City names on accident

mkhardy · June 2013

We named our DS Camden and I had no clue it was a city until after he was named. We are pretty far away from NJ so it didn't bug me. We are having another boy and my husband told me he wants to use the name Branson. I like it, but just realized its a city too. Honestly, would any of you personally think anything of it? They aren't super common city names...

coopsbaby · June 2013

I'm far from both of them, neither been to either, but I know they're both city names. I'd like to think most people in the US would be aware that they're cities!

Blondangel · June 2013

coopsbaby:
I'm far from both of them, neither been to either, but I know they're both city names. I'd like to think most people in the US would be aware that they're cities!

This.

BulgariHeart · June 2013

coopsbaby:
I'm far from both of them, neither been to either, but I know they're both city names. I'd like to think most people in the US would be aware that they're cities!

This. Never been to either but I know they're both cities.

Keri Marie · June 2013

Many names are also names of cities. don't stress.

--halo-- · June 2013

Keri Marie:
Many names are also names of cities. don't stress.nbsp;

Yea, this. There's probably a city for every name out there. I wouldn't worry about it at all!

ObLaDi · June 2013

I've never heard of Branson as a name, only as a city. I'm from New England.

mmb248 · June 2013

I associate both names with city names, but if I loved the name, it wouldn't stop me from using it.

chapstix7 · June 2013

coopsbaby:
I'm far from both of them, neither been to either, but I know they're both city names. I'd like to think most people in the US would be aware that they're cities!

yeah, this. Sorry

also, if you have ever watched my name is earl...

g8trkim · June 2013

mmb248:
I associate both names with city names, but if I loved the name, it wouldn't stop me from using it.

This. However, I don't think Branson is a name at all.

NerdyLucy · June 2013

g8trkim:
mmb248:
I associate both names with city names, but if I loved the name, it wouldn't stop me from using it.
This. However, I don't think Branson is a name at all.

Most sources say it is English, but at least one source I found connects it to Germanic roots.

Guillerma · June 2013

NerdyLucy:
g8trkim:
mmb248:
I associate both names with city names, but if I loved the name, it wouldn't stop me from using it.
This. However, I don't think Branson is a name at all.

Most sources say it is English, but at least one source I found connects it to Germanic roots.

It is if you watch Downton Abbey! Although it is actually a last name. I'm surprise no one mentioned that as that's what it makes me think of.

OP, I agree the combo is too much - both cities and both last names.

Dr.Loretta · June 2013

It wouldn't bother me

simpledog · June 2013

I wouldn't know Branson. I live in Philly so I definitely know Camden though, lol.

GibsonGirl620 · June 2013

Joy2611:
Branson isn't a city around here so I wouldn't get the reference.Camden is a lot of other things besides a city in NJ!nbsp; It's also a gorgeous coastal and resort town in Maine!!nbsp; And, it's a section of London as well as part of the name of Camden Yards where the Orioles play.nbsp;EDIT: Branson, MO?nbsp; I'm so sorry, midwesterners.nbsp; I've never heard of this city. nbsp;[:]nbsp; I feel kinda ashamed.

Camden Yards is the only Camden near me too! I don't know of any Branson's near us. The names don't seem that alarming to me.

crwel1048 · June 2013

I live in Missouri, so everyone here knows about Branson, so I wouldn't name my child that. However, if you do not live anywhere near the city with the same name as your child I wouldn't worry about it.

I agree with pp that there are a large number of names that are also cities too.

Helenahhandbasket · June 2013

I would pick up on it, but that's about it. I wouldn't "think" much about it.

AlphabetFish · June 2013

One city name, probably just a coincidence. But two? That seems like you're doing it on purpose, and if you're not, then don't do it, IMO.

solsburyhill · June 2013

I'm ok with using cities as names, but I just don't like Branson as a name.

sweetpea2003 · June 2013

I would avoid it.

I don't like Camden because I went to college in Philly and have a very negative associations with that name. It just feels negative and violent to me.

Branson isn't a bad city, but it is a tacky place. I had never been there until a few months ago (we are living in Kansas for 12 months and met some family for a few days there). It is just a tourist trap, tacky, folksy, strange place in the Ozarks.

Both of those city names have some strong associations.

Colsdoll · June 2013

I think you like "last names as first names" and that is going to overlap with cities.

Branson is named after Robert S. Branson. My guess is Camden was probably a last name at some point too.

That being said - The names do go together, I don't think I would think twice about little brothers Camden and Branson.

zg49 · June 2013

I had forgotten Camden is a city but yes I think city when you say Branson. Actually going there on vacation this summer.

led2009 · June 2013

Camden I've heard of as a name before, so it doesn't bother me that much. Branson on the other had would drive me nuts because it doesn't sound like a name to me. It's just a touristy city that I never want to go to.

blessedgreen · June 2013

Joy2611:
Branson isn't a city around here so I wouldn't get the reference.
Camden is a lot of other things besides a city in NJ! It's also a gorgeous coastal and resort town in Maine!! And, it's a section of London as well as part of the name of Camden Yards where the Orioles play.

