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HelpWhy does Everybody Like Such Weird Names Lately?
The polls really opened my eyes up to this. People these days have gosh darn odd taste, liking unconventional names and such. My friends do, too. I always vote for whatever "normal" names I can on the polls, since those are the ones I like.
My Favorite Names
Boys: Phillip, Matthew, Francis, Steven, Eugene, Vincent, Marcus, Joseph
Girls: Mary, Jennifer, Stephanie, Elisabeth, Natalie
These names were all popular. Emphasis on were. Most of these do not have nearly the amount of popularity that they used to. Seriously, what's going on with the world of names?!?
My Favorite Names
Boys: Phillip, Matthew, Francis, Steven, Eugene, Vincent, Marcus, Joseph
Girls: Mary, Jennifer, Stephanie, Elisabeth, Natalie
These names were all popular. Emphasis on were. Most of these do not have nearly the amount of popularity that they used to. Seriously, what's going on with the world of names?!?
Archived Thread - replies disabled
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Replies
I really think the crazier name choices sort of melt away with age. Where I once wanted children named Augustin, Juniper, Hyacinthe and Ezekiel, I now find those names to be somewhat bratty, and ostentatious, much like I was at the time! However, I think through life experiences and by receiving more education, I have become more subtle in my style and thinking. Now I prefer names like Benjamin, Alice, Isaac and Susannah--tried-and-true American classics.
I have observed that the level of education and the age of the parent are usually apparent if the name meets the criteria for being considered weird (inventive spellings, loud for the sake of being loud, garishly pretentious), however, these things are not as easy to gauge if classic established names are worn by their children. I think many educated people realize this, and opt for subtlety over bedazzlement.
I have observed that the level of education and the age of the parent are usually apparent if the name meets the criteria for being considered weird (inventive spellings, loud for the sake of being loud, garishly pretentious), however, these things are not as easy to gauge if classic established names are worn by their children. I think many educated people realize this, and opt for subtlety over bedazzlement.
This message was edited 6/20/2011, 4:02 PM
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For me personally, I like some unconventional names because many of the consistently common English names make just as much of a statement to me as unconventional ones. And it's a statement I'm not that comfy making. What is it? Well ... they say "conventional, mainstream, conservative, majority group, values fitting in with the 'right' people," that sort of thing. I don't need or want my kids' names to say those things. If the names I like say them a little bit, that's okay, but some names just seem to say it too loud, according to my personal impression. Unconventional names or unpopular ones are often loud in other ways I'm not comfy with, but many just appeal to me based on my individual experience.
I like most of the names on your list and I think they're all good and not very loudly conventional (except maybe Joseph, Mary, and Matthew). The unconventional names people like are almost always a small subset of all weird names... it's a matter of individual taste.
I like most of the names on your list and I think they're all good and not very loudly conventional (except maybe Joseph, Mary, and Matthew). The unconventional names people like are almost always a small subset of all weird names... it's a matter of individual taste.
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Eh, people like what they like. I'd explain further, but I'm drunk. Sorry.
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Most eloquent response on the thread. LOL!
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LMAO
Ahhh you are the best
Ahhh you are the best
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Well, obviously, everyone values uniqueness. The irony is that while trying so hard to be unique, many are following the same path to uniqueness. Therefore, most are not achieving this. Even those who do come up with something truly unusual, are still following a similar trend. It's a fad -- like most things. I really believe there will be a name "revolution" one day. Everything cycles. I imagine today's children will lead the way. ;-)
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Am I the weird one then? Because I honestly couldn't care less about uniqueness. In fact, popularity (or past popularity) is one of the things that draws me to a name.
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We like names that aren't unique too. We (on this forum, at least) have a more open mind to what is a good name. I'd take a common name over one that's impossible to read on first glance any day.
