Page 3 - PGA Community News - June '21

June 2021 June 2021 PGA C.A.N.!, Page 3

From The Editor:

What Does Your Name Say About You?…

Last week I was sitting Homeland Security REAL ID Act of 2008, applicants “Barbara Fretchie,” and Stanwyck from the last name of
in the waiting room of an must bring their birth certificate, social security number the star of the play, Jane Stanwyck.
office when a gentleman and marriage certificate, if relevant. This posed an issue Arthur Godfrey was the one who advised singer,
entered. The receptionist for two of my seventy-year-old clients who were born Concetta Franconero, to change her name to Connie
greeted him and asked him Pasqualina (on Easter, Pasqua, in Italian) and Generosa. Francis before her appearance on his television show,
his name. He said “Baptiste. They used Lillian and Jean, respectively, throughout their “Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts,” in the 1950’s (and
John Baptiste.” I thought to lives so their social security cards and previous driver’s stop playing the accordion while she sang). He must have
myself that his parents gave licenses had different names from their birth certificates. had foresight of her resulting success, as Connie’s record
him a lot of responsibility The only remedy was to legally change their names from sales made her the number one female recording artist of
by naming him after John Pasqualina and Generosa to Lillian and Jean!!! As their the late 1950s and early 1960s around the world. Connie
The Baptist. I wanted to attorney, I prepared the documents to submit to the Court chose to record and sing in Italian, German, Spanish and
speak with him but I was and accomplish their objective. The process took a few other languages resulting in her being named the most
called to my appointment. As I left the office and walked months but they finally were able to obtain the REAL ID popular artist in Europe in 1960 – the first time that a
to the elevator, Mr. Baptiste was waiting there. I said to driver’s licenses. non-European received the honor. Even during the Cold
him, “Your parents gave you a special name. Do you One of the most emotional birth name experiences War, Connie’s music was played in the former Soviet
evangelize like John The Baptist?” He said he attended was a client of mine whose mother died at childbirth in Union and Yugoslavia.
Catholic School so his name was always a topic of 1925. Her birth certificate shows Female Reynolds with no Obviously, it was Connie’s beautiful voice that the
conversation. The children in his classes teased him. given first name. It was some time later that other family world appreciated but we will never know the role that
The experience triggered thoughts about names and the members selected her given name, Kathleen. Surprisingly, the change of her name played in her success. If she
parents’ choices. I was always told I was named after my I have heard of a woman whose actual given name was had refused to adopt the name, Connie Francis, perhaps
father. He was called “Jimmy” by everyone. It was not until Female (pronounced Famali). I wonder about some parents Arthur Godfrey would not have been as enthusiastic about
he passed away when I was 15 years old that we saw his and their thought processes in naming their children. promoting her talent. We do know that a name can limit
birth certificate. His actual legal first name was Vincenzo! It is common for foreign-born persons to adopt an opportunities for employment and social connections, so
We were quite surprised but Jimmy is a nickname for American name when they reside permanently in the parents should consider the effect that their decision will
Vincenzo in many Italian families. My parents selected United States. I had clients who changed their name from have on their child. After all what does your name say
Anthony as my middle name in gratitude to St. Anthony of Weinstein to Winston to avoid any anti-Semitic responses. about you?
Padua. There were some potential health concerns during Unfortunately, immigrants do experience prejudice by just Until next month,
my mother’s pregnancy regarding the RH blood factor so the mention of their names. Many Asian residents choose a James A. Cioffi, Editor
my mother prayed to St. Anthony for a healthy baby. more common American first name for convenience rather james@jcclaw.com
Speaking of Italian families, many of them select their than having to teach the pronunciation of their birth names.
child’s name by the saint or occasion on the day of birth. It is interesting how some names maintain their P.S. Please forward to me any stories of the effect of a
My aunt was born on the day of the Annunciation (March popularity over many years. In the United States, the name, name that you or someone you know may have experienced.
25), so she was named, Annunziata. She used the name, Barbara, became popular with the fame of the actress,
Nancy, throughout her life to avoid having to spell and Barbara Stanwyck in the 1920’s and 30’s. Curiously, her
pronounce her birth name. birth name was Ruby Catherine Stevens. David Belasco,
The use of nicknames was prevalent in years past but a theater owner in New York City, suggested Ruby change Editorial Board
it has become an issue legally of late. In order to obtain her name when she worked for him as a chorus girl turned
driver’s licenses that comply with the Department of actress. He selected Barbara from the name of a stage play,
Editor: James A. Cioffi
james@jcclaw.com
Feature Writers: Dawn Levinstein, POA
Commissioner Maria Marino
Katie Roundtree

Contributing
Reporter: Don Kiselewski

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