So DC and I (mostly I, as DC seems to feel no urgency on this matter) picked up a baby names book this weekend.  Along with the typical alphabetical listings, it has sections with names listed in a variety of categories, including the most popular names from different countries.

They have the most popular names from the U.S., Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Spain, Chile, China, Korea, Japan, Russia, Austria, and a whole bunch of others.  However, there’s just one category for all of Africa.

Are they trying to tell me that the same list of 20 names is popular in such diverse countries as Egypt, Somalia, Djibouti, and South Africa?  It’s a big freaking continent, people.  My friend Derek recently took it upon himself to learn all the countries of Africa and their capitals, and believe me, there was a lot to learn.

The only other countries that were grouped like that were the Scandinavian countries.  That might burn up a Norwegian who doesn’t want to be taken for a Swede (they’re grumpy about that), but that grouping makes more sense to me than the Africa one.

Another interesting note:  the name “Suck Chin” is used in Korea.  I think that happened to my aunt once when a baby goat had nipple confusion.