A Cut Above

I was having my haircut the other day and, after the congratulations etc etc, we got around to talking about baby names.

Hairdresser: We had a pregnant girl here - our first staff baby since we opened - and she kept referring to her bump as Alfie.
Me: That's OK...

(internal monologue) What is it with these diminutive names as real first names? What's wrong with Alfred and then calling him Alfie as a kind of nickname? Alfie wouldn't pass the high court justice test would it? It's like calling a newborn baby Dave - although I'm sure people have done that too.

Hairdresser: After a bit, everyone here started asking her 'How's Alfie?' and joking if 'Alfie's been having a good kick today?' She got sick of it, know what I mean? Didn't like the sound of it anymore.
Me: It's quite a personal thing. I guess she shouldn't have told anyone.
Hairdresser: And so she's just called it Daniel.
Me: That's nice. I have friends with a Daniel.

(internal monologue) All rise for Sir Daniel Thing-a-ma-jig.

Me: I heard about somebody at work whose mother-in-law named the bump without any consultation with the parents. She just kept referring to it as 'Alexander'. Nice enough name but it would put you off if you hadn't chosen it yourself
Hairdresser: Some people don't think do they?
Me: Then there are people who choose names as an extension of their own dreams and wishes.
Hairdresser: Look at what David Beckham and Posh did. Harper Seven. You're not telling me that's not all about her Dad?
Me: I knew a guy at school whose middle-name was Harley Davidson.

Thinking of names and hairdressing, many independent hairdressers/barbers have thought up some 'great' names for their businesses as can be see in this flickr stream. For all those 'Allo 'Allo! fans out there, the best one I ever spotted was called 'Hair Flick'.