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The Name Therapist: How Growing Up with My Odd Name Taught Me Everything You Need to Know about Yours
What’s a “stripper” name? For that matter, what’s a high-class name? How do you tell the difference? Why does everyone call them “baby” names when they follow us through our whole lives? And can your name determine your destiny?
From a television screenwriter and contributor on the LaineyGossip. com blog comes a book about what names really mean, how we use them, and why they matter.
A child of Irish and Egyptian immigrants to Canada, Duana Taha became fascinated by names, not least because hers felt awkward at best and impossible at worst. She believed that names explained not only who you were, but where you came from and who you could be. She became a name nerd, and later a name snob, before settling into the role she was born to play—a Name Therapist, giving straight talk baby-and-grown-up-name advice to just about everyone.
In a romp through North American naming trends, traditions, and pop culture, Duana brings us the hilarious, insightful, and surprising truths about hipster names in Brooklyn and Malibu, and the most “intelligent” names at Harvard University; digs into the stereotypes about culture and class where names are concerned; and heads backstage to find out the stories behind those supposed stripper names. And if you don’t know what a Starbucks name is, Duana points out why you obviously never needed one.
The Name Therapist ’s explorations will help you understand your feelings about your own name, whether it’s one you share with millions (hi, Jennifer!), or one you grew up waiting in vain for the Romper Room host to say. Would you, by any other name, still be you?
From a television screenwriter and contributor on the LaineyGossip. com blog comes a book about what names really mean, how we use them, and why they matter.
A child of Irish and Egyptian immigrants to Canada, Duana Taha became fascinated by names, not least because hers felt awkward at best and impossible at worst. She believed that names explained not only who you were, but where you came from and who you could be. She became a name nerd, and later a name snob, before settling into the role she was born to play—a Name Therapist, giving straight talk baby-and-grown-up-name advice to just about everyone.
In a romp through North American naming trends, traditions, and pop culture, Duana brings us the hilarious, insightful, and surprising truths about hipster names in Brooklyn and Malibu, and the most “intelligent” names at Harvard University; digs into the stereotypes about culture and class where names are concerned; and heads backstage to find out the stories behind those supposed stripper names. And if you don’t know what a Starbucks name is, Duana points out why you obviously never needed one.
The Name Therapist ’s explorations will help you understand your feelings about your own name, whether it’s one you share with millions (hi, Jennifer!), or one you grew up waiting in vain for the Romper Room host to say. Would you, by any other name, still be you?
368 pages, Hardcover
First published April 5, 2016
23 people are currently reading
495 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
February 23, 2019
Duana Taha is a name enthusiast. Her book compiles her thoughts, opinions, and informal anecdotal research into names. It reads with a a casual feel, like friends sitting around chatting about names and naming trends and such.
It is an interesting read about how names affect various aspects of our lives. As the author states, "Your name alone isn't your destiny, but it has significant impact."
In short, and like it or not, our names make us. A name shapes a person in good and bad ways. A name may give you strength, power and identity. It may influence your personality or reflect your heritage. And a name may just as easily take away strength, power, identity, and even individuality. It may also influence your personality negatively or not even reflect your heritage.
A quote that best sums up the take away: "Everyone's experience with their name is largely due to the way strangers react to it." Their judgements, assumptions, and perceptions will all help to make you.
I'm glad I read this book as it got me thinking about names in new ways and has me analyzing people as to how their name has shaped them. A bit tedious after a while and some things could have been condensed, but still a fun read.
It is an interesting read about how names affect various aspects of our lives. As the author states, "Your name alone isn't your destiny, but it has significant impact."
In short, and like it or not, our names make us. A name shapes a person in good and bad ways. A name may give you strength, power and identity. It may influence your personality or reflect your heritage. And a name may just as easily take away strength, power, identity, and even individuality. It may also influence your personality negatively or not even reflect your heritage.
