I am sick of people commenting on my name. I do not say, “Wow, ‘Jane’… That is such a boring and uninteresting name.” I would would never remark, “‘John’, your parents must have had no imagination at all.”

I know my name is unusual and I am proud of it. I don’t mind comments if they are complimentary or inquisitive. What I get sick of is this:

“Is that a first name or a last name?”

“Is that your real name?” (Nope, it’s my superhero codename.)

“Samaree… Is that a name?”

“Is that a nickname/short for something?” (I want to reply, “Yes, it’s short for Samareealfalafelbabaghanoush. That won’t fit on my name tag.”

“Hmmmm… That’s an interesting/unusual name.” (Said in a way that intimates interesting/unusual is a synonym for distasteful.)

“Let me guess! Your dad’s name was Sam and your mom’s name was Marie? Right? Am I right?” (I have argued with people who think I am just being contrary. Um, I think I know my parent’s names.)

And my favorite:

“I don’t think it should be pronounced Sam-uh-ree. It should be pronounced Suh-mahr-ree.” (I couldn’t help it. I said, ‘I’ll call my mom right up and tell her she pronounced my name wrong’.”)

Jeez, oh, Pete, people. If you don’t have anything nice, interesting, complimentary or decent to say, keep your mouth shut.

Thank you to all my co-workers who never mispronounce my name, shorten it or ask me dumb questions: Geneva, Shalon, Tiara, Annell, Stephonya, Latisha, and Katey (who was told her name was spelled incorrectly).