You know the world has changed when people start using Google to determine names for their children.  And no… I don’t mean by searching for lists or suggestion tools.  According to this WSJ article, people are using Google to make sure there isn’t a lot of competition for a name before naming their children.

Oh yes… you heard me.

I can understand being concerned with where your name shows up in Google if you have a business or other reputation-related association with the Internet.  And with more employers using search engines to do research on prospective candidates, I can even understand the general population being at least curious about what shows up for their name.

But isn’t it going a little too far when you rule out names for an unborn child because there are too many search results for that name?  I can even understand wanting a unique name for your kid.  I really can.  But Google shouldn’t have any impact on what you name your offspring.  That is supposed to be something special… something that you choose because of the way it feels… or sounds… or just seems to fit with the idea of what your kid is going to be like.

Besides… who’s to say that in 20 years - when your child’s reputation will really be an issue - the search engines (or whatever replaces them) won’t be filled with references to your special name that Google helped you pick?

I guess the bigger picture here is that search engines have become such a huge part of our lives that everyone should at least understand how the work.  With a better understanding of search engine technology, people who were concerned with how and where their name, work, etc ranked would be able to do something about it.

But at the same time, there are enough things that we deal with on a daily basis that have the potential to influence the way we feel about ourselves.  We don’t need search engines (or wild headline titles from major newspapers) making people feel as if they’re inadequate or “nobody” just because their name doesn’t Google well.

Maybe that’s just the psych degree in me talking.