Spinoff: what's your SSN and do you like it?

I'm Alyssa. I do like my name, but there were zero other Alyssas my age growing up (I'm 48), so I was inevitably called Melissa, Alicia, Lisa, Elisa, Elizabeth, or one of the other more popular names of the time. It's a much more familiar name now so less of an issue. My kids have simple, short, timeless names to spare them similar issues!

Anonymous wrote:I'm a Kiersten/Kerstin/Kirsten/Kirstin. I hate it.

No one can ever say it or spell it. They had to print and mail my college diploma three times because they couldn't get it right. My first driver's license was misspelled. My own grandmother called me Christin. My boss, who I've worked with for almost 10 years, still calls me Kristen. It's a hopeless battle.

FWIW I think these are all really pretty names but I totally get the spelling/pronunciation battle. It's too bad people didn't just settle on one spelling pronunciation because, again, it's so pretty (well two because I think Kiersten and Kristen are totally different names).

I think of this when I see people getting "creative" with other names by changing spellings and slightly altering the pronunciation. Not talking about people who use a variant based on their language or country of origin (like Amelie versus Emily, which is fine if you are actually French and not really confusing). If you like a name just use the most common variant of it, your kid will be glad you did.

Rumpelstiltskin.

No.

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Anonymous wrote:Nikki (well actually Nicole). I like Nikki, Nicole is fine, but doesn't feel like its me.

Every Nikki I've ever known has been awesomely cool, including the one named Veronica who went by Nikki.

Anonymous wrote:I have a name that became associated with popular songs in the 60s and 70s. There seemed to always be someone whose eyes would light up when they were introduced to me and burst into song. My friends and family thought it was hilarious. Now it doesn't happen very often because I moved where it was an extremely common name.

PP and meant to ask-

Amie? Brandy? Amanda? Sherry? Peggy Sue? Rhonda?

I have an Irish surname as a first name that was very uncommon when I was growing up but has become more common recently and which can be mispronounced.

I like it a lot and am a little sad it’s becoming more popular. I had a period during childhood when I did not like it though and having to correct the pronunciation gets old.

Anonymous wrote:Courtney, and it's not bad. I am still surprised when I meet another Courtney.

My DIL is Courtney—I adore her. Some people call her Court but I say both syllables.

Anonymous wrote:Courtney, and it's not bad. I am still surprised when I meet another Courtney.

Every Courtney I become friends with winds up getting called Court-Court. As a kid, was friends with someone whose last name was Portman (not Natalie) and I called her Port-Port. I just like the sound.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a name that became associated with popular songs in the 60s and 70s. There seemed to always be someone whose eyes would light up when they were introduced to me and burst into song. My friends and family thought it was hilarious. Now it doesn't happen very often because I moved where it was an extremely common name.

My 9 yr olds friend is Cecilia. I have never once sung the song at her, but I’ve been in groups where obnoxious people have, and by the expression on her face you can tell she’s completely over it.

Brandy? Amie? Amanda?

No, her name is literally Cecilia.

Courtney, and it's not bad. I am still surprised when I meet another Courtney.

Kathy - and yuck. I have tried to go by Katherine a few times and nobody takes to it. Oh well.

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rebecca here 53 and I love my name…now. I kind of wish that my parents had spelled my name Rebekah because I am old-fashioned and traditional and prefer the biblical spelling.

Funny that I married into a Swiss-German surname and I often assumed to be Jewish.

I am 4th generation Rebecca and never nicknamed. Also forgot to give my only DD my name so guess it ends with me.

My name is Rebecca, too.
Age 56. Love!

So happy to read this. I have a little Rebecca and there’s never been another at her school. She is also a no-nickname Rebecca.

I am the last poster who just said my name is Rebecca and I like my name. Funny it looks like all of us Rebecca's like our name! I'm 60 and there were no other Rebecca's in my class.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a name that became associated with popular songs in the 60s and 70s. There seemed to always be someone whose eyes would light up when they were introduced to me and burst into song. My friends and family thought it was hilarious. Now it doesn't happen very often because I moved where it was an extremely common name.

My 9 yr olds friend is Cecilia. I have never once sung the song at her, but I’ve been in groups where obnoxious people have, and by the expression on her face you can tell she’s completely over it.

Brandy? Amie? Amanda?

Rebecca and yes I like my name. I don't like the nicknames, like Becky or Becca.