Names have always fascinated me. The first time I was involved in this complex, yet fascinating process of naming kids was when my first cousin (Sakthivel, now in first year college) was born when I was just 7 years old (young!). My aunt asked me and my sis, suggestions for names. I was very excited at the prospect of naming a baby, and we started reeling out names. Even though, none of the names I suggested made the final cut, it ingrained in me the curiosity to start 'name watching' (akin to people watching, or bird watching to be specific !!!). I am not going to write about Indian names here, because, we all know how Indian parents name their child. At least with Hindus, it is mostly after a god's name. But in all these years of 'name watching' I have noticed many names which have struck a chord with me immediately. At this juncture I would like to mention that am not meaning to ridicule any name, which would hurt anyone. I know my name might sound totally weird to a person from Poland. Also, I will not delve into the subject of what the names might actually mean. However, what I intend to write is, all the names that have rather made me think, what the parents would have thought when they actually named their kids ! It has always been the second name that has captured my attention.
The first name that would always come to my mind whenever I broach the topic is the English cricketer, whom many people would have conveniently forgotten by now, because he represented England in a few matches. However, he remains my favorite, at least name wise, if not as a player. His name is Richard Sidebottom. I mean, who would have thought of coining a name as weird as Sidebottom. That, I thought, was rather an unusual name! Speaking of English cricketers, another flamboyant left handed batsman, who played for England in 90's would be my next choice. He is none other than Neil Fairbrother. Does it mean that his elder sibling was dark? I do not intend to cause confusion in their family, but am just curious......We have the swashbuckling New zealnad opener Greatbatch (Mark). Was he used as a test product (Quality control), among the bunch of other kids born before him, so name the 'batch' of kids as a Greatbatch???? Anway, having started with cricketers (maybe it has got to do with my natural penchant for cricket), I would like to draw your attention to few other names that I found rather amusing, if not weird.
The first two examples were interesting combinations of common words in English. There might be many of them, but these two are my favorites. The following names have words that we use in everyday conversations. So then, we have the amazingly talented brothers from Zimbabwe who have tormented many teams, especially in Test Cricket. They are the Flower brothers. If that was a nice 'pluck', what about Dominic Cork, the English allrounder? Has anyone ever told him, screw you mate? Then we have Whites, Blacks..No, no I dont mean the skin color, these are names, for real. Interestingly, the Zimbabwean tennis player Byron Black was not black, but a white guy. Craig White from England (Ooops, looks like most of the names are from England), there is one more White from Scotland or Ireland, which am not sure of ! I wonder if any black parent names their child as White. I have not heard of any, if you have please do let me know !
There are the famous trio from Australia. Boon (David), Marsh (Geoff), and Border (Allan). Oh yeah, ofcourse, the Taylors (Mark, Peter, not brothers though) from Australia again. Not far from them are the Crowes (Martin and Jeff, brothers) from New zealand. What about our famous coach John Wright? Did they mean to name him Right or Write? Watever it is, we did find a (W)Right coach in him.........Did I almost forget the kiwi express,super express,infact. Yeah, Bond (Shane), the cop turned cricketer, who I think is the genuine, flawless, fastest bowler. Does that name remind you of one of the famous character ever created. Right people, its Bond, James Bond? However, the best trio, my all time favorites is Cook(Jimmy), Rice (Clive) and Wessels (Kepler), from the South African team. I always used to say, Cook the Rice in Wessels (Vessels, really). Sadly, for other teams they always managed to cook it well.
One set of names which is not difficult to crack is, the 'Sons'. For instance, John's son would be Johnson. David's would be Davidson or Davison (like the Canadian Cricket captain). Not to forget the West Indies captain, Richardson.
Coming back to combinations, this man came to my mind first. He is David Letterman. Did he disappoint his parents by becoming a host in a tv show and not a postman, er, letterman? I have always felt sorry for guys who are named Dick. But i managed to remember this name, right now, as am writing this. It is none other than the World class tennis player Roddick. Sorry guys, no offence meant, but it seriously amuses me to no end. If anyone does not get it, please do not ask me what it means ! I have to admit am too much of a cricket addict, even though I managed few names out of Cricket world. There might be tonnes of other names, but then I hope I have conveyed the message I wanted to tell (If there was any at all.....). Let me know what you think?
