I have a problem with parents who choose a name, like Aidan, and then work diligently to create the most obscure spelling possible. Yes, I know, every parent’s child is the most special child on Planet Earth, but good grief, to what extent does this need to happen? What is with this driving need to make one’s child unique by choosing a name that may result in said child having the crap kicked out the her or him for years to come?

I have no particular thoughts on the names of you or your family members. I’ve known a Bronwyn, I worked with a Kae, but haven’t see the other names. I have no idea how to pronounce Boann. I would assume these names have a history or lineage connected with your home country and culture.

I have a friend named Derryl Murphy. His dad is George Murphy, and his mom is Nadine Murphy. Derryl married a woman named JoAnn, whose parents are named George and Nadine. His sons are Aidan and Brennan. Derryl’s sister is named JoyAnne. JoyAnne married a guy named Darryl. We don’t get any of them confused.

I will certainly remember your name. I don’t think names need to be unique; my name is Randall, I use Randy. My brothers are Christopher and Todd, parents are Michael and Loretta. My niece is Jocelyn, my nephew Elliott. Christopher and Michael are about as far from being unique as I can imagine – should I think of my brother and father any less as a result?

I have no children, so perhaps I would think differently if I was holding a newborn son or daughter. Somehow, I doubt it. I have a number of favorite girl names, such as Annie, Laura (and any derivation therein, such as Lauren, Laurel, etc.), Heather, Kate, and many more. Less so for boys – there are few male names that work for me anymore, but I still wouldn’t invent a name if I had a son.

I know of a couple whose names were Randy and Darlene – they named their daughter Randelene. I know of another couple who named their daughter Jameasina, a contraction, I believe, of James and Tina. Unique? Yes. Bizarre? No doubt.

Despite what you may think about me in this regard, I do find names fascinating. When I meet someone for the first time, and they tell me their name, I am always interested in the spelling. Last night at our folk music festival, I met a woman named Sheryl. I asked, “Do you spell it with a C or an S?” She said S. There is nothing more frustrating that having someone assume the spelling of your name based on its sound. If I met you in person for the first time, how pretentious would it be to assume your name was spelled K-A-Y?

Watch for my rants about the 2004 and 2005 Alberta baby names sometime soon. :-)

My brother, though, didn’t, and his name is unfortunate for a different reason. He calls himself “Mick” now, but he used to call himself “Mike” – “Mike Hunt”. Say it out loud. If you don’t get it, say it to your partner and see if you get a slap.

Anyway… nothing wrong with “strange” names. At one time, even “John”, “Jack”, “James” and “Ulysses” would have been new.

The whole point of a name is to be a label. There is no point giving the same name to everyone – that would just be confusing (I had a friend John Murphy, who’s best-friend was John …Murphy, who’s dad was called …John… …Murphy…).

Think about it – “K.A.E.” – will you remember that tomorrow? Will you confuse me with someone else?

If a name is not unique (or at least, rare), then it’s pointless. You may as well call people “hey, you!”