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I feel you
I like normal names too, similar to your taste. It seems like there are only two classes of namers- the ridiculous trendy ones a la Kylereigh and Sha`Marcusa and the ridiculously pompous humiliating ones you find on here a la Fabian and Ophelia. I guess it comes from the modern attitude towards the mainstream- that it is something to be avoided. Now, I`m all for breaking with tradition and being yourself- as long as there is a concrete basis for choosing this difference and it does not hurt anyone else. The first category of namers follows the first reasoning: These parents seem to think that if a child hears of one other person on Earth with their name, that they will become an automoton and lose all individuality. The second category follows both paths of reasoning. Not only do these people cringe at anything within the top 1000, they do not seem to realize the absurdity of little Phineas Jones or the torment he will suffer. They seem to think that their sons with these names will write romantic sonnets and wear sweater vests at age 8, instead of making disgusting jokes and playing football in the mud. Of course not all boys will be like that which is fine, but keep this in mind: Who would be more mocked: Little Michael who takes ballet or little Ptolemy who takes ballet? The same applies to girls. You cannot transfer your frustration at the mainstream onto your child in the form of something they will have to bear for the rest of their lives.
I like normal names too, similar to your taste. It seems like there are only two classes of namers- the ridiculous trendy ones a la Kylereigh and Sha`Marcusa and the ridiculously pompous humiliating ones you find on here a la Fabian and Ophelia. I guess it comes from the modern attitude towards the mainstream- that it is something to be avoided. Now, I`m all for breaking with tradition and being yourself- as long as there is a concrete basis for choosing this difference and it does not hurt anyone else. The first category of namers follows the first reasoning: These parents seem to think that if a child hears of one other person on Earth with their name, that they will become an automoton and lose all individuality. The second category follows both paths of reasoning. Not only do these people cringe at anything within the top 1000, they do not seem to realize the absurdity of little Phineas Jones or the torment he will suffer. They seem to think that their sons with these names will write romantic sonnets and wear sweater vests at age 8, instead of making disgusting jokes and playing football in the mud. Of course not all boys will be like that which is fine, but keep this in mind: Who would be more mocked: Little Michael who takes ballet or little Ptolemy who takes ballet? The same applies to girls. You cannot transfer your frustration at the mainstream onto your child in the form of something they will have to bear for the rest of their lives.
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Oh my god.
[This argument is aimed at all people that make this argument, not just you, Mackandal, but I will be using your examples].
KIDS WITH DIFFERENT NAMES DO NOT GET MORE SHIT THAN ANYONE ELSE
Seriously I HATE this argument.
Phineas Jones is going to suffer? Little Phin / Fin? NO. He isn't. Not for his name. He'll suffer if he's a weird little kid who likes picking his nose and wiping it on his classmates. But that'd be a problem even if his name was John.
I dont get what you're saying about sonnets and sweatervests-- My favorite boys name is Ashley, which is considered very feminine and if he wants to be a giant muddy football player, than I am TOTALLY ok with that. And if he wants to write sonnets that's cool too. Actually I'd love if he could be well balanced and do both! OH MAN HE'D HAVE ALL THE GIRLS (or boys, if that's what he likes.) My point is that I (and hopefully lots of parents) pick "odd" names BECAUSE WE ACTUALLY LIKE THEM. Not because we want to like... impose hobbies and fashion choices on them. Now if I was naming my son Sweatervestlad then maybe I might want him to wear sweatervests.
but keep this in mind: Who would be more mocked: Little Michael who takes ballet or little Ptolemy who takes ballet?
UHHHH HOW BOUT THE ONE WHO IS LESS CONFIDENT IN HIS DECISIONS? Maybe Michael who takes ballet is a meek shy little boy who can't stand up for himself and Ptolemy is this confident little boy who feels awesome about taking ballet and shows off all his awesome dance moves (I knew a boy, name doesn't even matter, who was really short, to the point of it being strange, to the point where he would have been picked on (I was picked on for my height and I was taller than him...), but he was so popular because he took gymnastics and karate and was really confident and had awesome dance moves. He was Ptolemy here).
[This argument is aimed at all people that make this argument, not just you, Mackandal, but I will be using your examples].
KIDS WITH DIFFERENT NAMES DO NOT GET MORE SHIT THAN ANYONE ELSE
Seriously I HATE this argument.
Phineas Jones is going to suffer? Little Phin / Fin? NO. He isn't. Not for his name. He'll suffer if he's a weird little kid who likes picking his nose and wiping it on his classmates. But that'd be a problem even if his name was John.