The first name that would always come to my mind whenever I broach the topic is the English cricketer, whom many people would have conveniently forgotten by now, because he represented England in a few matches. However, he remains my favorite, at least name wise, if not as a player. His name is Richard Sidebottom. I mean, who would have thought of coining a name as weird as Sidebottom. That, I thought, was rather an unusual name! Speaking of English cricketers, another flamboyant left handed batsman, who played for England in 90's would be my next choice. He is none other than Neil Fairbrother. Does it mean that his elder sibling was dark? I do not intend to cause confusion in their family, but am just curious......We have the swashbuckling New zealnad opener Greatbatch (Mark). Was he used as a test product (Quality control), among the bunch of other kids born before him, so name the 'batch' of kids as a Greatbatch???? Anway, having started with cricketers (maybe it has got to do with my natural penchant for cricket), I would like to draw your attention to few other names that I found rather amusing, if not weird.
The first two examples were interesting combinations of common words in English. There might be many of them, but these two are my favorites. The following names have words that we use in everyday conversations. So then, we have the amazingly talented brothers from Zimbabwe who have tormented many teams, especially in Test Cricket. They are the Flower brothers. If that was a nice 'pluck', what about Dominic Cork, the English allrounder? Has anyone ever told him, screw you mate? Then we have Whites, Blacks..No, no I dont mean the skin color, these are names, for real. Interestingly, the Zimbabwean tennis player Byron Black was not black, but a white guy. Craig White from England (Ooops, looks like most of the names are from England), there is one more White from Scotland or Ireland, which am not sure of ! I wonder if any black parent names their child as White. I have not heard of any, if you have please do let me know !
There are the famous trio from Australia. Boon (David), Marsh (Geoff), and Border (Allan). Oh yeah, ofcourse, the Taylors (Mark, Peter, not brothers though) from Australia again. Not far from them are the Crowes (Martin and Jeff, brothers) from New zealand. What about our famous coach John Wright? Did they mean to name him Right or Write? Watever it is, we did find a (W)Right coach in him.........Did I almost forget the kiwi express,super express,infact. Yeah, Bond (Shane), the cop turned cricketer, who I think is the genuine, flawless, fastest bowler. Does that name remind you of one of the famous character ever created. Right people, its Bond, James Bond? However, the best trio, my all time favorites is Cook(Jimmy), Rice (Clive) and Wessels (Kepler), from the South African team. I always used to say, Cook the Rice in Wessels (Vessels, really). Sadly, for other teams they always managed to cook it well.
One set of names which is not difficult to crack is, the 'Sons'. For instance, John's son would be Johnson. David's would be Davidson or Davison (like the Canadian Cricket captain). Not to forget the West Indies captain, Richardson.
Coming back to combinations, this man came to my mind first. He is David Letterman. Did he disappoint his parents by becoming a host in a tv show and not a postman, er, letterman? I have always felt sorry for guys who are named Dick. But i managed to remember this name, right now, as am writing this. It is none other than the World class tennis player Roddick. Sorry guys, no offence meant, but it seriously amuses me to no end. If anyone does not get it, please do not ask me what it means ! I have to admit am too much of a cricket addict, even though I managed few names out of Cricket world. There might be tonnes of other names, but then I hope I have conveyed the message I wanted to tell (If there was any at all.....). Let me know what you think?
10 comments:
impressive!!!!!
Thx buddy !!!
Hmmm.. nice imagination. I thought you missed few names that we always used to make fun of when we were younger. I dont want to say when we were kids. First name came to my mind was that UAE cricketer Poonawala. I always wonder, was he from Pune, coz UAE usually has players from other countries. ;)
And UAE also has this Dhukanwala... why his he playing cricket? Recently the most funniest name to pronounce is Salman Butt. Oh nooo.. no offence.
Clive Rice,Jimmy Cook etc. They were always funny. And there was this Glackstone Small. Man, he was never small. In fact he troubles the batsmen with his bouncers. I think thats it from my side. Man, My mind cud bring so much. Cudnt believe i still remember those names.
yeah yeah i understand that n i hav also said tht there r tonnes of names out there....i wrote only those tht i remembered. Had UAE played I guess I would hav written, but now seriously they were not even in my mind !!!
Wright and Roddick were improvisations on the spot. Gladstone Small is a very very unique name, rather, coz both his first name n second name are common eng words. I also felt bad tht i missed Whatmore, since his name appeared in my first post !!!!
This piece reminds me of a seinfeld episode where Jerry, george and Kramer go to the public library and they ask for their chief librarian or some one whose name is 'Bookman'.Kramer says it's like an ice cream man named 'cone'. One of their episodes also featured a proctologist named 'assman'
p.s how come u forgot Gaylord focker?? that is a total disaster
Who is Gaylord Focker? Is the name from Meet the Fockers?
yes da.. it's from that movie
And Focker's wife's name is Martha Focker. :D
Sathyama I do not remember any of the names....Rags do u mean 'Mother' Focker????? i guess it was barbara streisand who played tht role???
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