Name of the Game

It can be kind of sad how a given name can be tarnished by the actions of an individual with that name and the unfortunate associations that become linked to that name. Think about the unfortunate souls named “Adolf” that were alive as Adolf Hitler tarnished the name on the world stage. Think of any poor Americans named “Benedict” as Benedict Arnold betrayed the Patriot cause. I would venture that even fictional villains can temporarily bestow a dark cloud over a particular given name. Think of all the people named “Damien” after The Omen film franchise’s Damien Thorn was revealed to be the Antichrist and the son of Satan.

Of course, there are also less dramatic “villains” that come into our lives that may tarnish a particular given name for us. Think of a childhood peer that bullied you or a boyfriend or girlfriend that did you wrong and broke your heart. Think of that obsequious, brownnosing coworker that ultimately got that promotion that you had worked so hard to get. When you hear that name, does it chill your blood? Or does it just bring a frown or a scowl to your face? Feel like naming your newborn child that name? I wouldn’t think so unless you have had some great times with another person that also had that name to counteract the unpleasant memories.

I experienced this just the other day when I saw the name signed on a work document. The young lady that signed the form is always pleasant, appears to always be capable of putting on a smile, and she is cute as can be to boot. Yet I am certain that I made a face when I saw the name on the document. There are some unpleasant memories associated with that name for me, to put it mildly.

No, I am not going to share the name in question. It isn’t important and that isn’t the point of this particular post. I just found it amusing and I felt like sharing. Besides, as unlikely as it may be, there may be a woman out there somewhere that has ruled out “Greg” or “Gregory” as the first name of her firstborn male child because of me. 😉