There was the almost

inevitable article about "names" in the paper at the end of last year. I am sure you know the sort I mean - "the most popular names of the year were...." and then the other list of names given just once.
There were some real oddities in that one this time - boys called "Clinchy", "Magick", "Qwade", "Rampage" and "Xenophon" and girls called "Asterix", "Blendin", "Bonnibelle", "Lingo" and "Shiny".
I feel sorry for the infants who will, unless they change their names by deed poll, go through life with these "unusual" names. I doubt that "Blendin" will blend in and who will blame "Rampage" if he goes wild?
My sister's "Greek" family tends to be much more conservative. They give their children traditional names - or their "English" equivalents. That means "Panayiota" has become "Pamela" and there are several boys called John instead of "Yiannis". "Sordidi" has become "Steven" or "Stephen" and "Katerina" has become "Katherine" or "Kathy" or "Kate". Names tend to run through families too as first children traditionally get named after grandparents.
I was a little anxious when another couple, also the children of Greek Cypriot migrants, wanted to borrow "that name book" from me but I passed it over. She is expecting twins - sex as yet unknown but I know that names have been discussed. I wondered if they were going to break from tradition and call their children something different.
The book was returned to me yesterday and I ventured to inquire, "Find anything good?"
"Oh  yes," came the reply, "George's brother has a new pup. He was going to try and call it something suitable - but the kids are insisting on Tim."
"Tim?" I asked.
"Yes - after Tim Cahill - the one who plays soccer."
Right. I wonder if the dog will learn to play soccer. There are, I suppose, worse ways to name a dog.