First Names

As I understand these things (and that is probably a stretch for a childless curmudgeon), there has been an explosion of rather unusual first names for kids. Given what I remember of how gym teachers could stumble over pronouncing NORMAL names when I was a kid, I really can't imagine what's going on today, but I do suspect it is quite amusing.

Here in the U.S. of A., I just read with some relief that simple names still reign (Jacob has been #1 for no less than 14 years while Sophia has for two).

However, over in New Zealand, the government is actually banning the use of certain names. Now, I am not surprised they do this considering some of the names that their citizens have proposed: 4real, Anal, M, . (for "Full Stop") and Sex Fruit.

I find it odd that parents voluntarily curse their offspring with such names. Here in the U.S., I leave that to actors.