People and assuming things about names really chaps my ass. But mostly because my whole life I have been called by the wrong name by many, many people. They call me Jessica, which is not my name. And then when I tell them that, no, it's just Jessie, many of them say, "well, that's a boy's name."

Idiots.

Oof... right there with you! My kiddo's name is French and getting people to NOT pronounce that last "s" is impossible. When he was small he used to tell people, "but there is only one of me." because with the "s" his name sounds plural. He's finally given up and just introduces himself in English. But, LORD help you if you even sound remotely French--he starts in with, "My FULL NAME is French... I have three names, want to hear them?" Heh.

All of this overshare to tell you, yes Virginia, people SUCK.

I feel yours and Alliclaus's pain. My name has no accent marks, but there are three vowels in a row, and when people try it pronounce it for the first time, it looks like they're eating their own face. By high school, I started going by Bree with new people that I met. I couldn't take the butchering anymore.

I hear you. People ask us what we are going to call my son all the time. I usually say Dietrich, because that is his name. Yes it's German. What am I supossed to say? "Well we named him Dietrich so that it looks cool on a birth certificate but we are going to call him John so that ignorant people can pronounce it." I also wonder how the hell people throw a "D" where the "T" is. I know that there is a Deidrich's Coffee but Good God. The only one with an excuse is my mother who has a hard time saying the "T" because she is in the process of recieving dental implants. What is funny is that both grandpas call him Dieter. Dieter is a an actual German name which has a similar meaning to Dietrich. It is like calling someone whose name is John or Jonathan, Jack. Which is common back East. Anyway I like my son's names. Either he is the ruler of the people (Dietrich) or the warrior of the people (Dieter). Either way his name kicks ass. His mother wanted Ezekiel... like I was going to name my boy Zeke? Maybe if I had one tooth and voted Republican.

Ok I'm guilty I assumed that Alliclaus' was an Allison/Alyssia (both very nice names) but I bet her name is beautiful and I say who gives a rats a** what other people think. I love "batshit crazy" I had never heard that expression before today, had me giggling.

My Crazy Leavenworth Grandma wants to give stupid nicknames to everyone and insists on calling Arun by the nickname "Aruni" which is a f&*king girl's name in Hindi and I keep TELLING her this, so instead she says "Aruni" behind my back and then says "I don't think Cagey likes me calling him that". Um what makes her think that? Perhaps, because I TOLD her I didn't like it?

It doesn't matter what you name your kid, someone always has a comment At least we named our kids a REAL name, Beth. Instead of some of the weird made up stuff around here.

I know a gal who named her daughter "Tealey" yet got cross-eyed when I attempted to teach her the oh-so difficult name of Arun (rhymes with typhoon, maroon, lagoon. Your pick).

You can't win! :-)

I love her name...it is totally beautiful and I totally dig names that are different and significant. Donovan's middle name is a family name and most people don't understand why its not a "real" name. I love the individuality of her and Donovan's name...I really love using her initials and now that I can say her name correctly...I can't stop myself from using the initials!

I wish people would understand how much thought and care go into chosing a name for your child. Maybe then they would have more respect for those names when they hear them.

That drives me CRAZY!!

I have two boys, Aidan Lynn and Quinn Allan.
I CANNOT tell you how many times people have fucked up the pronunciation/spelling of their names. Seems simple, but people do it constantly!! Their middle names are family names and I get a ration of shit for that too!! Plus, I am asked if I named my children after the actor Aidan Quinn...I give a big sigh and explain (for the bajillionth time) that we chose Aidan for it's Celtic roots. And Quinn because my husband has always loved the song "The Mighty Quinn" and it was Celtic as well.

Why do people feel the need to be so rude? I would never presume to ask these kind of questions TO PERFECT STRANGERS!! Oh wait,that's right, my mama taught me manners!! And why do people always want to use a nickname? If I wanted a shortened version of their names- I would have given it to them!!

Do not even get me started on our last name!!

I love it when people put a lot of thought into their children's names. I think it is awesome.
You call her whatever you want, after all, you ARE HER MOTHER!!

SO THERE, RANDOM RUDE PEOPLE!! HAH!

My name, also, has family meaning. I came to love the connections I had as I became old enough to appreciate them. Alliclaus will, too -- and heck with those who don't understand.

I hear you....my daughter's name has three letters, that's it. When I tell people her name, they like to ask, "oh, is that short for anything?"

No, dumb-dumb. That's her name.

Why is it that people are never happy with the name you give you choose for your chitlens?

Picking a name is one of my favorites parts of having a baby (aside from, you know, the actual baby). I think it's such an important gift, to be overly sappy about it- but seriously a name should be something that you love and are proud to give to your child!

I wish I knew what Alliclaus' real name is, but I'll believe you when you tell me it's beautiful and has deep meaning for you!!

(People always have the most random opinions on things. Lady's name is VERY traditional, and in a family of in-laws that favors more "trendy" names, I think the classic name we chose for her was a little bit of a let down. Can you stand it?)