What's in a name?

Well, I've been pondering names. You see, Lumpy and I have an odd hobby. We enjoy spending our spare time walking local cemetaries, a pastime which was participated in with a fair portion of Lumpy's family (who strangly enough, seem to share the same predilection). Was that a run-on or what? Can you tell I was an English major? Anyway, the Lumpy extended family took a afternoon jaunt in the cemetary. Lumpy takes pictures with his Canon and we all comment on the strange names and epitaphs. The Lumpy family is even irreverent enough to let off a big guffaw at particular favorites. I think I was liking this post the first time better, before the internet ate it.

Anyway, going to the cemetaries always reminds me of Sunday mornings growing up. My mom was a Weight Watcher's leader, so Saturdays belonged to dad. We watched cartoons all morning: Smurfs, Gummi Bears, Strawberry Shortcake, Bugs Bunny, Dumbo's circus, etc. Usually breakfast consisted of the most sugary cereals on the market, the ones mom would only let us eat occasionally. My dad would make Cinnamon Rose tea with loads of sugar and milk, and only about a teaspoon of actual tea. Then we would play name games. Dad would read the birth notices and we would laugh at favorite names. Some favorites I still remember are LaStinka (no doubt at what the parents were thinking...), D'Artagnon, (my personal favorite) Espe Du Wop Jones.
Other awful names I found while doing a quick surf: Fritha, Sholey, Tegwin, Tannith, Ophelia Eden, Monroe Charlize, Heart Scarlett, and the list could go on and on. For an extensive list of the worst ever names check out http://www.notwithoutmyhandbag.com/babynames/index.html entitled Baby's Named a Bad, Bad Thing. And of course we could all add to the list the celebrities who have made terrible names household words. Care for an Apple anyone?

I give up on trying to spell the names of most kids today, too. I cringe to think of addressing 25 birthday party invitations to members of my daughters class. Perhaps an Egwene, Jacen, Camerin, Aken, Attica (since this is a prison located only miles from my home, this name is a most scary thought to me indeed. What if it becomes prophetic?). I have no problem with ethnic names, family names, biblical names, etc. But please, please think about your child’s future when you pick a name.

Any nominations for worst baby name ever?