by Tanya Dittberner

Created on: February 28, 2007   Last Updated: May 14, 2007

Apple. Suri. Shiloh. Coco. Maddox...

Sure, these are the names of children of celebrities, but nonetheless the parents' choices in names reflect a growing trend in the United States: the more unusual the name, the better.

Perhaps it is America's cry for individuality, the need to be noticed, to be special. In today's anonymous society of large classrooms, increasing electronic communication and office cubicles, individuality is becoming a thing of the past, as America's freaks, geeks and free spirits struggle to find their voice...to make a personal statement, saying "this is ME!"

What better way to express who you are than to give the gift of self expression and give your child a name, unusual or common? Not only will this name have a hand in shaping the child's personality, but it satisfies the parents' need to make a statement, whether it's "I'm traditional and wish to honor my family's name (eg, James)" or "I'm a Greek mythology enthusiast (eg, Achilles)" or "I'm religious (eg, Ezequiel)."

Whatever one's reasoning for selecting a name for a child, this quest for individuality will most likely continue. As long as freedom of speech is a U.S. citizen's right, we will encounter more parents scolding a "Banana Tyler Smith" at the corner Starbuck's, or your 5-year-old will become playmates with someone named Flanigan Cox.

Very possible, if I do say so myself.

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