What's in a name? If you are from Brazil, lots! (Part I)

Names can be quite quirky. Where you come from is big.

Take 12-year-old soccer prodigy
Petroswickonicovic Wandeckerkof da Silva Santos, for example. His friends simply (simply?) know him as Petroswickonicovic. But, if he continues to excel in his sport, his fans may know him differently in future years... like Edson Arante do Nascimento... Pele to the world.

What's in a name then? Ask that question in Brazil and stand back.

As the New York Times recently noted, there is Mike Tyson Schwarzenegger Pradella Errolflynn Paixao Charlingtonglaevionbeecheknavare dos Anjos Mendonca, a Brazilian plumber who, thankfully, goes by Chacha (pronounced Sha-sha in Portuguese)  and Wonarlievyston Garlan Marlion Branddon Buno Paullynelly Mell Oliveira Pereira too. (If you spot any missppeellingz, please let me know.)

Brazil is a most colorful country and the names of many "reflect centuries of immigration, conquest and slavery... to produce a fusion of identities," says the NYTimes." In a country with an array of musical traditions, from the melodious bossa nova to sertanejo country music, naming experts also mention the symphonious way some unusual names resonate when they are coined by expecting parents. Brazil... ranks among nations where naming has evolved into something resembling a competitive sport."

"Never think he or she was making a joke about his or her name," advises Mexican novelist Juan Pablo Villalobos. "No matter what name they told you, it's the actual name.

A Sao Paulo TV station recently found a family with seven children: Elvis, Elvisnei, Elvismara, Elvislei, Elvicentina, Elvisfaine and Elvislene. And if you are All Shook Up after hearing those names, That's All Right," said dad in this made-up quote.  "Don't Be Cruel because these kids are Always on My Mind."

Having had the best excuse in the world to visit and travel in Brazil a handful of years back--our kids lived there and their first child/our grandchild Rio (talk about a coincidence) was conceived there--the country remains alive in my mind for so many reasons.

Race, color and culture mark South America's largest, and only Portuguese speaking country as remarkable. This should produce a quite a feast for the eyes of the rest of the world as Rio de Janeiro hosts the 2014 World Cup AND the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Part II, Brazil: Multi cultural, multi colorful Brazil. See it here, Friday in my next post. 

It's all about the name

Ever wonder what your life would be like if you were named Rumplestiltskin (left)... or Clyde or Mervin or Mayviss? Me neither. Probably no different unless your last name was Butts or Badcock, Gaye or Holl (all real)... which probably made growing up difficult. Or if your last name was White and mom named you Snow. All kinds of those things really happen.

I know a guy named Al Ng... which is the shortest name on my list.  Longest name though probably goes to a German immigrant whose passport actually read:

(First and "middle" names)
Adolph Blaine Charles David Earl Frederick Gerald Hubert 
Irvin John Kenneth Loyd Martin Nero Oliver Paul Quincy 
Randolph Sherman Thomas Uncas Victor Willian Xerxes Yancy 
Zeus

(Last name)
Wolfeschlegelsteinhausenbergerdorffvoralternwarengewissenhaf
tschaferswesenchafewarenwholgepflegeundsorgfaltigkeitbeschut
zenvonangereifenduchihrraubgiriigfeindewelchevorralternzwolf
tausendjahresvorandieerscheinenbanderersteerdeemmeshedrraums
chiffgebrauchlichtalsseinursprungvonkraftgestartseinlangefah
rthinzwischensternartigraumaufdersuchenachdiesternwelshegeha
btbewohnbarplanetenkreisedrehensichundwohinderneurassevanver
standigmenshlichkeittkonntevortpflanzenundsicherfreunanleben
slamdlichfreudeundruhemitnichteinfurchtvorangreifenvonandere
rintlligentgeschopfsvonhinzwischensternartigraum

Senior

He called himself Hubert Wolfe... probably Hubie to friends. He signed his name Hubert Blaine Wolfeschlegelsteinhausenbergerdorff, Sr. In case you didn't notice, he has one given name for every letter of the alphabet plus his surname.  (This info comes from the interesting website, Everything2.com ) Do I believe everything I see in print and on the internet... absolutely!

Had a friend once who was oddly named. I never thought anything of it until one day, I had to ask a telephone operator (remember those?) for his phone number. " Frosty Craighead, please... " I listened to her laugh convulsively for 30 seconds before she could respond, then I had to convince her it wasn't a joke.

So what do you do when you are saddled with something awful to your ear? You change it, right? That's why this British chap caught my attention. He is now officially known as:

'Captain Fantastic Faster Than Superman Spider-man Batman Wolverine Hulk And Flash Combined'

I don't know what he changed it from but suspect it was something like Alfred Meeks. All I know is that after the name change, I wouldn't want to mess with him... not because he might be too tough (which is possible) but because he must be crazy... and If you read this sir, I'm just kidding. I really like what you've done with your name... it has a definite 'ring' to it... and your costume is absolutely Fab!

Maybe this is what he had in mind:

So when the cat has got your tongue
There's no need for dismay
Just summon up this word
And then you've got a lot to say
But better use it carefully
Or it could change your life
One night I said it to my girl
And now my girl's my wife!


In which case, I say "Bully." I hope you and  Mrs Captain Fantastic Faster Than Superman Spider-man Batman Wolverine Hulk And Flash Combined nee Ms Superwoman Prettier Than Avenging Angel Batgirl Wonder Woman Vampirella And Alice In Wonderland Combined have a wonderful life and are blessed with many superchildren named Art, Jane, Mary, Joe, Bill and Jesse.