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Help13 reasons why American naming trends suck
I can't stand the naming trends in America. Here's why:
1. Boys' names on girls. This is, in my opinion, the biggest offender.
2. "Virtue" names like Destiny, Trinity, Nevaeh, and Miracle.
3. Names ending in -aden and -alen. Please. They're so babyish!
4. Misspelled names like Emalee, Johnathon, McKayla, and Nathanael.
5. Names ending in -son (except Allison) on girls, because they mean "son of".
6. Pretentious last names, esp. on girls, like Carrington and Kennedy.
7. Yuppie names like Carter, Cassidy, Parker, and Kendall.
8. Tacky place names like Dakota, London, and Camden.
9. Naming kids after celebrities, like Keanu, Miley, and Charlize, or their kids, like Shiloh, Harlow, and Kingston.
10. Titles being used as names, like Prince, Princess, Duke, or Deacon.
11. Nicknames as given names, like Alex, Sam, Danny, and Ellie. Some are fine on their own, like Jenny, Jessie, and Gwen, because they are well-established as given names.
12. Names taken from popular culture, like Chandler, Fallon, or Cohen (the last one is extremely offensive as a given name).
13. Replacing a C with a K. It's fine if you're Eastern European or something, and it's a name that's part of the culture. But names like Kaleb, Konnor, Khloe, and Kole are not part of that culture, so we can assume someone fooled around with the spelling.
Many Americans are using normal names, but it seems many others aren't. Give me your opinions on this list.
1. Boys' names on girls. This is, in my opinion, the biggest offender.
2. "Virtue" names like Destiny, Trinity, Nevaeh, and Miracle.
3. Names ending in -aden and -alen. Please. They're so babyish!
4. Misspelled names like Emalee, Johnathon, McKayla, and Nathanael.
5. Names ending in -son (except Allison) on girls, because they mean "son of".
6. Pretentious last names, esp. on girls, like Carrington and Kennedy.
7. Yuppie names like Carter, Cassidy, Parker, and Kendall.
8. Tacky place names like Dakota, London, and Camden.
9. Naming kids after celebrities, like Keanu, Miley, and Charlize, or their kids, like Shiloh, Harlow, and Kingston.
10. Titles being used as names, like Prince, Princess, Duke, or Deacon.
11. Nicknames as given names, like Alex, Sam, Danny, and Ellie. Some are fine on their own, like Jenny, Jessie, and Gwen, because they are well-established as given names.
12. Names taken from popular culture, like Chandler, Fallon, or Cohen (the last one is extremely offensive as a given name).
13. Replacing a C with a K. It's fine if you're Eastern European or something, and it's a name that's part of the culture. But names like Kaleb, Konnor, Khloe, and Kole are not part of that culture, so we can assume someone fooled around with the spelling.
Many Americans are using normal names, but it seems many others aren't. Give me your opinions on this list.
This message was edited 8/15/2008, 12:12 PM
Archived Thread - replies disabled
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Replies
I've read an article saying that in Argentina or so...
...people are naming their kids "bucket" and "stairs" and such stuff, it was really creepy. I think there are countries where such a habit is more common and countries where it isn't. If you analyse it, it might lead to some interesting perception of the culture of the respective country, but basically, I think it doesn't really matter. People with odd tastes live everywhere around the world. I'm a bit tired of thinking about this stuff.
...people are naming their kids "bucket" and "stairs" and such stuff, it was really creepy. I think there are countries where such a habit is more common and countries where it isn't. If you analyse it, it might lead to some interesting perception of the culture of the respective country, but basically, I think it doesn't really matter. People with odd tastes live everywhere around the world. I'm a bit tired of thinking about this stuff.
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Stop picking on Americans, other countries do that too...
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My recommendation, folks? Read her profile, roll your eyes and ignore this bit of trouble-stirring.
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As much as I hate those trends
I'm glad we have them, because it does give a variety of names. It would be pretty boring if the world was nothing but a bunch of Alexander's, William's, Mary's, and Natalie's. Plus, I'm kind of glad that my favorite names stand out from others. My friends all want to name their kids Mackenzie, Brayden, Aiden, and Kaden. I on the other hand like Rhys, Eleanor, and Owen.
