What’s in a name?
For some cosmic reason which escapes me, it suddenly occurred to me that Seamus (pron. Shamus) is probably the coolest name in existence. I would love to have people start calling me Seamus, but I don’t think I could carry it off. At the very least, you would need a cool last name too, like the Xbox guy. I don’t think “Blust” is going to cut it with Seamus.
When I was growing up I hated the name Adam, because it was extremely unusual in those days, unlike today where just about every 5- to 10-year-old has that name. (I still whip my head around when my name is shouted out at, say, Target, only to find the object of the yell is some meandering toddler.) And we all know how great it is to have something that the other kids can latch onto at that age – I had enough problems, as my picture on the about page makes painfully clear. But now I like the name, since it’s still distinctive and it seems to fit me.
If you were going to change your name, what would it be? And why?
If I were to change my name I’d go with something like Adam, and I’d move my last name closer to the front of the alphabet, maybe something beginning with B. You can file for the restraining order now.
My given name at birth by my parents was “Todd Andrew.” My brothers hated it, and for good reason. So, they compromised and decided to name me after my grandfathers, Robert & Elliott. I like it very much and wouldn’t change it for anybody.
When I was small, I told my mom I wanted to change my name to “George,” probably after the Curious monkey.
If I *had* to change my name, yeah, I’d probably go for something a bit less Top 20, probably something Celtic — Seamus is pretty cool.
I watched an interview by Seamus Blackley by (the generally gorgeous lantern-jawed kilt-wearing) Patrick Norton on the Tech TV show, “The Screen Savers”. He came off as a real piffle-puffle.
When I was nine I wanted to change my name to Stewart, partly because of the E.B. White novel, and partly because of the drummer for The Police. I love my name now. Phillip Stafford Harrington. They don’t get more distinguished than that. I think Christin and I did well with the girls, though she deserves more credit than I. Madelynn Sue and Lillian Grace. Beautiful names for beautiful children.
I’ve grown to like my name. If I were to change it, I’d go with the female name that’s equally as cool as Seamus (and as likely to be mispronounced) –Siobhan.
I’ve always hated how common my name is. One year, in a class of 43 students, four of us were named Karen! I learned not to respond to my name being called by the teacher in the hopes that some other cleverer namesake would pick up the question that I couldn’t answer. If I were to change my name, it would be Kaitlyn. The “K” to share the same initial as my twin brother.