities -- the principles of old-fashioned Yellow Pages placement applied to your own first name.
Suddenly, an Aaron Abbott's old lineup advantage looks bigger than ever. At least until the next communications revolution.
The new social order: A, B, C, D...
08/28/2008, 10:32AM
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Comments
Michelle-Kinda my point about Piper's imaginary sister name. Though I do think Wren fits nicely as well as some others mentioned. Finley was suggested by Nymbler. As far as an imaginary brother name I am not quite sure as I was only thinking about girl names when I posed my question.
My dd had a meet the teacher day yesterday. Didn't meet everyone but some of the girls names of interest were: Linnea, Denna, and Brooke and Kendall are returners from last year. These are 4yo in mid-atlantic USA. I will have to delve into the background behind these when I get to know the parents better.
To turn the attention to a different celebrity, Tiger Woods and wife are expecting their second. They're due in late winter and there first one is a girl named Sam. (Lol I had to type that 3 times as my fingers just wanted to type Same). Any ideas for the 2nd's name?
How about two girls Sam and Alex? A boy would have to be named Earl or Dennison (Dennis?) after Tiger's father.
Dinah has a serious rhyming problem--Dinah Vagina really does sound like a tranny performance artist name (apologies if she's already out there using this name), And it wouldn't take long for kids to notice the possibility.
There are a list of names--Dana, Deena/Dina, Dona, Diana, Deanna, Donna, Danya, etc.--that are very similar without the Dinah Vagina problem.
The biblical character's violent fate probably doesn't improve its useability for most parents who'd seek biblical names...
I do know a several sister-pairs who are Sam and Alex--usually Samantha and Alexandra, but with the obvious intention of using the boyish nns. So Alex might be a good possibility for little Miss Woods.
I do know a several sister-pairs who are Sam and Alex--usually Samantha and Alexandra, but with the obvious intention of using the boyish nns. So Alex might be a good possibility for little Miss Woods.
Alex is perfect-thanks!
Hattie- I know a wonderful girl named Herra, so the name has nice connotations for me.
I haven't read ahead, so some of these might be duplicates (sorry 'bout that, Chief), but here are some thoughts... not knowing if you prefer more or less traditional names:
Hanna
Hennessey (apparently there is an alcohol? with this name, but I don't drink and therefore am unaware, I just like the word/name)
Honoria
Harriet
Hadley/Hedley
Harley
Hermione
I've been off-site for a long time...just came back and had to comment on this one.
My daughter's ex-husband's name starts with A. His name is in her cell, though, for when they need to communicate about their daughter. She got thoroughly fed up with seeing his name whenever she looked at the phone...and a friend suggested prefacing the name with Z.
BDL,
Oh, rats! Hadn't thought of the Dinah vagina rhyme. My husband suggested the words "Dinah won't you blow [your horn]" from "Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah" might be a bit of a problem. I didn't think so, because I'm not sure how many kids would know that song, but Dinah vagina might be an issue. I still think it's a lovely sounding name. I'm long past childbearing years. Guess that's a good thing or I just might have done some damage to a daughter's psyche.
Two things:
1. I know very few young ppl that scroll through their lists of contacts. Most phones allow you to press the corresponding number to skip down your list of contacts. For example, if I'm looking for Nadine, I'll go to contacts and press 6 twice.
2. I'm a nerd that puts her friends in by LastName, FirstName.
Hmm, I never thought about this. I grew up with a first and last initial right in the middle of the alphabet, so no matter how we lined up, I was always in the middle.
Now I have a "W" last name, so maybe we should balance that out with a early-alphabet first name for our kids. Our chosen girl name starts with an A, so we're on the right track. :) Maybe this would help us brainstorm for a boy name. We are completely blank on that front.
The names would not be odd at all if they were coming from liberals. Heck we hear these goofy names out of Hollywood all the time, Apple etc. But when your names "Willow" and you feel like the lucky one, that is sad. "Track" are you kidding me "Track". I'd take my normal name dad "Todd" and give him a beat down after boot camp if I were him. I mean if your going to name your first son "Track" don't you have to name your second son "Field". These names don't help you in school modern moms and dad's unless beat downs is what you desire for your children. Remember the endless male's named Ryan in the 90's? It was oh so cool until your boy came home and told you there were 6 other Ryan's in his class and then that name was ditched. I'm sure "Track" loves mom, but he's got to feel a little uneasy no pun "field"ing the endless questions about his name. As far as the goofy women names, girls can get away with that crap, look at half the the african american women names, something or other with an "a" on the end. One word for you "Track" ditch the "k" and put an "e" there, then send mom an email. I'd rather be a boy named Sue
I have read most of the posts in here and I like alot of the names I have heard. Surprising to me is that my daughter's name, Krista, is rarely mentioned, if ever when baby names are discussed. I chose it because I wanted a name that was beautiful and classy, and that she could grow up with, but was not at all common. Growing up, I was always the only Shelby I knew. Now days it is a quite popular name for little girls, but wasn't all through my school years.
We are now expecting baby number two, thinking it is a boy. I am having a hard time coming up with a name that follows the same guidelines and works with Krista's name. My husband loves the name Tristan, but I find it too common and I just plain don't care for it with my daughter's name.
Any suggestions?
ITs not nice to be in elementary school without a Redtube near you
I like Gretchen to go with Graham, its respectful enough and not a candy floss name that you are worried about, but i think its also really cute
That's a pretty amazing insight. I'd be very interested in putting some numbers behind it. Running a simple study that measures, for example, the median income of guys named Aaron vs a random sample of other names would be pretty interesting!
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Alan S.
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