I dont get what you're saying about sonnets and sweatervests-- My favorite boys name is Ashley, which is considered very feminine and if he wants to be a giant muddy football player, than I am TOTALLY ok with that. And if he wants to write sonnets that's cool too. Actually I'd love if he could be well balanced and do both! OH MAN HE'D HAVE ALL THE GIRLS (or boys, if that's what he likes.) My point is that I (and hopefully lots of parents) pick "odd" names BECAUSE WE ACTUALLY LIKE THEM. Not because we want to like... impose hobbies and fashion choices on them. Now if I was naming my son Sweatervestlad then maybe I might want him to wear sweatervests.
but keep this in mind: Who would be more mocked: Little Michael who takes ballet or little Ptolemy who takes ballet?
UHHHH HOW BOUT THE ONE WHO IS LESS CONFIDENT IN HIS DECISIONS? Maybe Michael who takes ballet is a meek shy little boy who can't stand up for himself and Ptolemy is this confident little boy who feels awesome about taking ballet and shows off all his awesome dance moves (I knew a boy, name doesn't even matter, who was really short, to the point of it being strange, to the point where he would have been picked on (I was picked on for my height and I was taller than him...), but he was so popular because he took gymnastics and karate and was really confident and had awesome dance moves. He was Ptolemy here).
This message was edited 6/19/2011, 2:32 PM
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I know exactly what you mean! I know a girl named Antigone (nn Tiggy) and she's literally one the coolest/friendliest/ most confident people I know. She says people do comment on her name but only have nice things to say and it's never held her back.
:)
:)
This message was edited 6/19/2011, 5:41 AM
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I like your argument, actually :P because my name isn't in the top 1000. And I'm over 13 too. I never got crud for my name, people complimented me on it. I kinda liked my name just as it was no matter how popular. I didn't care really if it was more popular, but I must admit it's fun how no one else I know has this name. It has it's ups and downs, if someone gossips with the name Kailey in their mouth, it could be several girls in my school, but with my name in their mouth, I know its me.
And to add: I think that if a kid at a young age assumes everyone to dislike him because he hates his uncommon or common name, he carries that baggage with him probably throughout his childhood and maybe life. But if that kid takes his name and runs with it and makes people proud of his achievements in life and he's confident, people will see him and be proud that he personified himself despite his name or whatever else factored into the situation that could have generalized him (or made him "stick out"). Now excuse my run-on sentence haha.
And to add: I think that if a kid at a young age assumes everyone to dislike him because he hates his uncommon or common name, he carries that baggage with him probably throughout his childhood and maybe life. But if that kid takes his name and runs with it and makes people proud of his achievements in life and he's confident, people will see him and be proud that he personified himself despite his name or whatever else factored into the situation that could have generalized him (or made him "stick out"). Now excuse my run-on sentence haha.
This message was edited 6/18/2011, 10:36 PM
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THANK YOU.
I have a "normal" name - really popular for my age group and all that. My sister's name, by comparison, is kind of "weird." (A lot of people would probably call it a "hick" name, actually.) My sister is a hundred times more popular than I EVER was - she's her class' Vice President and has tons of friends and is really well-liked. She had some problems with bullying in the past, but it was never related to her name.
My two best friends are Berlin and Mary. In high school, Mary got picked on WAY more than Berlin did. I wouldn't say Berlin was "popular" in the sense most people think of the word but she had a lot of friends and everyone always thought her name was really cool.
It's things like personality and lack of confidence and quirks that kids go after. Names can be fodder just like being overweight or freckles or glasses can be fodder (my sister, when she was picked on, was picked on for wearing glasses, to the point where she eventually begged for contacts), but I very much doubt many kids are picked on JUST because of their name. I can't think of a single instance of that ever happening.
I have a "normal" name - really popular for my age group and all that. My sister's name, by comparison, is kind of "weird." (A lot of people would probably call it a "hick" name, actually.) My sister is a hundred times more popular than I EVER was - she's her class' Vice President and has tons of friends and is really well-liked. She had some problems with bullying in the past, but it was never related to her name.
My two best friends are Berlin and Mary. In high school, Mary got picked on WAY more than Berlin did. I wouldn't say Berlin was "popular" in the sense most people think of the word but she had a lot of friends and everyone always thought her name was really cool.
It's things like personality and lack of confidence and quirks that kids go after. Names can be fodder just like being overweight or freckles or glasses can be fodder (my sister, when she was picked on, was picked on for wearing glasses, to the point where she eventually begged for contacts), but I very much doubt many kids are picked on JUST because of their name. I can't think of a single instance of that ever happening.
