Posted on 04/29/2011 4:07:30 PM PDT by decimon
When it comes to names, everybody's got an opinion. But while figuring out what names people like is pretty simple -- the U.S. Social Security Administration keeps a list of the most popular baby names each year -- figuring out what people hate is trickier.
It turns out that in the case of names, love and hate aren't mutually exclusive. A new informal survey of the most disliked names in America finds that popularity often breeds backlash, as a quick track to baby-name fame seems to also trigger hate for that name. Among the most-hated "trendy" names are Jayden, Brayden, Madison and Addison.
The most commonly cited name that put people's teeth on edge was Nevaeh, or "heaven" spelled backward. That name didn't exist until the 1990s, but it took off in popularity in 2003, shooting from the 150th most common baby name in that year to the 31st most popular in 2007 (as of 2009, it stood at No. 34).
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The survey also turned up a few interesting trends. The first is that people hate gender-bending names, particularly when a masculine name becomes feminine, as with Madison (which tied for second-most-hated for boys with 16 separate mentions) and Addison (which tied for sixth with eight mentions). They also hate names they can't spell, including Kaitlyn, which got eight mentions and tied for sixth. (People say "Caitlin" is fine because it's traditional, Wattenberg said, though the original Irish pronunciation of that spelling would be closer to "Kathleen.")
...The most hated boys' names -- Jayden, Brayden, Aiden and Kayden -- all rhyme and all shot up from obscurity during the last decade. Among girls, a spate of "Mc"-names sparked annoyance: Mackenzie, McKenna and Makayla all made the top 10.
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(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Your mention of those two names cause me to laugh hard! Thanks for the reminder of that drunk who named his sister’s kids Denise and Denephew! LOL LOL
"And how's my little Miss McMuffin doing today...."
You have to admit that some pretty bad names have thankfully dissappeared like Gladys, Hazel, Gertrude, Bertha and Ethel, to name a few. I remember when someone would ask my Dad where he was going, he’d say “Down to the gas station to pump Ethel”. I guess that’s why that name’s not around anymore.
and if not...how about “Soda?” :)
Hazel is actually coming back into vogue. Lots of names I’d consider “old” are like that: Oscar, Lillian, Vivian, Felix.
Ya know, I find Spanish to be one of the most abrasive, annoying sounding languages on the planet.
I do wish more parents would give up the idea of trying to find the ‘unique’ name. Every child is unique as a child of God. Making them special takes parenting, not a name.
“And how’s my little Miss McMuffin doing today....”
LOL!
Her first name is obviously........
“Egg”
What is your name?
Shaniqua Johnson.
Shaniqua. Big f***king surprise.
**click!**
Dislike the movie, but love that scene. :-)
Ima and Sheza
Boss Hoggs daughters
ML/NJ
I liked Crash because it (intentionally) went against type. And the bad old cop became the hero while the young idealistic cop killed someone. Different, for sure.
Heck, when I was in school we had 3 or 4 Michelle's and Michael's in every class. That would have driven me crazy.
My name was very unique when I grew up. It has become more popular now, but I was the only Kara all through school.
I was always grateful for that, especially since my last name was awful to say and pronounce. It made it easy for teachers, friends, and myself to only have to refer to me by my first name.
Women started insisting on these names, and the men (if they were still around) didn't protest. Or, if they did, she overruled them. I can't see a lot of men naming their son Jaden.
I'm with George Carlin, I like Michael. My husband's name is Frank and I would venture to say that very few boys are named Frank anymore. His father was Frank, and his great-grandfather.
I will admit that I like the name Shanda. Probably because the only girl I ever knew with that name was a strikingly pretty little girl with light blonde/brown hair.
Generally speaking, women are idiots.
“You have to admit that some pretty bad names have thankfully dissappeared like Gladys, Hazel, Gertrude, Bertha and Ethel, to name a few. I remember when someone would ask my Dad where he was going, hed say Down to the gas station to pump Ethel. I guess thats why that names not around anymore.”
I disagree. I think a name becomes beautiful when the person who owns it is a lovely person of good character.
One of the most beautiful, sweet young girls I was fortunate enough to meet and mentor in my life was named Hazel. She is probably about 13-15 now, though I have not seen her since I moved on to a new job. She was gracious, kind hearted and just lovely. So I will always like the name Hazel since when I think of it I think of her.
The sweetest name of all time: Jesus—not because of the actual name but because of Who owns the name. He is the loving Saviour of the world, Prince of Peace, Emmanuel— meaning God with us, Wonderful, Counselor, Rock, Fortress...He has many names actually.
Have a friend that almost lost his daughter at birth, they named her Miracle Grace. My sone is Seth Morgan.
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