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Help20 Questions Every Baby Namer Should Ask
Hey there. If you’re looking for some random name questions, I have a post I think you may like. Even if you don’t want children or aren’t having any anytime soon, you can just answer in a hypothetical manner and based of those answers what name would you give!
1. Plain or fancy?
This can mean a lot of things, but in general, a plain name is one that’s widely-used and easily-understood while fancy is a name that is rare and/or elaborate and/or unconventional – you know, fancy.
2. Past or future?
Rooted in history or newly-minted and forward-thinking?
3. Fast or slow?
By this I mean is it a name people comprehend immediately – Eve – or one that demands more investigation, may be more difficult to spell or pronounce, may literally take longer to say, such as Evelina.
4. Story or no story?
Does your ideal name have a story behind it, either one from literature or history or one that’s personal to you, or does it exist apart from any narrative?
5. Conventionally attractive or attractively unconventional?
Few parents want to give their child an unattractive name, but do you want your name to sound obviously pretty or strong or do you want a name that’s attractive by virtue of its unconventionality?
6. Traditionalist or iconoclast?
Do you want a name that has traditionally been recognized as a name, or a name that’s a name because you or one of the Kardashians say it’s a name?
7. Culturally ambiguous or culturally distinct?
Do you want a name specific to a certain country or culture or do you want a name that’s widely used throughout the Western world: Alice, Milo, Luna?
8. Flow or no flow?
This is the baby name equivalent of caring whether your clothes match. Are you looking for names that will roll off the tongue in a mellifluous combination of sounds and syllables? Or is so-called flow subservient to other considerations like meaning and popularity?
9. Easy or challenging?
This is a different spin on the fast or slow question, but one that may speak to different people. Do you want your child’s name to be easy to spell, pronounce, get? Or would you rather pick a name that challenges people’s memories, outlooks, beliefs?
10. Family or individual?
There are really only two choices here. One is you want a name that honors family in some way, if not directly using a family name, then following a tradition or honoring your family’s cultural or religious traditions. The other choice is that you either don’t care or you actively don’t want a family name.
11. Short or long?
You can count length by letters or syllables, and you can set the demarcation line wherever you want. Many people, because of taste or their last name or other factors, have a decided preference for one of the other, though if you can go either way, that’s fine too.
12. Gender-distinct or gender-neutral?
Most people have a clear preference here, even if they’ve never discussed or even thought about it. What’s your gut? Same for girl and boy names? And why do you feel that way?
13. Nickname or no nickname?
Another one that many people feel strongly about, one way or the other, while some people don’t really care. Maybe you’re choosing a name that comes pre-loaded with lots of appealing nicknames. Or you’re choosing one that either can’t be shortened or that you won’t allow to be shortened. Or you’re just, Isabel, Izzy, Bella, I’m good with all.
14. Warm or cold?
This is a squishier quality than some of the others. Are you attracted to names that are vibrant and friendly? Or do you prefer names that are buttoned-up and formal? Examples: Liam or William, Maisie or Margaret.
15. Everyman or aristocrat?
Many people may be repelled by the idea that some names signal the masses while others are reserved for the classes. It feels like something out of Downton Abbey, and indeed many contemporary names defy antiquated class typing. And yet, deep down, many people if pressed could state an instant preference of the pair: I’d pick the everyman name, every time.
16. Popular or rare?
OK, this is an easy one. Kind of. Though we know via name consulting that people have very different ideas of what constitutes popular and rare. Some people define popular names as those in the Top 10, while others say that’s the Top 1000. Meaning that along with your choice, you have to pick a way to define.
17. Old or new?
Basically, do you want a name your grandma has heard of?
18. Loved or respected?
If a name had the magical ability to make your child grow up surrounded by love or respect, which quality would you pick for them? Don’t worry, in real life, your child can have both. But if you had to put one first, your choice might lead you to a name that evokes the corresponding emotion.
19. Brains or beauty?
Another antiquated idea – our children all can have both, no one has to choose! And yet, if you did…
Benjamin or Beau?
Eleanor or Eliana?
Genius who happens to be gorgeous, or knockout with a Ph.D.?
20. Loud or quiet?
Would you prefer a name that commands attention, that announces your child as a person to whom attention must be paid? Or would you rather your child announce themselves, with a name that lets them define their presence on their own terms. Good examples of this might be Beyoncé and Taylor.