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sorry...posted in wrong place
This message was edited 6/20/2011, 4:16 PM
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Name, of course, isn't everything. However, in kindergarten, I remember not liking a kid because his name was Briarwood. Once the person's personality is known, name means much less. But initially, it means something.
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AGREED!!!
I just couldn't agree more!!! I don't even think I have anything to add that could make this rebuttal better.
I just couldn't agree more!!! I don't even think I have anything to add that could make this rebuttal better.
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I agree with you, it's a stupid argument...I have a normal name and people with normal names picked on me more than the weird named people...just my experience.... normal people are meaner than "Weird" people....my experience again... I guess they are just controlling and like to maintain the status Quo, Anything new is a threat to them i guess... when i went to school , they are two popular groups The druggies and the jocks and jockettes, I was not apart of either group... But there was a cool cheerleader that did help me when someone was picking on me, So not all popular people are bad...Her name was Krimson....
It's not a name makes a person, but the person makes the name...
It's not a name makes a person, but the person makes the name...
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It's not an argument that's entirely incorrect. In most cases, with all else being equal, people will like the child with the more normal name.
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That is both sad and incorrect.
The only people who "won't like" a child with an unusual name are probably people they shouldn't associate with anyway. If someone is willing to judge YOU based on something YOU did not have control of...why would you want to?
The only people who "won't like" a child with an unusual name are probably people they shouldn't associate with anyway. If someone is willing to judge YOU based on something YOU did not have control of...why would you want to?
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The hypothetical I was giving involved identical children with different names. And it was an either-or situation.
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Okay. I wouldn't, and most people agree with me.
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Really
Maybe you should like... take a poll because I really don't believe that.
Because if everyone is the same, Phineas is gonna be more memorable.
Maybe you should like... take a poll because I really don't believe that.
Because if everyone is the same, Phineas is gonna be more memorable.
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Well, I wouldn't know where to have a fair poll. People on here value uniqueness. I don't. But the population on here isn't representative of what society thinks. This community is too biased.
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I am currently polling on my tumblr, and I will ask people in real life as I can.
Do you not know people in real life or not go to any other forums that might allow off topic questions?
Do you not know people in real life or not go to any other forums that might allow off topic questions?
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I do know people in real life. I guess I could ask on another forum.
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I imagine in a world where everyone is exactly the same, we'd probably all like each other or all completely hate each other and names wouldn't even factor in.
I dont understand how you can say this. I've never met two people who are exactly the same.
I dont understand how you can say this. I've never met two people who are exactly the same.
This message was edited 6/19/2011, 11:19 AM
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That's why it was a hypothetical.
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That's only "weird" for this board. These names wouldnt be popular if people didn't keep using them.
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Not trying to fight with you. But as someone who grew up with a more uncommon name (and has siblings who have done the same, as well as someone who works with children on a regular basis) I can assure you that someone's name can never and should never be a basis for anything, hypothetical or not. Just because I may think a student's name is silly, and there are plenty of children I get whose names I do find silly, that never affects how I look at them. I am not about to meet students for the first time think "Greenleigh, that's different. Ava, Isabella, and Avery...again" and like the three girls with names I am more familiar with better just because their name is more common. THAT is silly. Parents can be judged by what their children are named, they are the ones who picked the name. But it does not reflect THEM as a person is the point I am trying to make. Judging someone simply by their name is ignorant. So feel free to judge ME based on the names I choose, but don't judge my (future) kids. Because I love that I grew up with a name and an identity I never had to share (and when I did it was more like finding an Easter egg than anything), and I want the same for my kids.
I realize I am probably being overly defensive, but this topic touches home for me.
I realize I am probably being overly defensive, but this topic touches home for me.
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agree
super annoying argument
super annoying argument
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Everyone has different taste and there is nothing wrong with old names.
I'm a fan of names that are more modern as well, but everyome is different and the names you think are "weird" other people find gorgeous. Please don't insult.
I'm a fan of names that are more modern as well, but everyome is different and the names you think are "weird" other people find gorgeous. Please don't insult.
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I didn't insult.
