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HelpPersonal least favourite name types
- Generic names you see all the time in fiction, typically short forms of existing names, are usually one syllable long and only 3 or 4 letters long. Examples include Bill, Bob, Jim and Fred. These feel like placeholder names at this point, as if the writers couldn't think of a better name and just chose one of them out of laziness. The funny thing is these names are becoming rarer in real life (James and William have refused to die so Jim and Bill are still somewhat common).
- Cringy modern names (typically only been popular for a few decades at the least). This includes names (almost always originally surnames, although there are exemptions like Alison, which I like) with the -son suffix (like Mason or Jackson), weird spellings of names (probably the worst example is Jaxxon), and names like Nevaeh. Not long ago names with the -den suffix like Aiden were popular but they are on the way out seemingly. And then there is Liam and Noah, which seriously need a long break because just imagine due to how common they are how many classes in the US will have 2 or more Liams and/or Noahs.
- Names that will not come back due to changes in the English language. Examples include Dick, Gay, Gaylord, and Fanny. This applies to internet slang such as Chad, Becky and Karen. This even applies to foreign languages, examples in German include Kevin (due to a stereotype of Germans with trendy, exotic-sounding first names like Kevin being considered to be an indicator of a low social class) and Horst (which is slang for an unintelligent person, like idiot is in English).
- Names that will not come back due to association with a particularly bad person. Adolf is probably the most well-known example of this, for obvious reasons, Judas is also an example (the variant form Jude is used occasionally as a name, however), with Jeffrey being a more recent example. I don't think Donald will be affected (it will still be popular in more conservative areas where Trump is more well-liked), at least for now. The same goes with Vladimir (it's an established name in the Slavic world) and Benjamin (a well-established name).
- Cringy modern names (typically only been popular for a few decades at the least). This includes names (almost always originally surnames, although there are exemptions like Alison, which I like) with the -son suffix (like Mason or Jackson), weird spellings of names (probably the worst example is Jaxxon), and names like Nevaeh. Not long ago names with the -den suffix like Aiden were popular but they are on the way out seemingly. And then there is Liam and Noah, which seriously need a long break because just imagine due to how common they are how many classes in the US will have 2 or more Liams and/or Noahs.
- Names that will not come back due to changes in the English language. Examples include Dick, Gay, Gaylord, and Fanny. This applies to internet slang such as Chad, Becky and Karen. This even applies to foreign languages, examples in German include Kevin (due to a stereotype of Germans with trendy, exotic-sounding first names like Kevin being considered to be an indicator of a low social class) and Horst (which is slang for an unintelligent person, like idiot is in English).
- Names that will not come back due to association with a particularly bad person. Adolf is probably the most well-known example of this, for obvious reasons, Judas is also an example (the variant form Jude is used occasionally as a name, however), with Jeffrey being a more recent example. I don't think Donald will be affected (it will still be popular in more conservative areas where Trump is more well-liked), at least for now. The same goes with Vladimir (it's an established name in the Slavic world) and Benjamin (a well-established name).
Replies
- I don’t like the creative and trendy spellings of popular names. Names like Hayleigh, Ashleigh, Jaxxon, Bryttanie etc.
- Although I think it’s fine to use names from another culture or ethnicity I don’t think you should use a name that is almost exclusively associated with another culture or religion. For example: Muhammad, Khadijah, Christian, Jesus.
- I agree with not naming your child a name associated with a notorious person. It’s okay to use names like Josef ( Stalin) or Vladimir (Lenin, Putin) because they are not completely linked to the infamous namesake. But Adolph/Adolf is just not a good choice.
- Although I think it’s fine to use names from another culture or ethnicity I don’t think you should use a name that is almost exclusively associated with another culture or religion. For example: Muhammad, Khadijah, Christian, Jesus.
- I agree with not naming your child a name associated with a notorious person. It’s okay to use names like Josef ( Stalin) or Vladimir (Lenin, Putin) because they are not completely linked to the infamous namesake. But Adolph/Adolf is just not a good choice.
Specific to my own community and culture, my absolute least favourite name trend is seeing a US top 10 first name paired with the most traditional surname in history, ESPECIALLY if the American version has a perfectly fine local equivalent. In 100% of cases, this is done by people whose accents are so strong while speaking English that the Teams transcription tool keeps asking me to correct the language. Being told the kid will have an Anglicised version of a Biblical name, especially Noah, Jonah, or Joshua (pronounced in the English way) is painful to smile and nod at. The other day-drinking-inducing trend is transplanting the -aden, -adan, -adyn suffix names, which clash so badly with local surnames.
Is it worse than the grandparents' names mashup trend? Yes, I think it is, which is saying something, because that one is atrocious and why we have children named "Johandre" (Johan + Andre) and "Marques" (Markus + Jacques).
