I've always disliked both my given and family names. I did, for a time during my teens, give my name as Alfred R. Hawcroft but when I showed my mother a copy of one of the first articles I got published, she refused to believe it was mine, so I thought better of it and resigned to living with it.

I think part of my dislike is that when the full name is spoken casually it can sound as though it is: 'Roger Rawcroft' - the aitch becoming lost. However, I've never liked 'Roger', even on its own. I'm not sure why.

I've often thought about changing my names formally but have never been able to decide on alternatives. Now, at 76, it all seems rather irrelevant and the hassle of doing it, too much.

So, now I just settle for using a couple of pen names when I write in most places; 'nonsibicunctis', which is a flawed concatenation of my high school motto non sibi sed cunctis (not for oneself but for all) I use because I have a strong social conscience and try to put others before myself. 'Abel Spearman', because in tracing back my family name, and my ancestors having been vikings, I found it loosely related to Norse words for a warrior with a spear.

Thanks for an interesting and entertaining article. Take care. Stay safe. ☮️. #BeOpenClub