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I'm guessing that you're just around people who prefer to diverge from the norm or perhaps the names that they like are relatively newly trendy, so they still seem unconventional.
Most of the most popular names in the U.S. have been in regular use for quite some time, so I don't think that the majority of them are weird at all. Jacob, Michael, William, Alexander, Daniel, Joshua, Emma, Emily, Abigail, Isabella, and Sophia are hardly weird, and those are among the most popular names chosen by parents in the U.S. these days.
The names that were unusual before that are now popular are no longer weird because they're in regular use now. It's not an unusual occurrence for names to replace other names over time. Trends happen. You may just be witnessing trendy names replacing formerly trendy names. When names become trendy, they may seem fresh at first, but eventually, they will seem commonplace, and people will move onto other trends. A large majority of people will stick with names that have been in regular use for years, such as Elizabeth and James, though.
Most of the most popular names in the U.S. have been in regular use for quite some time, so I don't think that the majority of them are weird at all. Jacob, Michael, William, Alexander, Daniel, Joshua, Emma, Emily, Abigail, Isabella, and Sophia are hardly weird, and those are among the most popular names chosen by parents in the U.S. these days.
The names that were unusual before that are now popular are no longer weird because they're in regular use now. It's not an unusual occurrence for names to replace other names over time. Trends happen. You may just be witnessing trendy names replacing formerly trendy names. When names become trendy, they may seem fresh at first, but eventually, they will seem commonplace, and people will move onto other trends. A large majority of people will stick with names that have been in regular use for years, such as Elizabeth and James, though.
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I'm not sure. I find nothing wrong with the classic normal names, I love them.
I think people find them boring now and are looking for something different. People like to be unique.
I think people find them boring now and are looking for something different. People like to be unique.
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Thanks to the internet, we're exposed to more names than just the ones being used around us. As our eyes are opened more, we become open to different names. Simple.
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It's because people want to be unique. Especially in America, uniqueness and being "special" is really important. This has been shown by various sociology and psychology studies, I'm not just making it up.
I believe that a lot of people choose really wierd and/or made-up and/or unusually spelt names to make their child stand out and be special, which is fine although I don't really get it myself. The irony is that names which were "unique" a few years ago (Brayden, Madisyn etc) are actually really popular and common now!
What I don't understand is why people have to use trendy names or really strange names (some people are into medieval, ancient greek mythology etc. not necessarily trendy but still very unusual) when there are a lot of names which would stand out but are still recognisable and useable. Examples are even some of the names on your list like Eugene and Francis, or might include unusual but not overly unusual names like Montgomery, Malachi, Evangeline, Philippa, Olive, Wilhelmina, Simone, Quentin, Verity and loads more.
I believe that a lot of people choose really wierd and/or made-up and/or unusually spelt names to make their child stand out and be special, which is fine although I don't really get it myself. The irony is that names which were "unique" a few years ago (Brayden, Madisyn etc) are actually really popular and common now!
What I don't understand is why people have to use trendy names or really strange names (some people are into medieval, ancient greek mythology etc. not necessarily trendy but still very unusual) when there are a lot of names which would stand out but are still recognisable and useable. Examples are even some of the names on your list like Eugene and Francis, or might include unusual but not overly unusual names like Montgomery, Malachi, Evangeline, Philippa, Olive, Wilhelmina, Simone, Quentin, Verity and loads more.
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What I don't understand is why people have to use trendy names
A lot of the time, I think it's just lack of proper research. It's like "Oh I love the name Bradyn how cute omg, and I have never heard of anyone with that name!" And then they name their son that and bring him to the park and everyone is Bradyn or Braden or Brhaydyn or something.
More people use the internet, but I think there's probably a good portion of those who only like... go to Yahoo Answers and ask "What do you think of the name Bradyn!" and everyone's like "OMG I LOVE BRADYN HOW CUTE".
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You would think this is happening less and less, with the internet, but I'm not sure it is.
A lot of the time, I think it's just lack of proper research. It's like "Oh I love the name Bradyn how cute omg, and I have never heard of anyone with that name!" And then they name their son that and bring him to the park and everyone is Bradyn or Braden or Brhaydyn or something.
More people use the internet, but I think there's probably a good portion of those who only like... go to Yahoo Answers and ask "What do you think of the name Bradyn!" and everyone's like "OMG I LOVE BRADYN HOW CUTE".
