Four centuries ago William Shakespeare wrote, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” This line from Romeo and Juliet is valid for today’s column, even if used out of context.

We are largely who we are regardless of our name. I’ve been an Arvid for more than 78 years but if my parents had named me Ralph or Elmer I’d probably still be the same loud, outspoken story teller I am today.

At some point of development we recognize and accept our name and then become protective of it. Some folks may choose to use their middle name or even change their name. Whatever we are comfortable being called, we like it and respond to it.

Hold on, my rambling leads to something relevant.

After several years of writing news for a radio station and then a newspaper, it became apparent I needed a job that provided a better grade of hamburger. I tried my hand at advertising sales and discovered that (a) I enjoyed the work and (b) I enjoyed some success at it.

While I never got rich, the commissions and bonuses did provide a better grade of hamburger.

One of the first rules of salesmanship is knowing your client. That, of course, includes remembering their names. From the beginning of my sales career I made a noble attempt at remembering names, especially those of my clients.

Recognizing that our names are important to us, I made this a priority and now that I am long retired, I still remember many of the people I have worked with over the years and their names.

Because my name is unusual, however, I am not easily offended when someone doesn’t remember it or calls me by a different name.

An early advertising client in Sioux City referred to me as Dick when I called on him. He was a good guy and was becoming a good customer so I let it slide. After several months, however, I worried he might be upset with me if I never corrected him so I decided to set the record straight.

On my next call, he greeted me with a pleasant, “Good morning, Dick!” I politely responded, “Please don’t misunderstand, I’m not offended by being called Dick but my name is actually Arvid.”

“Sorry,” the middle-aged man responded, “but you remind me of Dick Butkus.”

Dick Butkus was a linebacker for the Chicago Bears from 1965-1973 and I was not upset by the confusion. I’ve been confused with worse.

Several years later a young man from our church suffered a brain injury and upon completing a lengthy rehabilitation process returned to our community. He was a good guy and upon his return to church I welcomed him back. He had known me for some time and I could sense he was mentally searching for my name. Finally, he smiled and said, “I’m going to call you ‘Big Guy!'” From then on I was Big Guy to him and that was fine with me.

Popular names change over the years and in recent times I have noticed that some younger people have unfamiliar names. This is the result of creative parents and the increasing diversity in our community. Remembering how I felt as a young person with an uncommon handle, I have been asking people with an unusual name on their ID badge or uniform how they pronounce it.

Particularly among younger people who are clearly introverted or uncomfortable with speaking with old guys, I can sense a bit of relaxation when they pronounce their unusual name for me and I compliment them on it.

I have seen quiet, bashful young people smile and even engage in a bit of conversation when I have said, “Wow! That’s a unique name. And it fits you perfectly!”

When I was a kid I wanted to be a Billy or a Tommy, but as an adult Arvid has served me well. My greatest frustration back then was that novelty stores and tourist gift shops didn’t stock merchandise personalized with my name.

Over the years I have been called Avid, Arid, Arvin, Arvurd, Arlon… even Dick and Big Guy. I tak e no offense. They are all preferable to some of the other names I have been called.

By any other name, I wouldn’t necessarily smell as sweet as a rose, but I am still Arvid.

(Arvid Huisman can be contacted at huismaniowa@gmail.com. ©2026 by Huisman Communications.)