Contest the First: Name!

202 Replies

(Also see: Photo contest!)

Go to the Social Security Administration’s baby name site, and go to the section called “Popular Names by Birth Year.” Type in 1973, and choose “top 500.” Then click “Go.” Everybody got it? A list of the 500 most popular names in 1973? Good! Okay, here are your extremely limited hints:

  1. My name is in the top 150.
  2. I have always liked it.

You can have up to five guesses. The order of your guesses matters: the higher in the list you guess the correct name, the higher your score. You don’t have to use all five guesses. If you already know my name, you’re ineligible to participate; there will be a Pity Contest later on for you.

  • Partial credit will be given for being close.
  • Partial credit will be given for choosing names I think “fit” me, even if they’re not correct.
  • Partial credit will be given if one of your first-name guesses happens to be my middle name, which is also in the top 150.
  • Partial credit will be given if you list a name my parents almost named me.
  • Cheaty entries (example: “1. either Janet or Janice”) will be discarded as too hard to score.
  • There is no advantage to guessing earlier/later: as long as the guess is made before the contest ends, all guesses are equal.

Details:

Contest deadline is Friday morning (May 2nd). I’m not sure yet what TIME Friday morning, so it would be safer to consider the deadline Thursday night.

Prizes will be skimpy/pitiful, and will depend on how many winners there are: as with the lottery, the more lucky people there are, the less lucky each one will be. Right now I’m considering little Swistle Care Packages: a copy of The Baby Name Wizard book; batch of fudge; things I find in the junk drawer. [Edit! See Prize Update!]

Plus, of course there will be glory and honor among blog-readers, as we all hail your mighty guessing powers. There will be no Incredibly Awesome Prizes, unless someone is reading this who works at a huge company that would like to donate an Incredible Awesome Prize? Like a car? Or a mansion? Or a giant case of candy bars? That would be AWESOME! Just, um, send the prize to ME first, and I’ll make SURE it gets delivered to the winner!

Good luck, and you may start guessing!

202 thoughts on “Contest the First: Name!”

  2. Jenni

    Hmmmmm….

    1) Jessica
    2) Heather
    3) Rachel
    4) Natalie
    5) Jennifer

    And can I just say how refreshing it is to read a name list with nary an extra y or k in it (ie: MyKenzyee)

    Reply ↓
  5. Stacie

    Yay!

    1. Rhonda
    2. Rachael
    3. Pamela
    4. Veronica
    5. Samantha

    And I must say, for having three ways to spell my name in the top 150, I know exactly one other Stacie. I need to get out more.

    Reply ↓
  13. Natalie

    I am sooo excited because I finally get to guess. Swistle phonetically sounds a lot like “Melissa” to me. Don’t ask me how I get Melissa from Swistle, I just do. I think it’s the ‘is’ sound in it. ANYWAY, looks like “Natalie” is pretty popular on the list and if you are another Natalie that would be soooo kewl!!!!

    So here goes:

    1. Melissa
    2. Lisa
    3. Kristi
    4. Stacie (just because it’s 150)
    5. Teresa (Theresa – though I’m not sure why).

    Reply ↓
  16. Clarabella

    Gah, just 5 guesses? I have 13 on my SHORT list. Ok,
    1. Melissa
    2. Danielle
    3. Alison
    4. Felicia
    5. Melinda
    All these names seem similar to me, which is why I must believe that one of them (GO MELISSA!) belongs to you. Plus, I think they’re all pretty rocking names (although Felicia’s kind of just for kicks)!

    Reply ↓
  18. Clarabella

    Ok, I swear this is my last post (tonight, heh!), but I can’t help but be reminded of when half the blogosphere was scouring name lists for Sundry’s newest boy. I don’t think I ever posted a guess, but Dylan was certainly in my top 5, so I’ve got my fingers crossed now. (I really want a batch of fudge, can you tell?)

    Reply ↓
  27. Ami

    Oh, and I forgot to add (not like you asked my opinion) that I think the prize should be some of those minty brownies b/c I thought those looked awesome but was never motivated to make them myself. I’m just guessing that there were others out there as lazy as myself. :)

    Reply ↓
  33. Nowheymama

    1. Sara
    2. Sarah
    (Narcissitic, much, Nowheymama?)
    3. Emily (my sister’s name)
    4. Anne (middle name guess)
    5. Samantha (because I agree with Elizabeth, re: Sam)

    Reply ↓
  34. JMC

    1. Melissa
    2. Cynthia
    3. Michelle
    4. Tracey
    5. Crystal

    I don’t really think it’s Crystal, but I remember reading once that your real name sounded like Swistle, and Crystal was the closest I could find in the top 150.