Credits to Nameberry! Not my own questions. I guess to those who already have kids, are these questions you considered or kept in mind while naming your sons and daughters?
Oh and another question if you feel like it: With your birth name, with each question, what category do you think your name fits in? ;)
https://www.behindthename.com/pnl/217493
"It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves." - William Shakespeare
1. Plain or fancy?
This can mean a lot of things, but in general, a plain name is one that’s widely-used and easily-understood while fancy is a name that is rare and/or elaborate and/or unconventional – you know, fancy.
2. Past or future?
Rooted in history or newly-minted and forward-thinking?
3. Fast or slow?
By this I mean is it a name people comprehend immediately – Eve – or one that demands more investigation, may be more difficult to spell or pronounce, may literally take longer to say, such as Evelina.
4. Story or no story?
Does your ideal name have a story behind it, either one from literature or history or one that’s personal to you, or does it exist apart from any narrative?
5. Conventionally attractive or attractively unconventional?
Few parents want to give their child an unattractive name, but do you want your name to sound obviously pretty or strong or do you want a name that’s attractive by virtue of its unconventionality?
6. Traditionalist or iconoclast?
Do you want a name that has traditionally been recognized as a name, or a name that’s a name because you or one of the Kardashians say it’s a name?
7. Culturally ambiguous or culturally distinct?
Do you want a name specific to a certain country or culture or do you want a name that’s widely used throughout the Western world: Alice, Milo, Luna?
8. Flow or no flow?
This is the baby name equivalent of caring whether your clothes match. Are you looking for names that will roll off the tongue in a mellifluous combination of sounds and syllables? Or is so-called flow subservient to other considerations like meaning and popularity?
9. Easy or challenging?
This is a different spin on the fast or slow question, but one that may speak to different people. Do you want your child’s name to be easy to spell, pronounce, get? Or would you rather pick a name that challenges people’s memories, outlooks, beliefs?
10. Family or individual?
There are really only two choices here. One is you want a name that honors family in some way, if not directly using a family name, then following a tradition or honoring your family’s cultural or religious traditions. The other choice is that you either don’t care or you actively don’t want a family name.
11. Short or long?
You can count length by letters or syllables, and you can set the demarcation line wherever you want. Many people, because of taste or their last name or other factors, have a decided preference for one of the other, though if you can go either way, that’s fine too.
12. Gender-distinct or gender-neutral?
Most people have a clear preference here, even if they’ve never discussed or even thought about it. What’s your gut? Same for girl and boy names? And why do you feel that way?
13. Nickname or no nickname?
Another one that many people feel strongly about, one way or the other, while some people don’t really care. Maybe you’re choosing a name that comes pre-loaded with lots of appealing nicknames. Or you’re choosing one that either can’t be shortened or that you won’t allow to be shortened. Or you’re just, Isabel, Izzy, Bella, I’m good with all.
14. Warm or cold?
This is a squishier quality than some of the others. Are you attracted to names that are vibrant and friendly? Or do you prefer names that are buttoned-up and formal? Examples: Liam or William, Maisie or Margaret.
15. Everyman or aristocrat?
Many people may be repelled by the idea that some names signal the masses while others are reserved for the classes. It feels like something out of Downton Abbey, and indeed many contemporary names defy antiquated class typing. And yet, deep down, many people if pressed could state an instant preference of the pair: I’d pick the everyman name, every time.
16. Popular or rare?
OK, this is an easy one. Kind of. Though we know via name consulting that people have very different ideas of what constitutes popular and rare. Some people define popular names as those in the Top 10, while others say that’s the Top 1000. Meaning that along with your choice, you have to pick a way to define.
17. Old or new?
Basically, do you want a name your grandma has heard of?
18. Loved or respected?
If a name had the magical ability to make your child grow up surrounded by love or respect, which quality would you pick for them? Don’t worry, in real life, your child can have both. But if you had to put one first, your choice might lead you to a name that evokes the corresponding emotion.
19. Brains or beauty?
Another antiquated idea – our children all can have both, no one has to choose! And yet, if you did…
Benjamin or Beau?
Eleanor or Eliana?
Genius who happens to be gorgeous, or knockout with a Ph.D.?
20. Loud or quiet?
Would you prefer a name that commands attention, that announces your child as a person to whom attention must be paid? Or would you rather your child announce themselves, with a name that lets them define their presence on their own terms. Good examples of this might be Beyoncé and Taylor.
Credits to Nameberry! Not my own questions. I guess to those who already have kids, are these questions you considered or kept in mind while naming your sons and daughters?
