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HelpPretty and Beauty
I believe I have mentioned them in passing before but for kicks and giggles I wanted to bring up the two sisters I've known named Pretty and Beauty. The story behind their names is as a small child, Pretty and her family immigrated to the United States when she was 4 years old. Her family allowed her to pick her own English name to help her better assimilate (the whole family apparently changed their names) and after tossing some name ideas at the child and hearing feedback of her English ideas "that's pretty!" From different people she decided she wanted to just be "Pretty" and they allowed her to change it to her English name. A few years later a sister was born and they named her Beauty to match her sister. There is also a younger brother though he is not named Handsome or otherwise they gave him a standard classic like William or John I can't remember exactly what.
Wdyt? Would you let your 4 year old pick their own name change? Or would you end up picking for them again? Personally I wouldn't mind being Beauty. It's an elegant word. Pretty doesn't appeal to me as much. I also know it is less common to change your name when immigrating to the U.S. these days and it's more encouraged to embrace your cultural background so it's also an interesting testament to the changing time periods.
Please rate my "Names I would Use" list & "Backup Favorites" list. Feel free to rate some of my other lists too if you have the time.
https://www.behindthename.com/pnl/223226/138473
Wdyt? Would you let your 4 year old pick their own name change? Or would you end up picking for them again? Personally I wouldn't mind being Beauty. It's an elegant word. Pretty doesn't appeal to me as much. I also know it is less common to change your name when immigrating to the U.S. these days and it's more encouraged to embrace your cultural background so it's also an interesting testament to the changing time periods.
Please rate my "Names I would Use" list & "Backup Favorites" list. Feel free to rate some of my other lists too if you have the time.
https://www.behindthename.com/pnl/223226/138473
This message was edited 4/3/2022, 6:17 AM
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Replies
It should be okay, logically. It's like Scottish people using Bonnie, and it sounds a lot like Priti. I don't like Beauty more, although as a noun rather than an adjective, it fits English word-naming patterns better. At the very worst, it seems like an American expat in France unthinkingly using Belle or Beau: it's a gaffe but probably also a cultural quirk in itself that reflects immigrant experience, so whatever.
But I probably would not allow a 4 year old to have final say over their official name, only their NN.
But I probably would not allow a 4 year old to have final say over their official name, only their NN.
This message was edited 4/3/2022, 6:34 PM
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I think it would be interesting to see a little one’s thoughts on their name. I’ve known of older kids getting adopted and thus open for a legal name change. In these instances, sometimes the adoptive parent gets the child’s feedback.
If this scenario were to hypothetically play out for me and my child said she wanted to be named “pretty,” I might look into names that mean “pretty,” or close to pretty, but is still a relatively “normal” name.
If this scenario were to hypothetically play out for me and my child said she wanted to be named “pretty,” I might look into names that mean “pretty,” or close to pretty, but is still a relatively “normal” name.
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I feel so bad for little Pretty. I can't imagine being 4 years old, leaving your home and being in a strange new place and then being told to pick a new name so you can "fit in" to a culture you probably don't understand. How stressful! All things considered, Pretty did a good job and her logic makes perfect sense.
If I was in this situation as the parent, I wouldn't put that responsibility on a little kid. If my child was a teenager, sure, pick your own assimilation name. But 4? No, that's totally unfair. I would do some research and then give the kid a list of options. That way they are still making their own choice but with informed adult assistance.
I wouldn't want to be a Pretty or a Beauty. They don't sound very attractive in my accent. That being said, I did have a cat named "Pretty-Pretty" because she was sooooo pretty :)
If I was in this situation as the parent, I wouldn't put that responsibility on a little kid. If my child was a teenager, sure, pick your own assimilation name. But 4? No, that's totally unfair. I would do some research and then give the kid a list of options. That way they are still making their own choice but with informed adult assistance.
I wouldn't want to be a Pretty or a Beauty. They don't sound very attractive in my accent. That being said, I did have a cat named "Pretty-Pretty" because she was sooooo pretty :)
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Pretty doesn't sound like a name, but Beauty somehow does. Slightly more. Maybe Beauty and the Beast is the reason why.
I don't particularly like either though.
I'd ask them which names they like, and maybe we could compromise. If they wanted to be named Elf, I'd ask them if they'd rather have a name that MEANS elf or that sounds elfish. Maybe the name of a cartoon elf.
I don't particularly like either though.
I'd ask them which names they like, and maybe we could compromise. If they wanted to be named Elf, I'd ask them if they'd rather have a name that MEANS elf or that sounds elfish. Maybe the name of a cartoon elf.
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Yeah... no. The name I would choose for my (hypothetical) children eventually I know I put a lot of thought into, and I’m not letting a 4 year old who isn’t even in Kindergarten yet choose their own name. Maybe a little later. If they are so adamant about going by a nickname, go ahead. Legally changing it? No way. I’m from Gen Z where kids are choosing online names for themselves by the time they’re 10. Immigration wise I would just stick to their legal birth names. The names I have in mind are usually universal anyways.
Between Pretty and Beauty, I guess I’d be a Beauty. Even though in my opinion that’s the equivalency of naming your child Goddess or something.
Between Pretty and Beauty, I guess I’d be a Beauty. Even though in my opinion that’s the equivalency of naming your child Goddess or something.
This message was edited 4/3/2022, 7:13 AM
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I agree with all of this
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I would prefer to pick for them, but I would ask their input. It’s their name that they have to live with.
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Yeah personally I don't think I'd want to change their name at all but if I had to I would pick for them if they were that little still.
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Pretty and Beauty are widely used and unremarkable in South Africa.
Four-year-olds can occasionally be trusted to choose between French toast and a peanut butter sandwich; names are a life sentence and need more vision, experience and knowledge than a preschooler can have.
Four-year-olds can occasionally be trusted to choose between French toast and a peanut butter sandwich; names are a life sentence and need more vision, experience and knowledge than a preschooler can have.
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I agree
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No, I would definitely not! I wouldn't mind being named Beauty, but I don't like Pretty.
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