An army of Jakes
For the ninth year in a row “Jacob” was the most popular baby name among boys (Emily was #1 for girls for the 12th year in a row). As my name happens to be Jacob, I welcome all the new additions to our ranks. Having “Jacob” as a name is quite enjoyable, I’ve found, even though I go by Jake. I’ve always been intrigued by those who spelled it “Jakob”, to the point of if I did actually go by Jacob I’d want my name spelled that way.
Incidentally, no one in the whole wide world calls me Jacob, everyone calls me Jake, parents, teachers, friends, etc.. At no point have I ever gone by Jacob. Once, in college, a teacher called me Jacob for a whole semester, using the name off the roll call sheet but thats it. I never corrected her because it was too awkward; I just suffered in silence the whole time. Other then that though, pretty much automatically, people have called me Jake. Jacob just sounds too formal I think.
Anyway, as “Jacob” has become such a popular name of late, it occurred to me that in 15-20 years there’s going to be a lot of us around. And all the younger Jacobs are going to need a leader to organize them. Someone a little older then them. Someone who shares their name but has a little more experience in the world. Someone who could lead an “Army of Jakes” (working title, also under consideration “Jake Army”). Someone like me.
I’m an Emily! Yay!