Oh and another question if you feel like it: With your birth name, with each question, what category do you think your name fits in? ;)
https://www.behindthename.com/pnl/217493
Archived Thread - replies disabled
3
Replies
1. I lean more toward plain, but I wouldn't want it to be TOO plain. My name is pretty plain.
2. Past. My name is rooted in the past.
3. Slow, as in longer. My name is slow.
4. No story. My name has a personal story.
5. Conventionally attractive. I think my name is this.
6. Traditionalist. My name is traditionalist.
7. I like Luna so culturally ambiguous. I'm not sure what my name is.
8. Flow >>> I think my name has flow.
9. Easy. My name is pretty easy, I think.
10. Individual, all the way. My first name is individual, while my middle name is family.
11. Long. My name is long.
12. Gender-distinct >>> My name is gender-distinct as long as you don't give me a stupid nickname.
13. Up to the child. I wouldn't choose a name based on nicknames because I think that's dumb. Also, I was named that way, so I guess I have a personal vendetta.
14. Cold, I guess? I think my name leans cold.
15. I don't get what this means.
16. Semi-rare. I wouldn't want to choose a name everyone is using, but I also wouldn't want it to be a name that makes people go, "Huh?" I like the idea of choosing a name outside the top 1000. My name is popular.
17. In between. I don't really care if my grandma knows it, but most of the names invented in the last 20 years suck. My name is old.
18. I don't really get what this means with regard to names.
19. Beauty, if we're just talking names. I'm not sure where my name falls.
20. Quiet, I guess? This question doesn't really make sense.
2. Past. My name is rooted in the past.
3. Slow, as in longer. My name is slow.
4. No story. My name has a personal story.
5. Conventionally attractive. I think my name is this.
6. Traditionalist. My name is traditionalist.
7. I like Luna so culturally ambiguous. I'm not sure what my name is.
8. Flow >>> I think my name has flow.
9. Easy. My name is pretty easy, I think.
10. Individual, all the way. My first name is individual, while my middle name is family.
11. Long. My name is long.
12. Gender-distinct >>> My name is gender-distinct as long as you don't give me a stupid nickname.
13. Up to the child. I wouldn't choose a name based on nicknames because I think that's dumb. Also, I was named that way, so I guess I have a personal vendetta.
14. Cold, I guess? I think my name leans cold.
15. I don't get what this means.
16. Semi-rare. I wouldn't want to choose a name everyone is using, but I also wouldn't want it to be a name that makes people go, "Huh?" I like the idea of choosing a name outside the top 1000. My name is popular.
17. In between. I don't really care if my grandma knows it, but most of the names invented in the last 20 years suck. My name is old.
18. I don't really get what this means with regard to names.
19. Beauty, if we're just talking names. I'm not sure where my name falls.
20. Quiet, I guess? This question doesn't really make sense.
2
1. Plain or fancy?
Plain. My tastes are pretty 'basic'.
2. Past or future?
Past. I'm a huge fan of 1960s to 2000s names.(especially girls' names)
3. Fast or slow?
Fast
4. Story or no story?
Sometimes has story, but most of the time there isn't.
5. Conventionally attractive or attractively unconventional?
Perhaps one of the reasons I like name is that I personally find the sound to be 'pretty', 'cool', or 'handsome'. So I would say conventionally attractive.
6. Traditionalist or iconoclast?
Maybe I prefer a friendly and familiar name, so I'll say traditionalist.
7. Culturally ambiguous or culturally distinct?
As a Korean, I think that if you want an international name, it doesn't necessarily have to be used in various cultures, and a name that is universally easy to pronounce is good. So, I really don't mind this.
8. Flow or no flow?
Flow
9. Easy or challenging?
Easy
10. Family or individual?
Individual
11. Short or long?
Short
12. Gender-distinct or gender-neutral?
I don't mind this, but I'm not a fan of frilly girl names, and gender-neutral names are pretty common in Korea, so I'm say gender neutral.
13. Nickname or no nickname?
I really don't mind this.
14. Warm or cold?
Warm. That's why my favorite naming era is the late 20th century.
15. Everyman or aristocrat?
I would pick ‘Everyman’. I don't like using the words 'tacky', and 'trash' when describing names.
16. Popular or rare?
Based on current popularity, I like names from the past and usually such names are not popular, so I would say rare. If based on how common the name itself is, I would say popular because most of them are in the mainstream.
