(CNN) -- When you hear the name "Indiana Jones," you think of an archaeologist carrying an idol and dodging a giant boulder. When you hear about "Dow Jones," you might wonder if it's up or down that day. However, in this case, Indiana and Dow Jones are siblings, 12 and 7 years old, respectively.
Dow and Indiana Jones participate in many sporting events. Indiana says, "announcers love to say our names."
Indiana Elizabeth Jones shared her story with the iReport community, and we spoke with her mother, Jennifer Jones. The Port Deposit, Maryland, resident says Indiana got her name simply because her husband's family is from that state.
As for Dow Joseph Jones, there was serious talk of naming him Jack Ryan Jones, to keep the Harrison Ford theme. (Jack Ryan is the character Ford played in a series of action movies.) Instead, her husband named their son Dow on a dare while Jennifer was asleep in the hospital bed after giving birth.
She said she cried when she found out and even thought about having Dow's name changed.
CNN.com asked users to share their unusual names after a 9-year-old New Zealand girl named Talula Does the Hula from Hawaii won the right to change her name. (Full story)
Dozens of members of iReport.com community explained the stories behind their odd names, as well as what they've experienced in their day-to-day lives.
Some names might not seem problematic until they're actually used on a daily basis. Open Weaver Banks of Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey (speaking of odd names), says that she shared her story with iReport.com in hopes that parents would think twice before giving their children an unusual name.
Open is an unusual name, but it's not necessarily a name that one might expect to cause regular difficulties. Weaver Banks, however, says that she often has problems with it.
"I have a hard time using my credit cards for personal items, because clerks will accuse me of using a business card. I cannot tell my name to someone without having to explain it. Some days, it is exhausting, and I can't even disguise the annoyance in my voice."
Banks' childhood was "painful" because of her name, too. "I still give my mother a hard time about the name choice, and she tries to explain that she was young, she liked how it sounded, it was 1970 and various other reasons," she explains. "I actually tried going by another name for a year, and I realized that as much as I truly hate my name, it is embedded in me and so much a part of my experience."
Some people avoid the use of their name altogether to avoid questions, confusion or embarrassment. "At times, for the sake of avoiding an uncomfortable conversation or throwing someone off guard, I answer to the names of 'Mary' or 'Kelly'," says Bluzette Martin of West Allis, Wisconsin. At restaurants, "the thought of putting an employee through the pain of guessing how to spell and pronounce 'Bluzette' just isn't worth it to me."
Martin was named after "Bluzette," an up-tempo jazz waltz written by Jean "Toots" Thielemans. Despite her daily problems with this name, it certainly has its perks, like when she met Thielemans in 1987 at a club in Los Angeles. "When I met [him], he thanked my mother," she says.
She called her mother in the middle of the night and told her that she had a surprise for her. She gave the phone to Thielemans, and he started doing his famous whistling, to the tune of "Bluzette."
Even celebrities aren't immune to the use of unusual names. Take boxer George Foreman's children, all named George. (Or actor Jason Lee's son, Pilot Inspektor, or comedian Penn Jillette's daughter, Moxie CrimeFighter.) These are just-plain bizarre names, like that of iReporter Holden Holden.
Holden, a sophomore at Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania, says that having a double name has its pros and cons. He says he has a face people will remember because his name is easy to remember. Unfortunately, he says, he's not very good about remembering names himself, so it can lead to some awkward moments.
Holden's grandfather died a month before he was born but was always called by his last name as a nickname. "My last name is my mother's maiden name, which she reverted to after she divorced," he explains.
Holden also says that he plans to run for president in 2036. "Since my name is pretty easy to remember, it'll be easier to garner votes that way."
As for Dow Jones' mother, she didn't go through with changing his name. Now she sees it as something unique for someone with the very common last name "Jones." And perhaps that's the bright side to having an unusual name: It sets you apart from the crowd.
Dow's sister doesn't seem to mind.
"There is a new Indiana Jones movie out this year, so all my friends think it's pretty cool," she says.
Friday
Sarah Palin: 'I always wanted a son called Zamboni'
As Alaskan governor, its should come as no surprise that Sarah Palin has a particular fondness for all things ice hockey-related.
