By silicon.com, 5 January 2004 17:10
COMMENT Today we published a story about the very real possibility that we are to see a surge in infants named after well-known tech brands.
Just as children are commonly named after towns, regions, states or indeed luxury goods and football teams, soon we may witness little baby Centrino or find out the niece on the way will be christened Symbian (a word also featuring in Star Wars Episode I, lest we forget).
Think it crazy? Well this clearly isn't the most high-brow of subjects but consider these points.
This writer famously observed a man in a bar once (OK, it was in the American Deep South) with a substantial tattoo on his arm featuring the word - or rather the brand, livery and all - 'Ford'. Now this bear of a fella probably loved his pickup or the Ford dynasty or the company itself or quite possibly all three but it was surely a bit much going to such a length, right?
Well look no further than Sun CEO and Detroit native Scott McNealy. Here we have a well-known, bright-as-they-come man whose love for most things automotive stretches to naming his sons after models of cars.
So what if the Office for National Statistics today confirmed Jack as the most popular name for newborn boys in the UK (no change for a while there) and Emily as heading the list for girls (beating down Chloe into third after seven years at the top, if you're interested). It has now become clear that pretty much anything goes.
And while we're probably comfortable with a Brooklyn Beckham and yawn at the next Chelsea we meet, going the whole hog and using a tech brand isn't unthinkable.
Look at it this way: it's just a sign that IT and communications are rightfully taking their place alongside football teams, luxury goods and places named hundreds of years ago (quite often after people, no less). Don't you feel better about all those carefully made up company and product names now?
Would you consider an unconventional name for a child of yours? Have you taken that step already? We'd love to hear your thoughts. Share them by posting a Reader Comment below.
Comments
There are 3 comments. Join the discussion
1. Huw Owens
My cousin named her fifth child Chanel. Geddit? Chanel No 5.
2. Joseph Dawson
How about 'The Cisco Kid'
3. Tony Little
Two years ago when my sister had a little boy her husband, who is a big boxing fan and ex amateur wanted to name their son after his favourite fighter Sonny Liston, unfortunatley and as you can all probably guess, he's not the brightest spark and couldn't spell and the little lad now has the name sony. Although we have to call him sonny.