    Reply ↓
  35. Cass

    Thank goodness you posted this today because I honestly wasn’t sure WHAT I was going to do during a 7am conference call.

    1. Kathryn
    2. Samantha
    3. Megan
    4. Anne
    5. Renee

    I want fudge really bad so I hope I picked it.

    Reply ↓
  36. Kristin H

    1. Sarah
    2. Stephanie
    3. Stacy
    4. Sonya
    5. Samantha

    I have always thought “Swistle” was a combination of your first and last names, and that your first name started with an S. In my mind, you are Sarah Thistle.

    Reply ↓
  38. Catharina

    1. Linda
    2. Amy
    3. Diane
    4. Catherine
    5. Laura

    I have no idea why I chose these names, just went with my feeling, I guess?
    And because five are not enough, I have to include the other names on my short list. Ignore them when you’re scoring, just adding them because I can’t bear to just delete them :) So here they are: Lisa, Carolyn, Amber, Vanessa, Kristen, Alison, Sarah, Lynn. I don’t know why, but I’ betting on an L name. This is fun!

    Reply ↓
  39. Welcome to our World

    Suzanne
    Samantha
    Shelly – I was drawn to this one for you!
    Sherri
    Stacie

    *I was born in 1973 and I did not really realize how popular my name was until just now… It was #16 (the Ch- version of it that is!) on the list! That is kind of neat to see!

    Reply ↓
  40. Welcome to our World

    Suzanne
    Samantha
    Shelly – I was drawn to this one for you!
    Sherri
    Stacie

    *I was born in 1973 and I did not really realize how popular my name was until just now… It was #16 (the Ch- version of it that is!) on the list! That is kind of neat to see!

    Reply ↓
  41. Welcome to our World

    Suzanne
    Samantha
    Shelly – I was drawn to this one for you!
    Sherri
    Stacie

    *I was born in 1973 and I did not really realize how popular my name was until just now… It was #16 (the Ch- version of it that is!) on the list! That is kind of neat to see!

    Reply ↓
  43. Jill

    1. Laurie
    2. Megan
    3. Colleen
    4. Diane
    5. Allison

    I’ll be honest, I only looked between names 100 and 150, because if it were in the top 100 you would have said so, right? RIGHT?

    Reply ↓
  46. babytoddleretc

    1. Connie ;)
    2. Laura
    3. Kelly
    4. Christine
    5. Cynthia

    I was going to do this very scientifically by analyzing your favorite names but then just decided to just guess.

    Mary Kate

    Reply ↓
  47. Erica

    I’m sitting here, scouring the top 150 names and asking myself “what’s Swistle’s real name?” Answer I keep coming up with? Swistle.

    5. Bridget
    4. Sherry/Sherri
    3. Sonya
    2. Allison
    1. Sheila

    Reply ↓
  49. Saly

    Ok, I am going to tell you why I think your name is what I think it is and then I will list my other 4 contenders.

    1. Susan (Swistle, to me, sounds like “Sue Whistle” and also I picture you looking like Susan from Seinfeld.)
    2. Stacy
    3. Melissa
    4. Lisa
    5. Sara (this is just for kicks because, well, you know)

    This is really fun. Now I’m going to read everyone else’s comments!

    Reply ↓
  55. elizasmom

    Alright, like other commenters, I fifgured there had to be some sort of link between your real name and your pseudonym, so I went for rhyme and sort of general sound-ish-ness:

    1. Crystal
    2. Christy
    3. Sara
    4. Kristin
    5. Sandra

    Reply ↓
  60. Pickles & Dimes

    1. Swistle
    2. Swistle
    3. Swistle
    4. Swistle
    5. Swistle

    (Just kidding! But I’m really torn about wanting to know your real name.)

    My real guesses:

    1. Christine (I’ve always had this in my head as your name; I don’t know why)
    2. Lynn (possibly a good middle name candidate)
    3. Stacy
    4. Melanie
    5. Dawn

    Reply ↓
  61. Pickles & Dimes

    1. Swistle
    2. Swistle
    3. Swistle
    4. Swistle
    5. Swistle

    (Just kidding! But I’m really torn about wanting to know your real name.)

