Parenting poll: Did you hate your name when you were a kid?

Confession: When I was a tween, I used to beg my mom to take me to city hall so I could change my name. "Why," I would ask, "whhhhhyyy did you give me such a bad name? No one has my name! It is so uncool!"

That's right. I was upset because my name was not Jennifer, Melissa, or Stephanie (you know, some of the more popular names of girls born in 1972). I hated it when people called me "Charlie" or when our neighborhood friends called me "Charytín," after a very popular Latin actress and singer.

My name "dwindled from popularity" before I was even born and is considered "uncommon." But now, I appreciate my parents giving me the name they chose. I dig the many nicknames, most especially the Latin-flavored ones. And yes, I also feel bad for giving my folks so much grief back then.

I know. I was a little punky. But guess what? It turns out I'm not the only one. Over the weekend, my mother-in-law spilled the beans that she wanted a different name when she was little.

And dear Shine readers, I bet some of you disliked your names when you were kids, too.

Did you ever wish you had a different name? And what about your kids? Do they ever tell you they wish you had chosen another name?

Also, here's a good read from The Poop about baby name envy.