A name is the first gift you give your child. You want it to be special - to be as unique as your newborn. Gwyneth Paltrow chose Apple for her daughter. Demi Moore picked Scout for hers. Forest Whitaker selected True. These are definitely unique, but are they too unique?

How could someone "titled" Knight say any name was too unique. Knight was my mother's maiden name; and I'm sure Gwyneth, Demi and Forest had reasons just as meaningful for their choices.

As a child, the good news about having a unique "verbal identification" is you're the only one in your class. The bad news is you're the only one in your class. When I did something "inappropriate", I was never confused with the Anns, the Marys or the Susans. Of course, George Foreman's sons were confused at shcool and at home. They're all Georges.

Eventually, most of us get a handle on our "handles"; but for some it's harder. While Frank Sinatra, Jr. was trying to fit into his, people were expecting him to fit into his father's shoes too.

Some people never grow into their "labels of love". Archibald Leach changed his to Cary Grant, Marion Morrison chose to be John Wayne and Norma Baker became Marily Monroe.

When I had children, I "gifted" our first son Lincoln, after my father; but before he was out of diapers he became Link. Because I didn't want our second son nicknamed, he's Adam. Why Not? It worked for God.

Although "male monikers" go through cycles of popularity, Jacob, Michael and Joshua usually top the most popular list. For girls Emily tops the list, but who would have guessed that Madison was the third most popular girl's name in 2005. Now Ethel, Ruth, Edgar and Randolph - the names of our parents and grandparents - have become unusual.

Today some names are unusual for unusual reasons. They're invented or have unusual spellings and pronunciations - as if teachers weren't stressed enough.

If what one was called influenced one's choice of profession, I think Andrew would be in the arts, Katherine would be a business woman and Gus would play football. Ida - Ida know. However, some people are known as their profession - like me - like Mom.

Nevertheless, no matter how careful you are, there's always someone who wanted a namesake - but not in the Jewish faith. Jewish children are not named after living people - how clever is that! No complaints!

BlueWaterArticles.com: - What Does Your Name Say About You

About the Author

KNIGHT PIERCE HIRST takes humorous looks at life. Take a minute to make yourself smile at http://knightwatch.typepad.com