If you struggle with your own name

As a teenager, I really thought ‘Kiki Düren’ was a Terrible name with a capital T. Who names their child Kiki? Isn't that super childish? Kiki-boo. Kiki as a little girl sounds somewhat cute, but what if you're 50 and your name is Kiki? Then you just have a freaking big problem, right? That can't be possible?

Children smell insecurity, even when it comes to names. At school, my last name was immediately Durex. Or I got the question if I was really that expensive or a bit cheap. Damn kids. So much for my teenage musings and childhood traumas, I am now very content with Kiki. I am lucky that people almost always remember my name right away. I have never been semi-offended at Starbucks because I received a cup handed to me with ‘Kiekie’ or ‘Ciecie’ on it. My easy name gets recognized. Thank god it's not vulgar. But now: my name is damn becoming popular, I tell you! Okay, it may not be among the most chosen baby names of 2017, but it’s coming, mark my words. Kiki is going to be big.

I just stumbled upon a search engine from the NRC where you can enter names and immediately see how many children were born in 2017 with that name. So for convenience, I did a quick round of the editors of the editorial team. I wondered if it really worked, because with practically every name I typed in, I got the same answer…

May-Britt: this name appears not or less than 25 times in 2017.
Simone: this name appears not or less than 25 times in 2017.
Elke: this name appears not or less than 25 times in 2017.
Lilian: this name appears not or less than 25 times in 2017.
Kiki: In 2017, 176 girls were named Kiki. HUH, WHAT?!

 
KA-CHING. I'm telling you: Kiki is going to be big. And for everyone who is not completely happy with their name: one day you will appreciate it, bet? And if after a few years you still get the creeps from it, maybe it’s time to just switch names. Kiki seems to be popular, just saying…