Recently, a very good Chinese friend of mine asked me to 1 some English names, to help her choose one for her newborn son. I duly gave her a list of about 20 names which I thought would 2 good with his family name. I 3 my own, as it was not proper for me to suggest that she should name him 4 me. She immediately rejected most of 5 entries, saying, “He can’t have that; I already know someone who is called that!” She chose “Benedict” 6 of the remaining names on my list, but not because of the sound. It was 7 I mentioned casually that it came from Latin and 8 “blessed” that his fate was sealed.