I worked with a woman who named her boy and girl twins Hensley (girl) and J. Holland (boy). This is a woman who I have always thought had great taste. I’ve spent the last year of their lives trying to convince myself that I’m just missing something- these names are really OK, right?

I’ve recently decided that I don’t think I can take it anymore, I’m pretty sure they may be the worst names I’ve ever heard. It doesn’t help that their last name begins with an H as well. They did that thing where they wouldn’t tell the names until after the babies were born so once the announcement had been made I asked if they were family names. Shockingly, no… The good news for Hensley is that her brother’s name is so awful that people are likely to overlook hers. As for poor J. Holland (I think they’re actually trying to get people to use both the initial and the name), the only hope is that he can go by J. As it is, J. Holland is so pauncy sounding that the move to “Gay” Holland is inevitable.

BTW- I think this is a case of pretentiousness gone way out of control. These are well educated folks. What’s your take on these names?

-H