[j. earl carter]

Years ago I worked at a smelter with a guy named Spike Nail. His sister Penny worked in the office. True story.

In that case, people would laugh with them rather than at them, so I think it's completely different. and: Spike and Penny are not oddball names: They are only odd in combination with the last name (and Penny is probably married now, anyway).

[dainbramaged]

Spike was 6’4” and around 250 lbs. so it was best not to laugh at him. He had a sense of humor, like his parents.