Santa Pete

In Evansville, Indiana, someone with the alias "Pete" annually donates money to the Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center. This article from CNN describes the history of Pete No one knows the true name of Pete, however he has donated around $65,000 to the center since 1990. This year Pete hid a miniature Christmas tree attached with $3000 for the staff to find in the rehabilitation center. Pete has made it clear that the money should be used to help the children at the center. One of the first children he helped in 1990, Kaitlin Thompson, has cerebral palsy. Now 23 years old, Kaitlin says that, "He's magical. He's special -- he keeps in mind people that are less fortunate."

This "Pete" is certainly a very giving person. But I am curious as to why he is keeping his identity hidden from the rest of the world. The article states that these types of philanthropists often remain anonymous out of "religious beliefs, personal humility, or wanting to be hit up by others hoping for a donation". It is also interesting that according to the Baby Name Wizard, Pete is not as common of a name as it used to be.

So why would this person choose an unpopular name? Why do you think he kept his name anonymous in the first place? How does a hidden identity affect the way people perceive you?