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When I was in elementary school, I was given the assignment of writing sentences using each of my spelling words in context, which I hated doing. My mom suggested that I create a character, using the worst name I could think of, to write sentences about. I chose Darla because I thought it sounded like someone saying, "Duh" and then getting something caught in their throat. My spelling lists became a weekly family event, and we came up with some fantastic sentences. In 7th grade honors English, my teacher gave us this assignment once and thought my sentences were so funny, he read them aloud to the class.

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Fast forward 18 years, and my pregnant cousin wants to name her third daughter Darla. I cannot get my very personal connection with the name out of my head; so I would say that, for me, it is the worst possible choice. But then, I am considerably biased.