Also, this isn't just an US thing, many countries have these trends. Just look at some of the popularity charts :)
I'm glad we have them, because it does give a variety of names. It would be pretty boring if the world was nothing but a bunch of Alexander's, William's, Mary's, and Natalie's. Plus, I'm kind of glad that my favorite names stand out from others. My friends all want to name their kids Mackenzie, Brayden, Aiden, and Kaden. I on the other hand like Rhys, Eleanor, and Owen.
Also, this isn't just an US thing, many countries have these trends. Just look at some of the popularity charts :)
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I'm pretty sure not all Americans have bad taste. :-)
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Nitpick on number 11..
Gwen is not a nn, it is a full name in it's own right. Also, as far as I'm concerned, Jessie and Jenny are not fine in their own at all. They are childish nns and not suitable for a legal name on a full grown adult.
Gwen is not a nn, it is a full name in it's own right. Also, as far as I'm concerned, Jessie and Jenny are not fine in their own at all. They are childish nns and not suitable for a legal name on a full grown adult.
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I agree. I actually think Sam and Alex make better full names than Jessie and Jenny, because they're not cutesy. So obviously it's subjective.
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You asked for opinions – so I’ve provided them below – but I’ve also got a question at the end regarding uni-sex names – which you state are the ‘biggest offender’.
Firstly, as noted by others, the names that you’ve listed aren’t ‘virtue’ names; the names that you’ve said a ‘made up’ are actually variants from other cultures or historical epochs (including Allison, which is a variant of Alison, so should by your logic be a misspelling…); nicknames have been used for centuries (with Alex I think having far longer standing than Jenny – which was originally a variant of Jane – so again should be considered ‘made up’ by you….); and word names (be they Princess or Trinity or whatever) are partly how name meanings are created. If you prefer Princess - (which I confess I don’t) - to Sarah – it still means the same thing… (as an aside, I think Trinity is one of the more sophisticated word names to come up in recent times, and is a lot better than other word/virtue names used throughout history (eg. some of the Puritan names from the 16th and 17th centuries, including Humiliation, Lamentation, and Forsaken)
If you only like early 20th century, Anglo-Saxon names, that’s fine, but there should be a logic to why, that doesn’t rely solely on belittling all others… (and yeah, I think if you’re going to be an elitist, judgemental critic of cultural trends – that it would be best to try and pretend to be vaguely more educated than those you’re criticising for their ignorance… )
I do have a question though – re: boy’s names changing to girls names. This has been happening for centuries, and could be seen as a consistent cultural practice, particularly across English and French history. What is the timeframe or characteristics required for people to think these are ‘legitimate’ (hate this word) names – versus an appalling and offensive naming solecism? Just curious.
(edited for typo)
Firstly, as noted by others, the names that you’ve listed aren’t ‘virtue’ names; the names that you’ve said a ‘made up’ are actually variants from other cultures or historical epochs (including Allison, which is a variant of Alison, so should by your logic be a misspelling…); nicknames have been used for centuries (with Alex I think having far longer standing than Jenny – which was originally a variant of Jane – so again should be considered ‘made up’ by you….); and word names (be they Princess or Trinity or whatever) are partly how name meanings are created. If you prefer Princess - (which I confess I don’t) - to Sarah – it still means the same thing… (as an aside, I think Trinity is one of the more sophisticated word names to come up in recent times, and is a lot better than other word/virtue names used throughout history (eg. some of the Puritan names from the 16th and 17th centuries, including Humiliation, Lamentation, and Forsaken)
If you only like early 20th century, Anglo-Saxon names, that’s fine, but there should be a logic to why, that doesn’t rely solely on belittling all others… (and yeah, I think if you’re going to be an elitist, judgemental critic of cultural trends – that it would be best to try and pretend to be vaguely more educated than those you’re criticising for their ignorance… )
I do have a question though – re: boy’s names changing to girls names. This has been happening for centuries, and could be seen as a consistent cultural practice, particularly across English and French history. What is the timeframe or characteristics required for people to think these are ‘legitimate’ (hate this word) names – versus an appalling and offensive naming solecism? Just curious.
