Names, Personal

August 11, 2023

Never Give Your Child Five Names

If you do, he may never be able to leave you. Thirty-six years ago, heavy with child, I argued with my husband about what to name […]
April 5, 2023

Emily Was a Popular Name in the ’90s. Now Its in More TV, Film and Music

She’s in Paris. She’s a criminal. She’s the titular star of a new biopic. She’s being apologized to by Phoebe Bridgers, and she has recently made […]
January 27, 2023

Don’t Call Me by My Real Name

As a sex worker, I had to set boundaries with clients that I sometimes couldn’t abide by myself. Clients love to ask sex workers, “What’s your […]
January 8, 2021

What's It Like to Inspire a Song?

<!– –> At Home Watch: ‘Dickinson’ Set: Exercise Goals Party: With Archivists Fend Off: Loneliness Advertisement Continue reading the main story Supported by Continue reading the […]
July 31, 2020

A Brief History of ‘Karen’

Ask a woman named Karen what she used to think of her name and you’ll hear phrases like “generic,” “perfectly serviceable” and “an easy name.” In […]
May 15, 2020

The Mrs. Files

The Mrs. Files looks at history through a contemporary lens to see what the honorific “Mrs.” means to women and their identity. About two years ago, […]
May 15, 2020

The Power of Naming for Queer Women

The Mrs. Files looks at history through a contemporary lens to see what the honorific “Mrs.” means to women and their identity. The actress Samira Wiley […]
August 18, 2016

Would a Rose, by a Gender-Neutral Baby Name, Smell as Sweet?

When it came to naming their third son a few weeks ago, Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green sidestepped traditional boys names like Ethan and Jacob […]
April 7, 2016

Social Q’s: For Co-Workers, What’s in a (Nick)Name

April 7, 2016 Social Q’s By PHILIP GALANES I am a woman in my 20s and work in a small, friendly office of 20 people. My […]