Overwhelming Good

My name has long been a point of chagrin for my teachers and professors. When I try to explain how I have two first names, its more often than not a struggle to get people to understand. Usually following it up with a “(my mom’s from Texas)” manages to garner a knowing nod and smile (even though their only reference is Billy Bob Thorton, who is from Arkansas–they just think Texas is a faraway, strange land), and then people seem to get it. I find it fascinating watching how, when I try to clarify once and people don’t seem to get it, and I subsequently stop trying to redress it, more often than not my friends will step in and correct the offending namer with much greater vehemence than I ever would.

“It’s Paul DAVID. Both words are his first name.”

There are two stories I’ve grown up with on how I ended up with Paul David. First, that because my mom was from Texas, she wanted to do the dual first name thing. Often when it’s done in that area, SOP is using two syllables in the first name, one in the second, à la Billy Bob or Mary Jane or Billy Joe or Betty Sue. But my dad was from California; he wanted to switch it around a little, so I ended up with Paul David.

The other story was simply one of logic–my parents wanted something unique, but easy to spell. (Easy to spell, yes; easy to explain, not so much.) I imagine both explanations have at least some element of truth to them.

Probity has a lot of the same elements to it. A personal connection to our cause. Integrity to the highest values and principles. Neal, in particular, has had a gravitation towards the word for several years now. But also something unique, yet easy to spell. Not many people use the word “probity” (then again, it’s popularity may be limited by it’s closeness to the word “probe”. But we probe for truth, so I find it still applicable).

Either way, although one I’ve grown up with my entire life and the other I’ve been introduced to only a couple of years ago, they’ve both grown very close to my heart. I love my name, and Probity is perfect for our organization, our culture. I wouldn’t give them up for anything.