EDIT: Branson, MO? I'm so sorry, midwesterners. I've never heard of this city. I feel kinda ashamed.

Yes, Branson, MO. It has a lot of live music shows, which is what it is mainly known for- and the HUGE tornado that demolished a large portion of the town two years ago. That was all over national news.

I wouldn't use Branson as a name, as the only association for me is Branson, MO.

LuckyMissus · June 2013

MelRC117:
-auntie-:

Seriously?

The Queen Mother of Camdens is the poster child for what is wrong with American cities and on every "Worst Ten" list for quality of life in the U.S.

But even if you never availed yourself of the mainstream media, Camden is a pretty popular place name. There are Camdens in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Michigan,Mississippi, Missouri, NJ, New York, NC, SC, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and WV.

This. It has one of the highest homicide rates, especially for a city of its side. And I live in the Midwest.

I would immediately think of them being two cities. Branson MO is known for its music attractions.

All of this. And Branson has a strong association with all things tacky. (It does look like it has a beautiful lake though!)

But, if you're ok with the connotations, then go for it.

mamabird8 · June 2013

I wouldn't worry about it. It's not like you're picking Chicago and Detroit. There are tons of names that are also names of towns.

+ASH+ · June 2013

mamabird8:
I wouldn't worry about it. It's not like you're picking Chicago and Detroit. There are tons of names that are also names of towns.

This is what I think of too. Most cities were named after people, once upon a time, so unless the names were Paris and London or Brooklyn and Savannah or Houston and Dallas, I wouldn't worry about it.

I think of Branson first, but I've been there.

NerdyLucy · June 2013

You know, even my favorite girl name, Eleanor, is a town in the state where I work.

Of course, I think more people associate Eleanor with a person's name and not a city or town, but even so, it is still a place.

caittozer · June 2013

I'm near philadelphia so I definitely know Camden and knowing Camden I'd never name my child that. I feel like its becoming a usable name especially with Nick Lachey and then the girl from the Hills using it. Just saying with being so close to Camden and knowin what it's like, I just wouldn't be able to separate the two. I've heard of Branson, MO but never been so not sure what its like.

I don't think anyone would hear your children's names and be like wow they must really like cities. I don't think everyone would automatically make the connection. A lot of names are also cities.

jadwedd · June 2013

Amylou333:
Camden is a hippy place in London, England!

I am happy that there is another Camden, tell him he is named after that Camden. I am from NJ, and you don't want to go to Camden. They put in a nice aquarium to try to class it up, but a few years ago they actually had a city wide party because they were no longer the murder capital of the US. They were #2. It is a terrible place. I do not know anything about Branson but check and make sure it is a nice place. I personally would not name both children after cities. Just me.

kayjay10 · June 2013

coopsbaby:
I'm far from both of them, neither been to either, but I know they're both city names. I'd like to think most people in the US would be aware that they're cities!

This for me too. Especially Branson, that's a pretty well-known city. At least Camden is becoming more common as a name, but not so much with Branson.

banda522 · June 2013

--halo--:
Keri Marie:
Many names are also names of cities. don't stress.nbsp;
Yea, this. There's probably a city for every name out there. I wouldn't worry about it at all!

This! My sister's name is Cheyenne and she never gets any greif about it.

dreemkin84 · June 2013

I wouldn't care about 2 city names. I just don't care for how they sound together.

JackieA2013 · June 2013

I've never heard of Branson as a child's name, so I would automatically think of the city and think that you are a huge country music fan. Branson is a destination city in Missouri with a country themed amusement park.

sunlavender · June 2013

It's not my first thought for either name. And if someone makes the connection, it shouldn't matter anyway.

kaylynne · June 2013

Although I am aware of both cities, that is not my first association with them. For me, Camden=the family on 7th Heaven and Branson=the billionaire guy that owns Virgin

msmerymac · June 2013

Joy2611:
Branson isn't a city around here so I wouldn't get the reference.
Camden is a lot of other things besides a city in NJ! It's also a gorgeous coastal and resort town in Maine!! And, it's a section of London as well as part of the name of Camden Yards where the Orioles play.

EDIT: Branson, MO? I'm so sorry, midwesterners. I've never heard of this city. I feel kinda ashamed.

Branson is supposed to be like Vegas for old people.

Anyway, it's not quite as obvious as Paris and London or Dallas and Austin, so I wouldn't really sweat it. Maybe use Brandon?

brooklynesque · June 2013

I've been to Branson. It is a giant tourist trap that prides itself on its hillbilly-ness. If you're looking for One Toothed Jack and His Family Opry, or Hillbilly Joe and His Dancing Bears, or Jethro's Jug Band, that's the place to go. And it draws a lot of tourists so a lot of people know what it is. I wouldn't name a kid after that town in a million years. Other people might think you named your kid after Richard Branson which would also be unfortunate (nothing against RB, but why not just name your kids Gates and Buffett if you want to be baldly aspirational?).