I dread the day my children start school and I have to say these names with a straight face :')
Intentional kr3@tiv spellings are perhaps less common here than in the English-speaking world. When names are spelt incorrectly it tends to coincide with choosing an American/Anglicised name off Netflix, having no idea how to spell it, and not bothering to Google before filing official paperwork, which adds a whole new level of cringe. Honestly, people can side-eye me for this, but I have to question the judgment of people who inflict this on a child. I will be actively discouraging my spawn from befriending kids saddled with these names. The parents did this to their own kid, I do not trust them to uphold the well-being of mine.
A trend that isn't common here and doesn't affect me off the internet, but is still annoying, is the girls-with-boy-names fad. James and Michael are the most common examples, but I include names with the -son suffix in that. You're literally naming your daughter "son of [whatever]" for reasons that are honestly just misogynistic to me. "We want her to have a Strong Name[TM]"... which inevitably implies that a feminine name is weak?? Wow, how empowering.
Is it worse than the grandparents' names mashup trend? Yes, I think it is, which is saying something, because that one is atrocious and why we have children named "Johandre" (Johan + Andre) and "Marques" (Markus + Jacques).
I dread the day my children start school and I have to say these names with a straight face :')
Intentional kr3@tiv spellings are perhaps less common here than in the English-speaking world. When names are spelt incorrectly it tends to coincide with choosing an American/Anglicised name off Netflix, having no idea how to spell it, and not bothering to Google before filing official paperwork, which adds a whole new level of cringe. Honestly, people can side-eye me for this, but I have to question the judgment of people who inflict this on a child. I will be actively discouraging my spawn from befriending kids saddled with these names. The parents did this to their own kid, I do not trust them to uphold the well-being of mine.
A trend that isn't common here and doesn't affect me off the internet, but is still annoying, is the girls-with-boy-names fad. James and Michael are the most common examples, but I include names with the -son suffix in that. You're literally naming your daughter "son of [whatever]" for reasons that are honestly just misogynistic to me. "We want her to have a Strong Name[TM]"... which inevitably implies that a feminine name is weak?? Wow, how empowering.
This message was edited yesterday, 11:54 PM
Response to yours-
Generic type of name you mentioned I understand bit I do not share this dislike because I do not know much about Western world names... where I live we use many of same names since old times.
Cringy modern names- I also hate made up modern English names. Addition: when people where I live name their kid western name (e.g. "Dzhon" – John) instead of normal name here (e.g. Ivan).
– Names that will not come back due to changes in the English language. My best example for this is Semen... it is name in Ukraine, mostly old people name. My dad was called this he was old :/ very much middle age man or older name. But I do not use this in writing I intend English speakers reading unless it is real person. Other example is short form Misha sound a bit like Russian/Ukrainian for mouse and short form Liza sound like Russian for lick but I do not think we care here. Also Suki is name but I can not un associate with my language for b word... and name Marinka which is name of city in my country that was destroyed :(
- Names that will not come back due to association with a particularly bad person. I do not like Adolf even with no Hitler. But with Hitler I hate Adolf. Adalwolf is better. Donald I do not like because it sound tacky (no offense any Donalds) and because as not western person I have 3 associations: McDonalds, Donald Trump, Donald Duck... I not heard of any other Donald. Vladimir is mostly used in Russia (+ Russian speaking places) and some West Slavic countrys but still very well established. I live in Ukraine and I love name Vladimir.
Generic type of name you mentioned I understand bit I do not share this dislike because I do not know much about Western world names... where I live we use many of same names since old times.
Cringy modern names- I also hate made up modern English names. Addition: when people where I live name their kid western name (e.g. "Dzhon" – John) instead of normal name here (e.g. Ivan).
– Names that will not come back due to changes in the English language. My best example for this is Semen... it is name in Ukraine, mostly old people name. My dad was called this he was old :/ very much middle age man or older name. But I do not use this in writing I intend English speakers reading unless it is real person. Other example is short form Misha sound a bit like Russian/Ukrainian for mouse and short form Liza sound like Russian for lick but I do not think we care here. Also Suki is name but I can not un associate with my language for b word... and name Marinka which is name of city in my country that was destroyed :(
- Names that will not come back due to association with a particularly bad person. I do not like Adolf even with no Hitler. But with Hitler I hate Adolf. Adalwolf is better. Donald I do not like because it sound tacky (no offense any Donalds) and because as not western person I have 3 associations: McDonalds, Donald Trump, Donald Duck... I not heard of any other Donald. Vladimir is mostly used in Russia (+ Russian speaking places) and some West Slavic countrys but still very well established. I live in Ukraine and I love name Vladimir.
"...because as not western person I have 3 associations: McDonalds, Donald Trump, Donald Duck."
This.
This.