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Help[Opinions] Re: John
in reply to a message by JOHNBOY
I used to think John was boring, but I found this blog post almost a year ago that got me to see John in a different light: http://swistlebabynames.blogspot.com/2008/09/baby-boy-brother-to-alexandra.html
This segment, I feel really articulately describes why John on a baby today is actually kind of unique:
"I think it SEEMS boring because it is so familiar and because it is used as a stand-in for Man's Name (John Q. Public, John Doe, etc.), but that in actual usage it is a surprisingly satisfying name. I think many names seem exciting during the pregnancy and later seem ordinary (or worse, disappointing in their unusualness: e.g., "I had no idea Landon was so common! I thought we were choosing something unique but we know two other Landons already!"), but that the name John would be the opposite: with time, you would grow more and more surprised by it.
Also, while the name John FEELS common, it is not particularly. Cast your mind around to the children you know. Anyone named John? Many boys named John are named after relatives and called by a different name---and currently, many boys named John are given the name only so they can be called Jack. Actual boys named and called John? Few."
I would still never use it, but would rather see a baby John over a Jayden, Braden, Caden, Keegan (that name is like nails on chalkboard to me). And of all the nicknames you mentioned, it seems just plain John really stands out among young kids.
This segment, I feel really articulately describes why John on a baby today is actually kind of unique:
"I think it SEEMS boring because it is so familiar and because it is used as a stand-in for Man's Name (John Q. Public, John Doe, etc.), but that in actual usage it is a surprisingly satisfying name. I think many names seem exciting during the pregnancy and later seem ordinary (or worse, disappointing in their unusualness: e.g., "I had no idea Landon was so common! I thought we were choosing something unique but we know two other Landons already!"), but that the name John would be the opposite: with time, you would grow more and more surprised by it.
Also, while the name John FEELS common, it is not particularly. Cast your mind around to the children you know. Anyone named John? Many boys named John are named after relatives and called by a different name---and currently, many boys named John are given the name only so they can be called Jack. Actual boys named and called John? Few."
I would still never use it, but would rather see a baby John over a Jayden, Braden, Caden, Keegan (that name is like nails on chalkboard to me). And of all the nicknames you mentioned, it seems just plain John really stands out among young kids.
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