Emily+Z’s+OpEd+Article

= **Why so many?** = **By Emily Zimmerman**

When a substitute takes roll at the beginning of class, it begins to sound repetitive and goes a little something like this:

Emily, Veronica, Emily, Blake, Emily, Melissa, Emily, Bridget, Emily…

(and yes I do have 5 Emily’s in one of my classes)

Emily has held the position for number one baby name for 12 years in a row, and currently there are 328,079 people in the U.S with the name Emily. Statistically, it is the 196th most popular name. Seeing this I don’t understand why parents recycle the same name over and over and over again, the name Emily has been so over used, had the life sucked out of it, and been beaten to death. We get it, you like the name Emily, but can’t you think of something a little more unique, original? Names were created to distinguish one from another, individualize the human race, to specialize each human being. But what’s the use if we all have the same name? My best friends and I are always referred to as "THE EMILYS". No longer 3 people, but rather one emotionless thing.

I don’t enjoy turning around when I hear my name called and having to quickly turn back frustrated, because I was not the one desired. For this reason, I have almost subconsciously undone that naturally tendency to response to one’s name, because more often than not, in a public setting, I am not the one being called. I’m sick of someone calling the name “Emily” and then laughing when my two best friends and I all turn to look. I hate ordering at Jamba Juice and having the employee think it's a joke that me, along with my two best friends are all named Emily.

EMILY, EMILY, EMILY.

Lost in a sea of Emilys.

This is a photo of Emily, Emily, Emily, Emily, Emily, and Emily.