Conference oass::babynames

432.0. "Zorba(s) The Greek" by TKOV50::ZORBAS (NULL Junior) Wed Aug 30 1989 00:33

    
    Although we're not having a family at this very moment, my Wife
    and I often discuss possible names for our potential family.
    
    What do you with a surname of ZORBAS?
    
    We are not looking for a Greek name or a name that can be shortened
    (easily). 
    
    What do you suggest? No Anthony's or Quinn's please :-) 
    
    Here is a little insight into my own name...
    
    My heritage is Greek (no kidding!) and it is usually the practice
    to name your first born of each sex after the paternal Grandparents, the
    second of each sex after the maternal Grandparents, the rest is
    a lottery I guess. (We don't plan to follow this custom.)
    
    My Grandfather was Steven (originally Stavros), but he had 10 children,
    and so the possible number of cousins to be named Steven (or Stephen)
    was huge. My parents altered things a little and although I was
    christened Stavros I was named Stuart (my Mother's side is Scottish).
    
    The one problem I have with 'STUART' is that it sometimes comes across
    sounding like GEORGE! (probably because of my Australian accent it
    sounds like Schuart instead of Stoo-art).
    
    		Thanks and regards,
    
    			Stuart.
              

    Well Stuart, you may not agree with my opinion, but here goes. 
    I LOVE names that start with "Z".  My last name is Zuest (its Swiss),
    and I was VERY lucky that my parents names me ZOE (which happens
    to be a Greek name meaning "life".)  Many people in this file will
    tell you that you shouldn't name a child with a name that starts
    with the same first letter as the last name.  They don't like
    alliteration.  However, I always liked, er loved, the fact that
    my initials were ZZ. (My middle name is Ann, but I don't use it
    because it is too common.)  So, if you have a girl, you might consider
    naming her Zoe Zorbas.  I pronounce my name like Joe, but the Greek
    pronunciation is Zo-ee.  You might also consider Zelda or Zara.
     For boys try Zane, Zeke (short for Ezekial), or Zachary.  Anyhow,
    good luck!
    

RE: ZZ names:

I went to school with a Zina (pronounced Zee-Na) Zopp.  She never minded her
name, either (as far as I knew!)