A quote that best sums up the take away: "Everyone's experience with their name is largely due to the way strangers react to it." Their judgements, assumptions, and perceptions will all help to make you.
I'm glad I read this book as it got me thinking about names in new ways and has me analyzing people as to how their name has shaped them. A bit tedious after a while and some things could have been condensed, but still a fun read.
April 16, 2016
As a certified name nerd I loved this book. Taha's style is frank, self-deprecating and punchy- something readers of Lainey Gossip likely already know. I felt like I was geeking out with one of my cool, smart friends about the vast and ceaselessly interesting world of names. The book is a collection of name-related anecdotes from the author and interviewees as well as commentary on trends, naming history, and general social observations. Easy to read in one sitting, but also perfect for commutes when you want something engaging to pick up and put down. I will read anything Duana Taha writes!
August 14, 2017
So, I have a (maybe not-so-surprising) confession to make - I am a name nerd. As in, I read my mom's copy of a baby name book cover-to-cover, numerous times, as a child until I finally worked up the courage and bought a baby name book of my own when I was 15 (by the legendary Linda Rosencrantz and Pamela Redmond Satran, natch).
I have made lists of favourite names, of hypothetical children, of girls and women I aspired to be, if I had that name, of characters in books I would write. I like to think my taste in names is always ahead of the curve (I forced my little brother to answer to "August" back in 1996 when we'd play house, and I loved Evelyn after coming across it in an Emily of New Moon book - the second book, to be exact - although now it's hopelessly too trendy), and I'm fascinated by reading about naming patterns, customs and traditions around the world. Ingrid (and sometimes Anastasia, pronounced the Russian way...a-na-sta-SEE-ya) is the fake name I give myself when creepy guys at bars ask me, because Ingrid and Anastasia are totally hip, no-nonsense, fierce women with clear senses of self, (and have no problem telling said creep to leave them alone!) and I long to name a daughter Agniezka, but will probably end up with the equally delightful (but more pronunciation-friendly) Greta or maybe Mairead.
I'm also a long-time visitor to LaineyGossip.com, and huge fan of Show Your Work and Duana Names, so I KNEW this book was going to be fantastic. And it really is! And not just for name nerds - trust me, even if you have never even heard the term "nameberry", you will enjoy and get something out of this book. Part memoir, part advice, part research (both anecdotal and statistical), it's a nuanced and thoughtful look at how our names shape us, and how we shape our names. Parts of it made me laugh out loud (her stories growing up - she sounds like a very precocious kid! - the whole section about stripper names), and other parts made me really consider my own biases I bring to the table (the role class and race play in name choice, and name desirability/perception...and the whole section about stripper names!).
I also loved that Duana (Taha is her last name, but I totally feel like we are on a first-name basis) is Canadian, and that many of the references she makes and the people she interviews are Canadian too (actually that is one of the reasons why I love Lainey Gossip too...you don't really realize how pervasive American culture is here in Canada until you read something that is distinctly Canadian and it feels incredibly refreshing!).
Loved this book!!
I have made lists of favourite names, of hypothetical children, of girls and women I aspired to be, if I had that name, of characters in books I would write. I like to think my taste in names is always ahead of the curve (I forced my little brother to answer to "August" back in 1996 when we'd play house, and I loved Evelyn after coming across it in an Emily of New Moon book - the second book, to be exact - although now it's hopelessly too trendy), and I'm fascinated by reading about naming patterns, customs and traditions around the world. Ingrid (and sometimes Anastasia, pronounced the Russian way...a-na-sta-SEE-ya) is the fake name I give myself when creepy guys at bars ask me, because Ingrid and Anastasia are totally hip, no-nonsense, fierce women with clear senses of self, (and have no problem telling said creep to leave them alone!) and I long to name a daughter Agniezka, but will probably end up with the equally delightful (but more pronunciation-friendly) Greta or maybe Mairead.
