Chip, the head of Santa Cruz’s Downtown Association, who famously goes by just one name, announced this morning that he will be taking on a family name, Smith. “It was a difficult decision,” he explained, “but one that had to be made. It was getting too tedious to explain that I had only one name, whenever I was asked about it.” Chip went on to explain that his rejection of his family name was an extension of his teenage angst well into his adult life. He said that he’s happy to be over it now, and wished that other single-name celebrities would follow his lead.
Choosing a surname was not easy, he said. He toyed around with a number of names, including Sanchez, Nguyen, Goldberg, and X before finally settling on Smith. “This is a transitional name,” he explained, sufficiently neutral so as not to reveal too much about me. I am hoping that, over time, as I get comfortable with a surname, I will be able to go with something that better reflects the diversity of Santa Cruz.” He later admitted that he also considered a surfing name, but that he finally relented after it was pointed out that few people would take him seriously if his name was Chip Cowabunga.
Although he now prefers to go by Mr. Smith, Chip said that he would answer to people calling him by his first name, at least for a six-month transition period. Observers have noted that with this new name, Mr. Smith is now better positioned to launch a political career. Read more at Santa Cruz Inside Out.