(edited for typo)
This message was edited 8/15/2008, 5:06 PM
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Correction, those aren't "virtue names"
A virtue is a good or admirable quality or a moral excellance. So Faith, Hope, Joy, Charity, Honor, Grace, etc would be "virtue names."
Destiny, Trinity, Nevaeh, and Miracle are all word names, though Nevaeh isn't a word, it's derived from a word.
Destiny - fate; the inevitable course of events
Trinity - means three-in-one. The Holy Trinity is Father, Son & Holy Ghost all as three aspects of one being. (why would someone name their child three-in-one? just odd to me... do they confuse it with Charity?)
Neveah - Heaven backwards (which makes think of the opposite of heaven). I think of heaven as a place name.
Miracle - a wonder or impossible event
I suppose I agree with a lot of your comments, though I too do not see the purpose of this post. Strange names are being used throughout the world, and not exclusively in America.
A virtue is a good or admirable quality or a moral excellance. So Faith, Hope, Joy, Charity, Honor, Grace, etc would be "virtue names."
Destiny, Trinity, Nevaeh, and Miracle are all word names, though Nevaeh isn't a word, it's derived from a word.
Destiny - fate; the inevitable course of events
Trinity - means three-in-one. The Holy Trinity is Father, Son & Holy Ghost all as three aspects of one being. (why would someone name their child three-in-one? just odd to me... do they confuse it with Charity?)
Neveah - Heaven backwards (which makes think of the opposite of heaven). I think of heaven as a place name.
Miracle - a wonder or impossible event
I suppose I agree with a lot of your comments, though I too do not see the purpose of this post. Strange names are being used throughout the world, and not exclusively in America.
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I'm so ashamed. I've been so mean.
I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to offend anyone. And the subject title was taken from a No Doubt song.
I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to offend anyone. And the subject title was taken from a No Doubt song.
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I think I could make such a list for every country in the world...
if I had to make one for Germany I'd point out how much I hate those trendy hyphenated names (Anna-Lena, Anna-Maria, Lara-Marie, Marie-Christin) which are really really popular here. and then I'd tell you how much I hate it when German parents give their children English or French names without being able to pronounce them properly (Jacqueline = Djuck-eh-lee-neh????) I don't think so. and the list would go on and on.
there are always people who choose "bad" names for their children. it doesn't have anything to do with the country. and it's okay. some people like names like Bryttni Jayyde and Jayyden Mykull. and I like it that way. if everbody would name their kids Cordelia and Conrad (my faves) I'd hate it. i love that there's some variety.
if I had to make one for Germany I'd point out how much I hate those trendy hyphenated names (Anna-Lena, Anna-Maria, Lara-Marie, Marie-Christin) which are really really popular here. and then I'd tell you how much I hate it when German parents give their children English or French names without being able to pronounce them properly (Jacqueline = Djuck-eh-lee-neh????) I don't think so. and the list would go on and on.
there are always people who choose "bad" names for their children. it doesn't have anything to do with the country. and it's okay. some people like names like Bryttni Jayyde and Jayyden Mykull. and I like it that way. if everbody would name their kids Cordelia and Conrad (my faves) I'd hate it. i love that there's some variety.
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But actually...
...it's not that terrible here in Germany (in my opinion). I don't fancy hyphenated names, but they're WAY better than some of the invented names Americans come up with sometimes. I'm not saying this to offend, really, it's just that to me, there are many more horrible first names in the U.S. But that's not really odd, if you think about it: You can give your child any name you want, in the States, as far as I know, whereas here in Germany, names always have to be approved of by the local civil registry office and they generally check if the first name you'd like to use appears in some offical names book or database or if it's kind of "forbidden" (like Hitler or so). There's no binding rules, as far as I know, but on the whole, the executives do a pretty good job, I think... A few exceptions might show that - apart from maybe different culture which also influences naming a lot - in Germany, too, people would maybe like to use more "kreatyve" names sometimes. Think of the "Pepsi-Laura" or whatever it was case and some other ugly names that were approved of (I can't understand why, but again - sometimes it's a bit random at the registry office, really).