I'm also a long-time visitor to LaineyGossip.com, and huge fan of Show Your Work and Duana Names, so I KNEW this book was going to be fantastic. And it really is! And not just for name nerds - trust me, even if you have never even heard the term "nameberry", you will enjoy and get something out of this book. Part memoir, part advice, part research (both anecdotal and statistical), it's a nuanced and thoughtful look at how our names shape us, and how we shape our names. Parts of it made me laugh out loud (her stories growing up - she sounds like a very precocious kid! - the whole section about stripper names), and other parts made me really consider my own biases I bring to the table (the role class and race play in name choice, and name desirability/perception...and the whole section about stripper names!).
I also loved that Duana (Taha is her last name, but I totally feel like we are on a first-name basis) is Canadian, and that many of the references she makes and the people she interviews are Canadian too (actually that is one of the reasons why I love Lainey Gossip too...you don't really realize how pervasive American culture is here in Canada until you read something that is distinctly Canadian and it feels incredibly refreshing!).
Loved this book!!
July 1, 2017
This is a great book for name nerds (and people who like memoirs). A really smart analysis of what names mean in society and in shaping personalities. I really liked how ethnicity, class, and gender were addressed in discussing names/naming.
September 7, 2017
It was so nice to find out I'm not the only one who loves names and thinks about them.
November 12, 2024
Review from 2016:
"But people always open up when you start asking about names. It's almost as though they didn't know they were allowed to have feelings and thoughts about them, but there's always more to everyone's story, and they are often surprised to find it..."
I absolutely loved this quote from The Name Therapist. I've never met or heard of anyone else whose name was Milwaukee, and having an unusual name always left me wondering why I was the only one and what that meant for my life...
I think for people with more recognizable names, they have to stand out in other ways to be noticed. But for people like Duana Taha or myself, we stand out just by existing. People can read our names before even meeting us, and they are left with an impression of what they think a "Milwaukee" would be like.
I had no idea there was such a community like the one Duana introduced me to in this book, a community of name nerds and name therapists who are as passionate for names, name history, name trends, and the perceptions names have as I have been all my life! I feel like I've found my people!
"But people always open up when you start asking about names. It's almost as though they didn't know they were allowed to have feelings and thoughts about them, but there's always more to everyone's story, and they are often surprised to find it..."
I absolutely loved this quote from The Name Therapist. I've never met or heard of anyone else whose name was Milwaukee, and having an unusual name always left me wondering why I was the only one and what that meant for my life...
I think for people with more recognizable names, they have to stand out in other ways to be noticed. But for people like Duana Taha or myself, we stand out just by existing. People can read our names before even meeting us, and they are left with an impression of what they think a "Milwaukee" would be like.
I had no idea there was such a community like the one Duana introduced me to in this book, a community of name nerds and name therapists who are as passionate for names, name history, name trends, and the perceptions names have as I have been all my life! I feel like I've found my people!
August 20, 2016
At times, I found this book a bit repetitive. When I started it, I wondered how I was going to deal with the author's voice the entire time, but then I found myself warming to it and to some of her ideas.
I was interested in what names tell us about class and found her ideas about "ethnic" names to be rather refreshing. There were a few facts about names that were interesting to read.
This is a rather light book with lots of personal anecdotes. Don't expect anything too heavy with this one.
I was interested in what names tell us about class and found her ideas about "ethnic" names to be rather refreshing. There were a few facts about names that were interesting to read.
This is a rather light book with lots of personal anecdotes. Don't expect anything too heavy with this one.
June 13, 2016
This book could've been written about my life. My unusual name (Tanelle pronounced Ta-ne-elle) has been something that has defined me my whole life.
Tourist trinkets? Key chains, hairbrushes, etc: I could never find them as a kid and it bothered me. I still look at the racks today to see if I can find my name (never). I even looked up my name in her index of names to see if I was mentioned (nope).
