Why do people hate Kinsley for a girl?

SLB5757 · August 2014

I am looking for a girl "K" name for my little girl due 1/7/15. I do not care for traditional names - I like them to be more modern I guess. When we think about a girl named Kinsley - we think of a girl people would want to be friend with. I don't get a negative connotation with this name, but I have seen so many people post that they dislike it!

PB&J714 · August 2014

I don't like it because to me it screams overly-cutesy, trendy, and a perpetual 5 year-old. Those are not my goals when naming my children.

DaisyZH · August 2014

It can seem a little cutesy and juvenile. For me personally I also think it's a bit awkward to pronounce.

Other "K" Ideas:

Kathleen

Katrina

Kimberly

ETA: Removed that it's a made-up name, I just looked it up. My apologies!

PB&J714 · August 2014

Haha @MauiBliss we are on the same wavelength today!

SLB5757 · August 2014

Kiera has been mentioned a few times. I will bring that up to my SO....thanks!

My daughter who is 15 and was not very happy there was a new LO coming actually chose Kinsley. So, I think it made me like it more. We were going to go with Kinsley Harper (SO has wanted Harper for a boy/girl since early on; and I told him we could use it as a middle name), but if it really isn't a well-liked name...I think I should consider other options as well.

Being 18 weeks - there is always time to fall in love with a new name:)

DawnJM25 · August 2014

It's not a name. It sounds made-up and juvenile.

drunkindonuts · August 2014

I don't imagine anyone overly successful named Kinsley. It's cute for an 8 year old, but what about the rest of their adult life?

catahoulatte · August 2014

mjreilly2 said:

Because it is not a real name.

Because there is no history to it. No real culture. No solid origin. No meaning.

Because I dislike modern names.

Because it sounds juvenile, made up, unpleasant, and ....

Because it makes me wonder what the parents were thinking.

Because it is extremely trendy (and not it a good way, imo).

Because...well, I honestly really really dislike it.

I could probably think of more reasons.

That is my opinion on it.

K names:

Katrina
Katarina/Katerina
Kaia
Kathleen
Katya
Kira
Kirsten

All of this.

Helenahhandbasket · August 2014

I don't care so much about the cutsey vibe-- it's the super duper trendy vibe that I get. The name is going to be terribly dated in 10 years.

plunderb · August 2014

SLB5757 said:
My daughter who is 15 and was not very happy there was a new LO coming actually chose Kinsley. So, I think it made me like it more.

If having your teenager involved in the process is important to you, that is valid. The name has to work for your family.

But Kinsley definitely does have that "chosen by a 15-year-old" vibe. There are lots of names I thought were super awesome when I was 15, but now I look back at them and laugh.

SLB5757 · August 2014

Well, I appreciate everyone's comments.

"What were the parent's thinking"? Honestly? I do not think there is any reason to be so "blunt" or snarky about someone's honest question. I think if I disliked someone's name, I would politely say I didn't really care for it, and then list some ideas that I thought may be nice.

I have a Kaylee Brianna currently, and a Khari Makai. I do not think for one second that either of my children's names depict what kind of person/character they will have when they are adults. They are both in the gifted program and are such compassionate/loving humans. Their names have nothing to do with this.

I was simply asking for any cuter options that may work, but I probably titled my post incorrectly to get that kind of a response. This was my first post on "The Bump"; and it has been an eye-opener. I should probably just stick to asking family and friends. lol.

I appreciate everyone's time and comments though. Thanks!

plunderb · August 2014

SLB5757 said:

I think if I disliked someone's name, I would politely say I didn't really care for it, and then list some ideas that I thought may be nice.

A polite reply of "NMS" (Not My Style) is rarely helpful. You asked an honest question and got honest answers. That's what strangers on the internet are for.

NerdyLucy · August 2014

https://www.behindthename.com/name/karolina

kah-ro-LEE-nah

Dr.Loretta · August 2014

Given your other 2 girls' names, I can see why you like Kinsley, since it seems to fit the general vibe of your naming style. And you are entitled to your naming style, it's just not going to be everyone's. If you had come here saying, "I have a Kaylee and a Khari (how is that pronounced, BTW?), what do you think of a little sister Kinsley?" you would have gotten a different response. Probably a lot of "NMS, but not out of the realm of possibility, given the sibset."

