Erica has been on my case to come up with a name for the little guy on the way. Not sure what the rush is, we have till November…
Anyway, I came across a story about a couple here in China who recently had a baby and they decided to take the path less traveled and to name their kid “@”. Yes, you read that right, they’ve named their precious little baby with the same symbol that is in every Email address all over the world. Man, I’d hate to get that kid’s SPAM!
BEIJING (Reuters) – A Chinese couple tried to name their baby “@,” claiming the character used in e-mail addresses echoed their love for the child, an official trying to whip the national language into line said Thursday.
The unusual name stands out especially in Chinese, which has no alphabet and instead uses tens of thousands of multi-stroke characters to represent words.
“The whole world uses it to write e-mail, and translated into Chinese it means ‘love him’,” the father explained, according to the deputy chief of the State Language Commission Li Yuming.
While “@” is familiar to Chinese e-mail users, they often use the English word “at” to sound it out — which with a drawn out “T” sounds something like “ai ta,” or “love him,” to Mandarin speakers.
Li told a news conference on the state of the language that the name was an extreme example of people’s increasingly adventurous approach to Chinese, as commercialization and the Internet break down conventions.
Considering 90% of the country’s 1.3 billion people share just 129 surnames, it’s no surprise that this is happening. It sorta reminds me of some of the names American actors burden their innocent children with (ie. Apple, Phinnaeus, “Rumer Glenn”, “Scout LaRue”, “Tallulah Belle”, “Sage Moonblood”, “Sistine Rose”, Puma, Jett, Sailor, and “Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily” just to name a few.) all in the effort to be different.
Well, different strokes for different folks! I’m pretty sure Erica will NOT sign off on naming our little one “@” – I wonder if she’ll go for “Starbuck”? That’s kinda a cool name for a little guy!?
What do you think?
Hi! I'm Steve Webel and this is my blog. Thanks for stopping by!
Steve, I haven’t been ‘on your case’, I think I have been more than patient waiting for us to decide on a name for our son! Yes, there are approx. 85 days before he is due to arrive, but I am ready to know what to call him besides Jelly Bean!
I think Starbuck would be a great name….for a dog! I have my ideas on great boy names, but I’m sure your getting tons of advice on that, so I’ll leave it alone.
You forgot the celebrity-child name Moxie Crimefighter!
I can’ wait to hear what you decide to name your son!
Susan,
Go ahead and leave your suggestions… I think Steve could use a little help! Let him know what you are thinking!!
Erica
Looks like the drama continues;
I have to admit, “/fetus” did make me laugh…