Starbucks names? Always misspelled. People attempting to pronounce my name? I usually get Ta-nelle, although lately I'm actually getting more correct pronunciations. I had one boss who worked for me for 3 years always pronounce it wrong. I stopped trying to correct him.
I highly recommend this book to everyone. Even those with common names. It's part-biography/part analysis into names. I loved it!
Tourist trinkets? Key chains, hairbrushes, etc: I could never find them as a kid and it bothered me. I still look at the racks today to see if I can find my name (never). I even looked up my name in her index of names to see if I was mentioned (nope).
Starbucks names? Always misspelled. People attempting to pronounce my name? I usually get Ta-nelle, although lately I'm actually getting more correct pronunciations. I had one boss who worked for me for 3 years always pronounce it wrong. I stopped trying to correct him.
I highly recommend this book to everyone. Even those with common names. It's part-biography/part analysis into names. I loved it!
February 5, 2017
Good fun if you have a somewhat unusual name (as I do) and enjoy finding out others' names and their opinions on naming (as I do). Duana Taha is not an expert on names or naming, but who is, really?
My favorite name from this book is Jet Li Dotcom Clark. He is not named after the movie star; his parents liked the name Jet, he has an Aunt Lee, and his parents met at a dotcom company. He loves his name, and I say right on.
My favorite name from this book is Jet Li Dotcom Clark. He is not named after the movie star; his parents liked the name Jet, he has an Aunt Lee, and his parents met at a dotcom company. He loves his name, and I say right on.
May 26, 2016
Interesting stuff if you're at all into the psychology of names. I especially liked the chapter on "stripper" names, since I have one. I like my name a whole lot more than the poor Krystal interviewed in the book, though. Until I read that chapter, I'd never thought that someone might not hire me or have preconceived notions about me because of my name. Weird.
March 30, 2018
Ok, I'm still reading and I'll probably finish, but....
1. I am a name nerd.
2. Meanings do matter, but maybe I say that because I get to be "moon goddess" and my mom chose it because her middle name was Dianne and so she, too, was "moon goddess."
3. Dianne is pronounced Diane, but so much prettier.
4. The word "precious" is preciously obnoxious, especially when used often.
5. Just when I was going to bail, I got to "Utah names." Utah names are real and can be incredibly awful.
1. I am a name nerd.
2. Meanings do matter, but maybe I say that because I get to be "moon goddess" and my mom chose it because her middle name was Dianne and so she, too, was "moon goddess."
3. Dianne is pronounced Diane, but so much prettier.
4. The word "precious" is preciously obnoxious, especially when used often.
5. Just when I was going to bail, I got to "Utah names." Utah names are real and can be incredibly awful.
February 19, 2017
This was everything I wanted it to be. I maaaay still buy this.
May 7, 2022
Entertaining but too much filler. Reads like 2 or 3 blog posts inflated into a book
July 5, 2016
"The Name Therapist" by Duana Taha
Duana Taha is a self proclaimed Name Therapist. At 'Lainey Gossip' (a gossip blog site), Taha hands out advice on names in the weekly column 'Duana Names'. I love reading her advice column during the week and when I found out she wrote a book, I couldn't wait to read it.
"The Name Therapist" is a hybrid of memoir and advice/how to kind of book. The book focuses on names; more specifically on uncommon names in North America, and the positive/negative impact a name can have on ones life experience. The book also includes findings from research by experts in the field of names (this is minimal). However, the majority of the book focuses on Duana herself and the research she conducted (interviews).
I really enjoyed reading the memoir part of the book. How Duana's parents decided on her name. How Duana influenced the naming of her sister (this part cracked me up). But, when I read about Duana's endless searched for items with her name on it, I felt sad for her, especially when she was little (something I can't relate to since I have a very common first name). I also learned something new about Duana; she was a writer for "Degrassi"...I think that's very cool and it was exciting to read how some of the characters got their names. I also enjoyed reading how Duana's son got his name.