    My real guesses:

    1. Christine (I’ve always had this in my head as your name; I don’t know why)
    2. Lynn (possibly a good middle name candidate)
    3. Stacy
    4. Melanie
    5. Dawn

    Reply ↓
  62. Pickles & Dimes

    1. Swistle
    2. Swistle
    3. Swistle
    4. Swistle
    5. Swistle

    (Just kidding! But I’m really torn about wanting to know your real name.)

    My real guesses:

    1. Christine (I’ve always had this in my head as your name; I don’t know why)
    2. Lynn (possibly a good middle name candidate)
    3. Stacy
    4. Melanie
    5. Dawn

    Reply ↓
  66. skiplovey

    Wow this is hard. Y’know it’d really help if we had the picture part first. I’m much better if I have a face to work with. Anyway, here’s my guess:

    1. Katherine
    2. Diane
    3. Shelly
    4. Carolyn
    5. Emily

    Reply ↓
  67. moo

    SO. MUCH. FUN.

    I didn’t read anybody else’s guesses, because I didn’t want to be influenced.

    1. Cheryl
    2. Beth
    3. Amy
    4. Colleen
    5. Connie

    Now I’m going to read all the other comments and bash my head against the wall that I didn’t pick better names.

    Reply ↓
  71. Swistle

    Luna- Partial (but really GOOD partial) credit for alternate spellings.

    Jill- Or maybe I worked out with Mairzy what we thought was the right size name pool for the number of guesses. OR DID I??

    EVERYONE- THIS IS SO FUN!!!

    Reply ↓
  75. Mrs. M

    First Name:

    Katrina (this name seems fun and sassy, just like you and I can picture you loving having this name).
    Kelly
    Valerie
    Bridget
    Robin

    Middle Name:

    Nicole
    Dawn
    Michelle
    Ann
    Danielle

    I’m going Katrina Nicole!

    Reply ↓
  80. Misty

    I am not going to look at other folks answers before I guess, so I could be totally off base. But here goes…
    1. Andrea
    2. Laura
    3. Alison
    4. Catherine
    5. Michelle

    Reply ↓
  82. Melospiza

    Omigod omigod omigod I’m suddenly NERVOUS. Also, I will probably never be able to think of you as anything but Swistle (the Great). However, here goes (and I didn’t look at any other entries, not that it matters, but still: my unsullied mind at work, below).

    1. Megan
    2. Melanie
    3. Amanda
    4. Samantha
    5. Jacqueline

    Clearly, I’m getting an “m” vibe from you. Hmm. Nervous!

    Reply ↓
  86. Jennifer

    As much as I would LOVE for you to be a part of the Jennifer Nation, my intuition tells me that you are one of the following:

    1. Susan
    2. Julie
    3. Theresa
    4. Diana
    5. Molly

    Reply ↓
  87. Miss Grace

    First, I just have to tell you that my first name is Jennifer, which was the NUMBER ONE NAME FROM 1975-1990! I wish that pain on no child. And I go by my middle name.

    Now my guesses:
    1. Melissa
    2. Rebecca
    3. Tamara
    4. Robin
    5. Emily

    Based entirely on names that I like.

    Reply ↓
  88. erin

    1. Crystal
    2. Melissa
    3. Kristen
    4. Patricia
    5. Suzanne

    And since I’m delurking (how could I not for such a fun contest?), I want to add that I love your blog and I think you’re fantastic!

    Reply ↓
  92. Christine

    Tracey
    Karen
    Alison
    Andrea
    Bethe

    And, if it ends up being Melissa, I’ll be sad I did not choose it. Melissa is my daughter’s name (and she is 9 months old!)

    Reply ↓
  93. EMama

    1. Allison
    2. Jamie
    3. Erika
    4. Megan
    5. Lynn (which I actually believe to be your middle name)

    I want the baby naming book or fudge or both. I’m feeling pretty greedy today.

    Reply ↓
  96. nonsoccermom

    1. Deanna
    2. Katherine
    3. Lynn
    4. Samantha
    5. Melinda

    But you will always be Swistle as far as I’m concerned!!

    I was surprised to see my name on that list. I wasn’t born in ’73, but I didn’t realize that my name with my somewhat unique spelling was in the top 150 at any point.

    Reply ↓
  98. Jess

    Okay so I haven’t guessed yet, but I have been wondering about the MIL issue. Will you take down old posts or just give her the bird and let em stand? I started looking through other posts to see if I am alone in this but then their guesses started swaying what I was originally thinking. I need more time to ponder.