17. Old or new?
Old. (But I have no interest in many of the old-fashioned names that have made a comeback)
18. Loved or respected?
Respected.
19. Brains or beauty?
Brains.
20. Loud or quiet?
Quiet. I am a very introverted person.
Plain. My tastes are pretty 'basic'.
2. Past or future?
Past. I'm a huge fan of 1960s to 2000s names.(especially girls' names)
3. Fast or slow?
Fast
4. Story or no story?
Sometimes has story, but most of the time there isn't.
5. Conventionally attractive or attractively unconventional?
Perhaps one of the reasons I like name is that I personally find the sound to be 'pretty', 'cool', or 'handsome'. So I would say conventionally attractive.
6. Traditionalist or iconoclast?
Maybe I prefer a friendly and familiar name, so I'll say traditionalist.
7. Culturally ambiguous or culturally distinct?
As a Korean, I think that if you want an international name, it doesn't necessarily have to be used in various cultures, and a name that is universally easy to pronounce is good. So, I really don't mind this.
8. Flow or no flow?
Flow
9. Easy or challenging?
Easy
10. Family or individual?
Individual
11. Short or long?
Short
12. Gender-distinct or gender-neutral?
I don't mind this, but I'm not a fan of frilly girl names, and gender-neutral names are pretty common in Korea, so I'm say gender neutral.
13. Nickname or no nickname?
I really don't mind this.
14. Warm or cold?
Warm. That's why my favorite naming era is the late 20th century.
15. Everyman or aristocrat?
I would pick ‘Everyman’. I don't like using the words 'tacky', and 'trash' when describing names.
16. Popular or rare?
Based on current popularity, I like names from the past and usually such names are not popular, so I would say rare. If based on how common the name itself is, I would say popular because most of them are in the mainstream.
17. Old or new?
Old. (But I have no interest in many of the old-fashioned names that have made a comeback)
18. Loved or respected?
Respected.
19. Brains or beauty?
Brains.
20. Loud or quiet?
Quiet. I am a very introverted person.
This message was edited 2/19/2024, 8:19 PM
1
1. Plain for boys, fancy for girls.
2. Past
3. Depends, easy to comprehend, but maybe takes longer to spell
4. Personal story
5. conventionally attractive
6. traditional
7. Probably ambiguous
8. flow
9. Pretty easy
10. family
11. Usually long
12. Gender-distinct
13. Nickname
14. I guess cold
15. Everyman for boys, aristocrat for girls
16. In between
17. Old
18. Loved
19. In the examples, I liked the brains for the boys and beauty for the girls.
20. Quiet
2. Past
3. Depends, easy to comprehend, but maybe takes longer to spell
4. Personal story
5. conventionally attractive
6. traditional
7. Probably ambiguous
8. flow
9. Pretty easy
10. family
11. Usually long
12. Gender-distinct
13. Nickname
14. I guess cold
15. Everyman for boys, aristocrat for girls
16. In between
17. Old
18. Loved
19. In the examples, I liked the brains for the boys and beauty for the girls.
20. Quiet
1
1. Usually plain. But I like fancy names like Jekuthiel and Elhanan.
2. Usually past. I'm not a very future-faced person, and would rather delve into old tomes.
3. Fast. You shouldn't be a professor or a clergyman to understand a kid's name.
4. Always a story. Usually a biblical, talmudic, or family story.
5. I don't find rare names to be "attractive" just because they're rare, so I'd rather find an attractive name, doesn't matter if it's rare or not.
6. I hate names that were forged out of thin air (or thin letters and words) on the spot, so traditional it is.
7. Unless it's been used by my ancestors, I would only use Hebrew, Yiddish, Judeo-Arabic, Ladino or Judeo-Aramaic names.
8. Definitely flows off the tongue with the surname attached.
9. Always easy. I suffer from a heavy russian-empire surname, so I'll try to keep my childrens' names light.
10. Always a name that's related, at least vaguely, to my family or heritage.
11. usually 2-3 syllables.
12. Gender distinct for most of them.
13. I don't really like nicknames for most names.
14. I like names that seem respectable, ones that you wouldn't be surprised to find on an aging professor.
15. I'm an elitist, so I'd naturally pick aristocrat, but the westernizing wanna-be-french-or-american higher class here in Israel is not good with names, and neither is the lower class which also gives more english/western names because they wanna be associated with the higher class. But overall, Aristocrat.