The part of the book with the name experts and the interviews Duana conducted weren't my favorite part of the book. I found some of the information boring and long winded. However, some of the information was interesting to read and I learned some new cultural traditions regarding names (the non use of Egyptian moms names in public...very fascinating). I was also reminded of the discrimination individuals with uncommon names in North America experience. The section about the 'call back gap' made me sad and angry.
It's disgusting to think people are denied access to opportunities or are treated differently because their name represents "other". I agree with Duana that names definitely don't determine the outcome of ones character/intergrity/destiny.
The part of the book I was most looking forward to reading was Duana's name advice/suggestion/recommendations, and general opinions on names section. I felt a little disappointed with this part of the book. I wanted to know the how's and why's for her name reccomendations. And, I did get a bit through the book, but I wanted more. I also wished the appendix section of the book was included through out the book itself, since, I thought the information was interesting and enjoyable to read. At times I felt the content in the chapters were disorganized; which led to repetition with some of the examples used through out the book. And, I felt that took away from an enjoyable reading experience.
But, what I learned from reading this book was love your name, and if you're and expectant parent, love the name you choose. Overall I found "The Name Therapist" an interesting and fascinating read. I would recommend this book to people who are intrigued by names.
Duana Taha is a self proclaimed Name Therapist. At 'Lainey Gossip' (a gossip blog site), Taha hands out advice on names in the weekly column 'Duana Names'. I love reading her advice column during the week and when I found out she wrote a book, I couldn't wait to read it.
"The Name Therapist" is a hybrid of memoir and advice/how to kind of book. The book focuses on names; more specifically on uncommon names in North America, and the positive/negative impact a name can have on ones life experience. The book also includes findings from research by experts in the field of names (this is minimal). However, the majority of the book focuses on Duana herself and the research she conducted (interviews).
I really enjoyed reading the memoir part of the book. How Duana's parents decided on her name. How Duana influenced the naming of her sister (this part cracked me up). But, when I read about Duana's endless searched for items with her name on it, I felt sad for her, especially when she was little (something I can't relate to since I have a very common first name). I also learned something new about Duana; she was a writer for "Degrassi"...I think that's very cool and it was exciting to read how some of the characters got their names. I also enjoyed reading how Duana's son got his name.
The part of the book with the name experts and the interviews Duana conducted weren't my favorite part of the book. I found some of the information boring and long winded. However, some of the information was interesting to read and I learned some new cultural traditions regarding names (the non use of Egyptian moms names in public...very fascinating). I was also reminded of the discrimination individuals with uncommon names in North America experience. The section about the 'call back gap' made me sad and angry.
It's disgusting to think people are denied access to opportunities or are treated differently because their name represents "other". I agree with Duana that names definitely don't determine the outcome of ones character/intergrity/destiny.
The part of the book I was most looking forward to reading was Duana's name advice/suggestion/recommendations, and general opinions on names section. I felt a little disappointed with this part of the book. I wanted to know the how's and why's for her name reccomendations. And, I did get a bit through the book, but I wanted more. I also wished the appendix section of the book was included through out the book itself, since, I thought the information was interesting and enjoyable to read. At times I felt the content in the chapters were disorganized; which led to repetition with some of the examples used through out the book. And, I felt that took away from an enjoyable reading experience.
But, what I learned from reading this book was love your name, and if you're and expectant parent, love the name you choose. Overall I found "The Name Therapist" an interesting and fascinating read. I would recommend this book to people who are intrigued by names.
June 16, 2016
What's in a name? According to the authour of The Name Therapist there's a whole lot. To be honest, I never had any issues with my name growing up, it's rarely misspelled and almost never mispronounced. In fact I couldn't imagine having another name. My parents, who were immigrants picked it for the reason that it was simple plus it easily translated from English back to Vietnamese. Still I found Duana Taha's The Name Therapist to be an intriguing read.
