Fun With Names: The Rocker Girls

Girls of Song. This came to my mind recently because NPR featured a story about THE Sharona of "My Sharona" with the passing of The Knack's lead singer. There was a time in my life that I wanted to name my girls after songs. That is, assuming I have at least one girl in my lifetime. My friends and I would try to think of songs that featured our names. I like "my song" which is by Pure Prarie League (granted that girl spells her name differently than I). So now I will recap what I used to think would be GREAT names for girls. "Oh how lucky they would be". ha ha ha

Layla: Ok, what woman wouldn't want a song like this to be written about them? If I were Pattie Boyd, I would have run off with Eric Clapton too. (Although George had some contenders too).

Rhiannon: I used to think (and still do) that Stevie Nicks was awesome. Loved this song and I think that my friend CP also wanted to name her daughter this. I'll leave this one for her.

Mary: I love this name. There's "Proud Mary" one of my favorite karokee songs EVER and A lot of Bruce Springsteen songs are about a "Mary". Every time I see Bruce in concert, I mention (to the aforementioned CP) that I wish my name was Mary so he sorta kinda would be singing to me. (Ok, I also wear a puffy paint I HEART BRUCE shirt to these shows so you can see that I'm not all there mentally when it comes to Bruce). I do not feel the same about "Candy", "Rosalita" or any of the other Springsteen women.

Angie: Something about Mick Jagger crooning ANNNNGGGIE made me think this would be a good name back in the day. "Oh Angie don't you weep, all your kisses still taste sweet". Yikes! I don't want to think about my daughter making out quite yet!

Roxanne: Ok, never wanted to name my daughter after a stripper but good song none the less.

Jane: Another name I like. However, I have an aunt named Jane so that probably will make the "family name" list that will be coming in the future. Recently this name struck a chord in my heart because of the Dan Jansen VISA commercials during the Olympics. His sister, Jane, died and he named his daughter Jane after her. I can't get too much more into it because i will start crying. ANYWAY back to songs. There's Sweet Jane from the Velvet Underground and Jane Says from Jane's Addiction. A whole lotta "Jane" going on.

Susie: You're right. I would never name my daughter this, really. But I really love Susie Q. LOVE IT.

Cecilia: I will admit that this was on my name list for real. Not one of my most favorites, but on the list just the same. My husband vetoed it. Then, after Jim & Pam named their baby this on The Office, it definitely left my mind. As my brother-in-law said, "Remember when everyone named their baby Emma after Rachel & Friends?". Touche. But Cecilia by Simon & Garfunkel was/is a great song.

G-L-O-R-I-A: GLORIA! Go Van Morrison. Or what about GLORIA! I THINK THEY GOT YOUR NUMBER! GLORIA! (Laura Branigan). Yep. That one made my bachelorette party mix. Two great songs, but admittedly not my favorite name. There was a woman in our 'hood growing up named Gloria and she and her husband are totally gross. My family still makes fun of them. (See how fun this name association thing is?!)

Michelle: Ma Belle. A great Beatles song. An okay name. I have a cousin named Michelle though so again, this name is cross-referenced with the family name list to come.

What about boys of rock? I never really had the same thing for boys and songs. As a girl, I think I liked having a song about me so I wanted one for my daughter. But who knows WHAT I was thinking? I also wore a Led Zeppelin t-shirt during my Math Club year book picture so that should give you some idea of the weirdo I was in high school, and still am. My husband has already vetoed "Bruce" for boys names - I didn't bring it up (nor would I want to name my son Bruce) but he knows how deep my love goes so he immediately threw it out there.

By the time this name association thing gets done, you ALL are going to think I'm crazy!