Names You Will NEVER Give Your Children

[cygnus]

Going by what some people here say they like or what they have actually named their kid(s), this community can be pretty bad at naming too. In my own family, I have a sister who has two aunts' names combined: Julia & Lena = Julienne, pronounced JOO-lean. She has had to explain the pronouciation & the spelling all her life. I have a brother named Philip with one L who also has trouble with people misspelling his name. The rest of us have common names with common spellings (Claudia, Michael, Charles), except my oldest sister is Karen, which was not common when she was born.

. My other niece named her son Tanner.

But "Philip" has always been as common a spelling as "Phillip", although both are used frequently. Two "l" may be more common in the US than the UK though. I would imagine he would have to spell it whichever way was chosen.

I dislike most "occupational names". Tanners had one of the worst, smelliest jobs ever- using urine (human and animal) and animal feces to cure smelly skins of dead animals. It was among the "lowest" medieval occupations, and is still pretty gross today, although the materials have changed for the better. I wonder if in the future kids will be named "Janitor" (not nearly as bad a job as a tanner!) or "Barrista"?

[MacMadame]

I know how Ulric should sound but how did they pronounce it (phonetically?)

They couldn't say the r and the l and r together was even worse. So they tended to call him OO-lick.

I would imagine he would have to spell it whichever way was chosen.

Actually, in the US you can call yourself anything you like as long as you aren't changing your name to commit fraud. And that becomes your legal name. So he could just start spelling it with two Ls if he liked that better and that would become his name.

I dislike most "occupational names". Tanners had one of the worst, smelliest jobs ever- using urine (human and animal) and animal feces to cure smelly skins of dead animals. It was among the "lowest" medieval occupations, and is still pretty gross today, although the materials have changed for the better. I wonder if in the future kids will be named "Janitor" (not nearly as bad a job as a tanner!) or "Barrista"?

Except historically these names came about because people only had first names. So if there was confusion about which Tom, Dick or Harry you were talking about, you'd add in "from Town Name" or "the Occupation". Over time, these names got shortened and the "from" and the "the" lost.

Since we now all come with two names and sometimes more, I don't think that mechanism is still really available. New last names in particular these days mostly come from combining already existing last names. Which is going to lead to different kinds of horrible last names than occupation last names.

[cygnus]

They couldn't say the r and the l and r together was even worse. So they tended to call him OO-lick.



Except historically these names came about because people only had first names. So if there was confusion about which Tom, Dick or Harry you were talking about, you'd add in "from Town Name" or "the Occupation". Over time, these names got shortened and the "from" and the "the" lost.

Since we now all come with two names and sometimes more, I don't think that mechanism is still really available. New last names in particular these days mostly come from combining already existing last names. Which is going to lead to different kinds of horrible last names than occupation last names.

I'm quite aware of how and why surnames came about - but these surnames are now given as first names, and I imagine many parents are just paying attention to the sound of the names, and not their meanings (which aren't too hard to figure out or look up!). Tanners and such were historically not well regarded, even if the work they did was necessary! I doubt that most of them are calling their kids "Tanner" and "Hunter" because they are family names in their own lineage- they just like the sound of them. And I know that "Barrista will never be a surname in our society- I was just making an analogy that those names would be the modern equivalent occupational names.

[taf2002]

Btw, my brother loves his one L Philip name, & detests it whenever someone gets it wrong.

ETA: my nephew named his son Cade which I guess was a made-up name since I've never heard of another.

[MacMadame]

I doubt that most of them are calling their kids "Tanner" and "Hunter" because they are family names in their own lineage- they just like the sound of them. And I know that "Barrista will never be a surname in our society- I was just making an analogy that those names would be the modern equivalent occupational names.

I think they are giving them as first names because they have heard them as last names and giving your kids a first name that used to be a last name is seen as being upscale somehow. I.E., it's something the rich do so I'm going to do it too.

Therefore, since there is no mechanism to get Barista as a last name any more, how can it migrate into a first name once people no longer know what a barista is? Though I'd bet on Barista becoming a pretty first name for a girl sooner than I'd vote for Janitor for a first name (for a boy?)

ETA: my nephew named his son Cade which I guess was a made-up name since I've never heard of another.

Cade is English in origin and the name peaked in popularity in the US around 2001.

[cygnus]

I think they are giving them as first names because they have heard them as last names and giving your kids a first name that used to be a last name is seen as being upscale somehow. I.E., it's something the rich do so I'm going to do it too.

Therefore, since there is no mechanism to get Barista as a last name any more, how can it migrate into a first name once people no longer know what a barista is? Though I'd bet on Barista becoming a pretty first name for a girl sooner than I'd vote for Janitor for a first name (for a boy?)



Cade is English in origin and the name peaked in popularity in the US around 2001.

I don't actually think they will be given any time soon- if they are- it will be for the same reason as the others- parents like the sound of them and don't care for (or know) the meaning. And I do see Janitor as a boy's name, but then you never know do you?


Cade is another surname turned first name- I always think of the peasant revolt Cade's Rebeliion in 1450, led by Jack Cade against Henry Vl. But that's probably not where the parents got it from, unless they are history geeks too?

[pat c]

I'm quite aware of how and why surnames came about - but these surnames are now given as first names, and I imagine many parents are just paying attention to the sound of the names, and not their meanings (which aren't too hard to figure out or look up!). Tanners and such were historically not well regarded, even if the work they did was necessary! I doubt that most of them are calling their kids "Tanner" and "Hunter" because they are family names in their own lineage- they just like the sound of them. And I know that "Barrista will never be a surname in our society- I was just making an analogy that those names would be the modern equivalent occupational names.

