Joyce A. E. Russell wrote this for washingtonpost.com, “A person’s name is the greatest connection to their own identity and individuality. Some might say it is the most important word in the world to that person…. When someone remembers our name after meeting us, we feel respected and more important.” My first name was the most popular girl’s name the year I was born and many years after that too. There are so many famous Jennifers. There’s Lopez, Aniston, Lawrence, Tilly, Carpenter, Love Hewitt and Jason Leigh… just to name a few. I didn’t exactly feel quite like an individual in camp when there were 4 Jennifers in my bunk of 12.
In college most people used my last name since there were so many Jens running around campus. And two girls (I later befriended) just called me Peach Jacket freshman year, because of my choice of clothing. (It was an Uber cool peach leather jacket that my parents brought back from Italy, so I didn’t mind the nickname.) I wish I still had it but it’s long gone. Sigh.
There was a period of time in my late teens when my very funny friend Michelle called absolutely everyone Mary, and I do mean everyone. Occasionally my family slips back into this habit and we laugh every time.
As far as making up names, I’ve always been pretty creative. I named my first computer graphics company Jentech, but I was denied access since it too closely resembled Genentech. (How dare they? But I decided not to fight it.) So I changed gears and came up with Computrix and a created a fun logo using the font Curlz MT. I won a contest for renaming a company that did floor planning, spatial design and counter creation for retail cosmetics companies with the name Blu Orbit. (I guess the other entries weren’t all that special, but they liked it.) I took a full day off from work to think about my next company under which Jen’s Little Black Book would live and I came up with Cognitive Popcorn, because I thought it was like food for your head. I still like that name.
I named our couch Barney because he is a huge purple monstrosity in the middle of the living room. And our chalkboard chicken in the kitchen goes by Stella, because when you write on her belly it’s like she is screaming at you. (I got a chicken for my Mom too, but since she lives in Florida, she named her bird Dixie since she’s a southern chick. I just love her thong sandals.)
Lola Smooch is our major piece of art on the wall. She got her name because she has such a pouty face. Our papier-mâché dog is named Bark because his mouth is open 24/7. Hector the Protector rounds out the crew as the cool cat in the corner who watches over the whole place.
When Matty was little he asked for a penguin for Hanukkah. He was probably about 6 years old when he made this very reasonable request. He told me that he’d name his new pet Flipper, that he could live in our freezer and take long swims in the tub, and when he was hungry we could make flushie slushies in the toilet for Flipper to eat. Yes, great idea, Matty, but sadly, no. Then he wanted a pet turtle he was determined to name Speedy. I told him to ask his Dad.
I’ve been brainstorming names for Matty’s new clothing company (once he launches his solo career sometime in his bright future), but he’s been hating all of my suggestions. I liked Early Dismissal because it sounded carefree and fun– but he wasn’t crazy about the initials… which I get. Then I came up with Meal One, since that’s so him and his audience could wear his cool sweats to eat breakfast. He told me it sounded like a good idea for a restaurant– maybe he’s right. Then today I was thinking that since he wears his pants with a slightly tapered leg and a stack at the bottom that maybe Slouch was a good name? He said the brand sounded lazy. So now I’m thinking Slouch is a great menu item at Meal One! Maybe it’s a deconstructed omelet or a sloppy French toast stack? “I’ll have the Slouch with a side of bacon please.” Mmmmmm, doesn’t it sound good? I temporarily gave up after I recommended Mattitude and he completely ignored my text.
jenslittleblackbook.com 