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'Most unfortunate names' revealed

What do you call some of the most unlucky people in Britain?

Justin Case, Barb Dwyer and Stan Still.

It sounds like a bad joke, but a study has revealed that there really are unfortunate people with
those names in the UK.

Joining them on the list are Terry Bull, Paige Turner, Mary Christmas and Anna Sasin.

And just imagine having to introduce yourself to a crowd as Doug Hole or Hazel Nutt.

The names were uncovered by researchers from parenting group TheBabyWebsite.com after
trawling through online telephone records.

Retired airman Stan Still, 76, from Cirencester, Gloucestershire, said his name had been "a
blooming millstone around my neck my entire life".

"When I was in the RAF my commanding officer used to shout, 'Stan Still, get a move on' and roll
about laughing," he said.

"It got hugely boring after a while."

But 51-year-old Rose Bush, from Coventry, West Midlands, said she loved her name.

MORE UNFORTUNATE NAMES

 Pearl Button
 Jo King
 Barry Cade
 Carrie Oakey
 Priti Manek
 Tim Burr

"I always get comments about it but they are always very positive," she said.

Implications

Researchers also scoured phone records in the US and found some unlikely names there too.

Spare a thought for Anna Prentice, Annette Curtain and Bill Board the next time you sign your
name.

A string of Americans also have very job-specific names, including Dr Leslie Doctor, Dr Thoulton
Surgeon and Les Plack - a dentist in San Francisco.

A spokesman for TheBabyWebsite.com said: "When the parents of some of those people mentioned
named their children, many probably didn't even realise the implications at the time.

"Parents really do need to think carefully though when choosing names for their children.”

"Their name will be with them for life and what may be quirky and fun for a toddler might be
regretted terribly when that person becomes older or even a grandparent perhaps."
Below are a selection of your comments.

This is a common name in Belgium and France but when I was living in UK it was quite weird,
because people were always talking about Richard the Third and I had no clue of what they were
talking about. I just realised some time later on.

Furthermore in France, one of my colleagues has double nationality (British and French) and his
name is Olivier Moron (French origins). Once again in French, no problem at all... but in English
Richard Six, Paris, France (but I'm Belgian)

Well, years of ruthless teasing have given way to slightly kinder comments along the lines of "what
a great name". I just wish I had a decent answer to the question: "What were your parents
thinking?"
Daisy Picking, London

This article has put a big smile on many of my colleagues, friends and client's faces today. You
would not believe how many times I have been e-mailed with links to your website.

I personally love my name as it makes people laugh and at least no-one will forget it! I'd never
consider it unfortunate, it's just funny.
Jo King, London

My name was Susan Frame. I am a lawyer. I met and married Robert who is a banker. His
surname is Mee. Now we are Sue Mee, a lawyer, and Rob Mee, a banker - ironic? I have taken no
end of stick for this, believe me.
Susan Mee, Doncaster

When I lived near Aberystwyth, 20 years ago, I had a lovely neighbour called Ivy Plant. If she's still
alive, or anyone knows of her whereabouts, I'd appreciate an address or any news of her.
John McCullough, Ballymena, Antrim

Unfortunately your name doesn't have to have a double meaning to be found continually amusing
to others. However, I have found the benefit in adult life is that it is always noticed and
remembered and is therefore a great networking "tool".
Bill Badger, Romford, Essex

Hi, my mum was Hazel Nutt. Her maiden name was Morrison and she married my father, Peter
Nutt. I watched her write out a cheque once with the checkout girl grinning, but my mum was
definitely hiding a grin too. I think she loved it.
Donald Nutt, Dundee

Doesn't sound bad but when people start chanting ‘merrily, merrily, merrily’ it becomes tedious.
Should have kept my maiden name.
Mary Lee, Pinner, Middlesex

At the turn of the last century it was common to give girls the names of flowers, hence my Nan and
her sisters who were called Ivy, Daisy and Rose. It's a shame their maiden name was Roots. My
father, on the other hand, has a sister called June, which goes so well with our family name, don't
you think?
Kevin May, Kent

Story from BBC NEWS:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/7909561.stm

Published: 2009/02/25 18:04:08 GMT

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