code: public static String getXmlCompatibleCobolName(final String cobolName) {
          if (cobolName != null && cobolName.length() > 0
                  && Character.isDigit(cobolName.charAt(0))) {
              return SAFE_NAME_PREFIX + cobolName;
          } else {
              return cobolName;
          }
      }
docs: Transform the COBOL name to a valid XML Name. Does not do any
  beautification other than strictly complying with XML specifications.
  
  @param cobolName the original COBOL data item name
  @return a valid XML Name