And with boys already called Trig and Track, the Republican’s vice-presidential candidate has certainly shown she isn't shy of giving her children unusual names.
But even by her standards, naming a child 'Zamboni' - after the machine that makes the ice smooth during hockey matches - is perhaps taking things a little too far.
Room for a Zamboni? Sarah Palin (C) surrounded by her family members. From L-R back row: son Track and husband Todd, second row: daughter Willow, Governor Sarah Palin, daughter Bristol, at front daughter Piper. Palin has suggested that Zamboni might be a good name for a future child
Palin was quizzed about future names for children during a wide-ranging interview with People magazine in the US.
When asked whether she and her husband had any more unusual names up their sleeves, the politician said: ‘We did. We never got to get our Zamboni in. I always wanted a son named Zamboni.’
Her husband Todd, however, seemed less than impressed with the suggestion. ‘I don't think that would have flied,’ he said.
Luckily, the possibility of Palin inflicting the bizarre name on any future offspring seems unlikely as she also admitted that her current brood of five is enough.
Zamboni is the brand name for the large machines that smooth and condition the ice during ice hockey games.
A Zamboni machine smooths the ice during an ice hockey match
Palin’s five children all have unusual names. A dedicated runner, she named her 18-year-old son Track because he was born during the athletics season.
Her eldest daughter, Bristol, was named after Bristol Bay, the area where the Palin clan goes fishing.
The youngest of the clan is four-month-old Trig Paxson, whose first name is Norse for 'true' or 'strength'. Paxson is one of his mother's favourite spots in Alaska.
Her other daughters Willow, 14, and Piper, 7, also believed to be named after places in her home region.
Experts have said the offbeat names suggest Palin wants to give her children an edge in life.
'A lot of times when parents choose unusual names they're looking to make their children stand out above the crowd,' said Albert Mehrabian, a professor emeritus of psychology at UCLA.
‘Short names like these are given by people who want their kids to be masculine. She's athletic, she's coached kids, so maybe that's part of her value system.’
It is unclear what message naming a child Zamboni might give.
And with boys already called Trig and Track, the Republican’s vice-presidential candidate has certainly shown she isn't shy of giving her children unusual names.
But even by her standards, naming a child 'Zamboni' - after the machine that makes the ice smooth during hockey matches - is perhaps taking things a little too far.
Room for a Zamboni? Sarah Palin (C) surrounded by her family members. From L-R back row: son Track and husband Todd, second row: daughter Willow, Governor Sarah Palin, daughter Bristol, at front daughter Piper. Palin has suggested that Zamboni might be a good name for a future child
Palin was quizzed about future names for children during a wide-ranging interview with People magazine in the US.
When asked whether she and her husband had any more unusual names up their sleeves, the politician said: ‘We did. We never got to get our Zamboni in. I always wanted a son named Zamboni.’
Her husband Todd, however, seemed less than impressed with the suggestion. ‘I don't think that would have flied,’ he said.
Luckily, the possibility of Palin inflicting the bizarre name on any future offspring seems unlikely as she also admitted that her current brood of five is enough.
Zamboni is the brand name for the large machines that smooth and condition the ice during ice hockey games.
A Zamboni machine smooths the ice during an ice hockey match
Palin’s five children all have unusual names. A dedicated runner, she named her 18-year-old son Track because he was born during the athletics season.
Her eldest daughter, Bristol, was named after Bristol Bay, the area where the Palin clan goes fishing.
The youngest of the clan is four-month-old Trig Paxson, whose first name is Norse for 'true' or 'strength'. Paxson is one of his mother's favourite spots in Alaska.
Her other daughters Willow, 14, and Piper, 7, also believed to be named after places in her home region.
Experts have said the offbeat names suggest Palin wants to give her children an edge in life.
'A lot of times when parents choose unusual names they're looking to make their children stand out above the crowd,' said Albert Mehrabian, a professor emeritus of psychology at UCLA.
‘Short names like these are given by people who want their kids to be masculine. She's athletic, she's coached kids, so maybe that's part of her value system.’
It is unclear what message naming a child Zamboni might give.
Saturday
Sweden relaxes rules on givings kids unusual names
STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AP) — Swedish authorities say parents can now name their newborns "Budweiser" or "Metallica" if they so wish.
