[Opinions] Destiny, Clarity and Serenity
I used to really dislike Destiny because I thought of it as a trendy stripper name (no offense). However, I tried to see it more as a virtue names and it has been growing on me. I can now imagine it on a pilgrim girl and I think it's kind of cute. What do you think? Does anyone know whether this was used as early as names like Grace and Mercy? I think it's too common to use but I still kind of like it. Do you think it's perceived by many as trashy?
Another one I like is Clarity, I recently met a girl named this. What do you think?
Oh and I'm so surprised to see Serenity in the top 100, especially because it has four syllables but not really a nickname. What do you think?
And which one is your favorite out of the three and why?
Another one I like is Clarity, I recently met a girl named this. What do you think?
Oh and I'm so surprised to see Serenity in the top 100, especially because it has four syllables but not really a nickname. What do you think?
And which one is your favorite out of the three and why?
Replies
Destiny seems to carry stripper, uneducated, or trailer trash connotations for many people, including myself. I'm not a big fan of the name either, but not just because of the trashy perception. I think the meaning of Destiny is strange, and I would place it among other virtue names. Names like Grace, Patience, and Faith suggest positive qualities a parent wishes to see in their child. What is Destiny supposed to suggest? A preordained fate? It's just weird.
I'm not a fan of virtue names in general, though (unless you want to count Constance as a virtue name). I don't like Clarity but it's better than Chastity.
Serenity ... I used to like Serenity back in 2005 when the movie came out (I'm a Firefly fan). Not so much anymore -- I hate it almost as much as Destiny (and I think the two names probably have a similar fanbase). Okay for a spaceship, but not for a person.
I guess you can say I don't like names with an -ity suffix.
I'm not a fan of virtue names in general, though (unless you want to count Constance as a virtue name). I don't like Clarity but it's better than Chastity.
Serenity ... I used to like Serenity back in 2005 when the movie came out (I'm a Firefly fan). Not so much anymore -- I hate it almost as much as Destiny (and I think the two names probably have a similar fanbase). Okay for a spaceship, but not for a person.
I guess you can say I don't like names with an -ity suffix.
I don't like Destiny. I find it kind of tacky, like "this child was my destiny" etc.
Clarity and Serenity I find appealing to an extent, but I'm not totally sold on them yet.
Clarity and Serenity I find appealing to an extent, but I'm not totally sold on them yet.
I like Destiny the best. I do think it is perceived by many as trashy or stripperish. I used to work with a very nice, nontrashy Destiny so I don't have that association.
Clarity makes me think it should be a brand of clarified butter.
Serenity should sound sweet & soft but it doesn't to me. And I think of "Serenity now!!!" from Seinfeld.
Clarity makes me think it should be a brand of clarified butter.
Serenity should sound sweet & soft but it doesn't to me. And I think of "Serenity now!!!" from Seinfeld.
I really don't like the name Destiny. I don't think it sounds pretty at all. I don't particularly like the concept of destiny. And, yeah, I think it's trashy.
Clarity, however, is fun. Not really my style, but I've never heard of it as a name before and it's interesting.
Serenity I like. But I also like Serena and Seren so Serenity isn't a huge stretch for me. So, Serenity is my favorite of the three.
Clarity, however, is fun. Not really my style, but I've never heard of it as a name before and it's interesting.
Serenity I like. But I also like Serena and Seren so Serenity isn't a huge stretch for me. So, Serenity is my favorite of the three.
Destiny isn't a virtue name; fate isn't a virtue! And I don't know about usage elsewhere, but the first use I could find for it in the UK was in 1919, and it was very very rare until the 1990s. So it is trendy.
I don't totally hate it - I can see the appeal, but for a character, not for an actual child. I have heard parents shouting it out in supermarkets, and it sounds a bit silly.
Clarity has hardly any usage here, and Serenity has only made the charts in the last 10 years, way down at the bottom in the #1000s. If I had to pick one I'd probably go with Serenity, but it seems weird as a name for a small child - they're not very serene!
I don't totally hate it - I can see the appeal, but for a character, not for an actual child. I have heard parents shouting it out in supermarkets, and it sounds a bit silly.
Clarity has hardly any usage here, and Serenity has only made the charts in the last 10 years, way down at the bottom in the #1000s. If I had to pick one I'd probably go with Serenity, but it seems weird as a name for a small child - they're not very serene!
This message was edited 6/28/2011, 8:51 AM
I like Clarity the best. It has a nice sound.
I don't think Destiny came into use until the 20th century; at least I haven't seen it in any lists of Puritan names. It has a nice sound, but I don't really believe in any sort of destiny, so it doesn't sit well with me.
Serenity, as much as I want to like it, it just reminds me of adult undergarments. You could use the nn Seri or Sera, I guess.
I don't think Destiny came into use until the 20th century; at least I haven't seen it in any lists of Puritan names. It has a nice sound, but I don't really believe in any sort of destiny, so it doesn't sit well with me.
Serenity, as much as I want to like it, it just reminds me of adult undergarments. You could use the nn Seri or Sera, I guess.
The article I posted earlier today listed Destiny the #2 most hated. According to the article:
"People dislike names that confer a virtue onto a child, Wattenberg said — and many felt associated this name with exotic dancers."
"People dislike names that confer a virtue onto a child, Wattenberg said — and many felt associated this name with exotic dancers."