The Moon: That was as good as we could do?

Since my last post referred to something on Earth, I'd like to now write about the Moon. Specifically, what a boring name it is. Moon? The Moon? That's it? We couldn't think of something better?

I know, I know - it's The Moon. We can't change it now. That is the name. I suppose maybe it sounds better when said in another language. Luna in Spanish. Mond in German. Dal in Korean.

No, unfortunately I don't really think so. Seriously, most every other moon in our solar system has a 'real' name. Some don't have one...yet.

You look at that list and all those names. And you see Moon. Kind of simple, isn't it? Maybe that's the beauty of it. It's just Moon. Simple and clean. Still though....it seems that doesn't always do it justice.

The other night I was driving with my brother when a huge, orange moon came up over the horizon. It was amazing. Big, orange, and bright. I said, "Wow! Look at the Moon!" Wouldn't something like, "Wow! Look at Crateria!" be a little more appropriate? Doesn't the Moon deserve a proper name? People don't call me Boy (at least I don't think they do). They don't call me Person. Why Moon?

Once again, a simple search found there are others who think as I do. I found this (What can I say? It's hard to be original these days).

I like Wayne Murphy's suggestion:

There is only one choice.... Gilligan. What else would you call Earth's 'little buddy'?

Gilligan. I like it.

I also like Blake Crary's idea of allowing the name to be sponsored by someone or something:

We should name it after the corporation willing to pay the most to sponsor it - just like they do with baseball stadiums. Imagine looking up at the Pepsi Diet Moon. Just thinking about it makes me feel lite-headed. Some companies would probably decide to leave the name alone. "This full moon has been brought to you by Joe Boxer Shorts..."

Nice. The money would then be donated to a World Fund, which I'm sure would be mishandled by someone, somewhere.

But that is a story for another time....