I am not promoting any brands here nor am I thirsty. Believe it or not, both of these belong to two children, who sadly have been named after a fizzy drink and a region in France, where delicious sparkling wine is produced. Délicieux !!
I came across an article last week about naming your babies here in Germany. You see, this is a country that is famous not only for its efficiency but also its rules and regulations in nearly every single aspect of your life, including naming your babies. You cannot just name your newborn child random names that you think are cute but do not fit in the category of “acceptable children names”. You have to go to the Registry office and when you register the birth of your child, you must also check whether the name is acceptable.
Sometime I think this law is a bit absurd, because why can’t the proud parents name their children “Apple” (Chris Martin from Coldplay & his Hollywood wife Gywneth Paltrow) or “Peach“, “Fifi Trixibelle” and “Pixie” (Sir Bob Geldof) ? Surely these parents have thought through these names, and I trully believe these are the best names they could give to their children.
Unlike in Germany, it seems the parents in the US have more freedom. In a country where everything is so BIG, a study has confirmed that more and more children are named, also after big “things” such as Armani, L’Oreal or Porsche. There are even two little boys, one in Michigan and the other one in Texas, called ESPN, after the sports channel. After reading this, I can’t help but thinking about two dear people in my life. One is Esther, my dear sister in law who is 6 months pregnant and my dear old friend Niza, who is also pregnant and waiting for her first child very soon. I am sure it is also a task for them to find a great meaningful name for their unborn children, and I believe it is not an easy thing to do.
Thinking back about the law, I must say, it might not be a bad idea after all let that be for the sake of the kids in their later lifes. I surely would hate it if people at school start picking on me because I am called “McDonald Infiniti Armani Orangina Walker” or for short : M.I.A.O.W.
a.
p.s:
Orangina is a (soft) drink brand, as well as (Johnny) Walker which is a Scotch whisky.
Infinity is a car from Toyota.
1 Comment
July 14, 2006 at 16:22
You do no really want me to call your nephew Pixi, Trixi or Fixi? Even if it seems that we are used to strange (nick)names in our familiy – like Fritz, Eph (also known as F… )! The poor child has already to deal with his bi-cultural parents… For you however at least the first letter of your future childrens will be clear – Channel followed by Daimler, E-bay and F
Waiting for ABCDEF-Hirsch
Esther!