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What the heck is up with the middle name of New York Times reporter Jennifer 8. Lee? Is that for real? Can anyone change their middle name to a number if they want?

Steven 4

According to this Wikipedia entry, the 8 was added by Ms. Lee's parents to make her name a little less common. In the Gray Lady, her byline is always printed as "Jennifer 8. Lee," but apparently the number is spelled out on her driver's license.

To the big fan who created the Jennifer 8. Lee entry in Wikipedia, Ask Gothamist doesn't understand why you didn't just register Jennifer8Lee.com, which has not yet been claimed.

And, yes, you can change your name if you want. Find more info at this site for New York City's Civil Court.

Ask Gothamist wonders: what number would you choose if you could change your middle name?

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Doug Gordon on October 21, 2004 8:25 AM

Comments [rss]

Mike Benedetto

Jenny was in my high school graduating class, and she was and is a real peach. She was going places even by our school's frightening standards.

Our other most notable alumni for the year were pundit Nick Confessore and Paradise Hotel's Dave Kerpen. Made for a lively 10th reunion, which I am merely grateful to have been employed at the time of.

annie

If her parents wanted her to have a unique name, why bother with jennifer--one of the the most common female names? Don't forget that 8 is a lucky number to the Chinese.

Mat and Ted Lee ar brothers. They have some boiled peanuts enterprise too.

tien

what about costanza's 7 or seven.

10

wait. why would you change your name to 8 and then expect people not to ask you about it? isn't the whole point to distinguish yourself?

the limey

I met Jen is Colorado this year. Everyone else at the table told me not to ask her why her middle name is 8.

now I'm bummed. My wife calls me 'hey' like 'hey, put on the Daily Show' and 'hey, i want hot chocolate'

I'm changing my middle name to hey, to make it official n' all.

S.D.

Well, I'd use 42.

Ruidh

ee cummings had a trancendental number for an initial. How cool is that?

I imagine a few people even have the imaginary number i for a middle initial.

I also have a trancendental number for a nickname. My wife calls me Sweetie Pi.