The point perhaps not made yesterday

aeh72 · July 2013

I didn't comment on any of yesterday's "Read Me" posts - there just came a point where people pretty much said - over and over - what was on my mind about it all: that is was a mean-spirited way to try and make what might have been an interesting point (Helenanhhanbasket attempted to make sense of it all in her post and I think did a good job with at least opening the discussion). But, what I feel may have gotten buried in it all was the fact that we are all big girls (and boys) and can take it when people offer criticisms of our children's names.

So, I thought maybe we should all just take a minute or two to own it - own what people don't like about our LO's (or future LO's) names. This isn't a post for others to jump in and add to the criticisms and start bashing each other (and I reserve the right to DD if that starts), but let's just have a little fun at our own expense this time! :-)

Oh, and if you don't want to say the name, but just share the criticisms, that's cool too!

I'll start:

My DS is Jackson - it's trendy, overdone/too popular (don't want my kid to be one of 5 Jacksons in his class), surnames are horrible first names

If DS had been a girl, her name would have been Emerson - do I even need to say what I know people think about this? :-)

Helenahhandbasket · July 2013

Ok I will play.

Josephine generally gets good reviews on this board, but in real life I had had a few family members and friends wrinkle their noses at our choice. My brother asked me if "she was going to come out of me and be 80 years old."

So I think a lot of people probably think her name is old and frumpy sounding.

If DD was a boy she probably would have been Robert. I don't know if there's too much to say about that name.

MRads · July 2013

We ended up naming DS Benjamin Michael, which could be seen as just overly common and boring.

We went in to the hospital with the name Parks Benjamin, which got a lot of negative feedback. People said it isn't a name and we had to explain every time that it was H's great frandfather's name.

Knelson84 · July 2013

Ok... Well if we have a boy, his name will be Malachi, nickname Kai.

We have been told the name is too heavy, why choose a religious name when we aren't religious and the nn is too trendy, too common.

We haven't decided on a girls name but so far Heidi is the front runner. We have been told its old fashioned, won't suit her unless she's blond, no nn.

Lol no matter what name you choose, there is always someone who doesn't like it

lifeonthehill · July 2013

No kids quite yet but are boy choice is

Oscar. It is a grumpy character on Sesame Street and is opening up teasing for Oscar Myer weinner jokes. It is a bad name for a kid and won't really fit well on a baby.

Hanna. Spelling is not as common and will be tricky for her. Boring. Plain. Weak sounding.

Abigail. Similar thoughts have come up for this name. Boring. Plain. Abby isn't a very adult nn. Abigail is a weird full name to go by. Of course Abby kadabi brings us full circle back to Sesame Street. Haha

Cranang · July 2013

Joy2611:

We don't have any kids yet and we haven't agreed upon names, but a serious front runner is Edmund. It generally gets good reviews but I'll also often hear "Are you having a 90 year old man?"

For girls, I love long, multi-syllable names: Alexandra, Anastasia, Victoria, Aurora. I hear that the name is too much for a little baby.

I'm sure overall there are people here who would say my style is too boring and traditional.

Joy, I knew I loved you. Edmund is my favorite boy's name, but I can't seem to get DH on board with it, much to my dismay. And Aurora will be our girl's name if we're lucky enough to have another one.

As far as the name's I've chosen...

Sabrina gets moderate feedback here. Some love it, others think it's dated. Reminds people of "the teenage witch". Corinne, well, I'm not sure I've heard a lot of negativity on that one. Feel free to pipe in.

Celeste usually gets good feedback here, but obviously it rhymes with "molest" so I guess that might've been a problem for elementary school teasing.

erjarv · July 2013

For August I got a lot of comments about it not being a real name (got that one probably the most), that it was too cheesy because he was born in August, that there's no "good" nickname that he won't be made fun of for, too feminine, too "out there".

If we had a girl (or have a girl this pregnancy) her name will be Eleanor. I haven't really gotten any flack for that whatsoever with the exception of a couple people teasing me about my obsession with the The Beatles.

Dr.Loretta · July 2013

DD has a very Gaelic name that's impossible to pronounce or spell unless you're Irish, LOL. We've saddled her with that for life.

DH's boy name is Tristan, which some people don't like for the sad connotation.

lizzybean · July 2013

The only feedback I've received on Ella is that it is too popular. Oh, and that it is too short to be a full name.

I didn't get any negative comments IRL though.

