Names

Negrohead Mountain is an unlikely memorial to a former slave who made a name for himself at the western end of Los Angeles County. More than 120 years ago, pioneers in the Santa Monica Mountains named the peak for John Ballard, the first black man to settle in the hills above Malibu. Today, authorities will take the first step toward what they consider a more fitting tribute by renaming the 2,031-foot volcanic peak Ballard Mountain. The name now used by the U.S.

Lucie Kundra is something of a feminist rebel -- not because she wouldn't take her husband's name when they got married last year, but because she did. She adopted his surname exactly as it was, and in doing so defied centuries of tradition and the wishes of her own mother. That's because she refused to add the customary feminine suffix "ova" at the end, as the Czech language normally dictates; she answers to Lucie Kundra, not Lucie Kundrova.

Emily again topped the list of most popular baby girl names last year, registering as No. 1 for the 12th straight time. Jacob led among names for boys for the ninth year in a row. New parents didn't stray far from past habits in 2007 when naming their babies. Only one name, Elizabeth, is new to the top 10 list, returning after a two-year absence. Samantha, which previously ranked 10th, dropped to No. 12, according to the new list from the Social Security Administration. Besides Jacob, other top picks for boys were Michael, Joshua and Matthew.

Three years ago, Madison Nguyen became the fresh new face of Vietnamese American politics, an upward-bound city politician in San Jose. She was splashed on magazine covers; the chosen one who seemingly held the hopes of the city's emerging Vietnamese community. Now she is in a fight for her political career, targeted by Vietnamese Americans who believe she has betrayed them. Voters will decide on Tuesday whether to unseat the 34-year-old councilwoman.

For those who live in the tabloid cross hairs, the fake name is essential. Privacy-seeking celebrities have standard pseudonyms for checking into hotels, booking spa appointments, reserving restaurant tables, advertising for help and setting up visits to the doctor's office. But when those attempts at anonymity make their way beyond the exam room door and onto a prescription pad, a Hollywood convenience becomes a crime.

Shoppers won't be picking up ornate lamps from the Bombay Co. in the coming year. Or investing with Lehman Bros. Holdings Inc. and Bear Stearns Cos. No flying to Hawaii on Aloha Airlines or buying ultracheap tickets on Skybus, either. All those names vanished last year, victims of the economy, the financial meltdown or other factors. Experts say 2009 could mark the end of even more well-known brands as the now-yearlong recession puts more struggling companies on life support.

When light rail returns to the Eastside neighborhoods of Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles this summer, many Spanish-speaking residents will undoubtedly talk about taking el tren. But will commuters say they are riding la Linea de Oro? Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina will propose during an MTA board meeting today that the Eastside extension of the Gold Line be officially named la Linea de Oro, Edward R. Roybal.

After buying Washington Mutual Bank last fall in a government-backed deal, JPMorgan Chase & Co. intends to discard the giant thrift's brand name in the spring and to add branches in California this year despite the ailing economy. New York-based JPMorgan, which currently has no retail presence in California, will rebrand the 708 WaMu branches in California with Chase's octagonal blue logo on March 30, JPMorgan Chief Executive Jamie Dimon said in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

For 60 years, Al Langer was an iconic presence at the corner of 7th and Alvarado streets. Since 1947, his Langer's Delicatessen-Restaurant has been known as one of the city's best delis -- and an enduring symbol of stubborn stability amid a constantly changing neighborhood and city. On Thursday, the city officially renamed the intersection outside the deli Langer's Square, in honor of the deceased restaurateur.

It appears USC won't be leaving its home field any time soon. But the Trojans aren't likely to be playing football at the "Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum" for much longer either. That's because the landmark agreement reached Wednesday by USC and the Coliseum Commission hinges almost entirely on the sale of naming rights.