# Anyone else moderately uncomfortable being around people with your first name? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 25, 2008, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-moderately-uncomfortable-being-around-people-with-your-first-name/442647 "2008-03-25T05:22:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Who\_me\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/958977/32.png) [@Who\_me\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Who_me_1)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2008, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-moderately-uncomfortable-being-around-people-with-your-first-name/442647/21 "2008-03-25T14:30:38Z")
My name is Dave, if having others with that name around bothered me, I’d have gone crazy…err… crazier. ---
**Author:** ![FaerieBeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e95f7d/32.png) [@FaerieBeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FaerieBeth)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2008, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-moderately-uncomfortable-being-around-people-with-your-first-name/442647/22 "2008-03-25T14:42:23Z")
I am made uncomfortable by only one instance of this particular scenario: My mother-in-law. She and I share a first name, so once I married her son,we also share the last name. It’s probably weirder for my husband, though 😉 As for my general circle of friends and coworkers, I have absolutely nobody at my workplace with my name, but in my group of friends there 4 of us that share a first name. Fortunately, we are all in the SCA, so we just all use our made up names most of the time. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2008, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-moderately-uncomfortable-being-around-people-with-your-first-name/442647/23 "2008-03-25T14:58:33Z")
My first name is somewhat uncommon, but not unusual – not a lot of people have it, but no one says “what the hell kind of name is that” when they hear it. Because it’s uncommon, it’s kind of odd when I meet someone who has it – though my first AA sponsor and I shared it, which was kind of cool – but I’m not really bothered by it. ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2008, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-moderately-uncomfortable-being-around-people-with-your-first-name/442647/24 "2008-03-25T15:26:53Z")
I have an uncommon first name and have never met anyone of my generation who shared it. I don’t particularly like the name, either, and don’t think of it as “my” name, so I think it would only bother me to meet a peer with that name if it led to confusion. I did, however, have a student with my name back when I was a teacher’s aide in a first grade classroom and it was highly unnerving to hear my colleague scold, “[Name], SIT DOWN!” and “[Name], STOP THAT!” every day. (She was a squirrelly little thing.) ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2008, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-moderately-uncomfortable-being-around-people-with-your-first-name/442647/25 "2008-03-25T15:30:07Z")
I’m a Chris, so it happens to me all the time. It used to bother me in elementary school because my best friend was Chris, but all the girls liked him better than me, so he got to be Chris 1 and I was stuck with Chris 2. Of course, I got called much worse names in elementary school, so I really shouldn’t be bitter. 🙂 As an adult, I could care less. Sure, it causes me to turn around when I think someone’s addressing me, but that’s no biggie. In my bowling league, there’s another male Chris and a female Chris (who is on my team). Again, at its worst, there is minor confusion. Certainly no cause for discomfort. ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Tyger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Silver\_Tyger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Tyger)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2008, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-moderately-uncomfortable-being-around-people-with-your-first-name/442647/26 "2008-03-25T16:54:03Z")
I’ve never been around someone with my real first name. Well, I’ve heard kids younger than me with it getting yelled at. It doesn’t bother me. Oddly enough, when I see someone using my online name, that bothers me. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2008, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-moderately-uncomfortable-being-around-people-with-your-first-name/442647/27 "2008-03-25T16:57:54Z")
[QUOTE=Silver Tyger Girl] Oddly enough, when I see someone using my online name, that bothers me. [/QUOTE] How often does that actually happen? ---
**Author:** ![gfloyd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d2c977/32.png) [@gfloyd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gfloyd)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2008, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-moderately-uncomfortable-being-around-people-with-your-first-name/442647/28 "2008-03-25T17:40:36Z")
My real name is Sarah and as common as it is, I really haven’t dealt with many other girls/women named Sarah. However, I feel idiotic writing emails to other Sarah’s. Just another one of my many issues. ---
**Author:** ![Caffeine.addict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@Caffeine.addict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caffeine.addict)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2008, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-moderately-uncomfortable-being-around-people-with-your-first-name/442647/29 "2008-03-25T18:01:13Z")
It happens so rarely so that it would be cause for wonder as opposed to anything else. \* My parents gave me an Italian name that is really two names put together. The first time I ran into someone with my name was on a trip where a mother was calling my name out and I turned and looked around in confusion for a minute before a little kid answered. In college there was a guy with my first name who shared a major. We never met although it confused other people and a professor who called the name and was expecting someone else to respond. I have met people with variants of my mine in the town that my dad is from. They are about two years younger, their mothers liked the name and then proceeded to spell the name phonetically, usually with somewhat comedic results. - If I google my first name and last name, the only response is me. ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2008, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-moderately-uncomfortable-being-around-people-with-your-first-name/442647/30 "2008-03-25T18:06:33Z")
