Repeater Names
Posted by Jen Bragg on 12 Oct 2009 | Posted in: Teachers and Teaching
In high school, I was one of seven Jennifers in my physics class. That’s right—seven. Some of us went by Jen, others by Jenny, and a few, like me, were known by our first and last names. To this day, when I talk to a friend from high school or college, I’m addressed as “JenBragg,” as if it’s one word. I guess I don’t really mind, though. There’s never a question which Jen or Jennifer a person means; I always know it’s me!
During my teaching years, I met my share of Emilys, Zachs, Matts, and Brookes. I also had a few occasions when my class list had duplicate first names. One year I had two boys named Lucas; as it turned out, they had a lot in common. Both had blond hair. Both were sweet, quiet boys—ones who would blush when you complimented them. Each one had a twin sister and the last initial S. Lucky for me, one preferred to be called Luke instead of Lucas, so name issues with them were rarely a problem. (You know, “Which one?” and “I didn’t know you were talking to me.”)
Thinking about your class list, what first names do you see year after year? If you’ve ever had students in one class who shared the same first name, what techniques did you use to address them while still making each child feel unique and special? (When sharing your experiences, please use students’ first names only—no last names!)
Looking forward to your responses,
JenBragg
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20 Responses to “Repeater Names”
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More Comments Pages: « 1 [2] Show All Comments
I often have mutliple names. One year I had 3 Calebs. It doesn’t usually pose a problem because in the morning we introduce ourselves using our whole name. So (this is made up name) Claire Jennifer Romero and Claire Elizabeth Stutes are known by their whole name. I also never put them at the same table or in line by each other. That would just cause too much confusion on my part.
FYI: I am also a Jennifer, but went by Jenny. I absolutely hated when I was called Jenny 3. I was already the 5th of 5 children and at school I actually got to be just me, not number 5. We have 3 Jennifers in my dance class. My dance teacher called each by name. She’d either use our middle names or last names to clarify. That made me feel special and that’s probably why I do something similar today!
One year I had 3 Nicole’s and 3 Jacob’s so that was a REALLY mind boggling year! I just went by Nicole and their last intial and for the Jacob’s, I did the same. All three Jacob’s moms insisted they be called Jacob and not Jake. I think the kids did better with getting their attention than I did. After a while they seemed to figure out who I was talking to. I made sure that when they all went to first grade they were not all in the same room for another teacher.
I always try to do first name last intial.
I remember the same thing back when I was in school. There were five Jennifer’s. Luckily we could break it down easy by Jennifer, Jenny, Jen, J, and JJ(me because my middle names starts with J). It worked when we all had the same class.
I have two Austin’s in my three year old class this year, one boy and one girl. I call them Mr. Austin and Ms. Austin. It helps them recognize their name as well as teaching them to identify themselves as a boy or girl. It seems to be working so far!
I love this. My daughter’s name is Charlie. That is pretty uncommon for a girl. She will have another little girl also named Charliegh in her class next year. It’s funny b/c we choose a name that was little more unusual b/c we did not want her to be identified by Charlie J. I teach in a Catholic school. Hannah is very popular here. I also really hate the years when theh names all rhyme. It makes it difficult remembering who is who.
Jayden, Hayden, Caden.
I am also a JenB! A couple years ago I had two Aidan’s in my classroom. Only one was a boy and one was a girl. We called them ‘Boy Aidan’ and ‘Girl Ayden’. The name has stuck too!
When we students with duplicate names, we ask if they have a nickname with would like to be called such as Liz or Elizabeth. Otherwise we called them Jason A and Jason B.