On fancy children's names and related consequences

Um, this is pretty worthless shit, i know. Please do not proceed further you have better things to do.

This week we had visits from various relatives from all around - and in most cases with small kids in tow -

There was 'Manasa', her sister 'Mahima', then 'Shashank', 'Dharshan', 'Shriya', another 'Sriya' and of course my favorite babe, 'Aaranya' (-who at a mere 8 years of age has already lived in Madras, Pune, Chicago, Detroit, Toronto - and has taken to our Time-Life encyclopedia set like a fish to water) and her cousin, 'Dhanya'

Point is - while none of these names are not exactly RAD (as in naming a poor boy 'Aadhiseshan' or a baby girl 'Trisha' ) - for conservative tambrahms - these names are certainly odd to carry around. No ?

Zeenat thinks that when times change and these fancy named kids grow up - these names will sound less rad and normal (as how 'Abhilash' 'Abhishek' or 'Arun' or 'vinod' or 'vikram' sound now).

While she may be partially correct, I think that naming a hapless, innocent little baby is a big responsibility - it always is a good idea to stick to the 'Common minimum program' themed names - even if it feels conservative - rather than burdening the kid for life with some ridiculous name.

For example, I know this Parsi lady called 'Lovely' who works for a big MNC pharma firm in bombay - Zeenat always sniggers when the poor female calls - 'Dei, Un Lovely pesaraa da' -

How she must suffer, for that brainless act committed by her parents all those years ago, and how she must hate them for it!

P.s But Abhilash is a studly name as everyone tells me and i am forever grateful for my meddling uncle A who named me - and Zeenat for putting up with it. After all, she says, if my old man had had his way i would av been called 'Muniyaandi' or 'Karuppupandi' in true Madurai fashion :x