TresSugar

Guess the Celebrity by Her Real Name!

TresSugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:10:00 -0700

Celebrities may be born with perfect looks, but they're not always born with perfect names. See if you can spot the celeb and her given name.

Question 1 of 10

This actress changed her name from Demetria Gene Guynes to something more concise.

Barack Obama? That's My Name, Says Six Brazilian Politicians

CitizenSugar — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:30:03 -0700

Remember when using Barack Obama's middle name was a big deal? Yeah, vaguely right? Well it seems like his moniker has become less of a slight and more of selling point, at least for six politicians in Brazil, all of whom have changed their names to "Barack Obama." It's not just a tribute, but a sneaky election tactic.

Brazilians have embraced the candidate enthusiastically in a country with a large population of African descendants and a corresponding minority of space in government. It's thought that by adopting the name of the Democratic candidate, the politicians will have a better chance of being elected. A quirk of Brazilian election law allows candidates to run under the name of their choice, so Obama seems a likely pick.

To see the story of one such name-switcher, read more.

One new "Barack" says "In truth it was an accident. I'd been on the television wearing a suit and people thought I looked a bit like him so they started calling me Barack Obama. They'd see me in the street and shout: 'Hey! Barack!" So I decided to register it." He's running for mayor and like Obama I, he has relatives in Kenya. The Obamas' messages are similar too, "I say the same things. I talk about political renewal, change, about transforming the city."

Unlike showing up at a party in the same dress as someone else, the newest Barack wants to be in a room with the original. He says, "It would be great if he could come and see our reality. Just imagine."

Where I'm Clicking Now: Find Your Last Name in the World!

CitizenSugar — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 07:00:43 -0700

Where in the world is Carmen San Diego? If you search for her using the World Names Profiler map, apparently "Sandiego" is mostly found in France. I saved this little gem for the weekend because you'll want lots of time to play with it. Just plug in your last name and see where most of your kinfolk live, instantly.

This map is for "Smith," which isn't as worldwide as the Witness Protection Program might like you to think. . . I've heard, anyway. Now go search for your own name, it's fun and easy! Where is your family tree planted?

Source

Dear Poll: Do You Have Baby Names Picked Out?

DearSugar — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 13:00:00 -0800

Coming up with a baby name that isn't run of the mill is all the rage these days. Perhaps that's why people end up keeping their names hush hush until they sign the birth certificate. Even friends of mine who are years away from having kids, or getting married for that matter, have their favorite baby names stockpiled. Some of them even have the names written down so that they won't forget!

I guess when you come up with a good one you don't want to let it go. Of course, there are certain names I find really beautiful and original, but I think I want to wait until she or he is born before I narrow it down. What about you? Do you already have your baby names picked out?

Source

Do Tell: What's in a Name?

DearSugar — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 07:00:00 -0700

A recent segment on The Today Show highlighted the pressures new moms feel when it comes to naming their children. The new profession of baby naming consultants are charging anywhere from $50-$300 for their services, and while I think your name does say a lot about the person you are, I happen to feel hiring someone to help you pick one is pretty absurd! While choosing the "perfect name" for your baby isn't necessarily easy, do tell, what did you name your baby, or what will be your ideal baby name when the time comes for you?

Source

The How-To Lounge: Remembering Someone's Name

DearSugar — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 09:30:00 -0700

When meeting someone for the first time, do you constantly forget his or her names? I am personally great at remembering, but my best friend is terrible at it -- she has even been known to call people we have known for years by the wrong name! As bad-mannered as it is to forget, forgetting someone's name happens all the time, so don't beat yourself up about it, but if you fall into that category, here are some helpful tips so you never forget a person's name again.

Click here to read more

Right after an introduction, repeat her name, i.e., "It's nice to meet you Denise" or "Where are you from Denise?" Sometimes saying the name aloud makes it easier to remember versus simply saying it to yourself
Regardless of where you are meeting someone, pay attention. If you are trying to carry on too many conversations at once, it will be harder to remember someone's name. Same holds true for alcohol, don't drink too much during cocktail hour as that is the time when people are usually meeting and greeting each other
Try to associate the name of the person you are meeting to an already established friend or acquaintance that has the same or a similar name
If you are a more visual person, try to associate the face of the new person you are meeting with a recognizable person with the same name. For example, think of Denise Richards when you are trying to remember the Denise you just met at your office party. Try to find any way to bridge the mental gap
Some people have a hard time remembering things until they write it down. Ask for their business card and write their name and a characteristic that you will remember about that person on the back of the card
If you can't make a connection to their name or face, make a connection with a word, i.e. Denise sounds like my favorite restaurant Pastise, etc.

I find myself being very impressed when someone I have only met once or twice remembers my name the next time they see me, or even later on in the night. I think it is an attractive quality to posses; it makes me think they care to remember me. I hope these tips were helpful for you, and if any of you have any other ideas, please share them in the comments below!

Source

What Would Your Heavy Metal Band Name Be?

GiggleSugar — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 03:25:26 -0700

Wouldn't Pestilential Bunny be an awesome heavy metal band name? Or how about Weeping Hearse? I must say, one of my favorite things about real or fake quizzes is coming up with the fake answers - particularly in the case of heavy metal band names.

If you need a little help, have no fear: there is a handy heavy metal band name generator online to help you brainstorm. . . Come to think of it, Braynstorm would be a pretty awesome name too. So tell us: What would your heavy metal band name be?

Heavy Metal Band Names: Real or Fake?

GiggleSugar — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 04:00:00 -0800

The heavy metal genre is hardly lacking in ridiculous band names and over-the-top album covers - in the case of Manowar here, we get both.

This is one arena where the real names sound too good to be true, so can you tell which ones actually are? Take my quiz and see if you can thrash out the authentic evildoers from the devilish death-metal deceivers.

Take the quiz

Chicken Band Names: Real or Fake?

GiggleSugar — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 04:00:00 -0800

We all understand the importance of good band names, but can you tell which ones are real or fake? What if the bands in question all have "chicken" in their names? Check your musical chicken knowledge and tell me if these band names are real or fake.

Source

Take the quiz

70% of Americans Think a Bride Should Take Husband's Name

TresSugar — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 07:00:00 -0700

Worrying that "the mailman would get confused" or that "society wouldn’t function as well if women did not change their names," 70 percent of Americans say that new brides should take their husband's last name. Even more shocking, the study presented yesterday at the American Sociological Association’s annual meeting found that 50 percent of respondents thought it should be made a legal requirement for women to change their names to their husbands'!

The reasons given ranged from religious beliefs to social convenience - some people actually suggested that the post office might be confused if there were people living at the same address with two different names. Really? What about everyone living with roommates?! Some respondents also seemed to have forgotten the inconveniences a woman must face if she wants to change her name after she gets married. I guess those inconveniences don't count.

It seems obvious to me that the law should never mandate that a married woman ditch her maiden name. Then again, perhaps there's nothing very liberating about keeping your "own" last name anyway, since the name belonged to a man in the first place. Let's all just make up new names and see how the post office handles that.