The names have been changed

Our extended family has an unfortunate habit that many families have of naming their children after living adults so that nicknames, or initials become necessary for the little guy (Almost all of them are boys. I don't think girls are that important in our family.)

So, little Robert Orville becomes RO to us and Bob to his wife and coworkers because his uncle got the whole name. And little Robert Edwin becomes Little Robert to us, but Eddie to his wife and coworkers.

Then there is one branch of the family that had Big Bill, Little Bill, Middle Bill and Baby Bill. I'm not sure how Middle Bill managed that, but he did. Of course they are all Bill to their wives and coworkers.

It creates all sorts of confusion and conflict both within and without the family because everyone seems to have a very strong opinion about their names, or the names of their children or spouses. A name is your label in the world and it feels to me like you should get your very own.

My grandfather took his name into his own hands as soon as he left home (which was after he was suspended from  high school for pushing the principal off the stage and breaking his arm. He frequently took many things into this own hands,) but when he moved to another state to work for that up and coming guy, Ford, he changed his name from Harvey Eugene to Stephen William. Now we have a bevy of boys named Stephen and William in our family.

For the first time in history, at least our family history, the traditional naming has changed. The latest generation are named after dreams, musical icons and jewelry stores, which, at least, is unique.