16. I like names that used to be popular, but have become rarer.
17. always old.
18. Respected. I want the name to make you feel like you have an army marshall in the room (despite being very anti-militaristic myself.)
19.My family has always been on the nerdy side, and so am I.
20. Always loud.
2. Usually past. I'm not a very future-faced person, and would rather delve into old tomes.
3. Fast. You shouldn't be a professor or a clergyman to understand a kid's name.
4. Always a story. Usually a biblical, talmudic, or family story.
5. I don't find rare names to be "attractive" just because they're rare, so I'd rather find an attractive name, doesn't matter if it's rare or not.
6. I hate names that were forged out of thin air (or thin letters and words) on the spot, so traditional it is.
7. Unless it's been used by my ancestors, I would only use Hebrew, Yiddish, Judeo-Arabic, Ladino or Judeo-Aramaic names.
8. Definitely flows off the tongue with the surname attached.
9. Always easy. I suffer from a heavy russian-empire surname, so I'll try to keep my childrens' names light.
10. Always a name that's related, at least vaguely, to my family or heritage.
11. usually 2-3 syllables.
12. Gender distinct for most of them.
13. I don't really like nicknames for most names.
14. I like names that seem respectable, ones that you wouldn't be surprised to find on an aging professor.
15. I'm an elitist, so I'd naturally pick aristocrat, but the westernizing wanna-be-french-or-american higher class here in Israel is not good with names, and neither is the lower class which also gives more english/western names because they wanna be associated with the higher class. But overall, Aristocrat.
16. I like names that used to be popular, but have become rarer.
17. always old.
18. Respected. I want the name to make you feel like you have an army marshall in the room (despite being very anti-militaristic myself.)
19.My family has always been on the nerdy side, and so am I.
20. Always loud.
1
✓1. Plain or fancy?
Fancy! (Said one, who genuinely likes Katherine)
✓2. Past or future?
Past
✓3. Fast or slow?
Fast, I guess. I love Eve!
✓4. Story or no story?
Story, a secret maybe))
✓5. Conventionally attractive or attractively unconventional?
Conventionally attractive
✓6. Traditionalist or iconoclast?
Traditionalist
✓7. Culturally ambiguous or culturally distinct?
ambiguous
✓8. Flow or no flow?
Flow... I love euphonic names
✓9. Easy or challenging?
Easy
✓10. Family or individual?
I've recently started fancying the idea of a family name.
✓11. Short or long?
I love Eve and María de los Ángeles equally))
✓12. Gender-distinct or gender-neutral?
My PNL says gender-distinct
✓13. Nickname or no nickname?
I don't care. But I won't choose a name, if I don't like the most obvious nicknames e.g. Gabrielle & Cassandra. I dislike Gabby and Cassie.
✓14. Warm or cold?
William and Margaret. So, it's cold?)) 🥶
✓15. Everyman or aristocrat?
I don't care. But I think aristocrats should be illegal.
✓16. Popular or rare?
I love Evelyn, Sophia and Leo. But I still strive for rare.
✓17. Old or new?
Old
✓18. Loved or respected?
Respect
✓19. Brains or beauty?
Brains
✓20. Loud or quiet?
Quiet
Fancy! (Said one, who genuinely likes Katherine)
✓2. Past or future?
Past
✓3. Fast or slow?
Fast, I guess. I love Eve!
✓4. Story or no story?
Story, a secret maybe))
✓5. Conventionally attractive or attractively unconventional?
Conventionally attractive
✓6. Traditionalist or iconoclast?
Traditionalist
✓7. Culturally ambiguous or culturally distinct?
ambiguous
✓8. Flow or no flow?
Flow... I love euphonic names
✓9. Easy or challenging?
Easy
✓10. Family or individual?
I've recently started fancying the idea of a family name.
✓11. Short or long?
I love Eve and María de los Ángeles equally))
✓12. Gender-distinct or gender-neutral?
My PNL says gender-distinct
✓13. Nickname or no nickname?
I don't care. But I won't choose a name, if I don't like the most obvious nicknames e.g. Gabrielle & Cassandra. I dislike Gabby and Cassie.
✓14. Warm or cold?
William and Margaret. So, it's cold?)) 🥶
✓15. Everyman or aristocrat?
I don't care. But I think aristocrats should be illegal.
✓16. Popular or rare?
I love Evelyn, Sophia and Leo. But I still strive for rare.
✓17. Old or new?
