I had the privilege of being named Maria, only the most popular girls' name in like every single culture, specifically the Latin ones. While I generally have nothing to complain about when it comes to my name (people always spell it right and it rarely gets mispronounced), one situation has come up again and again and again.
Every time I get to know a group of people well enough (specifically co-workers), they find it amusing to sing songs with my name in them. And there are a TON. In both English and Spanish, across a variety of genres, from musicals and movies to religious ballads, "Maria" songs are the gift that keeps on giving.
So here's to you fellow Maria's and anyone else whose name has a musical ring to it that you've heard one too many times. We can all relate to these things.
1. You can finish the words to any song with your name in it
2. You wonder why people feel the need to sing to you
Haven't you provided them with enough other character traits that they wouldn't feel the need to resort to song?
3. You consider going by a different name
"If I tell you to call me 'Nelson' instead will you stop? No? Well, worth a shot."
4. The answer to "have you heard this song?" is always yes
You think you're clever? You're not.
5. You've started coming up with sassy responses
"Dear Maria, count me in?" "I won't but thanks for offering"
6. You'll have these songs stuck in your head all day
Someone will start singing to you and then, to make it worse, your brain will keep repeating the song until you're even more sick of it
7. Everyone knows exactly which buttons to push to get on your nerves
Yes I will start blushing if you're singing to me, thanks for pointing it out
8. There's no shortage of songs to choose from
And yet they all seem to choose the same ones
9. People usually remember your name
Music makes it so easy to remember things and your name is no exception. You rarely get called by the wrong name and everyone knows who you are
10. You secretly kinda like the attention
You'll never openly admit it but it can be fun to know that people care enough about you to make the extra effort
So here's to you, everyone with the fun names that hears these songs way too much. Some musical genius decided to immortalize you and it'd only be right for you to take advantage of the opportunities this presents for you. Take the singing as a form of flattery but don't be afraid to mute your walkie talkie at work every once in a while.