    Reply ↓
  99. Jess

    What is also interesting to me is to see who ISN’T guessing. And that they must know your real name. Or maybe they’re just pondering a bit longer too.

    Reply ↓
  100. Swistle

    Jess- I’m a little worried about the MIL issue—but my first name is common enough (top 150!) that I don’t think it’ll narrow things down MUCH. And in any case, I take down most of the iffy posts awhile after I post them, just because I’m kind of Anxious.

    Some of the people who know my name already are friends from outside blogworld; some are people I’ve bought things from (like on Etsy). Some may or may not have paid large cash sums to find out before they realized they were going to find out later.

    Reply ↓
  101. Sarcy

    Laura
    Diana
    Allison
    Elizabeth
    Anne

    I can envision you as any of the first three; Elizabeth or Anne are my middle-name guesses.

    Reply ↓
  105. honeybecke

    Okie Doke, this is honeybecke.

    I’m giving my guesses before reading any comments, I do not want to be influenced! Haha. I am relying on my hunches and nothing else, so here goes:

    1. Holly
    2. Tracy
    3. Traci
    4. Crystal
    5. Theresa

    OK! Done! That was fun.

    Reply ↓
  108. Hannah

    So I read a ton of blogs, but I never really comment on them. But I CANNOT stay silent when Swistle is unmasking!!! It’s just too cool. So, um, hi! I love your blog! And I think your name is:

    1)Amy
    2)Sarah
    3)Christine
    4)Suzanne
    5) Monica

    Reply ↓
  112. Sam

    I just read over that list for about 45 minutes. I wrote down a ton of maybe’s, then I closed my eyes and pointed 5 times and came up with these.

    1. Katherine
    2. Theresa
    3. Lynn
    4. Rebecca
    5. Michelle

    (Fingers Crossed) THIS IS SO MUCH FUN! We’re all going to be bored when it’s over!
    Good Luck to everyone!

    Reply ↓
  116. ispeakbeanish

    1 – Christy
    2 – Melissa
    3 – Kim/Kimberly
    4 – Jennifer
    5 – Amanda

    I was born in 1973 also. My picks were based on the names that were shared with multiple friends. For example, there were 3 Kim/Kimberlys (me included), 2 Christy/Kristy/Christi, 2 Amandas, 2 Jennifers, and 2 Melissas. If we could have had 6 guesses, my last name would have been Brandi in honor of the 2 Brandy/i I knew. Crazy!

    Reply ↓
  118. caley

    1. Katherine
    2. Lynn
    3. Julie
    4. Jacqueline
    5. Erin

    And don’t worry, you will ALWAYS be Swistle to me.

    Also, I hate all my guesses. Not that I hate them as names, they’re fine names. Just… I wish I was allowed weeks to research this, and then allowed to make 15 guesses instead of just 5. I don’t know how I’m going to make it to Friday…

    Reply ↓
  122. Erin

    Oh, and meant to say also: Sounds like you got a promotion?! A new website where you’ll need a photo and real name?! Tell us more!

    And I am like Pickles & Dimes. I am torn about knowing your real name. I always liked just plain Swistle.

    Reply ↓
  124. Suzannah

    1. Elizabeth
    2. Robin (sounds nature-y like Thistle, so…well, probably so…nothing)
    3. Anne
    4. Sarah
    5. Heidi

    – Suzannah (never on any list, always spelled wrong, always either called “Suzanne” or cues clever people singing, but I always liked it anyway)

    PS – Sorry if this posts multiple times…having trouble passing the word verification test.

    Reply ↓
  128. Steph the WonderWorrier

    Alrighty, here we go:

    1. Stacey
    2. Suzanne
    3. Shannon
    4. Sandra
    5. Cheryl

    I have this whole initial thing going on my head, as if you must have an “S” name. LOL. I’m probably way off base, but I haven’t been reading that long so I can’t draw any clues from entries you’ve made or anything, I’m just going for it. LOL.

    Reply ↓
  130. Barb

    Kristin
    Shelley
    Anna
    Theresa
    Tricia

    I want to guess Barbara (because that’s my name and no one else guessed it) but I don’t really think that’s your name, so I won’t.