For decades, Swedish tax authorities had banned parents from naming their children after fast food chains, rock bands or their favorite brand of beer.
But tax authority spokesman Lars Tegenfeldt says the guidelines have been relaxed. He says "there is nothing negative about a name like Coca-Cola or McDonald's today. In the 1970s, maybe it was."
Still, authorities are drawing the line at giving children swear words for names. And forget about naming your child God, Allah or Devil.
For decades, Swedish tax authorities had banned parents from naming their children after fast food chains, rock bands or their favorite brand of beer.
But tax authority spokesman Lars Tegenfeldt says the guidelines have been relaxed. He says "there is nothing negative about a name like Coca-Cola or McDonald's today. In the 1970s, maybe it was."
Still, authorities are drawing the line at giving children swear words for names. And forget about naming your child God, Allah or Devil.
Thursday
In praise of ... unusual names
Few will object to this week's New Zealand court ruling that freed a nine-year-old girl from being officially known as Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii. The judge made the embarrassed child a ward of court and took a sideswipe at other invented appellations he'd heard of - including Number 16 Bus Shelter, and, for twins, Benson and Hedges.
Gratuitous wackiness has its dangers, but so too do attempts at control. France has ditched the traditional list from which every name once had to be picked, but officials can still object to the weirder ones, and the lingering propensity of Jeans, Jean-Pauls and Jean-Lucs makes for bland conformity. Distinction can bring advantages: Madonna's unique profile surely owes something to her unusual - and genuine - name. Celebrities Peter André and Jordan mixed up their mothers - Thea and Amy - to come up with Princess Tiáamii for their daughter, achieving a neat feminist counterbalance to patrilineal surnaming (though they may not put it that way).
The reflexive rebranding of thinktanker Perri 6 may have been cringe-worthy, but by cheating the alphabet he has topped many a list of academic citations - and he still uses the name. In A Boy Named Sue the father explains: "Ya ought to thank me, before I die / For the gravel in ya guts and the spit in ya eye / Cause I'm the son-of-a-bitch that named you Sue". Would Big Daddy have wrestled so well if he'd never had to fight his way through school after having been named Shirley?
Gratuitous wackiness has its dangers, but so too do attempts at control. France has ditched the traditional list from which every name once had to be picked, but officials can still object to the weirder ones, and the lingering propensity of Jeans, Jean-Pauls and Jean-Lucs makes for bland conformity. Distinction can bring advantages: Madonna's unique profile surely owes something to her unusual - and genuine - name. Celebrities Peter André and Jordan mixed up their mothers - Thea and Amy - to come up with Princess Tiáamii for their daughter, achieving a neat feminist counterbalance to patrilineal surnaming (though they may not put it that way).
The reflexive rebranding of thinktanker Perri 6 may have been cringe-worthy, but by cheating the alphabet he has topped many a list of academic citations - and he still uses the name. In A Boy Named Sue the father explains: "Ya ought to thank me, before I die / For the gravel in ya guts and the spit in ya eye / Cause I'm the son-of-a-bitch that named you Sue". Would Big Daddy have wrestled so well if he'd never had to fight his way through school after having been named Shirley?
Saturday
What’s in a name? Your future may depend on it
Parents want their children to have names that will impress the world and are experimenting with unusual possibilities. Aastha Atray Banan reports
To ancient Egyptians, the name of an individual was of prime importance. They were of the opinion that “like the shadow, the name was thought of as a living part of each individual, which had to be assigned immediately at birth, for otherwise it was felt that the individual would not properly come into existence”. It seems that the Egyptian wisdom may have rubbed off on many parents today who are spending a lot of time researching for just the right name for their children — a name that just might be the name of the next Prime Minister of India, best cricketer or Miss India.
“It might be. You never know really,” says Rubert Fernandes. “I have actually named my son and daughter keeping all this in my mind. I have given them names I want them to be proud about when they grow up.” What are the names he has chosen? Well, his daughter’s name is Rossa, which means beautiful in Spanish, and his son is called Rameses, from the Ten Commandments of course. “I named my daughter Rossa because I thought it was a sexy name and she just might be the next Miss India, if she has a beautiful name like this,” he says.
