Barb Dwyer: Britain's 'most unfortunate names' disclosed in new survey

Stan Still, Anna Sasin, Hazel Nutt, Barb Dwyer and Justin Case are among some of the country’s unluckiest people who have been given the unfortunate names by their parents, it found.

In what may sound like a bad joke to some, others to make the “Most Unfortunate Names in Britain” list include Mary Christmas, Paige Turner, Chris Cross and Barry Cade.

Some of the more curious American names, uncovered by a parenting group who trawled the internet, include Carrie Oakey, Anna Prentice and Bill Board.

“When the parents of some of those people mentioned named their children, many probably didn't even realise the implications at the time,” said a spokesman for TheBabyWebsite.com, which commissioned the research.

“There must be tremendous embarrassment every time they have to introduce themselves to anyone, especially to a crowd. Even their teachers must have had to hold back their smiles sometimes.

"Parents really do need to think carefully though when choosing names for their children.”

He added: "Their name will be with them for life and what may be quirky and fun for a toddler might be regretted terribly when that person becomes older or even a grandparent perhaps."

The spokesman said the researchers also found hilarious examples in the United States of people who have “brilliant names linked to their professions”.

He said the names included Dr Leslie Doctor and Dr Thoulton Surgeon, a vet in Connecticut, Dr Payne, a plastic surgeon in Ohio, Les Plack, a dentist in San Francisco and Priti Manek, a doctor in Florida.

“And one of the funniest, Dr Sumey … is likely to invite more than his fair share of lawsuits from disgruntled patients,” he said.

He said one advantage was that these people are not likely be forgotten.

Retired airman Stan Still, 76, from Cirencester, Glocs, said his name had been “a blooming millstone around my neck my entire life”.

"When I was in the RAF my commanding officer used to shout, ‘Stan Still, get a move on’ and roll about laughing," he told the BBC.

"It got hugely boring after a while."

But 51-year-old Rose Bush, from Coventry, West Midlands, added to the broadcaster: “I always get comments about it but they are always very positive.”

Another woman, Jenny Taylor, of Kendal, Cumbria, also wrote: “Mine tops the lot. Think about it.”

Britain’s bizarre names

Barb Dwyer

Pearl Button

Hazel Nutt

Ray Gunn

Helen Back

Stan Still

Jo King

Lee King

Terry Bull

Mary Christmas

Max Power

Paige Turner

Sonny Day

Tim Burr

Teresa Green

Will Power

Anna Sasin

Chris Cross

Doug Hole

Justin Case

Barry Cade

America’s bizarre names:

Anna Prentice

Annette Curtain

Bill Board

Carrie Oakey

Dr Leslie Doctor

Dr Thoulton Surgeon

Dr Payne

Les Plack

Priti Manek

Dr Sumey

Source: TheBabyWebsite.com