Growing up it was always such a negative thing to have a different name.  I can’t help but blame my over achieving mother and father who just had to name me uniquely. Here are just a few reasons why it is such a struggle… 

1) With Coca-Cola releasing their #shareacoke campaign the world has been searching at every super market and gas station for their name on a coke bottle. I will, however, say that I know without a doubt my name will be on zero of those special bottles. No one will ever get to “share a coke” with me… 

2)  Forever having to spell your name for people you meet for the first time. No it’s not Kenly, Kinley, Kinly or Kenlee- IT’S KENLEY! 

3) Having every teacher pre-k to college teacher taking an extra week at the beginning of school to get your name right. I can’t tell you how many times I have been called Kensley or Kelsey by teachers and having to awkwardly correct them in front of the whole class. 

4) Never finding my name as a child on a bicycle license plate or a bracelet from a theme park was always a problem for a girl wanting to be cool like her friends. 

5) Going off #4, it was slightly annoying to be forced grab the generic “Princess” or “Diva” coffee mug or having to only have your first initial on the souvenir. 

6) A distant relative always forgetting your name because it’s not one they have ever heard before. That makes for one awkward family reunion…. 

7) Ever had to repeat yourself to a store clerk 3 times whenever they ask for your email address? Yeah that’s just about a daily occurrence for a person with a matchless name. You would think by now I would have just taken my name out of the email address completely. 

I will say there are certain perks to having a difference to your names like… 

1)  I’ve never had another Kenley in a class or athletic team so there has never been the awkward mixing up of people. 

2) Getting told “that’s such a cool name” by random strangers is kind of a day booster.

3) For most cases, unique names come with an awesome background story. Like I am named after my mother’s late cousin, Ken, who was her best friend growing up. 

4) The rare event of meeting someone with your distinct name and having an instant connection and bond. 

5) Also, the rare occurrence you happen to find your name on a store item it makes that item beyond special to you.