His son’s name proved to be a bit of a problem for him as most of his family opposed to it by saying that King Rameses was an evil and cruel man. But Rubert did his research and found out that there were actually 12 Rameseses, and except for Rameses II, all of the others were kind and good people. “I think it will be a name that people will find impressive,” he says.
It is what a lot of parents want — a name that will impress whoever meets their child. It will be a name that a child will carry all through his life. At school and college, it should be a name that will not be susceptible to easy teasing. And at a later stage of life, it should be a name that will impress. You never know, it could get them that job when they walk into a boardroom and announce their grand name.
That’s what Sandhya Menon kept in mind while short-listing three names for her new-born baby girl. When she was looking for inspiration, she turned to the scriptures, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, where most characters have at least three different names. Take for example the goddess Sandhya chose — Parvati. Her options are Shailja, Shymali and Kalandi — all names for Parvati. A bit old fashioned? That’s the trend, Sandhya assures us. “I wanted a name that she was going to grow into. I don’t like these modern names such as Muskaan or Smile, and anyway, they are not in vogue any more.
These names are a perfect mix of tradition and mysticism,” she says. Naming a child has always been a long procedure for any Indian family. There is either a consultation with an astrologer or numerologist or some people just choose the cheaper, simpler option — they get a book of names.
To ancient Egyptians, the name of an individual was of prime importance. They were of the opinion that “like the shadow, the name was thought of as a living part of each individual, which had to be assigned immediately at birth, for otherwise it was felt that the individual would not properly come into existence”. It seems that the Egyptian wisdom may have rubbed off on many parents today who are spending a lot of time researching for just the right name for their children — a name that just might be the name of the next Prime Minister of India, best cricketer or Miss India.
“It might be. You never know really,” says Rubert Fernandes. “I have actually named my son and daughter keeping all this in my mind. I have given them names I want them to be proud about when they grow up.” What are the names he has chosen? Well, his daughter’s name is Rossa, which means beautiful in Spanish, and his son is called Rameses, from the Ten Commandments of course. “I named my daughter Rossa because I thought it was a sexy name and she just might be the next Miss India, if she has a beautiful name like this,” he says.
His son’s name proved to be a bit of a problem for him as most of his family opposed to it by saying that King Rameses was an evil and cruel man. But Rubert did his research and found out that there were actually 12 Rameseses, and except for Rameses II, all of the others were kind and good people. “I think it will be a name that people will find impressive,” he says.
It is what a lot of parents want — a name that will impress whoever meets their child. It will be a name that a child will carry all through his life. At school and college, it should be a name that will not be susceptible to easy teasing. And at a later stage of life, it should be a name that will impress. You never know, it could get them that job when they walk into a boardroom and announce their grand name.
That’s what Sandhya Menon kept in mind while short-listing three names for her new-born baby girl. When she was looking for inspiration, she turned to the scriptures, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, where most characters have at least three different names. Take for example the goddess Sandhya chose — Parvati. Her options are Shailja, Shymali and Kalandi — all names for Parvati. A bit old fashioned? That’s the trend, Sandhya assures us. “I wanted a name that she was going to grow into. I don’t like these modern names such as Muskaan or Smile, and anyway, they are not in vogue any more.
These names are a perfect mix of tradition and mysticism,” she says. Naming a child has always been a long procedure for any Indian family. There is either a consultation with an astrologer or numerologist or some people just choose the cheaper, simpler option — they get a book of names.
Thursday
From Sunday to Knox: Moms ponder unusual names
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban recently named their newborn daughter Sunday Rose. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are the proud parents of twins Knox Leon and Vivienne Marcheline.
Is there some unwritten Hollywood law that states you are not an A-list celebrity unless you give your child an unusual name?
We posed the question on WisMoms.com. Some WisMoms deliberately chose unique names for their children — usually with a story behind the symbolism.
"I have two children with unique but strong names," says Attacus and Andalyn Mom of Green Bay, who adds that her son was named after the father in "To Kill a Mockingbird." "We were going to name my daughter Cosette after a character in 'Les Miserables,' but decided to name her Andalyn. It is a combination of my first and middle name."
"My toddler is named Edison, which means 'son of Edward,'" says Raising M.E.N. of Manitowoc. "It honors his great-great grandfather Edward, who passed away before he was born."
