How does a name's meaning affect your decision?

curlywhirly

Would you let the (negative) meaning of a name prevent you from using a name you really like?

travelingmonkeys

Yep.

I love the name Cameron but the meaning "crooked nose" just doesn't work for me. I am really into name meanings though.

I wanted DS to have a name that I not only loved but that had a good meaning behind it.  

apple_green

It doesn't affect my decision much at all, since I never even think to look up the meaning. What's the name and what does it mean? If it means something really, really negative I guess it might make it harder to like.

curlywhirly

apple_green:

It doesn't affect my decision much at all, since I never even think to look up the meaning. What's the name and what does it mean? If it means something really, really negative I guess it might make it harder to like.

 

I don't actually have a specific name that I love but hate the meaning. I have passed up names when it seems that the name "means" a trait that I don't find appealing for people, and I'm wondering what other people do.

KittyMarie219

Yes.

When I was 14, I found out that my name (Maria) meant "Bitter", and I felt as though my mother had cursed me from birth, which was probably just b/c I was VERY depressed as a child and teenager, but b/c of that I always check the meaning of a name before adding it my list of potential for future children.

I would never give my child a name that a negative meaning behind it.

cschlomann

Not an ounce. My daughters name means misshapen head. Shes too cute for words, who cares what the meaning is. Pretty sure my name means something about a ship port. Does that mean I need to be a boat captain? Absofreakinglutely not

Keri Marie

No.

Names can have several meanings.

slukd79

It doesn't affect my decision.

Mallory is one of our top girl names and it means luckless or unfortunate. Oh well. We love it!

Kendalight

travelingmonkeys:

Yep.

I love the name Cameron but the meaning "crooked nose" just doesn't work for me. I am really into name meanings though.

I wanted DS to have a name that I not only loved but that had a good meaning behind it.  

This.

I believe very strongly in the power of a name. I'm a bit into that sort of thing, so.

Meaning is of importance. It doesn't have to be specifically wonderful, but nothing negative is being used.
So no Mary or Marie, Cameron (even though I love it), Kennedy (Which I do like as a middle name), Cecilia. etc. 

 Although...for middle names I'm more lenient, so Cameron and Kennedy have a chance. But never Mary/Marie. Everyone one I've ever known with that name, first or middle, or its variant has been miserable or had some serious catastrophes occur.

Kendalight

travelingmonkeys:

Yep.

I love the name Cameron but the meaning "crooked nose" just doesn't work for me. I am really into name meanings though.

I wanted DS to have a name that I not only loved but that had a good meaning behind it.  

This.

I believe very strongly in the power of a name. I'm a bit into that sort of thing, so.

Meaning is of importance. It doesn't have to be specifically wonderful, but nothing negative is being used.
So no Mary or Marie, Cameron (even though I love it), Kennedy (Which I do like as a middle name), Cecilia. etc. 

 Although...for middle names I'm more lenient, so Cameron and Kennedy have a chance. But never Mary/Marie. Everyone one I've ever known with that name, first or middle, or its variant has been miserable or had some serious catastrophes occur.

Kendalight

travelingmonkeys:

Yep.

I love the name Cameron but the meaning "crooked nose" just doesn't work for me. I am really into name meanings though.

I wanted DS to have a name that I not only loved but that had a good meaning behind it.  

This.

I believe very strongly in the power of a name. I'm a bit into that sort of thing, so.

Meaning is of importance. It doesn't have to be specifically wonderful, but nothing negative is being used.
So no Mary or Marie, Cameron (even though I love it), Kennedy (Which I do like as a middle name), Cecilia. etc. 

 Although...for middle names I'm more lenient, so Cameron and Kennedy have a chance. But never Mary/Marie. Everyone one I've ever known with that name, first or middle, or its variant has been miserable or had some serious catastrophes occur.

SGC29

Yes, but it would have to mean something pretty terrible for me to discount it.

fyziksgirl

travelingmonkeys:

Yep.

I love the name Cameron but the meaning "crooked nose" just doesn't work for me. I am really into name meanings though.

I wanted DS to have a name that I not only loved but that had a good meaning behind it.  

This. It doesn't have to have the perfect meaning, but I want it to not be bad or in contradiction to my beliefs. So I won't name my child anything with an overtly Christian meaning, either (no "Glory to God's" in my future family), since I'm not religious.

Amer19

Lurker here. I named my daughter Evangeline because it means good news and she is an IVF baby. She was the good news we had been waiting for. I think a name's meaning plays an important role in deciding a name. It can make it more special.

alliejo725

Not one I really like. Claudia means "crippled." Eh, who cares?

But if a name I already don't like has a negative meaning, it gives me another reason to like it less.

Keeks14

Yes.  I really love the name Mallory, but it means "unlucky" or "ill-omened".  

treble_clef

KittyMarie219:

Yes.

When I was 14, I found out that my name (Maria) meant "Bitter", and I felt as though my mother had cursed me from birth, which was probably just b/c I was VERY depressed as a child and teenager, but b/c of that I always check the meaning of a name before adding it my list of potential for future children.

I would never give my child a name that a negative meaning behind it.

Yes.  The thing is, I might be okay with it, but my child might not be happy about it.  

magnoliablossom00

Yes- I will not choose a name that doesn't have a strong or positive meaning. There are many names I like that I won't consider b/c of their meaning. My favorite is Carter, but it means "a person who drives a cart." Umm..... Not happening.

The name must also be a Christian name or I won't consider it. I think meaning helps to set the tone for the child. He or she will eventually find out, so why wouldn't you want it to be something wonderful?

kim1989

It wouldnt make me change my mind. We chose names we liked and then found out the meanings

blu-eyedwife

alliejo725:

Not one I really like. Claudia means "crippled." Eh, who cares?

But if a name I already don't like has a negative meaning, it gives me another reason to like it less.

 I'm similar.  I don't care if I really love the name, but will take it into consideration if I'm on the fence.