Name Pronunciation Complaints Line (leisure blogging)

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by and other name would smell as sweet. So Romeo would, were he not Romeo called.”

Translation for all the Shakespeare-deficient:

“Your name sucks. Get a new one.”

Apparently the name Jessica is both over-used and confusing.

I am constantly introducing myself to people, only to hear them reply, “Oh, I have/had a friend/cousin/girlfriend/mom/grandma/aunt/great aunt/sister named Jessica.”

WHAT a coincidence!!! Way to make me feel special. Sometimes the above remark is even followed by, “Isn’t that nice? I’ll definitely be able to remember your name.” Yes, wonderful.

My mother, may she rest in peace once she dies in about 55 years (or more *crosses fingers*), thought Jessica was a unique name, wherefore naming me said name I am now referred to as. I looked up my name online and I believe in 1990, Jessica was the third most popular baby name.

So, there’s the over-used part. As you may or may not recall, depending on how well your brain works (if you’re one of those cousin-named-Jessica-I’ll-remember-you people mentioned previously then obviously you do NOT recall what I am about to refresh you on) I pointed out that Jessica is a very confusing name.

I was so confused with my own name when I was smaller, I referred to myself as “Ed-i-ca”. My brother Marck, when he was born, called me “ca-ca”, our next-door neighbor Trey, when he was younger, called me “si-ca” and my youngest brother Robert called me “ga-gi-ga”.

However, Robert and I were more on track than some people these days. No, I don’t mean those who call me “Jessi” or “Jess”, because those I really don’t mind. They’re pet names and provoke pet-like qualities including loyalty and cuteness. Side affects may include following around like a puppy and amnesia.

The most common mispronunciation of my name is “Jess-kuh.” Grown men and women are apparently so consumed with their jobs that they seemingly have no time to include the second syllable in my three-syllable name.

“Now I’ll have more time to play LEGOs! Yay!”

“But I don’t know how to play LEGO.”

“But you don’t have to…it’s that simple.”

Alright, well…enough of that. Goodnight everyone.

~Jessica