"We named our daughter Gwenhwyfar (that's pronounced Guinevere) and decided to spell it the traditional Welsh way," says Mara1138 of Appleton. "I'm sure she will hate it for awhile, but I think in the end she will appreciate having a unique and beautiful name that reflects her heritage."
"My daughter's name is Anndrayah (pronounced Andrea), but I call her Andi for short, as that is always a name that I just loved," says Mommy2Andi of Fond du Lac. "I wanted it very different than the traditional spelling."
"I have two girls: Keegan and Caitlynne," says Cmoran2007 of Green Bay. "Children (all of them, not just mine) are unique, and their names should reflect their personalities."
Other WisMoms report having friends or students with such monikers as Precious, Ember, Cold, Ender, Toy, Storm, Story and Draven, just to name a few.
"I, too, wanted something different but with meaning for my children. I also wanted something people could understand and not mispronounce," says 24/7 Mom. "My daughter I named Alannah Nicole, which is Irish for 'beautiful girl,' and (for) my son, my husband picked Landon Thomas, which is English for 'running river'"
"My daughter's name is considered unique, although it's a traditional Welsh name," says Aquadonia of Green Bay. "Rhiannon is a simple name, but so many think I say 'Brianna' that I spell it for them."
Other moms take a more conservative stance to names that will follow their children for the rest of their lives.
"Not a fan of bizarre names, or taking a simple, traditional name and spelling it goofy," says Chandla of Green Bay.
"It drives me nuts when parents name their kids after Disney characters," laments Julie Genisot of Sherwood. "No more mermaid names!"
"Just always remember that your kids will grow up and become adults. Is the name that was cute for your 2-year-old going to be appropriate for a 30-year-old applying for a professional job?" asks NJosephs of Oshkosh.
"They have to live with their names for the rest of their lives," adds 24/7 Mom. "I am so glad my dad put his foot down and named me Melissa instead of my mom's idea of Skye Blue."
"I am all in favor of unique names," says Cmoran2007. "But that's not to say that there aren't people out there who go overboard and name their kids something completely off the wall like Moon Unit or Dweezil."
"As for names like Morning Dew, Apple and Pilot Inspektor, don't force names like that on your kids," adds Aquadonia. "It's cruel."
Is there some unwritten Hollywood law that states you are not an A-list celebrity unless you give your child an unusual name?
We posed the question on WisMoms.com. Some WisMoms deliberately chose unique names for their children — usually with a story behind the symbolism.
"I have two children with unique but strong names," says Attacus and Andalyn Mom of Green Bay, who adds that her son was named after the father in "To Kill a Mockingbird." "We were going to name my daughter Cosette after a character in 'Les Miserables,' but decided to name her Andalyn. It is a combination of my first and middle name."
"My toddler is named Edison, which means 'son of Edward,'" says Raising M.E.N. of Manitowoc. "It honors his great-great grandfather Edward, who passed away before he was born."
"We named our daughter Gwenhwyfar (that's pronounced Guinevere) and decided to spell it the traditional Welsh way," says Mara1138 of Appleton. "I'm sure she will hate it for awhile, but I think in the end she will appreciate having a unique and beautiful name that reflects her heritage."
"My daughter's name is Anndrayah (pronounced Andrea), but I call her Andi for short, as that is always a name that I just loved," says Mommy2Andi of Fond du Lac. "I wanted it very different than the traditional spelling."
"I have two girls: Keegan and Caitlynne," says Cmoran2007 of Green Bay. "Children (all of them, not just mine) are unique, and their names should reflect their personalities."
Other WisMoms report having friends or students with such monikers as Precious, Ember, Cold, Ender, Toy, Storm, Story and Draven, just to name a few.
"I, too, wanted something different but with meaning for my children. I also wanted something people could understand and not mispronounce," says 24/7 Mom. "My daughter I named Alannah Nicole, which is Irish for 'beautiful girl,' and (for) my son, my husband picked Landon Thomas, which is English for 'running river'"
"My daughter's name is considered unique, although it's a traditional Welsh name," says Aquadonia of Green Bay. "Rhiannon is a simple name, but so many think I say 'Brianna' that I spell it for them."
Other moms take a more conservative stance to names that will follow their children for the rest of their lives.