LuckyMissus · July 2013

I don't comment here that often, but I love this board. I just read that other thread, what a mess! Never change BNB, never change!!

My son is Finn. I think it's getting trendy, and I'm horrified that people have started suggesting it for girls.

bobcee · July 2013

My DDs name is pretty easy to bash. It's Delilah Grace. Many have negative connotations with the FN regarding the Bible story and equate it to being a prostitute or hating some radio talk show host and song with the name. Her MN is "just a filler name" and overdone.

DS is Zachary Scott and I'm guessing may sound to 80s/90s to some? Also i have gotten that Zacharys' are troublemakers.

fireflyz56 · July 2013

DD's name is Cortana. Pretty much unheard of unless you are familiar with the source. One person thought it was not cutesy enough for a child. Another flat out said she would never remember it so doesn't even try. I imagine others on here would say its way too unique and out there.

But her name means a lot to us. I also love that it has a medieval source, and we love how it sounds. We get a lot of compliments on it. My greatest fear was everyone thinking Halo as soon as they heard it IRL, but we have yet to run into a single person who has made the connection.

BlueRidge8 · July 2013

Interesting thread. I think it's fair because until you really consider the possible negative connotations of a name, you shouldn't saddle another person with it.

That said, Adair Carol.

I'm know Adair is a polarizing name - probably in part due to how uncommon it is, it might be a shock to the ears.

It's technically masculine (eek) and it derives from Edgar FFS. BUT, it's also a Scottish surname (my mother's side is Scotch-Irish) and reflective of Adare, Ireland where I was inspired to name her.

And ya'll, check out this crest:

Any Monty Python fans? That's mearly a flesh wound.

And while I'm in GIS, this is Adair Tishler, who oddly looks like my kid (except my kid's hair would never look this manageable)

Carol is my mother's name AND DH's mother's name - so that was non-negotiable. The flow isn't great..but it's hers.

SuperMom17 · July 2013

I was on these boards years ago when pregnant with DD, whose names is Annabel June... Back then I wa told that it was an old lady name or that it was entirely too cutesy to grow well. It got a fair amount of criticism. Now, it is generally well received on these boards. Our next LO, if a girl, will more than likely be Rowan which of course has been slammed because it is only a boys name, etc. even though it actually isnunsex, used in medieval times as a girls name almost exclusively. I wonder if in 4 years Rowan will be deemed okay?

DS is Sebastian. Most seem to like it, some say it is soft or just a mouthful. I love it... And I guess that's really all that matters to me anyways. Our next LO if a boy will be Oscar. Again, in general well received but people do mention Oscar the grouch or bologna occasionally.

Scarlett&Gatsby · July 2013

(OP, I love Emerson on a girl.)

DD1 is Monica. It almost never comes up on the board; the name is very much in decline. I think most people heavily associate it with the 90s thanks to Friends and Ms. Lewinski. The only "criticism" I've gotten IRL was that a couple of African American women in the grocery store told me, "Oh? You don't really hear that name on a....Caucasian baby..." And that's not negative, so it doesn't count, really.

DD2 is Tallulah,which is a total GP for probably 80% of name nerds. IRL it raises eyebrows, but some people really like it. I think lots of people assume we made it up. Old people think the Tallulah Bankhead association is a negative one. People with more classic tastes probably think it's AW-y, wannabe celebrity, unprofessional, etc.

I really don't care if people dislike our names, but I do defend Tallulah and other unusual, legitimate names when they get targeted for being unlivable in the workplace. I'm tired of real names being lumped in with made-up or misspelled names just because they're unusual.

rbtrumpet · July 2013

After my post last week, I'm still considering Adah.

Most people said the "h" seemed unnecessary, but from my research "Ada" is generally a nickname for a longer name (adelaide, or the like), and "Adah" is it's own, stand-alone name. They are different names. "Ada" looks like a nickname to me, and "Adah" looks like a full name.

All the other names on my list are considered "dated" on this board. It's nice to know how people will see it, but I think people will get over it, and I dont' really care

capulet · July 2013

Both my kids have surnames as first names, so there's that.

DD's name (which I don't give out on here because it's my mom's maiden name and very unusual) is difficult for people to spell just from hearing it. Also, while the pronunciation seems perfectly obvious and phonetic to me, people sometimes have trouble saying it. It's the name of a small Italian town and just means "sheepfold" (DH also helpfully pointed out it could mean pigpen) which is not a very interesting etymology.

