My name is Brogan Driscoll.
My life would have been far simpler had I been called Nicole, which was the plan throughout my mother's pregnancy.
But when my mum had to have an emergency C-section because I was breach (translation: my big bum was coming out first) my dad had better ideas.
He'd been watching television waiting for my mum to come out of the operating theatre (what a gent) and suddenly a new woman walked into his life - Dudley Moore's then-wife was on the box and her name was Brogan Lane.
When my mum eventually came round there was a a lovely little bundle of joy in the cot next to her (me), and the midwives couldn't stop coo-ing over my "unusual" name.
First of all she thought that these women must have lived very sheltered lives having never met a Nicole before, but she soon grew suspicious and looked at the name tag on my wrist.
And the rest is history. (For them, at least.)
As anyone with an unusual first name knows (shout out to Blue Ivy, North and Apple) there are many things that happen when you're called something other than Claire, Sarah or Louise.
1) You get asked to repeat yourself A LOT
"Sorry, what did you say?"
"Ooh, Brogan, that's unusual."
2) You end up explaining how to pronounce it in a ridiculous way
It's like 'Rogan Josh' but with a 'B' and without the 'Josh'.
3) And spend your life spelling it out over the phone
Remember, the phonetic alphabet is your friend.
4) People think your first name is your last name
5) ...And often get your gender wrong
You can shove your "Dear sir" up your ass.
5) You get given stupid nicknames, usually anything that sounds remotely similar
Such as "Bogan" or "Bogey" or "Bog"
6) People always remember your name. Often when you can't remember theirs
Sorry if I can't remember you, it's not my fault your name is forgettable.
7) Almost everyone asks you what your name means
It's... um... something to do with leather shoes.
8) ...Or why your parents decided to call you what they did
If I had a pound for every time I had to explain this story I'd be a millionaire. Unfortunately, I don't so just see above.
9) People expect your siblings to be called something adventurous
You're only going to be disappointed: he is called George and he is always in my shadow
10) And more often than not people get named after you
But, I mean, can you blame them?
Unusual Baby Names
GIRL: Ace (01 of50)
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BOY: Ball (02 of50)
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GIRL: Admire (03 of50)
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BOY: Burger (04 of50)
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GIRL: California (05 of50)
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BOY: Aero(06 of50)
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GIRL: Excel (07 of50)
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BOY: Goodluck(08 of50)
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GIRL: Fedora(09 of50)
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BOY: Cello (10 of50)
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GIRL: Couture(11 of50)
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BOY: Espn(12 of50)
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GIRL: Gilmore (13 of50)
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BOY: Cajun (14 of50)
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GIRL: Inny (15 of50)
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BOY: Crusoe(16 of50)
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GIRL: J'Adore(17 of50)
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BOY: Four(18 of50)
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GIRL: Jagger (19 of50)
Open Image ModalMick Jagger of The Rolling Stones perform during '12-12-12 The Concert For Sandy Relief. (credit:Getty Images)
BOY: Popeye(20 of50)
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GIRL: Jazzy (21 of50)
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BOY: Hippo(22 of50)
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GIRL: Leeloo(23 of50)
Open Image ModalThere is a character named Leeloo Dallas in the movie, "The Fifth Element." (credit:Facebook)
GIRL: Jury (24 of50)
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BOY: Tron(25 of50)
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GIRL: Mclean(26 of50)
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BOY: Elite (27 of50)
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GIRL: Oasis(28 of50)
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BOY: Mango (29 of50)
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GIRL: Hailo(30 of50)
Open Image ModalAlso an app in the U.K. (credit:Facebook)
BOY: Google(31 of50)
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GIRL: Orchid (32 of50)
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BOY: Alpha(33 of50)
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GIRL: Monalisa (34 of50)
Open Image ModalThis picture taken on a TV screen on September 27, 2012 in Geneva shows comparison lines between the 'Isleworth Mona Lisa' (L) and the Louvre's 'Mona Lisa.' (credit:Getty Images)
BOY: Drifter (35 of50)
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GIRL: Rogue(36 of50)
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BOY: Cobain(37 of50)
Open Image ModalKurt Cobain (credit:Facebook)
GIRL: Samanda (38 of50)
Open Image ModalAmanda Louise Marchant and Samantha Joanne Marchant are known as female duo Samanda in the U.K. (credit:Wikipedia Commons)
BOY: Bond(39 of50)
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GIRL: Sanity(40 of50)
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BOY: Casanova (41 of50)
Open Image ModalGIRL: Sesame(42 of50)
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BOY: Neon (43 of50)
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GIRL: Queenie(44 of50)
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BOY: Vice (45 of50)
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GIRL: Zealand (46 of50)
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BOY: Legacy(47 of50)
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GIRL: Yoga (48 of50)
Open Image ModalBOY: Jedi (49 of50)
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BOY: Thunder (50 of50)
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