    Reply ↓
  134. Tess

    Okay, I have gone over and over this, but my final five are:

    1) Colleen
    2) Jennifer
    3) Julie
    4) Andrea
    5) Laurie

    Reply ↓
  135. Nellyru

    I am NOT GUESSING…geez louis, what if I picked a name you HATED?? THE BABY NAMING QUEEN OF THE WORLD, the person who has a WEBSITE DEVOTED TO NAMING BABIES (and can ALWAYS come up with well thought out, logical and PERFECT NAMES) and you want me to GUESS YOUR NAME?? Oh my god, no WAY! (Again, what if I picked out, like, your MOST HATED NAME EVER, and said that’s what I think of you??? Oh, I can’t even stand the thought…)

    Reply ↓
  140. Tina G

    1. Alison
    I am not guessing any others because that name just suits you. I thought of a name first, then checked the website- and decided to go all or nothin’!

    Reply ↓
  148. Kelsey

    1 – Colleen
    (name of my oldest friend)
    2 – Kristen
    (name of my 3-5th grade BFF)
    3 – Catherine
    (name of a dear summer camp friend)
    4 – Nicole
    (name of one of my cousins)
    5 – Kathleen
    (name of one of my favorite aunts)

    I don’t know why I felt compelled to share the associations I have with those names.

    The suspense is killing me!

    Reply ↓
  152. Dawn (#21 in 1973)

    I was born in 1973 too. Here are my guesses.

    1. Melissa
    2. Kimberly
    3. Stephanie
    4. Julia
    5. Megan

    But I would totally love it if you are a Dawn too, even if I don’t get credit for it. :)

    Reply ↓
  159. el-e-e

    Wow. You are going to need an actuary to compile all these answers. Have fun with that.

    1. Kristen
    2. Jill
    3. Lori
    4. Jennifer
    5. Sarah

    (I had to choose Jennifer because of your clue, “I have always liked it.” Since the natural inclination is to believe that Jennifers DON’T like their uber-popular name. We’ll see! Can’t wait!)

    Reply ↓
  161. Shelly

    Okay, here are my guesses.

    1. Shelly – if you share my name, I will die of happiness. No need to send prize.
    2. Crystal – I like jmc’s logic that it sounds like Swistle.
    3. Allison
    4. Amber
    5. Laurie

    Reply ↓
  163. Leash

    1. Krista
    2. Samantha
    3. Crystal
    4. Allison
    5. Sheila

    I had Colleen in there, but changed it. Please don’t make me smack myself…

    Also, I did the same as jill (before I saw she did it) hoping it pays off for one of us. :-D

    YAY!

    Reply ↓
  166. Omaha Mama

    1. Allison
    2. Vanessa
    3. Laurie
    4. Deanna
    5. Anne

    Are you nervous yet? This is all some pretty big build up! I can’t wait for the big reveal.
    When is the big reveal???

    Reply ↓
  171. Sarah

    Okay, I guess:

    1) Elizabeth (I don’t actually think you’d do this, but I though, why not?)
    2) Jacqueline (so sophisticated!)
    3) Veronica
    4) Vanessa
    5) Laurie

    I’m not sure why I envision you having a complicated name, but there it is!

    Reply ↓
  173. anatomist

    oh i keep trying and trying and mulling over the name list, but you are swistle to me too! i can’t do it. but i am dying to know! and i can’t wait to hear more about the reason for the unveiling!

    Reply ↓
  174. Laura

    Alrighty… this was hard!

    What? Your parents didn’t like the name Swistle?

    Since I want some fudge, let me give it a shot!

    1. Shannon
    2. Stacey
    3. Lisa
    4. Susanne
    5. Candace

    Do you need my address now to send fudge?

    Reply ↓
  179. Jennifer

    My guesses:
    1. Colleen. (This was the only one of my original 5 that was in the top 150.)
    2. Rebecca. (Well, rooting for “Becky” here. I’ve always liked that.)
    3. Emily.
    4. Nicole.
    5. Laura.

    Reply ↓
  187. Jen

    Oh holy crap. I’ve been offline for a week, and look what I ALMOST MISSED OUT ON!

    1. Wendy
    2. Amber
    3. Allison
    4. Emily
    5. Katherine

    Reply ↓
  191. August

    1. Jenny (or Jennifer)
    2. Alison
    3. Tracy
    4. Suzie
    5. Nina

    Maybe sibling names Christopher, David, Brian, Jeff, and Justin.

    –August

    Reply ↓
  196. Mommy Daisy

    Ok, Ok, I’m finally here to guess. This is torture. I’ve been mulling it over for days. And I’m finally coming to guess.

    1. Angela
    2. Christina
    3. Denise
    4. Theresa
    5. Ann

    Now I’m on to vote for a photo.

    Reply ↓

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