DS is Lincoln, which is a presidential name and trending upward rapidly. His middle name is my maiden name, so his full name sounds like the name of a law firm. The comments about him being named after the president could get as annoying as all the Romeo comments I get for being named Juliet.

susieandmarty · July 2013

DD is Morgan which suits her perfectly. I love it but there are a few feedbacks - the first, when i was asking this board 2+ years ago people thought it was dated and 80s, now people say it is trendy (i dont get that shift). People here say it is better for a boy, though i dont know anyone in real life who thinks that. The one thing I have started to notice is the nick name Morg is happening more then i thought it would and I am not 100% on that

BethPSU · July 2013

Ok here are mine...

Reed- generally gets pretty good feedback, but the board strongly prefers the Reid spelling. Reed was my dad's mn and was my grandmothers maiden name so I never thought twice about the spelling, but sometimes I do feel like I have to mention "it's a family name" in order to properly defend the spelling (albeit a totally legit spelling).

Pierce- his name doesn't get brought up on here very often. I think some people think it sounds snobby or too preppy. I have also heard people think it reminds them of a butler. My DS is totally NOT refined in any way so I always laugh. DH and I think he would be better suited to have a name like Hank.

Isla- this name is pretty polarizing on here. It is considered trendy. I am ok with that. I do hope it doesn't become too common. I was happy it was still safely in the 200s this year. A lot of people don't "get" the pronunciation so that is another issue. My DH actually pushed for Isla in the end, which really surprised me since he is usually such an advocate for "easy to spell, pronounce, and recognize"! haha

nicholssquared · July 2013

I'll gratefully bash my own names.

Nathanael is the Hebrew spelling of the name (rank 583), but the anglicized Nathaniel is far more prolific and accepted (rank 84). I personally swore to myself that I would never deliberately give my child an alternate spelling of a real name (I'm Kaitlan...ug, a lifetime of spelling my name before people even ask), but I feel like I broke my own rule with Nathanael. I make myself feel better by telling myself that St. Nathanael spells his name in this fashion.

Conversely, Vincent is an anglicized Italian name (Vincenzo) so I feel like I'm not being very consistent between names. It's not super popular, 104, but I can't find much to complain about it. Shortly after my baby was born someone said he'd grow up to be a bald mobster. I can't decide whether I like this interpretation or not. I could bash his middle name all day: Amedeo. Family name, my great-grandfathers'. Italian version of "Amadeus" - meaning 'he loves God'. IMO, beautiful and significant. In actuality, very uncommon and ethnic, horribly dated.

Current choices: Andrew is very popular - ranked 18. I consider it classic, but it's probably just dated and is still hanging on. Boy middle name will be Ignatius at my DH's request - SUPER archaic. It also screams 'we're catholic,' but so does having three kids within the first four years of marriage. Matilda has the children's book association and seems, IDK, cutesy? I couldn't get over how cool the meaning was, and it's not very popular right now - 658.

CeCe8579 · July 2013

I missed the posts but I'll play!

My DD is Ryann Olivia. Yes, Ryann, spelled wrong to some, some believe the pronunciation is all boy and Olivia is super popular but both names are family names with great meaning.

If we ever have another girl, she will be Shae Sophia. Again , Shae, spelled wrong to some, perceived as a masculine name by some but it has a special meaning to us. Sophia is super popular too but it is a family name as well. The alliteration also bothers some but we love it!

If we have a boy, he will be Corban Preston. Corban, spelled wrong to some but it is a family name with great meaning and Preston is a tradition past down for many generations. Some don't like the flow because the endings are similar but we like the flow.

We love our name choices, plain and simple!

plunderb · July 2013

DD is Amalia. It's actually a pretty common name in my neighborhood and DD is not the only one at daycare. Some members of DH's family think it is "too ethnic," to which I just raise an eyebrow and remind them that I am not, in fact, a WASP, so I don't really consider using a name that reflects my ethnicity to be a problem.

They are totally going to lose their sht when they hear DS's name. It's not a name. It's too whimsical for a boy. It's just plain weird. Oh well. I'm excited about taking a risk on a boy's name. I wouldn't recommend it to everyone, but I'm finally feeling excited about a boy name, which has never happened before.

scoutkate · July 2013

In every thread about the name Betsy, there's always at least one person who says it makes them think of cows. And of course there is Betsy Wetsy. And some people probably think it doesn't grow well or sound professional or whatever. I'm cool with all of that.

