The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-17
WHAT'S IN A NAME
Dolly Dissertates On Time Worn Subject and Finds Some Interesting Arguments Marys'' and "Marthas Taken At Their Face Value, While the Maymes'' and "Gerties''" and Other Fluffy Ruffles"
 Must Prove Themselves
By DOLLY DALRYlfPLH.

we had, knowing he'd come back at the proper time.
 On the other hand look at the "Regi- nalds' and "Percivals'' and "Geralds" and "Maymadukes," not to speak of the poor little "Gerties' and "Floras" and "Maymes and "Gladyses."
 Whats in name?
 More than those who are will chris tened appreciate or realize.
 A prayer soldier never lived than John Smith, and yet we always have to designate him as iRocahontas' John Smith, 5a rF ~'- I have always fancied that a certain woman writer voiced her own feelings when she made character in one of her short stories eXclaim:
 "Yes I've got a beautiful first name 'Clarissa Sounds lovely and dignided but think of what follows, Jonesr It's like wearing a lovely false fringe in front "a transformation'-an turning around to show what a miserable little knot or black hair you've got! 'Clarssa Jones' Why, I'd marry the first man who asked me that had a decent name to offer me.'
 Personally, l think the last name mat ters little. It's the first name that counts. The family" name, in the beginning. meant nothing more than the clan name, while Ihe Christian name was the individual identification.
 Robert Louis Stevenson, whom the Samoans were pleased to call "The Tel Ter of Tales" somewhere speaks of the feeling we have for people whose first name is the same as our own. He de- clared that a man named Robert ale ways made the first call on his interest in a crowd.
 I know a woman who named her baby after a Persian rug and all the neighbors were supplied with topic of conversa- tion for years to come.
 We all recall the lady that our friend Mr. George Ade tells about. who being at a loss for name for her baby looked in the "cook book and decided, after mature consideration, to name 1t Far ina, after the famous pudding of that name. .tf
 Another woman I know named her boy "Theodore Roosevelt" during the hero worship period of that delectable gen tleman.
 Of the two I would prefer to be named after the Persian rug. which being translated means "The Tree of Heaven" In fact, I'd rather carry about with me ali my life that cognomen than to suffe through existence with the check book signature of an erst-while President of the United States. Nothing could pro- tect one so encountered from anecdotes and personal "reminiscences such as:
 Let me see; you're named Theodore Roosevelt. Born during his first term as President, or on his triumphal march from the jungles of Africa? Um! that makes you--er, femme see; how many years old?'
 Let it rather be "rhe Persian Rug" of uncertain birth and no fame!
 Time was when every girl baby born had to be dubbed 'Lucile'' when fond ''mamas' were memorizing that immortal letter of Owen Meredith's:
 '.Im told you are going to marry.
 Miss Darcy
 The lady who was "as soft and sallow as autumn"
 And then came the Edna Earle" period and scores of girl babies were thought to be tempamentally like St. Emo's bride the fair and deeply learned Augusta Evans Wilson's heroine. Down the slope of years come the "Evangelines'' and the "Lalla Rookhs.' while Jayne Eyres" came in to declare a dividend not far behind. "In Jane Eyre" one poor Evangeline confided to me. "A girl has name that isn't so bad after all. It's sort of a nice scrubby tub" name; you can wash 1t and ring it out and put it on the line to dry while Evangeline is hopeless, Yes, it's pretty, I know, but obviously ri- dculous! It's cross to me and thorn in my flesh"
 Whats in a name? All that those who have borne it creditably have left associated with It. Whats in a name? Much-or little!
 1 We ought to be bigger than the tags" our parents give us at christening, when we have no voice in the matter and are l helpless.
 Whats in a name? That which is rose would by any other name be still rose" you say? Even so-many Mary" who has been christened May" or "Maybelle' has lived and died in spirit a Mary still.
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