The Name Game: &

Do I dare add one more?

What the hell. I figure I already jumped the shark this morning when, a few days before I promised to end this Name Game, I posted a poll that included 23 names. Why not add a 24th? After all, my restaurant is just off 24th Street.

ampersand

The name for the & sign. Symbolizes connection, togetherness, conviviality, sharing a table with friends. It's what going out to eat is all about. & is the symbolic equivalent of the Spanish Contigo. It's the English metaphor I've been seeking. And it's at the top of the alphabet.

I was so close on Monday when I posted my brainstorming session inspired by "mingle." Towards the end of my long list I wrote: "... and, conjunction, with, plus...." Those words eventually led me to Contigo. Then, Wednesday I came up with tilde, another typographical sign. So close.

However, I can't claim credit for this one. I was inspired by today's post on Married with Dinner. What would be more fitting than a food blogger finding inspiration for his restaurant's name in another food blog? Plus, I'd already have a signature drink (if I can get approval for a full liquor license, that is).

In fact, I remember bumping into my friends Anita and Cameron (the very same writers behind Married with Dinner) at the farmers' market a few weeks back and we joked that I should follow Prince's lead and choose a glyph for a name. Wouldn't it by funny synchronicity if that joke turned out to be foreshadowing.

I'm sure some of you will be puzzled that I'm so enthusiastic about a word that, let's face it, doesn't exactly "tickle the eardrums," as I like to say. Allow me to explain my thinking. In my opinion, the sound of the name plays a bigger role when choosing words outside one's native tongue. If my potential customers are going to be presented with a name whose meaning is unfamiliar, I want that word to at least appeal to their ears. Ideally I'd like it to have those oh and oo vowel sounds and/or I'd like it to be feminine sounding and melodic. Of course, if a name in English has these attributes, that's an added bonus. I just don't think it's as crucial.

While ampersand may not be super melodic (although it's really not bad sounding at all), there's no denying that the & is visually beautiful. With her curves and loops, she's the sexiest key on a keyboard. She's as pretty to look at as olallie is to listen to.

I feel strongly about this one, so I'm not going to bother to put up a special poll (I've added it to the laundry list in the previous poll). Please feel free to leave comments however. And, of course, be your usual candid selves.

Have a happy Friday night! Hasta mañana!

Comments

[Sean]

How about Ampersollie? Olallersand?

[AnitaD]

My first reaction was "no way, that's too weird!" And, then reading further I was intrigued by the idea of a simple symbol on a business card, on your window, on your menu... it is delightful! I think it's become a front-runner for me.

Besos de Sal and Contigo are still huge favorites of mine.

[Anita]

Much as I would love to claim the idea as my own, you found it yerself. I just walked through the frame without knowing I was carrying something sparkly that would catch your eye.

I do adore Ampersand in a way that I find hard to articulate rationally. It has a good vibe, fabulous logo possibilities, and that oh-so-critical alphabetical advantage.

And hey, you'll have a perfect signature cocktail lined up. :D

[Fatemeh]

I hope you will value this comment, because it's the first one I've left.

I LOVE AMPERSAND.

[Diane]

I hate to be the crotchety standout, but I don't like it. One should not name a restaurant after grammatical or printset marks. I can't get close to either tilde or ampersand. I would probably also say no to comma, umlaut, or hyphen.

[Judith]

Print a nice big one on a card. Take it somewhere where you target demographic hangs out. See how many know what it's called and can spell it. Maybe I'm mistaken, but I don't think you'd get 100% recognition - might even be pretty pitiful. Unless you're expecting a pretty old, highly literate demographic.

[shauna]

Oh, I love it, but it's a writerly thing. I think after this barrage of words, it's a wonderful refuge.

yes.

[Anita]

Just to clarify, cause some of the other commenters have me worried: Are you meaning to use just the symbol alone as the name, with no letters spelling it out?

Everyone in my office knew what Ampersand meant when I said it, but I think if you just use "&" as the name, people will call it "and".

I love it as a logo and a general design element, but I think the name would need to be "Ampersand" not "&".

[catherine ross]

I don't like ampersand. Too gimicky.

I love Contigo! Here's why: it's warm and heartfelt, upfront and straightforward, captures connection with a Spanish flavor while suggesting intimacy, covers all kinds of relationships. Conveys a cozy sense of "us". Has no sense of affect or "trying to be something". Also, easy to pronounce and, frankly, poetic.

[brett]

To clarify, the name I'm considering is "ampersand." The & sign would play a strong role in the restaurant's graphic identity system were I to choose this name.

[elarael]

Hmmm. Suits your restaurant/blog writing endeavors. Definitely gimmicky and maybe a bit heavy handed. But then maybe that's a good thing, marketing-wise.