22 Comments

Who knew? CL is so fresh. You wear it well. How is your name pronounced? Like Karen? Or like the French actress, Leslie Caron?

I had name struggles too growing up. Carissa was unusual in the 70s and fodder for bullies. I own it now.

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“Like Karen, only masculine.”

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Caron, I knew I loved you! And not just because of our Brooklyn roots!

I feel this story from the very roots of my own name - given after my parents had given their parents names to my older brother and sister (first and middle), thereby satisfying the rule in Greek families of trying to pacify your parents at whatever cost to your children. My name was up for grabs. When I complained in grade school to my mom that I was always being put in boys gym at the beginning of the year she reassured me that I was lucky to have missed my dads first choice: Electra. Phew.

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I hear you.

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I was wondering! Now I know. I'm happy to call you Cary. After all, Cary Grant was one of my favorite actors (although that wasn't his real name, which I believe was worse!). Cheers mate.

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His name was Archie Leach, which he referenced in His Girl Friday.

Thanks, Michael.

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That's right! Archie Leach. Cary Grant was a fantastic choice.

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Grant’s line in “His Girl Friday” was “Listen, the last man that said that to me was Archie Leach just a week before he cut his throat.”

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This was great. And I like your name!

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Thank you. Likewise!

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I like your name. It reminds me of the Greek boatman who ferries the dead across the River Styx.

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Yes, Charon. I once considered changing the spelling of my name to match his, but that would have been even harder to explain.

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love this post!

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Why thank you! Feel free to share!

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I can relate. Georgina D'Eustachio didn't come easily to most people.

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Completely empathetic. Hugs. I typed such a long message, I paused. I think I’ll respond to your post with a post on my name and it’s many variations, if you don’t mind;) C.L. or Cary or Chirag, they are all good! What matters is you:)

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Thanks for the kind words, Anu. I look forward to your post!

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I have a horrible middle name which I am not going to share. Suffice to say, I was named after a dead uncle.

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I have a horrible middle name which I am not going to share. Suffice to say, I was named after a dead uncle.

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hilarious but a great history lesson on names and lineage!

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Ouch! It's like your mom listened to A Boy Named Sue and concluded it would be a good idea. 😂

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It was long before that song…

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