There was an interesting article on the CNN website yesterday about what we're naming our children. According to the Social Security Administration, which has been tracking this information since 1997, the most popular girl's name for 2005 was "Emily," followed by "Emma;" the most popular boy's name was "Jacob," followed by "Michael."

Names matter. I know that some people find it fashionable to give their children odd names (like Gwynneth Paltrow's poor daughter "Apple," or Frank Zappa's children "Dweezil" and "Moon Unit"), but they often don't consider how those names may affect their children in the future. Years ago I met an 18-year old Army soldier named "Bambi." She was an attractive young lady...but someday she may be an 80-year-old great grandmother, and I'm not sure that "Bambi" will conjure up the image she may wish to present. And even at 18, a name like "Bambi" leads to an unfortunate mental picture of a wide-eyed, empty-headed teeny-bopper (which this young lady certainly wasn't).

Consider also the names that many blacks give to their children. At a time when we are hyper-sensitive to anything that singles out individuals on the basis of race, many blacks give their children obviously "black" names such as "Antwan" (a variation on the French "Antoine"), and the dozens of girl's names that begin with "La-" (such as "Lashonda," "Latoya," etc). Nothing wrong with that, if that's what you want, but it does seem to mark the person in a way that they may not wish.

Our sons are Jason and Matthew - good, solid boy's names, and our daughter is Yasmin, a mellifluously beautiful name somewhat more popular abroad than here at home. And the grandchildren are Marcella (Marcy) and Joseph - both great names for great children.

So what's your name? Do you like it? Would you pass it on to your children, or do you occasionally consider suing your parents? Remember Johnny Cash and the Boy Named Sue?

Names matter. You don't need to express your creativity or make a social or political statement at your child's expense. They'll live with that name a lot longer than you will.

Happy Mothers' Day to all the mothers who read this. More thoughts tomorrow.

Bilbo