Read the rest of this review here: http://wp.me/p36jwx-106
Read the rest of this review here: http://wp.me/p36jwx-106
July 7, 2017
Gave no real insight into the influence a name has on a person, the way people choose names for others or themselves, or about name trends. There's no real research, analysis, or expertise presented in the book. The book is anecdotal and conversational, reads like a year's worth of blog posts, and often left me asking myself what the author's point was. I was hoping for a Freakonomics or Modern Romance approach to understanding names and naming trends, or at least an attempt to discuss names like a stylist would discuss fashion, but the book failed to deliver on all fronts.
August 20, 2017
Part memoir, part anthropological study of names, this book was a very interesting read. It may have been too anecdotal to be considered true on all fronts, but the stories and conclusions seem sound. I enjoyed the exploration into names, because, yes, names inform the way a person is perceived and, I believe, a person's life and personality. I would recommend it, but do not go looking for a scientific exploration, that's not what this is and I would not want it to be that.
April 15, 2016
I love a good social history/cultural discourse. Maybe a little unfocused at times, but I mainly blame the subtitle for that. Much as I think this could have done with less emphasis on the memoir aspect, could you really when a person's name clearly dictates their lot in life, or at least their trajectory? Lots of good thoughts here, still ruminating on this one. Also: Theodore. Good choice.
November 23, 2016
You'd think this book, about names, would be very boring. And I couldn't really go on and on about what I gain from reading it. I just know it was surprisingly interesting and that I burned through it quickly. There's more to names than I previously realized.
May 11, 2017
Recently I watched Canadian actress, Sarah Chalke being interviewed by Craig Ferguson. A good friend suggested it. i was halfway through Duana Taha's book, "The Name Therapist".
It was pure coincidence because Sarah Chalke is so full of confidence and with a name like "Chalke" , It didn't bother her. I wondered about names and confidence and success. Perhaps it has something to do with parents building good character and self-esteem and everything else in their young children.
I was not impressed with this book and even searched out the author and wasn't impressed with her on Ted Talks ---- What's in a Name
The author discovered there were more DUANAs(her given/first name) in the world than she thought
Her mother's name was originally Mary Philomena changed to Mary Veronica-- and she was called Maureen.
The book cover has a coffee cup (disposable ) on the front cover. Why? Her name is on it and scribbles of the way it is supposed to be pronounced.
She advises people to just love your name and to parents: Don't name your child by a name others will make fun of. Don't give your child a boring name.
Cecile, Deidre, Sydney--- You can find an interpretation/meaning for most names
People will judge you by your name says a professor from UCLA
Success! Morality! Warmth! Health! Masculinity/Femminity
Alice, Mordecai, Libby, Ignacio, and Rose all rank low on the scale
Jacqueline or Samantha ifer success
Listen to her talk at: http://www.tedxtoronto.com/speakers/d...
Basically she gives pointers to accept your given name...
Most people have problems naming their baby because of parents squabbles example: James francis versus Lincoln Adler
So, what of names like Elvis, Beyonce, Debi Moore, Ann-Margaretr, Cher, Sting. There is only one Pharrell and one Miley.
Wyatt, Colton, Austin, Myles, Kanye, Gwyneth, Madonna,
Most people who ask for advice on names usually want permission to use the name they already chose.
Some names she recently learned to like, example Lionel because of the song, "All Night Long"
There are some names she will never like--- example Madison, Travis (Travesty) , Al, and GAGE.
It was pure coincidence because Sarah Chalke is so full of confidence and with a name like "Chalke" , It didn't bother her. I wondered about names and confidence and success. Perhaps it has something to do with parents building good character and self-esteem and everything else in their young children.
I was not impressed with this book and even searched out the author and wasn't impressed with her on Ted Talks ---- What's in a Name
The author discovered there were more DUANAs(her given/first name) in the world than she thought
Her mother's name was originally Mary Philomena changed to Mary Veronica-- and she was called Maureen.
