What Is A Real Name?

StrawberryAlarmClock

I realize that this is an opinion question, but what standard (conscious or subconscious) must a name and its spelling meet for you to consider it "real" - IOW, not made up? Does it have to appear on the SSA list? Is there a minimum number of others who must share the name? Does it have to have existed X number of years? Does it have to be a name you, personally, have heard before? Does it have to be spelled traditionally? Have an etymology? Thoughts?

MissPrettyMomma

I totally agree with your arguement..Someone said they didn't like emmalyn bc it sounded to made up but all names technically were made up at some point..just sayin

slukd79

StrawberryAlarmClock:

I realize that this is an opinion question, but what standard (conscious or subconscious) must a name and its spelling meet for you to consider it "real" - IOW, not made up? Does it have to appear on the SSA list? Is there a minimum number of others who must share the name? Does it have to have existed X number of years? Does it have to be a name you, personally, have heard before? Does it have to be spelled traditionally? Have an etymology? Thoughts?

Just wanted to say that I think this is a great question. Some people have very strong opinions on what is a real name, what is the proper spelling, if it is appropriate for boys only or girls only.

Personally I find this to be like any other topic life-- with a big grey area. But it seems others view names as more black and white/rigid rules and boundaries. (Meaning: "only a good name for boys" or "only spelled this way.")

Phillychickadee

CabbageCabbage:

Nope.  Just like porn.  I know it when I see it.

 

maddiemoon43

Phillychickadee:

CabbageCabbage:

Nope.  Just like porn.  I know it when I see it.

 

This is such a great answer!

Ella85

MissPrettyMomma:

I totally agree with your arguement..Someone said they didn't like emmalyn bc it sounded to made up but all names technically were made up at some point..just sayin

I like this name too (spelled differently) I can see how it sounds made up, but I heard it on a TV show and I really like it. 

cmhicklin

One baby name book I looked at had the name Bazooka While I believe in freedom of name choice...

moxie9

maddiemoon43:

Phillychickadee:

CabbageCabbage:

Nope.  Just like porn.  I know it when I see it.

 

This is such a great answer!

Love this and totally agree. Some names are made up but feel as if they should have always been (Shakespeare's Miranda, Gwendolen as a creation of the Victorian era, Wendy penned by J.M. Barrie) whereas other inventions don't hold that instant classic potential. Also, some words seem to be able to move seamlessly into the name category (Sierra, Sienna, Summer, Autumn, April, May) in comparison to others that fall flat (Apple).

Looking back on my examples, I feel like there's more flexibility for girl's names than boy's (or it's that I've been researching more girl's names). Still, if a name has roots in literature, religion, positive fame influences, or has a certain je ne sais quoi, it's a "real name" to me. There has to be more to it than that, but I don't know how to articulate it.

StrawberryAlarmClock

CabbageCabbage:

Nope.  Just like porn.  I know it when I see it.

I think I just snarfed my milk for the first time since sixth grade!