Her formal name is Elizabeth--I'm sure plenty of people think that it is boring and overdone. I'm also cool with that.

Once when I got overwhelmed by the trolling on TB I decided to try out Babygaga as a joke. Their Baby Names board ripped me a new one for using Everett as B's middle name because "it's a boy name." I'm secure in the knowledge that, while it has been used as boy name in the past and has become somewhat trendy for boys in the last couple of years, it is in fact a surname. It's my MIL's maiden name and my H's middle name and it makes for a very pretty monogram for B. So again--cool with it.

Helenahhandbasket · July 2013

plunderb:
DD is Amalia. It's actually a pretty common name in my neighborhood and DD is not the only one at daycare. Some members of DH's family think it is "too ethnic," to which I just raise an eyebrow and remind them that I am not, in fact, a WASP, so I don't really consider using a name that reflects my ethnicity to be a problem. They are totally going to lose their sht when they hear DS's name. It's not a name. It's too whimsical for a boy. It's just plain weird. Oh well. I'm excited about taking a risk on a boy's name. I wouldn't recommend it to everyone, but I'm finally feeling excited about a boy name, which has never happened before.

I cannot wait to hear what you decided to go with!

MTmama3 · July 2013

Finley- Well shes a girl and it's a boy name. Too cutesy, too trendy, over used. Ezra- I think this generally gets good reviews, most people irl, ask "What?" or call him a she/her l if they haven't seen him first. Josephine- Gets good reviews, never had anyone say anything bad about it. But have had people try to give her dumb nicknames like Jojo and Jo. Which I hate and got in a huge family battle with someone over when I asked them not to call MY child by those nicknames. Arlo-well we will see, I'm sure people are going to think it's weird and too out there. But I don't care cause I love it.

CeCe8579 · July 2013

I just read through the posts. Flattered that I'm bump famous because my daughter's name is Ryann and I should step away from the board. I'm seriously laughing in the middle of the dentist office right now.

What a total troll clusterfluck....hehe!

Serendipity117 · July 2013

DS is Oliver. His name generally goes over fairly well on the board. However, people that don't like it seem to think it sounds weak/wimpy. We've gotten a lot of Oliver Twist references, "please sir, may I have some more", it's been called an old man name, and all the old farmers I know ask why we names him after a brand of tractors. It's also steadily on the rise every year making it seem trendy. A lot of people hate the nn Ollie too.

DD is Virginia. People love it or HATE it. There isn't a lot of middle ground. People hate that the word virgin is right in the name and tell us that will open her up to a lot of teasing in hs. "Why would you do that to you child?!" Plus, it's an old lady name so there is that. We also call her Ginny so we have a lot of people ask if we are HP fans.

CeCe8579 · July 2013

mj.reilly:
Iloveshanej:
I just read through the posts. Flattered that I'm bump famous because my daughter's name is Ryann and I should step away from the board. I'm seriously laughing in the middle of the dentist office right now.

What a total troll clusterfluck....hehe!
Well, hey, at least your DD is not a ogre princess crossed with a drunken poodle on welfare. LMAO!

Step away from the keyboard...right now, you heard her! 

(and then come back in five minutes because we all love you)

Bwahaha, I love you girls too!

I think she is a cracked out, chihuahua. Cracked out obviously by her erratic behavior and chihuahua because she just keeps yapping.

I'll stepping away now but I will return when I charge my phone!

Muahahaha!

Disclaimer: I like chihuahuas just not in troll form! Oh and crack is whack!

Helenahhandbasket · July 2013

njbabymama:
Don't go stealing my name ladies! I am TTC #1 and I mentioned my favorite girl's name to DH - Allegra - and he immediately nixed it because it is the brand name of his allergy medicine. I have loved this name since I was in high school (long before the medicine), because I was always very musical, and this is a musical term. Damn allergies, ruining my name choice!

Um, if you get to name your daughter Allegra, I will die of jealousy. It is my all time favorite name. My H thinks that same way yours does, though!

SingleMom31 · July 2013

I mostly lurk, but was impressed by the post yesterday. Wow, just wow.

Our DD is Isabella Victoria Sounds-like-Reece. I can picture it flowing together well for graduations, etc. IRL, I've gotten that it's stuffy, that it's too formal, that it's too long, too popular, that I must have named her after the Twilight movies, etc. The funny part is that it was my SO's pick - He loved it from when he was stationed in Italy in the early 90s and it was popular there, including the nn Isa (like Lisa without the L), which we also use. The nn also gets people - Either they try to spell it Esa and get confuses where we got it from, or they decide that Izzy would be better and call her that instead.

