BEETROOT!

@Ninathenana - That seemed strange to me at first - Boys registered with names like Bill, or Charlie. But in 'computerising' Birth Marriage and Death indexes, I discovered that it's been going on certainly since registration began in the early 1800s.

It seemed odd that some children were given the names of the places where they were conceived - but then I found reference in Bleak House to exactly that, the old soldier, "Lignum Vitae" calling his children the names of the posting (or battle) at the time of their conception. One was called Montreal, I remember...

When a friend's DD became pregnant in her teens, my friend said she hoped her future DGC wouldn't be given the name of the place he was conceived or he'd be called "4 x 4"!

My new little GD has a very unusual name, but it isn't 'made up' - it appears in virtually all the baby naming sites, described as Greek in origin and rare in English speaking countries.

My DD and I, while searching these sites during her pregnancy, were actually quite surprised to note that many names we'd previously thought of us 'not proper names' were in fact listed as recognised in various cultures.

One of my DGD's name is the name of a herb (not Rosemary!) but it is always shortened. Had she been a boy she was going to be called Rocket - also a herb. I'm glad she's a girl!

Two of my godchildren (now both in their 30's) were registered as "Annie" and "Tom" not Thomas. The dear little chap next door (now 3) is also Tom.

As for giving animals human names, our much missed first cat was Maurice (I wasn't too impressed when at the vets they had him down as "Morris") and we also had a Lily. (She was adopted, and the first thing we did was change her name, I just couldn't have Mr P standing on the doorstep shouting "Spunky, where are you?" )

At work, 2 weeks ago we gained a workshop cat, 1 year old, who has been called George, but I think he looks like a Kevin.

Know what you mean, Lilygran. A little boy at the playgym asked me if I knew his name. I suggested Archie as that's a very popular boys name at the moment. "Noooo" he said in disgust. "Archie's the dog!"

I read in the paper about a chap who resented having to have a Christian name and changed it legally to Random Switch!

Is her name shortened to Lav?

Certainly not merlot! Actually it's shortened to T**a.

...there's too many asteriks for it to be Tea.

scratches head...

A Methodist minister I knew travelled around Africa some years back. He found some children were given a name just because they liked the sound of the word. He came across a Helicopter and a Jam-sandwich!

Oh yes. DD's pony was called T**a

Oh!!!! I get it!!!!

Sorry to be slow.

I have met an African called 'Doctor' after the doctor who delivered him!

Oh that's a lovely name. (the full version) Why do you shorten it?

She did the shortening jings as kids do and it actually really suits her!

@Phoenix - there's a book about him - The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents, by Terry Pratchett. In it, Maurice, the cat, sends the rats into a new town, then turns up and appears to rid the town of them - a con job!

Jane10 there was a little boy in DS1's reception class named Doctor, caused much hilarity when the register was called. The family only stayed for a year, maybe it's the same Doctor, he would be 45/46 now and I have often wondered if he lived up to his name.

I have a GS named Alfie I didn't approve but have got used to it. His younger brother is Bobby short for Robert, his Father's name. Why shorten one and not the other?

My DGD had swimming lessons with a little girl called Parsley - perhaps she is your DGD Gagagran ?
On my last trip to Australia I came across a Shayna-Blaze, a Kalani and a Havana to go along with Chase, Tag, Slater and Harley. I always make a note of these extraordinary monikas - I have quite a list now!!

DD, a teacher, has two girls in her class both named Unique

Both small dgs have very Scots names with the baby's name also having a Gaelic spelling-I'm getting used to putting the 'h' in the correct place now!

DD2 works for LA education dept and she says there are some odd names in the area. 'J' is one, another is 'Prayer' and there are 'Storms', 'Rainbows' and lots of very strange spellings. 'Mackayla' is one I really don't like.

I did read once-don't know if it's true or not - of a health visitor seeing a new family in her area where the toddler was called 'Gooey'. On asking the spelling she discovered that his name was actually 'Guy'.

I taught sisters Porsche, Mercedes and Lotus....I think their dad liked cars

Also sisters Summer, Sky, Storm and Cloud

DS had a boy in his class at primary school called TJ. No it wasn't short for anything.