Vanity. Vanity. Thy name isn’t woman, it’s lots of Maine drivers who want a distinctive look.

On the roads around Lewiston-Auburn, I’ve been spotting plenty of vanity license plates. For instance, there’s one now. The plate says “SNOWFLK” and it’s on an enormous, maroon SUV. Pretty big snowflake, but never let it be said Mainers have no sense of humor.

Maine, like most states, has both front and back plates, so those vanity markers can be seen coming and going for the maximum effect.

There goes “BAD WOLF” in, what else? A red pickup. Makes me wonder about that guy, don’t you? On the other hand, now I’m behind “GIRL” in her big, gray Jeep. OK. She’s probably somebody who can take care of herself, no extra words or nonsense needed.

Over there, see that one? You know what’s important to the driver of that green camper truck with “YWORK” on his plates. Vanity plates like these cost $15, added to the $25 regular fee, and take about six weeks for delivery, according to Diane Freve, tax collector and treasurer in Auburn.

Regular Maine license plates usually sport three or four random numbers and a couple of letters, with a chickadee on a pine branch beside them. Freve says the city gets the plates from the state in batches of 25, which they give out in order. Right now, the last two letters are “MJ.”

In 1999, the chickadee replaced the more popular lobster plates. But if you still want lobster, you can get a specialty lobster plate for an additional $20 a year. That’s besides the regular $25 a year license plate fee. Or, choose a loon or bear plate for the additional $20, Freve says.

Veterans can receive a veterans plate for no additional charge. They show their discharge papers to verify their status, and can order $2 decals for added decorations to show they have a Purple Heart or some other distinction.

But getting back to the vanities, I just spotted another one. Oh, yes, I kind of like “DANYO” on that black Chevy coupe. He’s got to be a fun-loving Irishman, I speculate, as he zips by on his way to Lake Auburn.

In the downtown parking lot, I spied “TEACHAH” and earlier, “APRAISA.” Those are the Mainers who are proud of their profession and why not? We sure need them. I feel like saluting when they come into view.

“RUFIT2” – now what can that be but the plate of one of L-A’s own fitness experts? Somehow, in the same category, is the little red car that just turned that corner. I think the plate was “BHUMANE.”

According to the state Bureau of Motor Vehicles, there are 85,000 vanity plates in circulation in Maine right now, with some 12,000 to 16,000 requests a year. Some requests are to renew existing plates or make changes, like new initials in the case of a marriage, and some are brand new.

Ahhh, one more: “EMTYNST” on an Audi coupe with two bucket seats and no back seat. Get it? That sounds like fun, doesn’t it?

And that’s my point. Mainers have fun and show their individuality with their vanity plates.

On the other hand, if you see a red Honda with a boring old “8761 LU” license plate, please wave. That’s me.

Sarah Andersen is a freelance writer. She lives in Auburn.