The book cover has a coffee cup (disposable ) on the front cover. Why? Her name is on it and scribbles of the way it is supposed to be pronounced.
She advises people to just love your name and to parents: Don't name your child by a name others will make fun of. Don't give your child a boring name.
Cecile, Deidre, Sydney--- You can find an interpretation/meaning for most names
People will judge you by your name says a professor from UCLA
Success! Morality! Warmth! Health! Masculinity/Femminity
Alice, Mordecai, Libby, Ignacio, and Rose all rank low on the scale
Jacqueline or Samantha ifer success
Listen to her talk at: http://www.tedxtoronto.com/speakers/d...
Basically she gives pointers to accept your given name...
Most people have problems naming their baby because of parents squabbles example: James francis versus Lincoln Adler
So, what of names like Elvis, Beyonce, Debi Moore, Ann-Margaretr, Cher, Sting. There is only one Pharrell and one Miley.
Wyatt, Colton, Austin, Myles, Kanye, Gwyneth, Madonna,
Most people who ask for advice on names usually want permission to use the name they already chose.
Some names she recently learned to like, example Lionel because of the song, "All Night Long"
There are some names she will never like--- example Madison, Travis (Travesty) , Al, and GAGE.
January 28, 2025
It's kind of a fun read and gets you thinking a lot about names, trends in names, meaning of names, the reasons we pick names, who people want to honor when they choose names, how names fit different people, and whether your name can/will impact your personality as you carry it throughout your life. I was reading it because my daughter was expecting baby girl #2 any day ... so choosing names was being discussed a lot by them (and I tried to keep my mouth shut because I think only the parents really need to be involved and everyone else just needs to be happy for them.)
But despite the entertainment value of this book, I found the author's column/blog posts more interesting. She gets letters from parents who explain the names they're considering as well as other factors that are important to them (such as cultural heritage, siblings' names, family traditions, general vibe, aversion to certain other names, etc.) and asks for her advice. The author's responses to those letters kept me entertained and reading posts from years ago way too late into the night. So if that's the kind of thing that will fascinate you, just go find her blog and dig back through old posts. Here's one page to get you going ... https://www.laineygossip.com/Name-Ner...
But despite the entertainment value of this book, I found the author's column/blog posts more interesting. She gets letters from parents who explain the names they're considering as well as other factors that are important to them (such as cultural heritage, siblings' names, family traditions, general vibe, aversion to certain other names, etc.) and asks for her advice. The author's responses to those letters kept me entertained and reading posts from years ago way too late into the night. So if that's the kind of thing that will fascinate you, just go find her blog and dig back through old posts. Here's one page to get you going ... https://www.laineygossip.com/Name-Ner...
October 16, 2019
I was desperate for a book that was read on a TV show for the 2019 reading challenge--- and did a bunch of research bc the only books I saw were either books I read or books I had no interest. This book was apparently in Orange is the New Black....and it sounded really interesting. Wrong.
This book is written by a "name expert"....and it could have been really good (because I LOVE names and why they are chosen/origins), except that the book was really just about how hard it is to live with a name like Duana....and the nonstop problem of this name. I get it....the name effected you, just like every name effects the person that has it, but a non-typical name does not make you someone who should write a book. A repetitive book full of unoriginal insight.
I feel like I am being mean. I am sorry. Try it out for yourself...maybe it is your cup of tea.
Read? Nah. Move on.
This book is written by a "name expert"....and it could have been really good (because I LOVE names and why they are chosen/origins), except that the book was really just about how hard it is to live with a name like Duana....and the nonstop problem of this name. I get it....the name effected you, just like every name effects the person that has it, but a non-typical name does not make you someone who should write a book. A repetitive book full of unoriginal insight.
I feel like I am being mean. I am sorry. Try it out for yourself...maybe it is your cup of tea.
Read? Nah. Move on.
