What's in a name? Evidently, not much intelligent thought.

A couple in

Pampa, Texas, recently had a son and decided to give him the name ESPN, pronounced Espen.

The couple, Rebecca and Michael McCall, said their son's name started as a joke after they heard on the radio about another couple naming their son Espen.

This is the third known child to get the namesake of the sports cable network ESPN. One was born in 2000 in Corpus Christi (Espn Curiell) and later that year Espen Bondeel was born in Michigan.

Since there are three of them, maybe their names should be ESPN, ESPN 2, and ESPN Classic.

While these parents think the name is clever or unique or attention grabbing or whatever, they should know that the child might grow up, say, resenting his or her parents if they are given such a ridiculous name.

I thought about what it would be like if I named my five children after things I liked.

These are my three oldest children, Baseball, Football and Basketball. And being a John Wayne fan, these are my twins El Dorado and Rio Lobo.

Speaking of twins, one woman named her twin boys Orangejello and Lemonjello. Yep, you figured it out. Orange Jello and Lemon Jello.

And don't forget the Alabama running back from a few years ago who's mother liked Saran Wrap so well she named her son after the product.

Maybe the names should be restricted to television networks. A really explosive kid could be named TNT.

Couples could name their girls WB, Lifetime, ET and H&G.

The boys could use C-Span, WGN (Wiggin), Cartoon Network or CN (Ken), and Pax. Patriotic parents might resort to USA.

There are several channels that would be taboo. I don't think I could yell out the door, "Comedy, dinner's ready."

So parents, please think about the name you give your child. They will have to carry it throughout their life, writing it on all their school papers or applying for a job.

Think about it. If you're name is HBO, you might be destined for a life of vagrancy.

Jim Walker is sports editor of The Ironton Tribune.