Instead you posted with a more inflammatory/opinionated subject line and opened it up to Internet strangers who are known for being blunt. And I don't see anything wrong with being blunt.

There are plenty of names where I may wonder what the parents were thinking. I would never verbalize that thought, however. And I'm sure a good portion of people think that about DD's name.

Grow a thick skin. It's the only way to survive.

ETA: Some other names to consider are Kaia, Kalani, Kamila, Karima, Katrina, Kavita, Kiva, Kelsey, Kendall, Kia, or Kimba

ashiscute · August 2014

I feel like Kinsley is very awkward to say and not very feminine. It sounds a bit trendy to me and like you'd have to repeat it a couple times for most people to catch it.

However, if Kinsley Harper does it for you I don't think the name is going to be really problem inducing for your LO.

If you had phrased your question "I am considering Kinsley for a girl. Thoughts?" you might have gotten a different sort of response btw.

harmonicbabe26 · August 2014

I personally don't like 'not real' names like that. I love real, traditional names, hence Katherine for my DD. If you like Kinsley then go with it. Why do you care so much about people?

capulet · August 2014

SLB5757 said:

I think if I disliked someone's name, I would politely say I didn't really care for it, and then list some ideas that I thought may be nice.

So in other words, people shouldn't have answered the question you asked right there in the subject line. How did you expect them to know that?

SLB5757 · August 2014

Thanks for the comments everyone. I really wish I had phrased my question differently - I apologize. I appreciate everyone's feedback for name suggestions. I really did want honest opinions - and that is what you gave me for sure!

I should have looked at the FAQ section first before posting, or at a minimum looked through some posts before making a post of my own. I don't post on boards/forums enough to know what to even expect. Was just thrilled that at 37 I get to experience having a LO again:)

Dr. Loretta, Khari is actually my SONS name. His father named him - and it is pronounced car-ee.

SLB5757 · August 2014

And I like the names Kiera, Kelsey, and Kendall...thanks for the suggestions!

Dr.Loretta · August 2014

SLB5757 said:

Dr. Loretta, Khari is actually my SONS name. His father named him - and it is pronounced car-ee.

Got it. You didn't specify, so I just assumed

blu-eyedwife · August 2014

SLB5757 said:

I have a Kaylee Brianna currently, and a Khari Makai. I do not think for one second that either of my children's names depict what kind of person/character they will have when they are adults. They are both in the gifted program and are such compassionate/loving humans. Their names have nothing to do with this.

So here's the thing which I think, as a mother, might resonate with you. Your children are what they are despite their names, not because of them. Giving a child a cutesy, made up name is putting an obstacle in front of them. Because very often the name is the first impression a person makes on the world. It is the first thing a teacher sees on a role list. It is the first thing a potential employer sees on a resume. For many of us, it is the first thing we hear about a presidential candidate. And like it or not, people do make initial judgments on a person based on their name.

I'm by no means saying this is right or okay, but a teacher may decide a child is "dumb" because their name is horribly misspelled. An employer may choose to interview another candidate because the name sounds like someone who should be "playing with dollies." And honestly, political affiliations aside, Barack Obama wouldn't still be fending off Islamic allegations if his name was Bill Smith.

I want my child to have every advantage in this world. Ideally I'd love for him to be tall, smart, kind, funny, handsome, and rich. But there is very little I can control in those aspects. What I can control is giving him a name which he doesn't have to fight against or explain away. A name that will be respected and not cause instant judgment.

BlueRidge8 · August 2014

Because ew

saham07 · August 2014

It doesn't get passed age two for me. I can't imagine it on a 16yo without thinking "dingy" . A serious job interview? NEXT! Can you figure out a name that you can use it a a nn or a pet name? And still have a real name to lean on?