I hate when I have to use ‘my’ name for other people, too. It just makes me feel weird. And: [QUOTE=Miss Purl McKnittington] It bugs me, but it’s about on the same level as people who ask me what I’m crocheting when I’m knitting in public. Oh well! [/QUOTE] If it makes you feel better, I’ve had people ask what I was crocheting… when I was _cross stitching_. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2008, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-moderately-uncomfortable-being-around-people-with-your-first-name/442647/31 "2008-03-25T18:43:59Z")
If I were uncomfortable with name sharing I would have had a miserable life, especially the first half. I’m a “junior”. ---
**Author:** ![Lillith\_Fair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bb73d2/32.png) [@Lillith\_Fair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lillith_Fair)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2008, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-moderately-uncomfortable-being-around-people-with-your-first-name/442647/32 "2008-03-25T19:04:31Z")
Oddly, I usually can’t remember their name. ---
**Author:** ![Lillith\_Fair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bb73d2/32.png) [@Lillith\_Fair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lillith_Fair)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2008, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-moderately-uncomfortable-being-around-people-with-your-first-name/442647/33 "2008-03-25T19:06:29Z")
This doesn’t really fit here, but… My best friend when I was a teenager was named Margaret. So was my sister. Confusion. My daughter’s best friend is named Kayla and her cousin is named Kayla so there have been some mix-ups there. And my daughter’s name starts with Ka so their school records would get mixed up because of having the same last name. ---
**Author:** ![Hockey\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hockey\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hockey_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2008, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-moderately-uncomfortable-being-around-people-with-your-first-name/442647/34 "2008-03-25T19:25:51Z")
[QUOTE=Mera Naam Joker] Yes! I have a pretty rare name though, and have only met one other **Roosh** in my life time, and that was fairly recently. But when I met him, and even though he was older- it was an immediate feeling of “You Stole my Name!” I like having a unique name, and I love my name, but I’m fiercely jealous of it too. And it’s only in person though, I don’t care if I hear about someone having my name, and in those cases I’m happy to hear about it usually. But when I meet them, and they’re younger than me- then my head just rationalizes it as “they’re paying homage to the awesomeness that is my name.” So no feelings of jealously, uncomfortableness or anything. However, if they’re the same age or if they’re older than me, I’m distrustful of them and my head is uneasy. Though if you have the same name as I, you’d never see the jealousy. But in my head… I’m watching you. Name Stealer. [/QUOTE] Welcome to the Dark Side RoOsh. 🙂 Have a cookie, enjoy your stay. ---
**Author:** ![Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tastes_of_chocolate/32/3232_2.png) [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2008, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-moderately-uncomfortable-being-around-people-with-your-first-name/442647/35 "2008-03-25T19:43:21Z")
My 2 best friends in 2nd grade had my first name. 2 of my good friends in high school had it. Two of my college roommates. 3 others at this office when I started. My pre-kindergarden babysitter. A good friend’s mother-inlaw. No, it doesn’t bother me. It’s way to common. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2008, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-moderately-uncomfortable-being-around-people-with-your-first-name/442647/36 "2008-03-25T19:53:55Z")
No, but one time I dropped a syntax class because the professor had my same last name, except spelled _and pronounced_ just slightly differently. It weirded me out. (Also, the scheduling was for shit.) ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2008, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-moderately-uncomfortable-being-around-people-with-your-first-name/442647/37 "2008-03-25T20:06:33Z")
My name is one of the most common male names in the English speaking world. I share it with my father. It was rare for me not to have at least one classmate with it in school. I can’t afford to get weirded out by other people having it! ---
**Author:** ![Litoris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9f8e36/32.png) [@Litoris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Litoris)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2008, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-moderately-uncomfortable-being-around-people-with-your-first-name/442647/38 "2008-03-25T20:07:21Z")
Update in a strange way – I googled “my first name and last name” with my spelling (my first name drops the very common superfluous “e”) and there were 2 people that _are not me_ – that really kind of freaks me out, considering one of them is apparently 1 year younger than I am. The name I go by is the same as a (relatively famous) actress from the 60’s and 70’s so googling it gets a bazillion hits, and doesn’t bother me much. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2008, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-moderately-uncomfortable-being-around-people-with-your-first-name/442647/39 "2008-03-25T20:16:43Z")
My name is pretty common so I’m used to it now. BUT yesterday I ran into an odd one. Me and the guy have the same first AND middle names just in a different order. I’m Kevin Michael and he’s Michael Kevin. That was a bit goofy. I must say though that saying our names in my order sounds a whole lot better than his order so at least I know I am better than he is. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harriet_the_Spry)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2008, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-moderately-uncomfortable-being-around-people-with-your-first-name/442647/40 "2008-03-25T20:37:10Z")
I once worked in an office where there were 5 of us. That was a bit tedious. We set up an email list for misdirected mail, phone calls, faxes… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-moderately-uncomfortable-being-around-people-with-your-first-name/442647.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-moderately-uncomfortable-being-around-people-with-your-first-name/442647.md?page=3)