Tuesday, September 27, 2005 - What's in a name?

So we are still trying to decide on a name for our new baby son due to arrive in Jan 2006. We have a short list however there are still some issues with the names;

Samuel Franklin

Joseph Samuel

Thomas Samuel

Alfred Samuel

George Samuel

Samuel Fletcher

George Alfred

Richard Samuel

Samuel George

Our first born is James Alexander, Elina is pushing for Samuel as it is pretty much pronounced the same in Finnish, whereas James would phonetically be Yammes in Finland. I like George however Elina is not keen and has informed me that George is the Finnish euphimism for vomiting (kind of like Huey is in English). George is pronounced OO-REE-YA in her country (  now pronounce that while pretending to be sick at the same time.)

I also kind of like Richard but I hate the name Dick, which it will no doubt be shortened to. I am so-so about Alfred and Joseph but do like the shortened forms of Alfie and Joe.

Finally there is Thomas, which is my name and also my Dad's, the problem is one of my sister's kids is also called Thomas, so that would be four in our immediate family.

It reminds me of the time my Dad was in L.A on vacation and we went out for a drink, two other freinds of mine came along as well, who were......................... yes you guessed it, Tom From Battersea and Tom from Blackpool.

 We were in the bar and an American girl heard our accents and started with the obligitary questions I am sure we all get on a weekly basis. Where you from? How long have you been in the States? etc. etc.  She then moved on to names, by the time she got to the third or fourth Tom  in our group with various regional U.K accents she thought we were taking the piss.