I distinctly recall where I was when I discovered it. Back in university. In a somewhat soft auditorium seat, leaning forward a bit uncomfortably. Then, ping. A notification popped up from Messenger. “Now with LOL,” my best friend texted from 14 kilometers away, blissfully student-loan-free. I clicked the link.
At that moment, I stumbled upon what I consider the most significant social media community ever. A Facebook group simply titled “Drag Name!!!!!.”
The enthusiastic names paired with all those exclamation points tell you everything. It’s a space where thousands of people share their clever drag queen names.
Here’s how it works: each day (or whenever someone has a spark of creativity), members toss out themes. Think of “biscuits,” “afterlife,” or “unethical.” Names then pile up. Under “chocolate,” for instance, one participant might suggest Emmanem, while another pitches Lindor Evangelista. A third could simply state “she/her,” which always brings a chuckle.
I felt an immediate wave of inspiration. That day, during the lecture, I came to the realization that nothing I could dream up would match the boundless creativity of a 55-year-old gay man in Missouri.
Some names hit you right away. Drug-themed ones like Paula Lloyd and Shak Shuker at breakfast. Dee Parton for those who have passed.
Others demand a little thought, but that makes them all the more enjoyable. “The Merciful Drug Name” section has gems like Hildadropen, Karen’s Attention, and Maya L Pue.
Now, I can’t seem to escape these clever names. I grabbed a coffee earlier and couldn’t help but think of my order: flat white. In my writing, I might call myself a young journalist: Page Turner. And once the coffee’s brewed? Well, then I’m Anita Dump. Engaging with this kind of wordplay feels almost like exercising my brain. It’s as beneficial for my mental health as picking up a new language, I suppose.
A few years back, I had the chance to interview pop sensation Dua Lipa during her visit to Australia for World Pride. I had to ask—did she happen to think up a drug name for the occasion? If not, how about Duo Apple?
Drag your name!!!!!! It’s a showcase of campy creativity. Both silly and genuinely fun. The only guideline is to ensure no one repeats a name that’s already been posted. This leads to explorations into some pretty quirky and twisted corners of imagination.
What’s refreshing is that this group seems to avoid the usual drama that pops up in many online communities. There’s no nasty squabbling to be found. If anything, those kinds of disagreements would probably lead to even more hilarious names. Just look at the DEE platform.
In this group, people from all backgrounds unite around the shared goal of crafting the most fascinating names imaginable. Other online spaces often lack this kind of supportive vibe.
Maybe drug names represent a true sense of community, joy, and what I’d argue is the meaning of life? Call me a modern-day Hemingway, because these people seem to embody that spirit.
