Covenant-chasing Nazi's, kidnapping cult members and Grail-seeking goons look out: Indiana Jones is back.
No, not the fictional archaeologist, adventurer and the main protagonist of the 1981 film "Raiders of the Lost Ark" „ although this character was the inspiration for a newborn with the same name.
"It all stemmed from the movies. It started out as a joke, but then it just stuck," said Sharee Jones, in regard to the name of her son Indiana "Indy" Jones, who was born March 12, 2008, at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna.
Sharee said she and her husband, Matty Jones, grew up watching the film series, which also includes the prequel "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom," and sequel "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade."
"We both like the movies. We think the first on is the best, but we can't wait for the new one to come out," she said, referring to "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."
This fourth film in the series, which is due in theaters in May, pits an older and wiser Indiana Jones (played again by Harrison Ford) against agents of the Soviet Union led by Spalko (played by Cate Blanchett).
"We're planning on taking him. We want that to be his first movie," Sharee said.
As to what others think of the name, Sharee said most people, including Indy's grandparents and great-grandparents like it.
"They think it's cute. We joke around sometimes and call him Dr. Jones," she said.
Sharee said some outsiders have been a little less understanding, though.
"He had a little eye infection last week and when we called the doctor's office, they thought we were making a prank call. They didn't believe Indiana Jones was his real name. It takes some people a while to catch on," she said.
Whether this type of moniker misunderstanding will be a problem as her son gets older and into grade school, Sharee said she doubted it.
"We're not sure if kids his own age will get it, but their parents probably will know who he is named after," she said.
The Joneses said they intend to relish in giving their son such a "cool" name and will attempt to get him movie merchandise as it becomes available. They were not sure if they would find a leather jacket small enough, but they said they do intend to deck their son out in other trademark gear as soon as he's out of diapers.
"We'll get him a little Indy hat and bullwhip," she said.
Whether Indy will be afraid of snakes, that remains to be seen, but the Joneses said they hope their son will embody some of the other characteristics of the film star. They did admit they likely will stop short of pushing him toward a career in archaeology, though.
"I'd like to see him be adventurous, but as to what he'll be when he grows up, the sky's the limit," she said.
Joseph Robertia can be reached at joseph.robertia@peninsulaclarion.com.
News