May 29, 2017
Well I obviously have the opposite issue with my name growing up, having the most common name of my childhood & like Taha, I have always been fascinated with names. Strangely, I even fantasized about making a career of some sort out of it, as she has. But even though this book is well-written and has some interesting parts, it really could have just been a long article. I found some sections also just plain wrong. For example, she refers to the name Jennifer exploding in popularity after the success of the movie "Love Story" but Jennifer was a very popular name, at least at my school, in the 60s, right up there with Kathys, Dianes and Karens. I would give this book a miss.
October 31, 2018
Be honest, we all think that someone named Tiffany or Crystal is low class, even though the parent who named said child thought they were being the opposite. That is just one example of how this book examines our biases and preferences to certain names. So funny and insightful, you will be tempted (like I ultimately was) to look up their name in the back of the glossary. There is a ton of interviews from people ranging from typical names of a generation (i.e. an abundance of Jennifers) to the straight up weird (i.e. Jackie Chan Dot Com, yes that was a real name in the book). Highly recommend you check this one out if you confess to being a so called "Name Nerd/Freak".
June 6, 2017
As the proud owner of an "odd" name I was able to easily relate to this book. The author's passion about names and what they present to the world was really interesting. We carry these titles around and most of us don't really realize how the rest of the world relates to them. This would be a great read for any soon to be parent looking for guidance on selecting a name for their new baby. And it is true, all of us with unusual names still carry emotional scars from not ever once being seen on Romper Room.
August 19, 2017
Taha is a journalist, and her writing style clearly shows it. Her writing style is vivid, and I can almost hear her voice narrating each chapter. She has a lot to say, but I didn't find this book had much content. This book is full of anecdotes, but she never reveals her reasons behind the selection of each anecdote. Her purpose is unclear, unless her thesis is just "don't be afraid to embrace your weird name." If that is the purpose of the book, the message could be conveyed with far fewer words.
Read
December 7, 2021Interesting, found it a bit long (I'm not a name nerd). Much from her view point as name doctor... (somehow I was surprised - I didn't think there was that much to notice, consider, hypothesize about names). Lots of anectodal evidence and surprisingly (to me) some stats! Loved the stories, esp hers and fascinating to read about what people thought about their names. The Sagan story stood out for me. And yes, my name is Katherine (but I shortened it to Kathi when I was in my teens and used a nickname in university - yes I gave it to myself and even know what my plume name would be!). 😆
August 14, 2019
Taha takes a delightfully geeky dive into names—connotations and trends, the joys and pitfalls of the very common and the singularly unusual. She’s a bit too enamored of the idea of the name as destiny, and there are subtopics that could have stood for more data, fewer anecdotes, but there’s still lots to think about here, as well as discussions of some truly great names.
2019 Read Harder Challenge
9. A book published prior to January 1, 2019, with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads.
2019 Read Harder Challenge
9. A book published prior to January 1, 2019, with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads.
February 22, 2025
Duana fell deeply out of favor with me in this book when she gave a platform to Z**nists. Like, how are you half Egyptian and half Irish and not more cognizant about who you amplify, lol.
I like that she talked a lot about Gaelic names but would’ve loved more on Arabic names, patronymics etc.
Overall, the book was interesting albeit weird. It did have some standout pieces that got me thinking more, but there’s a lot of extra commentary in there that made it a bit of a chore to get through.
I like that she talked a lot about Gaelic names but would’ve loved more on Arabic names, patronymics etc.
Overall, the book was interesting albeit weird. It did have some standout pieces that got me thinking more, but there’s a lot of extra commentary in there that made it a bit of a chore to get through.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2017
Duana Taha became interested in names because she had an unusual name, and I remember becoming interested in names as a teenager, perhaps because my name was so plain and common? This book has inspired me to think more deeply about how my name may have influenced my life, and how others around me may also have been shaped by their names. Lots of food for thought.
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