---
You would think this is happening less and less, with the internet, but I'm not sure it is.
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My name is very popular for my age group. So growing up, I was surrounded by a lot of other girls with my name. There was this certain girl, and she was really mean. All the adults loved her though, and she got to go by just her first name, while I had to attach the initial of my last name. I was very little when that started with this girl, and from a early age, I associated my name with another person, and not myself. I don't want that for my children.
And not that "normal" names are bad, I adore a lot of common names. And normal is such a relative term. What's normal to you might not be normal to me, and vice versa. The same with so called "weird" names. I don't think the name Persephone is weird, but a lot of people probably do. The word weird is normally used in a negative sense. And it bothers me a lot when people refer to something (names and other things) as weird because they haven't heard of it, it isn't popular, or they personally just don't like it.
There was an incident where someone asked me what I wanted to name two daughters, and I replied with Artemis June and Sonnet Eloise. They began to say how much they hated them, and how horrible they were. It crushed me, because I adored these names, and just because it wasn't this person's cup of tea, they felt as if they were really stupid names.
And what's so wrong about liking and using names that aren't Matthew and Mary? If we all had the same taste, we'd all name our kids the same things.
I personally think that more people are close minded about names, and use common ones, than there are people who prefer unpopular ones. You can't get an actual view on the reality of naming trends here, as a lot of people here are name nerds.
Oh, and all of the names you listed are in the top 1000, so they are being used still. Some of them still quite popular.
And not that "normal" names are bad, I adore a lot of common names. And normal is such a relative term. What's normal to you might not be normal to me, and vice versa. The same with so called "weird" names. I don't think the name Persephone is weird, but a lot of people probably do. The word weird is normally used in a negative sense. And it bothers me a lot when people refer to something (names and other things) as weird because they haven't heard of it, it isn't popular, or they personally just don't like it.
There was an incident where someone asked me what I wanted to name two daughters, and I replied with Artemis June and Sonnet Eloise. They began to say how much they hated them, and how horrible they were. It crushed me, because I adored these names, and just because it wasn't this person's cup of tea, they felt as if they were really stupid names.
And what's so wrong about liking and using names that aren't Matthew and Mary? If we all had the same taste, we'd all name our kids the same things.
I personally think that more people are close minded about names, and use common ones, than there are people who prefer unpopular ones. You can't get an actual view on the reality of naming trends here, as a lot of people here are name nerds.
Oh, and all of the names you listed are in the top 1000, so they are being used still. Some of them still quite popular.
This message was edited 6/17/2011, 11:04 PM
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Thats horrible that someone was so mean about the names you suggested! (by the way I like them both, especially Artemis). Even if someone said they loved a name I hated I wouldn't be outright rude to them about it, although maybe offer some constructive criticism!
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Were you around for the bizarre Victorian names thread a couple days back? People have always been into "weird" names. In fact, if you look at the amount of time that the names Mary and John have been popular compared to the entire length of human history, they are the weird ones. Weird is relative.
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Yes, same holds with the other "timeless" names
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Names like yours are usually dubbed to be common names since they were for so long there are still many around today or at least there were. I like to look for names that have a beauty quality to them, and a name like Mary can be beautiful, it's just its been dulled up by all the associations it has not only fame-wise but also local wise. So that's why I like my eclectic tastes over something more common so when I call my child's name 5 heads won't turn around. I do like some kinda popular names, like Evangeline and such.
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For me, it's not as if I'm intentionally going for weird names. It may be a part of my "gosh darn odd taste" (hee), but I tend to be attracted to names with certain visual and aural characteristics -- and some of those names may be unusual. For example, I usually like names with at least one "hard" sound, and I usually dislike "frilly" names. I like names ending in -ith, -eth, and -is and dislike names ending in -ella, -leigh, and -bel. I like many Welsh and Finnish names because I find the aesthetics of those languages attractive, and I also find Germanic and Scandinavian names interesting. And so on.
I don't really consider popularity and normality when liking a name, though I may dislike a name if it suddenly becomes insanely popular as a result of hype aversion.
If you look some of my names, you'll find both "normal" and "unusual":
Girls: Adelle, Arsendis, Bonnie, Branwen, Christiana, Constance, Dagmar, Emilia, Ingrid, Leah, Lydia, Margery, Rosamund, Tellervo, Tirion, Winifred.