WashingtonQueen · August 2014

Kinsley is one of the ugliest made up names I've ever heard. :-&

chapstix7 · August 2014

1. I picture a Ken doll (as in Barbie and Ken) 2. Very trendy. It would blend in with all the other ee sounding names, Brinley, tinsley, etc. I personally like a different sounding name to stand out in a crowd. I'm just so bored with all the ley names! 3. Very juvenile sounding. It sounds like a 15 year old picked it out. No offense to your daughter; I had much different tastes back then too, but the names I liked then are certainly not names I'd choose now. I personally think Keira is much more attractive and will go with your subset nicely.

magsugar13 · August 2014

trashy

16 and pregnant

ugly

made - up

love2travel2014 · August 2014

I actually used to work with a 22-24(ish?) girl named Kinsley. Her name was mispronounced ALL.THE.TIME! So, I don't see it only being on a little girl, but I still don't care for the name.

I'm sure you have been through all the books, but just wanted to throw Kendra out there. I have never met a Kendra so I like the name because it has no bad taste in my mouth

Good luck on finding a name...I think it's the hardest part of pregnancy!

Unknown · August 2014

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redheaded14 · August 2014

so Kinsley or Kenley or something like that is what my DH's cousin that couldn't be bothered to graduate from high school (because people were making fun of her for being pregnant) decided to name her first kid. so I can see why your teenagers liked the name (this is not be saying that your kids are anything like her), but to me it will always have a terrible connotation.

so...nms?

nikkitaplin · August 2014

I love Kinsley!!!! It was on my list until someone I know named her daughter that. I love it. Remember that even though it may be 'trendy' or sound like a '5 year olds name', that's going to be the generation. My sister in law and I were just talking about this. Some of these names that are being used may turn out to be the next Sara or Jennifer....in other words popular and no one will blink when they are 20 something or 30 something and say their name is Kinsley! My son's name is Koen and I have only ran into 2 others with that name and he's 9, yet it fits with his generation with all the other unique names.

Caraluvs · August 2014

It bugs me when people says things like, "it's not a real name." Just because someone makes up a name doesn't mean it's not real. History is nice, but where do you think people in history came up with names? From words in their language. On nameberry: Kinsley, a name that straddles the line between cute and classy, continues to rise in popularity as Number 161 in 2013. That's pretty dang popular for a name that isn't "real." That is how popular Liam was when I chose it. People told me it wasn't a real name then. Now Liam is in the top 10. Languages are a living, fluid thing. Just sayin. Usage is what dictates reality. My reaction to Kinsley is that it reminds me of the name Harper--kind of quirky, fun, and sporty sounding. Probably couldn't pass my "Could she grow up to be president?" test, but could definitely be a professional tennis player, rockstar, or doctor. Third borns rarely go for the presidency anyway, so odds are, you are in the clear.

catahoulatte · August 2014

Caraluvs said:

It bugs me when people says things like, "it's not a real name." Just because someone makes up a name doesn't mean it's not real. History is nice, but where do you think people in history came up with names? From words in their language. On nameberry: Kinsley, a name that straddles the line between cute and classy, continues to rise in popularity as Number 161 in 2013. That's pretty dang popular for a name that isn't "real." That is how popular Liam was when I chose it. People told me it wasn't a real name then. Now Liam is in the top 10. Languages are a living, fluid thing. Just sayin. Usage is what dictates reality. My reaction to Kinsley is that it reminds me of the name Harper--kind of quirky, fun, and sporty sounding. Probably couldn't pass my "Could she grow up to be president?" test, but could definitely be a professional tennis player, rockstar, or doctor. Third borns rarely go for the presidency anyway, so odds are, you are in the clear.

You've been around here, have you not read the sticky post at the top of the BMB?

https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12327146/why-name-spelling-matters/p1

ABConleyTurner · August 2014

I have a cousin named Kensley Grace and her sister is Ember Jayde I love the name because it makes me think of her

AlphabetFish · August 2014

For me, I just find the sound of it very unattractive, and since it's a trendy name, it just sounds like it'll feel very dated in a few years.

megbmeg · August 2014

I don't hate it. It isn't my style, but I think that once I start meeting adult Kinsleys, it won't feel like such a little girl's name. It actually reminds me of the name Ainsley, which I like. And I'm not very persuaded by the "it's made up" argument. All names are made up. Some of them were just made up longer ago than others. Not such a big deal.

