Now, for some further bemoaning the rising popularity of my name: not only is it called a “Ralph Lauren, faux horsey-set name” in the NYT Magazine — but half the twelve names two authors predict will be popular in 2010 share its soft “n” ending sound. Apparently, name trends are either thematic or homophonic. Argh!
west north 
Another data point: the week (perhaps even the day) they moved out, I ran into the neighbors across the hall. Even though I’d lived next to them for two years, I knew nothing about them other than that the two sometimes went jogging together, that she had recently graduated from something, and that she’d just had a baby. This time, I saw her leaving with the baby and made a bit of small talk.
Me: “A girl, right?” (I’d seen the “It’s a Girl!” balloon on the door.)
“Yes. She’s named Payton.”
“How’s it spelled?”
“With an A.”
“That’s my name.”
“Yes, I know.”
“My, that’s flattering.”
So almost-random people are naming their children after me?
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