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[Opinions] Barney?
Is this usable for a boy? Do you like it? Do you know anyone named Barney? Are they okay with their name or do they get teased because of that dinosaur? Does it make you think of a barn?
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poor kid would prob'ly grow up w/ associations w/ the purple dinosaur
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I actually really like the name Barney! I also think it's a cute nn for Barnaby and Barnabas. There is teasing potential with this name in America, but here in Australia, not so much an issue.
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It's on my favs list...I love it, but most people don't...I'm thinking of using it as a nickname for Barnaby, but I honestly just love Barney, it's soo adorable.
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This makes me think of the purple dinosaur, the Flinstones, How I Met Your Mother, Andy Griffith Show, and the Simpsons.
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... The purple dinosaur.
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Massive ditto.
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It's gonna be legendary!Barney's the name of a character on the sitcom How I Met Your Mother, played by Neil Patrick Harris (of Doogie Howser fame). Barney Stinson is a total womanizer, but because NPH is so freakin' awesome the character comes across as totally lovable.But of course, since nobody watches that show >:(, most people will just think of the dinosaur, probably, and I think for that reason it's hard to judge how usable it is. Teasing seems like it would be inevitable, if only because it is the sort of material that would actually occur to kids on the playground, y'know? (Blah blah kids get teased for everything, definitely true, but with some of the rather horrible songs about Barney out there being repeated by those first graders, the kid might really have to have a tough spirit in order to pull the name off.) I still think it's a good name, though, if not for a real person then at least for a long list of names/GPs.Incidentally, I like Barney as a NN for Barnabas or Barnaby. The jury's out on whether or not those names are any better.
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Lol!I think of Neil Patrick Harris when I hear it, too, now. I also think of the purple dinosaur. It definitely has teasing potential, assuming "Barney" is still a popular show for kids.
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I'm not sure if Barney is popular now anymore or not. When I spent time with my little cousin Olivia all she ever watched were a bunch of adults in costumes running around and singing songs (which I found creepy. One of my weird fears is a fear of shows little children watch-tellytubbies and the like). My other little cousin Makayla only ever watched a show that teaches toddlers sign language and other educational things.Clippy was right about the songs, but I'm not sure if kids still sing those either. I remember when I was little it was something about Barney commiting suicide by hanging himself, or sitting on glass. I can't really remember which.
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OTYes, children's shows today are way creepier. Just look up Yo Gabba Gabba. It's probably the most horrifying thing on TV in my opinion. Way scarier than CSI shows.
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*shivers* Yeah, that's what I mean. Why are they making kids shows like that now?
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You know, that makes me wonder.Is Barney even popular with today's kids? My sister's three and she's really into Dora the Explorer (she actually insists that we call her Dora, but that's another post in the making, I think) and the occasional Sesame Street. Barney is never mentioned, and I wonder how well known it will be in the future. Hmm!
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I don't like the name. Besides the fact that i hear "barn" everytime i hear it, there are also the usual associations of Barney the dionsaur and Barney from the Flintstones. I wouldn't use it for anything except a dog.
Lea
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I think it has too many bad associations. Aside from the dinosaur, he would also have to contend with Barney Rubble from the Flintstones and Barney Miller. Barney seems kind of frumpy and dumpy to me.
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I don't like it all I think of is a dog and dinosaur.
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double post

This message was edited 1/31/2009, 12:02 PM

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I think teasing could certainly take place, especially since the show is quite popular. The whole "I love you, you love me..." song could certainly ruin a kid's elementary years (or even older if he was one to be picked on a lot). However, I knew a lot of kids that had names/nns that are thought of as easy teasing names (such as BJ) and they never had problems. It's a risk you take, and I think too many people are too worried about it. If your child is going to be picked on, he/she will be picked on regardless of his/her name.It doesn't make me think of barn. It actually makes me think Big Daddy (name of the bar and where they go shopping for suits). I'm not a fan, but think it might work better as a nn for one of the full name options.
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