Nigel*
As people have learned that my beautiful little nephew has finally made his appearance, the first question I am always asked is: “What did they name him?”
I think we all have a slight fascination with names… really, a name is so much more than just a name. It’s an identity. There are strong names, fun names, weird names, cool names, what-on-earth-were-they-thinking names (I believe Dick Assman fits into this category…), beautiful names, old names, blended names, and so many more.
Confession: I have a bit of an obsession with names. I already have several names picked out for our future children, and one name came to me in a dream. Seriously. That’s how obsessed I am.
…but when I was a teenager, I was obsessed with only one name: Nigel.
I love the name Nigel, even though it seemed like such an uncool name when we were younger. Everyone I knew associated the name Nigel with someone who looked like this:
…but I didn’t care. I loved the name. Don’t ask me why– something about it just struck a chord with me, and I often named things Nigel. I had books, and pencils, and other random items in my locker named Nigel. (I even had a moose named Nigel). Just say it out loud, it’s the best name: ny-gel. NIGEL.
Nowadays I think the name is actually becoming somewhat popular and, in high school, more socially acceptable.
AND, there are some very famous people and characters who boast my favourite name:
1) Nigel Barker (America’s Next Top model)
2) Nigel Lythgoe (So You Think You Can Dance?)
3) Nigel Powers (Austin Power’s father)
When I attended high school #2, I made some glorious, glorious friends. I had one friend in particular that I often went on adventures with, and we quickly became close. When I think back on that time of my life, my favourite memories almost always include him. We were silly and laughed non stop. One day, we decided to give each other nicknames. He called me Carla…
…and he became Nigel.
It’s been years since I’ve seen him, and we really don’t talk much anymore… but anytime I hear the name Nigel, I still think of him. haha!
My obsession with the name has since died down a little, but I actually still love it.
What’s your favourite name?
3 Comments
Olivia
Nigel is such a cute name! I totally agree..a name is an identity! Which is why I can’t understand why some parents give their children such horrible names. You wouldn’t believe some of the ones I see. I always cringe a little bit when I see the ones that paint a picture of just how the child got there in the first place (“Passion”, “Chardonney”, and “Chance”)
But the worst ones I’ve seen have to be “Deeveus” and, believe it or not, there is even a girl in my class whose name is an illegal drug, rearranged and hyphenated. Just sick.
Karen Peterson
I like Nigel. It’s cute.
I also love the names Gavin, Talia, and…Penelope. Ever since I was obsessed with Punky Brewster as a kid, I have wanted to have a daughter named Penelope. Although I would call her Penny for short instead of Punky.
Date Girl
Hehe, Nigel makes me think of a stuffy English professor who always says, “Quite right, quite right.” No idea why but that’s the picture in my head.
I have a few names I’ve tossed around for my future babies. I love the name Osirus, and I would call him Si for short, but honestly, that name really only works for a beautiful tall African American baby, and not the whiter than white little shorty I’m likely to spawn. ;-) I also love the name Titus, but again, same issue.