Really it was only a matter of time before the subject came up. The one thing that never ceases to cause a constant itching on my skin. It seems its always there to remind me. You guessed it, my name. Day in and day out others have, for years, offered their opinion and comment on whether or not its appropriate that I am a girl with the name Shawn. I thought it was time I put my own two cents in. Although, those who really know me will say I've always got two cents to put in.

So, there it is, yes, I am a girl and my name is Shawn. A rare gem. According to an androgynous name website, only 7 percent of the people in the US with the name Shawn are female. Ha! So, my mom had a good sense of humor, maybe she did want a boy? I will never know.

What I do know is that people are astoundingly tireless in their assumption that they are entitled to be shocked or surprised by my moniker. I especially love when they opt to call me some more feminine version like Shawna, Shawnie, Lashawnda, or even Sharon when they don't even know me. Always I am taken aback by those who correct my spelling on a doctor's intake form or when signing up at the video store as they quickly change my "w" to "ro". As if I could be uncertain of the spelling of my own name.

The fact that my last name is Thomas is probably not helpful as I am sure that sight unseen it conjures images of some strapping lad with a goatee; maybe a marine. Nonetheless, it is my name and I am a girl. There isn't much I can do about it at this point. I have always hoped this problem would go away, sadly, it hasn't.

So, to the girl working at the pharmacy counter who asks if I know "Shawn's name, address, and date of birth," and to the countless people that I have cared for who wait in the hospital beds for their nurse "Shawn" and ask have I seen "him". And to the helpful cashier that informed me that I can't use my husband's credit card without him present (yeah, I'm not married) and the kind folks at the local community center who said: "I told you to put your name here, not your son's". I can't forget those kind people at the March of Dimes who send Mr. Shawn Thomas all those free address labels.

To all these people and the others who have yet to weigh in: Yes, I am a girl and my name is Shawn.