Old
✓18. Loved or respected?
Respect
✓19. Brains or beauty?
Brains
✓20. Loud or quiet?
Quiet
2
1. Plain or fancy?
Usually plain, but I like the occasional fancy name.
2. Past or future?
Past - I'm a sucker for names with historical usage and interesting stories.
3. Fast or slow?
Fast - I prefer longer names, but I don't generally pick ones that are difficult to spell or pronounce due to my last name being both of those things!
4. Story or no story?
Story. 100% story. Without a story, I won't generally look twice at a name.
5. Conventionally attractive or attractively unconventional?
Probably conventionally attractive. I like pretty names like Liliana.
6. Traditionalist or iconoclast?
Traditionalist.
7. Culturally ambiguous or culturally distinct?
Culturally distinct. I lean towards French names. I will venture outside and definitely have culturally ambiguous names on my list, but if I could give all of my kids French names, I would.
8. Flow or no flow?
Flow - within reason. I'd sacrifice flow for meaning, but generally I like my names to go together like a tea set.
9. Easy or challenging?
Easy - my last name is challenging enough. My kids don't need a heavier burden. They'll be spelling their last name for everyone and having it be mispronounced at every turn.
10. Family or individual?
Individual. I do plan on using some family names, but more and more, I just want to use names I like. I used to be set on naming after certain people, but I've become a bit disillusioned due to people I once admired turning out to be less than admirable individuals.
11. Short or long?
Long. In every sense! Double middle names too.
12. Gender-distinct or gender-neutral?
Gender distinct. I wish I liked more gender neutral names, but what can I say? I love frilly, ultra-feminine girl names like Liliana and Juliette.
13. Nickname or no nickname?
Nicknames. I love names that can adapt to their environment. Theodore when he needs to be professional, Theo when he's with friends, Teddy when he's with loved ones.
Usually plain, but I like the occasional fancy name.
2. Past or future?
Past - I'm a sucker for names with historical usage and interesting stories.
3. Fast or slow?
Fast - I prefer longer names, but I don't generally pick ones that are difficult to spell or pronounce due to my last name being both of those things!
4. Story or no story?
Story. 100% story. Without a story, I won't generally look twice at a name.
5. Conventionally attractive or attractively unconventional?
Probably conventionally attractive. I like pretty names like Liliana.
6. Traditionalist or iconoclast?
Traditionalist.
7. Culturally ambiguous or culturally distinct?
Culturally distinct. I lean towards French names. I will venture outside and definitely have culturally ambiguous names on my list, but if I could give all of my kids French names, I would.
8. Flow or no flow?
Flow - within reason. I'd sacrifice flow for meaning, but generally I like my names to go together like a tea set.
9. Easy or challenging?
Easy - my last name is challenging enough. My kids don't need a heavier burden. They'll be spelling their last name for everyone and having it be mispronounced at every turn.
10. Family or individual?
Individual. I do plan on using some family names, but more and more, I just want to use names I like. I used to be set on naming after certain people, but I've become a bit disillusioned due to people I once admired turning out to be less than admirable individuals.
11. Short or long?
Long. In every sense! Double middle names too.
12. Gender-distinct or gender-neutral?
Gender distinct. I wish I liked more gender neutral names, but what can I say? I love frilly, ultra-feminine girl names like Liliana and Juliette.
13. Nickname or no nickname?
Nicknames. I love names that can adapt to their environment. Theodore when he needs to be professional, Theo when he's with friends, Teddy when he's with loved ones.
2
The ones that seem important to me are (in no particular order):
7. Culturally ambiguous or culturally distinct?
ambiguous ... well, this is kinda empire-style imo, so it's also distinct, for me.
1. Plain or fancy?
3. Fast or slow?
9. Easy or challenging?
generally easy/plain/fast - although if a name presents some initial difficulty with spell/pronounce, as long as it's easy for most people to get, I don't mind at all.
11. Short or long?
seven letters or fewer, three syllables or fewer
12. Gender-distinct or gender-neutral?
Gender-distinct, at least in my own view. I don't mind using names that are gender-neutral to some proportion of people, but they have to be gendered in my own view. Why do I feel that way? the question says. Um, because I figure sex matters to a majority of people and so it's likely it will matter to my kid, and so there's a good chance I'm doing them a favor if I name them a name that communicates their sex effortlessly, and if I don't, there's a good chance I could be making things awkward for them, at least sometimes. If it turns out I'm wrong, well, names are changeable and I'd be open to my kid changing it if the gender was a problem for them.