Boys: Alasdair, Anton, Bran, Daniel, Erik, Faramund, Gareth, Kenta, Llewellyn, Lysander, Owen, Rhys, Sheridan, Taliesin, Tristan, Vincent, William.
I don't really consider popularity and normality when liking a name, though I may dislike a name if it suddenly becomes insanely popular as a result of hype aversion.
If you look some of my names, you'll find both "normal" and "unusual":
Girls: Adelle, Arsendis, Bonnie, Branwen, Christiana, Constance, Dagmar, Emilia, Ingrid, Leah, Lydia, Margery, Rosamund, Tellervo, Tirion, Winifred.
Boys: Alasdair, Anton, Bran, Daniel, Erik, Faramund, Gareth, Kenta, Llewellyn, Lysander, Owen, Rhys, Sheridan, Taliesin, Tristan, Vincent, William.
This message was edited 6/17/2011, 8:18 PM
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You have to remember, too,that on this board, sometimes we like names that we wouldn't actually use on a real child. We're just "trying on", so to speak.
I have 3 children, one of them is, in fact, named Joseph. The other two have equally un-original (though good!) names. Part of the reason for this is that our last name is very uncommon in my area, so we thought it best not to be too distinctive with the given names.
I like Sam very much! Good name!
I have 3 children, one of them is, in fact, named Joseph. The other two have equally un-original (though good!) names. Part of the reason for this is that our last name is very uncommon in my area, so we thought it best not to be too distinctive with the given names.
I like Sam very much! Good name!
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Haha, thank you. I like it, too, though I'm not one who's a fan of juniors.
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I think this board is kind of self-selecting. I think people who are interested in names in general tend to like more unusual names since they are exposed to more names and thus hang out on naming bbs more than people who like "normal" names.
Also, people in general like more unusual names than they have in past decades. I read an article about how it correlates to the rise of narcissism and sense of entitlement in the culture as a whole. People tend to want to find names with more personal meaning to them as well as make a mini-statement with their kids' names these days, rather than just wanting a name that will sound nice and make their kid blend in.
Also, people in general like more unusual names than they have in past decades. I read an article about how it correlates to the rise of narcissism and sense of entitlement in the culture as a whole. People tend to want to find names with more personal meaning to them as well as make a mini-statement with their kids' names these days, rather than just wanting a name that will sound nice and make their kid blend in.
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Hmmm. That's interesting as hell. I guess the comment about people who know a lot about names are more unusual because of their exposure. I guess I'm an exception; I've been studying names for years and still prefer some rather common ones. The narccism thing also makes sense.
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At least many of your favorites are rather timeless, still often used but not as common as they used to. Mine are obscure, ex. Ridley, Jolyon, Rinaldo; or worse yet, aberrations of stagnation that gain spots on the charts but with little to no popularity increase percentage wise, ex. Liliana, Gabriella, Natalie. Yes, Natalie is a zombie increaser on the US rankings from the Social Security Administration.
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Personal preferences, Some like to blend in and others want to stand out, I believe has to do with internal need of some kind. a lot of people are wanting to use freedom they have to express themselves and naming a name the parents love is a good bonding thing as well...Others stick to what they are use to...not a bad thing , not a good thing, just is
I like Matthew, Vincent, Joseph, and Mary and Natalie but I also Like some odd names as well, I like what i like, and I am not going to let people bully me into liking names i don't like... anyway..that's my two cents, take it or leave it...
I like Matthew, Vincent, Joseph, and Mary and Natalie but I also Like some odd names as well, I like what i like, and I am not going to let people bully me into liking names i don't like... anyway..that's my two cents, take it or leave it...
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Response
Fair enough. I'll take it.
Fair enough. I'll take it.
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If you think that modern names are weird, you should have seen a thread we had a few days ago about some odd Victorian names- Farting Clark, Princess Cheese, I can't think of the rest, but Jaden/ Brayden/ Kaden et al are more normal than some of those.
