Concerning Names

January 26, 2009 12:54 AM

or no reason, I'm thinking about names. Actually, I'm thinking about names because I was randomly thinking of one of my favorite books, One-Hundred Years of Solitude. Those of you who've read it know that although there are maybe a hundred characters in that book, there are a grand total of about three names. There are literally somewhere in the neighborhood of twenty characters named Aureliano. It's awesome.

Anyway, that got me thinking about how I generally like the idea of repeating names through generations. I lament the fact that although my actual middle name--Ismael--has been used several times in my family, my real first name has not. In fact, my real first name is in complete wrong language. I feel like it sticks out.

Ismael isn't the only cool name in my family, either. I have relatives named Ezequiel, Catalino, Efrain, Noel, and Edel, for example. Even in Spanish-speaking countries, I think these names are pretty cool. In America, they're even cooler because they sound different. I think names like Thomas, James, and William are really boring. And who would name a kid George? I mean, that name just sucks--and not merely because of presidential associations. It's just such a boring name.

The women in my family have not fared as well as the men, in my opinion. My mom's name is Felipa, although she legally changed it to Phyllis when she became a citizen. I love my mom, but I don't like either one of those names. My aunt is named Juana. I mean, how much more generic can you get if you're, you know, Mexican? My cousins names are Gloria and Gabriela. Again, I love my cousins very much, but I'm not a fan of their names. My grandma's name is Ygnacia. Again, I'm just not that big a fan.

So, yeah. If I have daughters, it's gonna be a challenge to come up with a good, dignified name with any history in my family. But sons--they're covered. I can't wait for little Ismael Catalino Tapia to run around kicking ass and taking names.

9 Comments

tRJ said:

I had to make a chart to keep up with all the characters in that book.

And Ismael Catalino is an awesome name. Way better than Nanananana Batman.

January 26, 2009 10:54 AM

Anonymous said:

i so totally hope your baby's momma hates those names, and wants a kid named, like, john george phillip distephano. you know, that last part b/c the kid will be mine, natch.

January 26, 2009 8:54 PM

The Expat said:

Those are some pretty awesome names. In my own family my mother's father and mother, Chalmer Ray and Ocea, take the cake. Nothing says "I'm from Texas" like these two handles. Man, I want some grits just typing these names.

January 26, 2009 11:34 PM

Dee said:

Disparage the name of William again, and I will conceive william michael ourlastname RIGHT NOW just so I can raise him as your enemy.

January 27, 2009 11:58 PM

Justine said:

The problem with naming your son 'Ezequiel' is that he might adopt the nickname 'EZ'.

January 28, 2009 4:34 AM

butterflyfish said:

Funny how its the opposite in my Irish family -- the girl names are pretty awesome (Delia, Nora, Breda, Siobahn, Sinead, Deidre) compared to the generic boy names (Michael, Timothy, Peter, James, John). We don't have any Colms or Padraigs or different Irish male names like that. (Heck I don't think we even have a Sean and my mom is one of 11, each of whom has at least one and many have three kids!)

February 27, 2009 6:58 AM

Kerriann said:

Tip top stuff. I'll excpet more now.

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