15. Everyman or aristocrat?
everyman ... really most names seem that way to me, and the ones that say 'aristocrat' to me, are few and I don't like them. If someone sees my 'everyman' names as 'aristocratic,' I don't mind.
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BQ. Credits to Nameberry! Not my own questions. I guess to those who already have kids, are these questions you considered or kept in mind while naming your sons and daughters?
No, I just picked names I liked that felt right, that my husband approved of ... I don't think anyone asks questions like these, and I doubt answering them helps anyone choose, however it can be fun to think about what "kinds" of names we like.
BQ. Oh and another question if you feel like it: With your birth name, with each question, what category do you think your name fits in? ;)
7. Culturally ambiguous or culturally distinct?
ambiguous ... well, this is kinda empire-style imo, so it's also distinct, for me.
1. Plain or fancy?
3. Fast or slow?
9. Easy or challenging?
generally easy/plain/fast - although if a name presents some initial difficulty with spell/pronounce, as long as it's easy for most people to get, I don't mind at all.
11. Short or long?
seven letters or fewer, three syllables or fewer
12. Gender-distinct or gender-neutral?
Gender-distinct, at least in my own view. I don't mind using names that are gender-neutral to some proportion of people, but they have to be gendered in my own view. Why do I feel that way? the question says. Um, because I figure sex matters to a majority of people and so it's likely it will matter to my kid, and so there's a good chance I'm doing them a favor if I name them a name that communicates their sex effortlessly, and if I don't, there's a good chance I could be making things awkward for them, at least sometimes. If it turns out I'm wrong, well, names are changeable and I'd be open to my kid changing it if the gender was a problem for them.
15. Everyman or aristocrat?
everyman ... really most names seem that way to me, and the ones that say 'aristocrat' to me, are few and I don't like them. If someone sees my 'everyman' names as 'aristocratic,' I don't mind.
------------------------------------------------
BQ. Credits to Nameberry! Not my own questions. I guess to those who already have kids, are these questions you considered or kept in mind while naming your sons and daughters?
No, I just picked names I liked that felt right, that my husband approved of ... I don't think anyone asks questions like these, and I doubt answering them helps anyone choose, however it can be fun to think about what "kinds" of names we like.
BQ. Oh and another question if you feel like it: With your birth name, with each question, what category do you think your name fits in? ;)
2
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1. Normally I go for fancy, as in rarer, but not unconventional.
2. Definitely past! I love vintage and classical names.
3. Ooh, probably fast, though there a few “slower” names I like.
4. Story, all the way! I believe names should have some meaning and significance to you.
5. I do love a good “clunky” name like Olga or Ursula! However most of my favourites are conventionally attractive.
6. Traditional, 100%. No offence, Kardashians…
7. Probably culturally ambiguous, though I enjoy names specific to my cultures ie Israeli, Polish.
8. Flow matters to me! It’s like OCD but for baby names.
9. Easy. Hard-to-spell names cause too much trouble.
10. I’d definitely use family names!
11. No length preference - I’m happy with anything from Nell to Anastasia.
12. Mostly I love gender-distinct names, but there are a few exceptions. I prefer gender neutral names on girls than on boys.
13. I love nicknames, but many names don’t need one. That’s fine too!
14. I prefer a happy middle - not to rigid, not cutesy, just grown-up but friendly.
15. Aristocrat all the way! I love the way fancy names sound.
16. Rare! Always.
17. Grandma names ate the best.
18. Loved. (I swear that’s a nameberry DNA question too…)
19. Brains!
20. Quiet, to be honest, even though I’m a very loud person.
1. Normally I go for fancy, as in rarer, but not unconventional.
2. Definitely past! I love vintage and classical names.
3. Ooh, probably fast, though there a few “slower” names I like.
4. Story, all the way! I believe names should have some meaning and significance to you.
5. I do love a good “clunky” name like Olga or Ursula! However most of my favourites are conventionally attractive.
6. Traditional, 100%. No offence, Kardashians…
7. Probably culturally ambiguous, though I enjoy names specific to my cultures ie Israeli, Polish.
8. Flow matters to me! It’s like OCD but for baby names.
9. Easy. Hard-to-spell names cause too much trouble.
10. I’d definitely use family names!
11. No length preference - I’m happy with anything from Nell to Anastasia.
12. Mostly I love gender-distinct names, but there are a few exceptions. I prefer gender neutral names on girls than on boys.
