After waiting many years for a happy family of her own, one of my dearest friends was blessed 
with a healthy baby boy at Thanksgiving of 2001. 

I was pleasantly surprised to learn of the wonderful name the parents chose
for this new joy...Jedidiah.  As his namesake, I thought I would say hello from  both of us on The Great Jed Registry.

The naming of children is no small event in my family.  Anticipating a son to carry on the family name, 
my parents had a series of three daughters in three  years.  Giving it one more try, they exercised a little faith and only selected a boy's name. I was to be named Jared, after my father's uncle.
 
However, a few months before I arrived on the scene, my cousin Jared was born.  It must have been providence, 
for I am very happy to bear my great uncle's nickname, Jed.  He was a shepherd, who was fascinated by 
this amazing world and who had a love of learning. 

All of the Jeds I have met are similarly fascinating, creative and kind.
 
I was born on January 15, 1971, in Salt Lake City, Utah.  I have made my home here because I love the 
diverse landscape, and have a great appreciation for the unique history of this area.  I am excited to participate in
welcoming the world to our city for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Having graduated from Brigham Young University 
with a degree in design, I have worked in many capacities as a creative director, and I am always looking for a new creative adventure.
 
When I happened upon this site, I laughed at the all too familiar anecdotes shared by my fellow Jeds.  I, too, have endured the nicknames, theme songs, unfortunate rhymes, and exaggerated pronunciations. But have done it gladly,  because I am proud to carry our unique name.  Like you, my name is Jed.  Not Ned, Ted, Fred, Jeff, Jet or Chad.  I have actually seen my name printed as  Justjed, as I must have introduced myself that way.  It's nice to know that  there are others out there who identify not only with the presence of the name, but also with the experiences associated with it.
 
Some advice for the newest Jeds among us:  Be patient with others when you  have to repeat your name several times before they understand.  Take heart  when they think you are slow because you have had to pronounce your name with a hard "d" for their benefit..."Jed-duh."  You may not be a millionaire, nor  a mountaineer for that matter, 
as the is the man in the story you will inevitably be sung to you; but you are sure to be a person of courage, 
possessing a  wealth of talents,  as do all of your fellow Jeds.  

Welcome brother Jed.  Wear your/our name well.
 
Best of Everything, Jed Nelson Platt 

and introducing, Jedidiah Justin Willis