That said, I don't love how close it is to Kinsey - which has too much baggage.

zebrapanther1311 · August 2014

AlphabetFish said:
For me, I just find the sound of it very unattractive, and since it's a trendy name, it just sounds like it'll feel very dated in a few years.

This. It reminds me of the new age Brittany, Jessica, Michelle, etc.

That being said, I don't think the name is absolutely horrible. I wouldn't side eye it if I met little Kinsley at the park.

I'll suggest kenley though. I think it ages much better. The valedictorian in my hs class was named kenley. She was smart, pretty, so friendly and came from a well educated family. So I may be a bit biased with the name but I think it would be a better choice for you LO.

rahkitt · August 2014

My mom's teenage sister named her. I don't think she ever forgave her for that. Your daughter will most likely have a chance to name her own children someday. It won't make any difference to the relationship they have with each other.

Caraluvs · August 2014

Lol. That third child crack of mine was a joke. I never squashed anything, kids, just throwing out a relevant statistic. By the way, I have a degree in Linguistics. Just because there's been a post on name spelling doesn't mean there aren't other educated people in the world who may have differing, yet also valid, opinions. If we all had the same feelings about every subject, what would be the point of forums or other people at all? The point of my original response was to defend a purty durn popular name by comparing it to Liam. As in...four years from now, it could just as easily be in the top ten if enough people choose it. And not to go off the deep end here, but if you've ever studied other languages or the history of English in general...you'd see that there is nothing sacred there, as far as spelling goes. Our spelling system is a complete mess that could use a complete phonetic overhaul IMO.

queenbone · August 2014

Caraluvs said:

Lol, Catahoochie sounds like a peach to live with. That third child crack of mine was a joke. I never squashed anything, kids, just throwing out a relevant statistic. It's called a sense of humor. Take a midol or have a sip of fruit juice to refresh that fragile constitution. By the way, I have a degree in Linguistics. Just because there's been a post on name spelling doesn't mean there aren't other educated people in the world who may have differing, yet also valid, opinions. If we all had the same feelings about every subject, what would be the point of forums or other people at all? The point of my original response was to defend a purty durn popular name by comparing it to Liam. As in...four years from now, it could just as easily be in the top ten if enough people choose it. And not to go off the deep end here, but if you've ever studied other languages or the history of English in general...you'd see that there is nothing sacred there, as far as spelling goes. Our spelling system is a complete mess that could use a complete phonetic overhaul IMO. Anyhoo, thanks for the unexpected entertainment. I was an oldest child, so naturally I take great pleasure in twisting panties that ask to be twisted. Always glad to start a ruckus.

I wasn't aware that educated people had to resort to name calling. You've been reported.

WashingtonQueen · August 2014

Wow....

BananaLettuce · August 2014

Caraluvs said:

Lol, Catahoochie sounds like a peach to live with. That third child crack of mine was a joke. I never squashed anything, kids, just throwing out a relevant statistic. It's called a sense of humor. Take a midol or have a sip of fruit juice to refresh that fragile constitution. By the way, I have a degree in Linguistics. Just because there's been a post on name spelling doesn't mean there aren't other educated people in the world who may have differing, yet also valid, opinions. If we all had the same feelings about every subject, what would be the point of forums or other people at all? The point of my original response was to defend a purty durn popular name by comparing it to Liam. As in...four years from now, it could just as easily be in the top ten if enough people choose it. And not to go off the deep end here, but if you've ever studied other languages or the history of English in general...you'd see that there is nothing sacred there, as far as spelling goes. Our spelling system is a complete mess that could use a complete phonetic overhaul IMO. Anyhoo, thanks for the unexpected entertainment. I was an oldest child, so naturally I take great pleasure in twisting panties that ask to be twisted. Always glad to start a ruckus.

Ridiculously spelled, made-up names have become popular because our baby-making population has been taken over by, as mentioned by PPs, the Teen Mom/16 and Pregnant generation who spend their days vegging out to Kardashian reruns on E! and think the name Kinsley is just like the koolest thing ever.

Also, I graduated college at the top of my class with a degree in English, not that anyone cares. I just wanted to toot my own horn.

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