Baby Names
LuvLoveXo
member
Options
Let's not forget one thing here
LuvLoveXo
member
in Baby Names
I frequent this board and feel compelled to address something. We all come here looking for opinions on names we've already chosen and names we're on the fence about or torn between when we can't decide. We come here when we're totally at a loss and cannot think of anything. We come here to get honest opinions on names we've heard and to see if anyone shares our thoughts on these names. The name of the board is Baby Names yet I find that a lot of people forget one thing. These babies will be babies and children for a very short part of their life. In all reality we are naming future ADULTS.
Sure you'd like your baby to have a cute name but when that baby is a teenager it will most often not be appreciated because they will be an adult. And they will remain an adult. Forever. Please think of your child as a professional adult. An uncommon name may not be always be a good thing. It can become an inconvenience. Giving your child a cutesy spelling of a somewhat normal name may not be a good idea either. There's no need to change a's to y's for a cute factor. Not only will it be a hassle to have a name almost always misspelled, it will give a first impression that the person shouldn't be taken seriously. It may sound cruel but it's the honest truth. I have personally sat on two boards of Fortune 500 companies and listened to snickers and saw eyes roll when presented with such unfortunate adults. I cannot tell you how many interviews have been conducted and the applicant immediately addresses the fact that we assumed they were of the opposite sex because their name was either gender neutral or intended for the opposite sex. My own cousin changed his name as an adult because it was a gender neutral name that his parents spelled in a cutesy way and it tortured him. It happens.
Before you commit to a name just please consider what it would be like to go through life with that name. That amazingly eccentric name you choose may just end up with someone who is not at all eccentric. Just some food for thought.
Sure you'd like your baby to have a cute name but when that baby is a teenager it will most often not be appreciated because they will be an adult. And they will remain an adult. Forever. Please think of your child as a professional adult. An uncommon name may not be always be a good thing. It can become an inconvenience. Giving your child a cutesy spelling of a somewhat normal name may not be a good idea either. There's no need to change a's to y's for a cute factor. Not only will it be a hassle to have a name almost always misspelled, it will give a first impression that the person shouldn't be taken seriously. It may sound cruel but it's the honest truth. I have personally sat on two boards of Fortune 500 companies and listened to snickers and saw eyes roll when presented with such unfortunate adults. I cannot tell you how many interviews have been conducted and the applicant immediately addresses the fact that we assumed they were of the opposite sex because their name was either gender neutral or intended for the opposite sex. My own cousin changed his name as an adult because it was a gender neutral name that his parents spelled in a cutesy way and it tortured him. It happens.
Before you commit to a name just please consider what it would be like to go through life with that name. That amazingly eccentric name you choose may just end up with someone who is not at all eccentric. Just some food for thought.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Let's not forget one thing here
Not trying to harp on this name, it's just an example. To me this is so different from something like "Mackienzye." Or naming a girl James. Or all the other horrible names out there. But maybe it's not? What is your opinion on this?
Please don't give your daughter a masculine name.
Oh you say. But that's not as much an issue for a girl. It's OKAY for girls to be tomboys, or to have a masculine name.
Maybe I am biased, since I tend to love classic, traditional names. You (generalized you) can name your kid what you want, but don't be surprised or upset when in 10 years your kid hates his/her "u-neek" name.
Hiring managers at big corporations WILL pass on a resume with a too "younique" name unless they're desperate. I've seen it first hand!
TTC since September 2012
My opinion of Katherine is that it should be spelled like that or Catherine. My aunt is a Katherine and although her generation wouldn't assume there was a "Y" anywhere in the name she's gone through life being asked if it was with a "C" or "K". Either that or she's not asked and it's spelled wrong. Mind you she is not the aunt that named her son the gender neutral name with the cutesy spelling.
I'm not trying to deliberalty insult anyone on this board and that's why I didn't disclose what my cousin's name was. I can tell you I have seen this very same name suggested and it makes me cringe like many of the other names on here. At the end of the day it's a personal preference and decision. I'd just like people to keep in mind that they're choosing a name for someone else who may not appreciate the out of the box alternative.
TTC since September 2012
Is everyone not moving to the new community? I only come on here once in a while but I've been appalled more and more later when I do come around. No one is sticking up for "the right" half the time.
TTC since September 2012
A common trend I've seen is putting names that end in 'son' (Emerson, Jameson etc) on girls. I think any name that has the 'son' ending should be for boys. Maybe that's an unpopular opinion, but I just hate that trend
Remember, WE are the ones who create gender roles. WE are the ones to create the perception of weakness in femininity. Using that argument only increases and strengthens that perception.
ETA: And it absolutely IS OK for a girl/woman to be a tomboy or have masculine qualities. Just as it is OK for a boy/man to be feminine. Having your outlook on this is what's really unhealthy for GENDER equality. Gender is an identity. It's a perception.
Thank you for this!! Summed up my thoughts on this exactly.
My name is a non-traditional spelling, Lora instead of Laura. However, my parents weren't trying to be unique or hippy. They were just reusing my great-grandmother's name. I don't know WTF her parents were doing though. Anyhow, it IS annoying when I have to spell it for people. All. The. Time. And I can't tell you how much time I've wasted changing the spelling on official documents, like tax papers and student loans.
My thoughts on non-traditional spellings: Use it if it's a family name and not ridiculous. Lora IS a known alternative, just not popular. Bryan vs. Brian, or Catherine vs. Kathryn are examples I can think of. Those are names where the general public is well-aware of the multiple spelling variations. Otherwise, just go with the traditional version. If you're thinking of using a unisex name, save it for the middle name.
**siggy warning**
Current Age 35, DH 33
Married 9/2011
BFP 8/2012, Miscarried 9/2012
BFP 9/2012, DS 6/2013
BFP 6/2014, Miscarried 7/2014
BFP 7/2014, DD 4/2015