A reader recently forwarded a link from YeahBaby.com, “home of the Internet’s Number One Baby Names Search Engine” wherein “Daedalus” is an “Official YeahBaby.com Baby Name.” Not terribly interesting in and of itself, but dig this, “Daedalus Howell,” that is to say the name of your humble author, is listed as the moniker’s “Celebrity Namesake.” A weird Google-related phenomenon methinks, but momentarily entertaining nonetheless. http://www.google.com/url’sa=U&start=5&q=http://baby-names.yeahbaby.com/baby.php%3Fname%3DDaedalus&e=8092. Thanks, Sandy.

While I’m dropping names, check out this stellar piece by my friend and colleague Hiya Swanhuyser in which she tracks the experience of those in our generation raised with unconventional appellations for the SF Weekly. Hiya namechecks a number of Lumavillians, including Orion, Trane and Silver. Scroll to “Name That Name” at http://sfweekly.com/issues/2005-01-05/news/dogbites.html

Also, for kicks, check out the official website of Alfred J. Parker’s Kabalarian Philosophy (mind you, this is not an endorsement, just a link http://www.kabalarians.com/Index.cfm ) which offers a “free brief Name Analysis using the Mathematical Principle as taught in the Kabalarian Philosophy to demonstrate that your name creates your thinking!” I entered “Dickhead” and learned that the name “causes an emotional intensity that is hard to control.” I also learned that the name Dickhead “can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses in the nervous system, worry, and mental tension.” Indeed, if your name was Dickhead, I’d imagine this would very likely be true, especially in grammar school.

Remember ye olde “porn name” game in which you match your middle name with that of your first pet? Done it. Now get your “pirate name.” Go here: http://www.fidius.org/quiz/pirate/