I read with considerable interest D. L. Bullock's correspondence
regarding the difference between southern and northern perceptions
of what is considered a masculine name [020704 MMDigest].

My full name is Robert Beverly Buckingham IV.  I was raised in the
north my entire life (most of it spent in Pennsylvania) and have always
gone by the name "Rob" (although more informally I am referred to as
"Buck" or "Bucky" ).  This was not my choice but my parents.

My father and my grandfather, who were both born and raised in Memphis,
Tennessee, have always gone by Bev and Beverly, respectively.  My
father, as a child,  was called "little Bev" and to this day, even
after living in the north for the past 40 years, is still referred to
as "Bev" by everyone who knows him.

When I was young, I was grateful to have a name that did not call too
much attention to myself in the unforgiving north but now, years later,
I find myself wishing that I went by something a little more
distinguishing than the commonplace "Rob".

My Regards,
Robert Beverly Buckingham
Pittsburgh, PA

 [ "Robbie" is almost as common and just as nice!  ;-)  In most
 [ societies a person's name consists of a 'given name' and a
 [ 'family name' or surname (patronymic).  A given name is thought
 [ to be masculine or feminine mostly by local or family tradition,
 [ and spelling variations are equally ambiguous.  A person's name
 [ is a starting point to build an identity upon; after that it's
 [ the personality that is really the identity!  -- Robbie