💾 Archived View for gmi.noulin.net › mobileNews › 1834.gmi captured on 2023-09-08 at 18:42:22. Gemini links have been rewritten to link to archived content
⬅️ Previous capture (2023-01-29)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
2010-02-26 11:14:56
What do you call some of the most unlucky people in Britain?
Justin Case, Barb Dwyer and Stan Still.
It sounds like a bad joke, but a study has revealed that there really are
unfortunate people with those names in the UK.
Joining them on the list are Terry Bull, Paige Turner, Mary Christmas and Anna
Sasin.
And just imagine having to introduce yourself to a crowd as Doug Hole or Hazel
Nutt.
The names were uncovered by researchers from parenting group TheBabyWebsite.com
after trawling through online telephone records.
Retired airman Stan Still, 76, from Cirencester, Gloucestershire, said his name
had been "a blooming millstone around my neck my entire life".
"When I was in the RAF my commanding officer used to shout, 'Stan Still, get a
move on' and roll about laughing," he said.
"It got hugely boring after a while."
But 51-year-old Rose Bush, from Coventry, West Midlands, said she loved her
name.
MORE UNFORTUNATE NAMES
"I always get comments about it but they are always very positive," she said.
Implications
Researchers also scoured phone records in the US and found some unlikely names
there too.
Spare a thought for Anna Prentice, Annette Curtain and Bill Board the next time
you sign your name.
A string of Americans also have very job-specific names, including Dr Leslie
Doctor, Dr Thoulton Surgeon and Les Plack - a dentist in San Francisco.
A spokesman for TheBabyWebsite.com said: "When the parents of some of those
people mentioned named their children, many probably didn't even realise the
implications at the time.
"Parents really do need to think carefully though when choosing names for their
children.
"Their name will be with them for life and what may be quirky and fun for a
toddler might be regretted terribly when that person becomes older or even a
grandparent perhaps."
Below are a selection of your comments.
I was named Simon Swindells at birth. It caused no end of ridicule throughout
my childhood and teens and I changed my first name by deed poll shortly after
turning 18 and changed the surname a few years later.
I found it difficult to be taken seriously when meeting people (socially and
professionally when applying for jobs etc) as they laughed out loud when
hearing the name.
Chrys Hudson Lee, Brighton
My name is the same as the actor who played the third Doctor Who. Growing up
wasn't so bad, I used to get called all sorts, but because Doctor Who was seen
as "cool" the nicknames were always positive.
But when he moved on and became Worzel Gummidge, the school taunts became
crueller. I was constantly asked if I had an Aunt Sally, asked by teachers if I
had the stupid head on today etc.
In my 20s, people still recognised the name, and when the actor passed away, I
got several phone calls to see if I was still alive.
Jon Pertwee, Sion, Switzerland
This is a common name in Belgium and France but when I was living in UK it was
quite weird, because people were always talking about Richard the Third and I
had no clue of what they were talking about. I just realised some time later
on.
Furthermore in France, one of my colleagues has double nationality (British and
French) and his name is Olivier Moron (French origins). Once again in French,
no problem at all... but in English
Richard Six, Paris, France (but I'm Belgian)
Mine tops the lot. Think about it.
Jenny Taylor, Kendal
Well, years of ruthless teasing have given way to slightly kinder comments
along the lines of "what a great name". I just wish I had a decent answer to
the question: "What were your parents thinking?"
Daisy Picking, London
My father, whose name was Albert Hall, had a lot to answer for when he named my
brother Jim. Jim took a pounding whenever PE came round at school.
You'd have thought the "Royal" Albert would have been a bit more circumspect in
his choice of name for his offspring!
David Hall, Cardross, Scotland
My cousins called their daughter Esther Munday, it has always made me chuckle.
Terry Withington, Hinckley, England
This article has put a big smile on many of my colleagues, friends and client's
faces today. You would not believe how many times I have been e-mailed with
links to your website.
I personally love my name as it makes people laugh and at least no-one will
forget it! I'd never consider it unfortunate, it's just funny.
Jo King, London
My name was Susan Frame. I am a lawyer. I met and married Robert who is a
banker. His surname is Mee. Now we are Sue Mee, a lawyer, and Rob Mee, a banker
- ironic? I have taken no end of stick for this, believe me.
Susan Mee, Doncaster
My name being Andrew Burke, a lot of letters I get are to A Burke.
Andrew Burke, Aldershot, UK
When I lived near Aberystwyth, 20 years ago, I had a lovely neighbour called
Ivy Plant. If she's still alive, or anyone knows of her whereabouts, I'd
appreciate an address or any news of her.
John McCullough, Ballymena, Antrim
Unfortunately your name doesn't have to have a double meaning to be found
continually amusing to others. However, I have found the benefit in adult life
is that it is always noticed and remembered and is therefore a great networking
"tool".
Bill Badger, Romford, Essex
A chap who preceded me as student's union president at Imperial in London
changed his name to Sidney Harbour-Bridge for a year for charity. After the
year he decided to keep it as he found it an asset in business... I'd love to
hear if he has the moniker after nearly 20 years!
Chris Davidson, Market Bosworth
Hi, my mum was Hazel Nutt. Her maiden name was Morrison and she married my
father, Peter Nutt. I watched her write out a cheque once with the checkout
girl grinning, but my mum was definitely hiding a grin too. I think she loved
it.
Donald Nutt, Dundee
My name is ok, but I have a 14-year-old niece called Lotte Flack. Luckily for
her she lives in Germany so she is blissfully unaware of the implications. So
far.
Eliot Flack-Hill, Hove, East Sussex
Doesn't sound bad but when people start chanting merrily, merrily, merrily it
becomes tedious. Should have kept my maiden name.
Mary Lee, Pinner, Middlesex
I've always said that if my partner (a Button) and I had a baby girl we'd call
her Pearl. With the fringe benefit that I'd get to call myself mother-of-Pearl
Button.
Katie, St Albans, Hertfordshire
At the turn of the last century it was common to give girls the names of
flowers, hence my Nan and her sisters who were called Ivy, Daisy and Rose. It's
a shame their maiden name was Roots. My father, on the other hand, has a sister
called June, which goes so well with our family name, don't you think?
Kevin May, Kent
I went to school with a Penny Bunn and my cousin always said she would call her
daughter her favourite girl's name, Dawn, until she married a Mr Hobbs.
Delia Wyers, Burton-on-Trent