I have never liked my name. My generation had lots of Garys. A few years ago my dad told me that the reason I was named Gary was that is what he always wished his name was. I am glad I am not a junior. My name would have been Roy, and that is worse than Gary.

My middle name, Evans, is a common Welsh last name, which was my grandfather's mother's maiden name. I am the third generation with that middle name. Good thing I never had a son, or I probably would have stuck him with it, too.

My last name is one of the ten-or-so most common last names in the English language.

Some of my ancestors had unusual names. My dad had an Uncle Aylmer and an Aunt Letra. My paternal grandmother was Eryl. Her father was Chrisostomo, but called Tomo.