There was a time, not so very long ago, when the female first name “Isis” was borne with a sense of pride. Today, women and girls who carry the name of this noble ancient Egyptian goddess report that those days are gone. Public outrage towards the similarly named terrorist group has made carrying this name a painful public burden. In a series of interviews conducted for The Guardian, UK journalist, Chitra Ramaswamy, tells readers about victims of this modern onomastic plight.

Personal names are often all the rage one day and horrifically out the next. These maddeningly unpredictable yet routinely merciless changes in onomastic taste can leave name-bearers stranded with monikers that leave them cringing every time they hear the question: “What was your name again?” Melbourne-based comedian, social worker, and names enthusiast, Deirdre Fidge, (yes, D-E-I-R-D-R-E) offers fellow victims of parental onomastic whimsy some heartfelt advice.

Can you guess what Google will fill once you start typing in the search bar? There is a category devoted entirely to names. Test your knowledge, Family Feud style.

About 22,000 Canadians change their names each year. This article about changed names, discusses the many issues behind an individual’s decision to go through this bureaucratic process. The author interviews both Diane Dechief, former vice-president of the Canadian Society for the Study of Names, and Dr. Iman Nick, president of the American Name Society.