It's like with clothes and pop culture. Things come and go. There's retro names- after your grandparents, great grandparents, etc; modern like Jaden, Madison, Fox (I know a 6 yr old with this); behind the times names like Jennifer (I have 2 students with this name), Ryan, Rebecca; following the trends- Isabella, Joshua, Emily; and the names that stand out but the parents don't care- Sebastian (in the farming community where I work, that one is out of place imo), Trelee, Lakelyn.
It's like with clothes and pop culture. Things come and go. There's retro names- after your grandparents, great grandparents, etc; modern like Jaden, Madison, Fox (I know a 6 yr old with this); behind the times names like Jennifer (I have 2 students with this name), Ryan, Rebecca; following the trends- Isabella, Joshua, Emily; and the names that stand out but the parents don't care- Sebastian (in the farming community where I work, that one is out of place imo), Trelee, Lakelyn.
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Because it's boring for everyone to like the same names?
Plus uniqueness seems to be highly valued in society now. A lot of people grew up being one of many Jennifers or Marys or whatever and do not want that for their children. I didn't like having the 14th most popular name of my birth year.
But no one is telling you that you have to stop liking what you like.
Plus uniqueness seems to be highly valued in society now. A lot of people grew up being one of many Jennifers or Marys or whatever and do not want that for their children. I didn't like having the 14th most popular name of my birth year.
But no one is telling you that you have to stop liking what you like.
This message was edited 6/17/2011, 4:57 PM
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See, but I have the...25th? somewhere around there, most popular name of my year. There are five Sams in my class. I don't mind.
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Well good
You're you and I'm me and I didn't like it. I like to stand out a little. I like wearing brightly colored pants and my hair would be purple if I wouldn't get fired for it.
So you can name your kids Mary and Matthew and I won't complain that those are boring to your face because I'm not a jerk, and I'll name my kids Mordecai and Parisa and I hope you'll realize ultimately it's not your business what I like.
You're you and I'm me and I didn't like it. I like to stand out a little. I like wearing brightly colored pants and my hair would be purple if I wouldn't get fired for it.
So you can name your kids Mary and Matthew and I won't complain that those are boring to your face because I'm not a jerk, and I'll name my kids Mordecai and Parisa and I hope you'll realize ultimately it's not your business what I like.
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Yep!
So you (SamBeldon) like more traditional names. That's fine! Nobody's gonna go up to you and say, "You named your son John?! How dreadful!" Rachel and I will give or kids (if I have kids, but that's another story entirely) somewhat offbeat names, and people will either love them or hate them. More importantly, though, I hope that my child likes their name. My name was in the 800s in the American charts for the year I was born, mainly due to an ill-timed incident with a serial killer who happens to share my name. Still, I loved being the only Aileen in my school. In fact, I've never met another one. I can't imagine what it would be like to hear someone say some name like Matthew and to not know whether or not you're the one being addressed. Must be wild.
So you (SamBeldon) like more traditional names. That's fine! Nobody's gonna go up to you and say, "You named your son John?! How dreadful!" Rachel and I will give or kids (if I have kids, but that's another story entirely) somewhat offbeat names, and people will either love them or hate them. More importantly, though, I hope that my child likes their name. My name was in the 800s in the American charts for the year I was born, mainly due to an ill-timed incident with a serial killer who happens to share my name. Still, I loved being the only Aileen in my school. In fact, I've never met another one. I can't imagine what it would be like to hear someone say some name like Matthew and to not know whether or not you're the one being addressed. Must be wild.
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I am with you on Mordecai-such a good name....Parisa is kind of pretty too
This message was edited 6/17/2011, 5:34 PM
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Alright. Cool.
Between you and me, I actually kind of like Mordecai.
Between you and me, I actually kind of like Mordecai.
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I think people have just started opening their eyes and accepting things that are unique. And with acceptance comes embracement (is that a real word, anyway?), so everyone is jumping on the 'strange name' train.
I really just like strange names for characters and such. And most 'word names' are kinda strange as well, and I enjoy some of those.
Classic names are still just as lovely as ever (I especially love Natalie, by the way ;)), people just hate to be 'normal' nowadays. I'm not entirely sure that I understand it, either.
I really just like strange names for characters and such. And most 'word names' are kinda strange as well, and I enjoy some of those.
Classic names are still just as lovely as ever (I especially love Natalie, by the way ;)), people just hate to be 'normal' nowadays. I'm not entirely sure that I understand it, either.
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