Well, as far as I am concerned, I also don't approve of many naming habits I've read of or heard of in the U.S.A. and I find some of them more terrible for the children (e.g. one thousand different spellings of Jaden, including Jayyden, Jaidyn, Jaedyn, Jaydeen......) than those in Germany, as Anna-Laura certainly is less complicated and way more beautiful, if this term is even apt here.
...it's not that terrible here in Germany (in my opinion). I don't fancy hyphenated names, but they're WAY better than some of the invented names Americans come up with sometimes. I'm not saying this to offend, really, it's just that to me, there are many more horrible first names in the U.S. But that's not really odd, if you think about it: You can give your child any name you want, in the States, as far as I know, whereas here in Germany, names always have to be approved of by the local civil registry office and they generally check if the first name you'd like to use appears in some offical names book or database or if it's kind of "forbidden" (like Hitler or so). There's no binding rules, as far as I know, but on the whole, the executives do a pretty good job, I think... A few exceptions might show that - apart from maybe different culture which also influences naming a lot - in Germany, too, people would maybe like to use more "kreatyve" names sometimes. Think of the "Pepsi-Laura" or whatever it was case and some other ugly names that were approved of (I can't understand why, but again - sometimes it's a bit random at the registry office, really).
Well, as far as I am concerned, I also don't approve of many naming habits I've read of or heard of in the U.S.A. and I find some of them more terrible for the children (e.g. one thousand different spellings of Jaden, including Jayyden, Jaidyn, Jaedyn, Jaydeen......) than those in Germany, as Anna-Laura certainly is less complicated and way more beautiful, if this term is even apt here.
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I thought Pepsi-Carola, Windsbraut, Katzbachine, Gneisenauette and Winnetou were pretty bad. I don't have anything against the names Anna and Laura. I think they're beautiful. I just don't understand why you need to hyphenate them. Anna Laura is beautiful so why would you want Anna-Laura it looks so ugly. It's not about the name it's about the hyphen. I also don't get why children need to be called by two names. One name is sufficient in my opinion. I just think it's annoying. There are so many Laura's, Marie's and Sophie's already why do you need to combine them to make a popular combo like Marie-Sophie. And they don't date well. Remember Ann-Christin ? It used to be so popular in the 80s and now it's so dated. Ann would still be okay and Christin as well but the combo is dated. I guess the same will happen to Marie-Sophie etc
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I totally agree. :) m
And as I've said: I think Germans WOULD use more "kreatyve" names if there were allowed to do it, but there are still more restrictions here, I think.
And as I've said: I think Germans WOULD use more "kreatyve" names if there were allowed to do it, but there are still more restrictions here, I think.
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"Djuck-eh-lee-neh"? That's hilarious!
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I know *sigh* of course not everybody in Germany pronounces it that way. We usually pronounce it the French way which is kind of like zhuk-LEEN..but some uneducated people don't get it right and say it as Djuck-eh-lee-neh ahhhhh lovely :P
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um [m]
Americans are *not* the only ones who use those type of names.
If one one used those type of names it would be pretty boring.
I happen to love these and would use them regardless:
Unisex / Opposite Gender Names
Virtue Names
Pretentious last names
Yuppie names
Place Names
Titles - well sort of
Names taken from popular culture
Celebrity Used Names - does NOT mean you "named" them after anyone unless the person says so. You can just like a name to like it. I'd name my child Harlow & Shiloh but not because of a celebrity or celeb kid. This is my biggest pet peeve who cares if they are named after a celeb or not? Does it really matter to anyone if they are or aren't. I mean this in general not directly at you personally. I just had to say something about it.
Sorry I had to rant I really cannot stand when people assume because it's the name of a celeb then it's automatically named after them.
Americans are *not* the only ones who use those type of names.
If one one used those type of names it would be pretty boring.
