My friend Flash Amazing RosenbergOverheard is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. sent me this list of popular names for NYC 2023 thinking it was a good poem. Oddly enough Esther is a popular
Wow! Thank you!!! To be referenced in an Esther Cohen "Overheard" poem-post is a swooning 2023 highlight for me. My birth-name is Susan (named after my paternal grandmother Sophie). In the 90s, I performed this bit, "Susans are the Gertrudes of Tomorrow. Awww. Susan was a perfectly good, mid-20th century name. In the 1950s, Susans were in the top ten. Along with the Karens, Debbies, and Lindas. But now, no more Susans. They've gone the way of the Gertrudes, Lydias, and Ediths. Eventually...we all have grandmother names."
Saw the blessing of a New Jew last week. No Yiddische grandparents, so she chose Esther as her Hebrew name.
In good company! My wonderful Hungarian friend was an Esther. When she escaped to England her new neighbors were Tolkien and CS Lewis.
Wow! Thank you!!! To be referenced in an Esther Cohen "Overheard" poem-post is a swooning 2023 highlight for me. My birth-name is Susan (named after my paternal grandmother Sophie). In the 90s, I performed this bit, "Susans are the Gertrudes of Tomorrow. Awww. Susan was a perfectly good, mid-20th century name. In the 1950s, Susans were in the top ten. Along with the Karens, Debbies, and Lindas. But now, no more Susans. They've gone the way of the Gertrudes, Lydias, and Ediths. Eventually...we all have grandmother names."