Our niece named their son Hunter. I can't imagine what they were thinking. They must have liked the sound of it. There is not two people more disinclined to actually go hunting than these two. What were they thinking, and for their two daughters they named them traditional names ie Julia is one. And I also a know a Tanner. They'd be appalled if they actually thought about what they were naming their kid.

[moojja]

Our niece named their son Hunter. I can't imagine what they were thinking. They must have liked the sound of it. There is not two people more disinclined to actually go hunting than these two. What were they thinking, and for their two daughters they named them traditional names ie Julia is one. And I also a know a Tanner. They'd be appalled if they actually thought about what they were naming their kid.

I know what Hunter and Tanner means and where the names came from. But if I hear the name, I don't associate it with hunting or tanning. I think it's someone who white, wholesome, upper-class, a bit snobby.

[pat c]

I know what Hunter and Tanner means and where the names came from. But if I hear the name, I don't associate it with hunting or tanning. I think it's someone who white, wholesome, upper-class, a bit snobby.

You'd be right, except for the last 2, middle class and pretty low key describes them.

[falling_dance]

Cade is another surname turned first name- I always think of the peasant revolt Cade's Rebeliion in 1450, led by Jack Cade against Henry Vl. But that's probably not where the parents got it from, unless they are history geeks too?

"Cade Calvert" was the name of a very minor character in Gone with the Wind, but that's probably not it, either. I like the association with Cade's Rebellion much better.

[taf2002]

Cade is another surname turned first name- I always think of the peasant revolt Cade's Rebeliion in 1450, led by Jack Cade against Henry Vl. But that's probably not where the parents got it from, unless they are history geeks too?

No way are the parents history geeks. I thought I was one but I'm not familiar with Cade's Rebellion. And I read Gone With The Wind when I was a teenager - I forgot there was a character by that name. I've never known anyone with that surname.

[screech]

I briefly dated a guy named Sandy. Sandy isn't a bad name for a girl, but IMO just doesn't work for a guy.

[gkelly]

Sandy isn't a bad name for a girl, but IMO just doesn't work for a guy.

So how does it work for hurricanes?

So much of what makes a name "work" or not is culturally specific and/or personal taste.
I hesitate to pass judgment on other people's choices; I can only say what I like or don't like.

[essence_of_soy]

I remember in an episode of Sex and the City, Charlotte pitched a fit when she accused another woman of allegedly stealing Shayla, the name she had made up for her baby.

[PDilemma]

I briefly dated a guy named Sandy. Sandy isn't a bad name for a girl, but IMO just doesn't work for a guy.

My grandma's neighbors had a son named "Stacy". I don't like that for a guy, either. And I had a male student named "Tracy" once. Both girls' names IMO.

[Zemgirl]

Cade is another surname turned first name- I always think of the peasant revolt Cade's Rebeliion in 1450, led by Jack Cade against Henry Vl. But that's probably not where the parents got it from, unless they are history geeks too?

The best possibility I can come up with is Cade McNown. Though I'm not sure if anyone would want to name a kid after him.

So much of what makes a name "work" or not is culturally specific and/or personal taste.
I hesitate to pass judgment on other people's choices; I can only say what I like or don't like.

Exactly. Sometimes a name will make no sense in a different culture, other times it will take on an unwanted meaning, or be associated with the opposite gender. For instance: Noa in Israel is a common girls' name, and whenever I come across any fictional/real life male Noahs, it's just strange for me to think of it as a man's name (the pronunciation of the Biblical name is different in Hebrew). That doesn't mean that people are wrong to name their children Noah. Or Noa. Another example mentioned earlier in the thread is the name Guy, which is quite common in several countries but might seem like a bit much for someone from the US.

BTW, isn't Sandy short for Alexander?

[gkelly]

BTW, isn't Sandy short for Alexander?

Usually . . . or Alexandra, or its short form Sandra, for a girl.

But sometimes also used as short for a name like Sanford. Or just because someone has sandy-colored hair?

Anyway, I find that name a little too angular to like for a girl, but I don't mind it for a boy. Or maybe my opinion is colored by the women I've known named Sandy, and vice versa.

[Lanie]

Usually . . . or Alexandra, or its short form Sandra, for a girl.

But sometimes also used as short for a name like Sanford. Or just because someone has sandy-colored hair?

Anyway, I find that name a little too angular to like for a girl, but I don't mind it for a boy. Or maybe my opinion is colored by the women I've known named Sandy, and vice versa.

My aunt (by marriage) is Sanford, nicknamed Sandy. I always felt bad for her.

[skateboy]

Can't stand unusual spellings such as "Jordyn," "Kymberley," etc. Plus, it's just setting someone up for a lifetime of having to correct misspellings.

On another topic, 30 years from now we'll have to deal with countless women known as "Grandma Tiffany."

[MacMadame]

My grandma's neighbors had a son named "Stacy". I don't like that for a guy, either. And I had a male student named "Tracy" once. Both girls' names IMO.

That's interesting because we're of a similar generation and I can think of a lot of guys named Stacy and Tracy who are quite masculine. I think of these names as unisex.

Can't stand unusual spellings such as "Jordyn," "Kymberley," etc. Plus, it's just setting someone up for a lifetime of having to correct misspellings.

Unfortunately have a common name with a common spelling doesn't preclude that. I have gotten so tired of correcting how people spell and say my name, that I've just given up.