If we have a second daughter, she'll be Gabrella Elizabeth. I think the two go together well. Nobody has said anything IRL about that yet.

If we have a son, I really like Delaney, but SO HATES it since it's a last name. I've also suggested Parker, Spenser, and Henry, which have been quickly shot down as well. He refers to the extra room that we're clearing out in anticipation of starting trying in a few months as Gabby's or TBD's room. I'm hoping for another girl.

BrittKav · July 2013

Anneliese- sounds like "anal ease"

Hazel- too old lady (IRL)

Luna- too hippy, a dog's name

catahoulatte · July 2013

Ugh should I bother going back to that ridiculous cluster?

My son's name is Gabriel. Real life criticisms that I've heard and considered before we chose it (yes, real people said this to my face)-

It's too easy to call him "Gay Gabe" (omg if the worst that happens to my son is that he's gay I think we'll be ok. Sheesh)

It's feminine (no, Gabriella is a feminine version of Gabriel. The name is ancient.)

It's too 'ethnic' for a non-colored baby (Hi, he was born in 2011. Let's get with the times here. Plus does my husband look like a white guy? LOL).

ETA: possible phantom girl names: Carys Dorothy is #1 right now. People tend to hate Carys IRL. Other female names in contention are long and super feminine-y, apparently.

vulpini · July 2013

Our LO's name will be a top 10 boys name. People on this board generally rate it as a nice strong name but one that's too popular and that they are sick of hearing. His middle name is old fashioned.

We didn't really discuss girl names since we waited until we knew the gender to really talk about names. Most of the girl names I love can be called too flowery and frilly.

StickyBaby · July 2013

Coeli, I love this name and hope to one day use it on a future daughter. I asked about it on here once and it created a good bit of drama, it was pretty hated.

Galileo, this is a family name, I can't see it getting much love.

And neither name shows up on Behindthename.

caramia582 · July 2013

Cameron- too unisex or too girly, and people say they plain just dislike the name.

Drew (most likely ds2) - not a full name, prefer it as a nickname

caramia582 · July 2013

mj.reilly:
Iloveshanej:
I just read through the posts. Flattered that I'm bump famous because my daughter's name is Ryann and I should step away from the board. I'm seriously laughing in the middle of the dentist office right now. What a total troll clusterfluck....hehe!
Well, hey, at least your DD is not a ogre princess crossed with a drunken poodle on welfare. LMAO!

Step away from the keyboard...right now, you heard her!

(and then come back in five minutes because we all love you)

haha WTF!?!

Noethola · July 2013

Im generally a lurker, but I will play.

DD1: Elsie Irene. People didnt think Elsie was a full name, but a NN for something. The name as a total was way too "old".

Future son: Chester Michael. Chester people always want to add "Chester the Molester." My grandfather, and DHs grandfather were both Chester. Chet was the nickname, and we love it. Michael is sometimes considered boring.

vandelay · July 2013

DD1: Ivy Veronica.

Ivy: "Poison Ivy," "Why would you name your child after a weed?," won't age well, sounds like a medical reference ("IV"). Generally well-liked on here though. We think it's spunky and beautiful, and it suits her well.

Veronica is generally well-received, though some think it sounds "snobby" or frilly. There are also a lot of "v's" going on in her full name, in that her first name with her middle initial will sound like "I-vee Vee." I'm embarrassed to admit that I actually didn't realize that beforehand, but we have fun with it and call her Vee Vee sometimes. Hopefully it won't bother her later. Veronica also has no family significance -- SHUN.

Our initial pick for a boy was Duncan Reid (although we are wavering on Duncan now). So....donuts.

vandelay · July 2013

rbtrumpet:
After my post last week, I'm still considering Adah.

Most people said the "h" seemed unnecessary, but from my research "Ada" is generally a nickname for a longer name (adelaide, or the like), and "Adah" is it's own, stand-alone name. They are different names. "Ada" looks like a nickname to me, and "Adah" looks like a full name.

Embrace the "h!" I agree that "Adah" looks more complete, and I think the "h" makes it look softer somehow (in a good way). I don't agree that the "h" is any more unnecessary than the "h's" in Sarah or Hannah.

Signed,

Admittedly Biased Aunt of an Adah