13. I love nicknames, but many names don’t need one. That’s fine too!
14. I prefer a happy middle - not to rigid, not cutesy, just grown-up but friendly.
15. Aristocrat all the way! I love the way fancy names sound.
16. Rare! Always.
17. Grandma names ate the best.
18. Loved. (I swear that’s a nameberry DNA question too…)
19. Brains!
20. Quiet, to be honest, even though I’m a very loud person.
2
1. Plain or fancy?
Fancy
2. Past or future?
Future
3. Fast or slow?
Fast
4. Story or no story?
Story
5. Conventionally attractive or attractively unconventional?
Attractively unconventional
6. Traditionalist or iconoclast?
Traditionalist
7. Culturally ambiguous or culturally distinct?
Culturally ambiguous
8. Flow or no flow?
Flow
9. Easy or challenging?
Easy
10. Family or individual?
Individual
11. Short or long?
Short
12. Gender-distinct or gender-neutral?
I really don't mind, but I'd say gender-distinct because in my language there aren't many gender neutral names.
13. Nickname or no nickname?
No nickname
14. Warm or cold?
Warm
15. Everyman or aristocrat?
Everyman
16. Popular or rare?
Rare
17. Old or new?
New
18. Loved or respected?
Loved
19. Brains or beauty?
Brains
20. Loud or quiet?
Loud
I think I'd go with Ada or Alma for a girl and Enzo or Luca for a boy.
Fancy
2. Past or future?
Future
3. Fast or slow?
Fast
4. Story or no story?
Story
5. Conventionally attractive or attractively unconventional?
Attractively unconventional
6. Traditionalist or iconoclast?
Traditionalist
7. Culturally ambiguous or culturally distinct?
Culturally ambiguous
8. Flow or no flow?
Flow
9. Easy or challenging?
Easy
10. Family or individual?
Individual
11. Short or long?
Short
12. Gender-distinct or gender-neutral?
I really don't mind, but I'd say gender-distinct because in my language there aren't many gender neutral names.
13. Nickname or no nickname?
No nickname
14. Warm or cold?
Warm
15. Everyman or aristocrat?
Everyman
16. Popular or rare?
Rare
17. Old or new?
New
18. Loved or respected?
Loved
19. Brains or beauty?
Brains
20. Loud or quiet?
Loud
I think I'd go with Ada or Alma for a girl and Enzo or Luca for a boy.
2
1. Plain or fancy?
Fancy.
2. Past or future?
Past.
3. Fast or slow?
Fast.
4. Story or no story?
Story.
5. Conventionally attractive or attractively unconventional?
Attractively unconventional.
6. Traditionalist or iconoclast?
Traditionalist.
7. Culturally ambiguous or culturally distinct?
Culturally ambiguous.
8. Flow or no flow?
Flow.
9. Easy or challenging?
Easy.
10. Family or individual?
Individual.
11. Short or long?
Long.
12. Gender-distinct or gender-neutral?
Gender-distinct.
13. Nickname or no nickname?
No preference, really? What I don't like is forced nicknames.
14. Warm or cold?
Warm.
15. Everyman or aristocrat?
Aristocrat.
16. Popular or rare?
Rare.
17. Old or new?
Old.
18. Loved or respected?
Loved.
19. Brains or beauty?
Brains.
20. Loud or quiet?
Loud.
Based on these criteria, I think I'll go with Lysander and Seraphina.
Fancy.
2. Past or future?
Past.
3. Fast or slow?
Fast.
4. Story or no story?
Story.
5. Conventionally attractive or attractively unconventional?
Attractively unconventional.
6. Traditionalist or iconoclast?
Traditionalist.
7. Culturally ambiguous or culturally distinct?
Culturally ambiguous.
8. Flow or no flow?
Flow.
9. Easy or challenging?
Easy.
10. Family or individual?
Individual.
11. Short or long?
Long.
12. Gender-distinct or gender-neutral?
Gender-distinct.
13. Nickname or no nickname?
No preference, really? What I don't like is forced nicknames.
14. Warm or cold?
Warm.
15. Everyman or aristocrat?
Aristocrat.
16. Popular or rare?
Rare.
17. Old or new?
Old.
18. Loved or respected?
Loved.
19. Brains or beauty?
Brains.
20. Loud or quiet?
Loud.
Based on these criteria, I think I'll go with Lysander and Seraphina.
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