h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

My real name is Peta, pronounced Pete-a.

I've had quite a few jibes about it, the most boring being 'Did your parents want a boy?'.

I quite like having an unusual name, at least people remember you!

But don't you get fed up explaining it's pronounced pe-ter instead of pet-a?

I like the name Peta. I first heard it when Peta Wilson (La Femme Nikita, the TV series) was on a talk show and she told how her father really did want a boy named Peter (though she may have been joking.) I much prefer uncommon names. My family called me Julie growing up (my real name is Juliana) and there were so many other Julies. I hated it. My children have much less common names (Mirabelle and Cullen.)

Julie is my middle name.

Cullen is a lovely name, I haven't heard of it before.

I myself grew up with the name Zebulon. Alas I was the brunt of many Star Trek and Bible jokes. I don't know how many times I've been asked if I was from that planet or if I was related to Zebadee and Zebediah.

Do you ever get any cracks about being an animal rights activist?

I know a Peta (lives in Rugby, actually). I thought it was a fairly common Danish name, no?