"Not a fan of bizarre names, or taking a simple, traditional name and spelling it goofy," says Chandla of Green Bay.
"It drives me nuts when parents name their kids after Disney characters," laments Julie Genisot of Sherwood. "No more mermaid names!"
"Just always remember that your kids will grow up and become adults. Is the name that was cute for your 2-year-old going to be appropriate for a 30-year-old applying for a professional job?" asks NJosephs of Oshkosh.
"They have to live with their names for the rest of their lives," adds 24/7 Mom. "I am so glad my dad put his foot down and named me Melissa instead of my mom's idea of Skye Blue."
"I am all in favor of unique names," says Cmoran2007. "But that's not to say that there aren't people out there who go overboard and name their kids something completely off the wall like Moon Unit or Dweezil."
"As for names like Morning Dew, Apple and Pilot Inspektor, don't force names like that on your kids," adds Aquadonia. "It's cruel."
Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii OK with `censor'
Fewer than 10 children's names a year are rejected as unsuitable, the Department of Internal Affairs says.
Among them are Satan, Adolf Hitler and 4Real.
But the department says many of the unusual names cited by a New Plymouth Family Court judge as a form of child abuse are perfectly legitimate.
A spokesman for Births, Deaths and Marriages conceded if a person wanted to name a child Twisty Poi or Fish and Chips they could.
Of the list, published yesterday, Only Keenan Got Lucky and Sex Fruit were questionable, because of their sexual nature. Numbers rejected ranged from about two to 10 a year from the 65,000 births registered, spokesman Tony Wallace said.
He said names were declined for registration if they were offensive to a reasonable person, unreasonably long, or resembled an official rank. Names with numbers or characters were also on the no-go list.
"It's not about unusual names, it's about objectionable names," Mr Wallace said.
"Something being unusual or funny or what some people might consider silly might not be offensive to an unusual person" Mr Wallace said.
"There's no reason not to accept Cinderella Beauty Blossom or Kaos."
Mr Wallace said his office was checking whether the names of the little girl Violence or her sister Revenge were official.
He said he was unsure where Judge Rob Murfitt got his information from, but it could also be possible the children's names were not official
"Some of the names are not registered, but that doesn't mean they aren't being used."
Judge Murfitt raised the bizarre names issue in a court ruling released on Wednesday. He cited the case of a girl named Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii, who was put under the guardianship of the court so her name could be changed.
The judge described the name as "a form of abuse".
Asked to comment further, a spokesman for Judge Murfitt said it was not appropriate to make public comment in respect to a judgment he has issued.
That judgment drew wide interest yesterday with nine media organisations contacting his office.
Among them are Satan, Adolf Hitler and 4Real.
But the department says many of the unusual names cited by a New Plymouth Family Court judge as a form of child abuse are perfectly legitimate.
A spokesman for Births, Deaths and Marriages conceded if a person wanted to name a child Twisty Poi or Fish and Chips they could.
Of the list, published yesterday, Only Keenan Got Lucky and Sex Fruit were questionable, because of their sexual nature. Numbers rejected ranged from about two to 10 a year from the 65,000 births registered, spokesman Tony Wallace said.
He said names were declined for registration if they were offensive to a reasonable person, unreasonably long, or resembled an official rank. Names with numbers or characters were also on the no-go list.
"It's not about unusual names, it's about objectionable names," Mr Wallace said.
"Something being unusual or funny or what some people might consider silly might not be offensive to an unusual person" Mr Wallace said.
"There's no reason not to accept Cinderella Beauty Blossom or Kaos."
Mr Wallace said his office was checking whether the names of the little girl Violence or her sister Revenge were official.
He said he was unsure where Judge Rob Murfitt got his information from, but it could also be possible the children's names were not official
"Some of the names are not registered, but that doesn't mean they aren't being used."
Judge Murfitt raised the bizarre names issue in a court ruling released on Wednesday. He cited the case of a girl named Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii, who was put under the guardianship of the court so her name could be changed.
The judge described the name as "a form of abuse".
Asked to comment further, a spokesman for Judge Murfitt said it was not appropriate to make public comment in respect to a judgment he has issued.
That judgment drew wide interest yesterday with nine media organisations contacting his office.
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