I happen to love these and would use them regardless:
Unisex / Opposite Gender Names
Virtue Names
Pretentious last names
Yuppie names
Place Names
Titles - well sort of
Names taken from popular culture
Celebrity Used Names - does NOT mean you "named" them after anyone unless the person says so. You can just like a name to like it. I'd name my child Harlow & Shiloh but not because of a celebrity or celeb kid. This is my biggest pet peeve who cares if they are named after a celeb or not? Does it really matter to anyone if they are or aren't. I mean this in general not directly at you personally. I just had to say something about it.
Sorry I had to rant I really cannot stand when people assume because it's the name of a celeb then it's automatically named after them.
This message was edited 8/15/2008, 1:30 PM
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.... So?
I'm sorry, but this really bothers me. There doesn't seem to be any point or purpose to the post other than to name bash. I mean, really, you don't have a question and you're not offering any useful information, you're just tell other people why there taste sucks. Honestly, what would ever lead you to believe that posting something like this would do anything other than start a big fight?
I'm sorry, but this really bothers me. There doesn't seem to be any point or purpose to the post other than to name bash. I mean, really, you don't have a question and you're not offering any useful information, you're just tell other people why there taste sucks. Honestly, what would ever lead you to believe that posting something like this would do anything other than start a big fight?
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I have no intentions to start a fight. I'm just being honest.
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So clearly nobody is named Harlow, Chandler, Jenny, etc. anywhere else?
Generally I'm not a superduper nationalistic person, but I'm sorry, this really gets to me. You are making the typical generalizations of Americans that just drive me insane. We don't all name our children names of that sort. My favorite combos are Viktor Constantine and Iris Philomena. Can you see anything genuinely wrong with those?
Edited for a typo.
Generally I'm not a superduper nationalistic person, but I'm sorry, this really gets to me. You are making the typical generalizations of Americans that just drive me insane. We don't all name our children names of that sort. My favorite combos are Viktor Constantine and Iris Philomena. Can you see anything genuinely wrong with those?
Edited for a typo.
This message was edited 8/15/2008, 12:39 PM
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I was unaware...
that these were only American trends. Huh.
2. and 3. have long histories of name usage in many countries. Just because they got popular or a few got dated doesn't mean they are awful names.
11. How do you think they got well established? People used them. In one breath you say not to use NNs as FNs but then you give a pass to the ones people have already used? Um, consistency please.
that these were only American trends. Huh.
2. and 3. have long histories of name usage in many countries. Just because they got popular or a few got dated doesn't mean they are awful names.
11. How do you think they got well established? People used them. In one breath you say not to use NNs as FNs but then you give a pass to the ones people have already used? Um, consistency please.
This message was edited 8/15/2008, 12:24 PM
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and how about...
Looking on the popularity lists for the UK? Ellies and Gracies and Evies for the girls? Alfies (Alfie? Frickin' ALFIE?) Charlies, Robbies and Freddies for the boys?
But we're just uncouth Americans, you wouldn't expect us to know Alex is not reallya name, it's only a nickname. Color us ignorant.
Looking on the popularity lists for the UK? Ellies and Gracies and Evies for the girls? Alfies (Alfie? Frickin' ALFIE?) Charlies, Robbies and Freddies for the boys?
But we're just uncouth Americans, you wouldn't expect us to know Alex is not reallya name, it's only a nickname. Color us ignorant.
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4. Misspelled names like Emalee, Johnathon, McKayla, and Nathanael.
Errr. Nathanael's a legit name.
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Yeah, I don't like most of the trends either, but if we eliminated all of those names, I think we'd all get very bored, very fast.
Errr. Nathanael's a legit name.
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Yeah, I don't like most of the trends either, but if we eliminated all of those names, I think we'd all get very bored, very fast.
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No, Nathanael is a misspelling of Nathaniel.
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Yes, this. Get your facts right before you name bash, OP.
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Ignore.
This message was edited 8/15/2008, 12:36 PM
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Oops. How embarrassing.
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No probs. It happens to the best of us.
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