Posted on 03/05/2008 9:08:01 AM PST by Responsibility2nd
Many parents want a distinctive, appropriate, special-but-not-too-special name for their children, and 58 percent believe the right name contributes to success. Some would even pay people to help find a name.
Even with all the thinking that often goes into the decision, 3 percent of parents regret the names they chose and would change it if they could, according to a survey by BabyCenter.
They often said they would make a switch because a name has become too popular or gets mispronounced. A few parents felt that the name just doesn't seem to fit their child, the company said.
"Many parents view selecting a name for their baby as one of the most important and most difficult decisions they've ever made," said BabyCenter editor-in-chief Linda Murray. "Parents want to find a name that conveys their child's unique identity and will suit their personality throughout their lifetime."
Parents of boys said they wanted to convey strength and individuality, while femininity was the top concern for parents of girls.
Other findings included:
9 percent of new and expectant parents would pay someone to help them pick a name 48 said celebrities don't influence baby naming trends 26 percent said mom's vote has more weight than dad's when it comes to baby naming
People also said they look for different things in a first and middle name. The most important thing for a first name is sounding good, parents said. For a middle name, it was honoring a family member or carrying on a naming tradition.
However, 57 percent of parents said their kids are not named after anyone or anything in particular.
In December, BabyCenter released lists of the top 10 names for boys and girls.
At my former place of employment, my bosses included a man named Bobby, a woman named Bobbie, and women named Johnnie and Pattie. Bobbie, Johnnie, and Pattie all had the middle name “Sue.”
This was in Texas, of course.
I went to Jr High and High school with a William Williams and a Robert Roberts.
My dad used to joke about a woman in his company’s GA office named Johnette.
“I went to Jr High and High school with a William Williams and a Robert Roberts.”
I went to school with a Bill Williams. I figured the mother was so tired after giving birth, she didn’t have the energy to put thought into a first name. ;)
I worked with a girl named Clitonia. No lie
There’s a popular Christian radio broadcaster named Johnette (or Johnnette, I can’t remember). I think she’s from Alabama.
And none of them looked anything like that :-).
I arrived the next morning and she was a doll and Mom was fine too. I had been reading "The GodFather" amd thought that Michael's first wife's name would be appropriate.
Apollonia sounded nice but my daughter was named Lisa!
Lisa is now a mom and whenever I suggested Apollonia or Apollo, (grand son and grand daughter so far) my Daughter says, "Dad enough already!" There's a third kiddie on the way and I can hope....
I went to Jr High and High school with a William Williams and a Robert Roberts.
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I once knew a man named Humbert Humbert.
Kind of a perv.
I believe you. I know someone who was a nurse. She had to talk a young woman out of naming her baby vagina. The woman had heard nurses using the word, and thought it sounded "pretty".
I’m sure he had some siblings, but in a ‘disadvantaged’ school district it’ sometimes difficult to discern who is related to whom. (i.e. broken homes and strange living arrangements)
Other strange names in my classes: Kujuan (a girl), Myrn (pronounced MURN), and Cinnamon Spear.
http://badbabynames.blogspot.com/2005/01/bad-baby-names-18-heartbreak-hotel.html
Welcome to BAD BABY NAMES! All BAD BABY NAMES are actual, verified names from newspapers & online webnurseries from the US & Canada. So enjoy & be glad your parents didn’t name you one of these doozies! Remember: all babies are beautiful gifts from God, all created equal...all baby names, however, are NOT.
THE RUNNERS-UP:
Emmagry
I’m not sure where they are trying to go with this. Is it supposed to be like Emma’s angry, or like Imagery? The world may never know. Perhaps we’re better off that way.
Kierzdyn
Every time I think I’ve seen every name that can be fouled up with a CRE8IVE SPELLING, I am sadly proven wrong yet again.
Tressel
Beg pardon?
Adonis
Why not just name the kid Gorgeous and be done with it?
MeiAn
This is what it sounds like....when doves cry.
Britlyn
Here’s another trend that’s rapidly getting on my nerves: cre8ing “new” names by tacking “lyn” or “lynn” onto the end. It’s not clever, folks. It’s ridiculous. But it keeps my site in business...so by all means, continue. I look forward to Peterlyn and Dorislyn. I’ve no doubt they’re out there somewhere....
Alishba
This is why you should wait until the anasthesia wears off before dictating the birth certificate.
Qwen
No, honey....G is the letter with the tail in the middle, not on the end!
E’ryn
APOSTROPHE ABUSE and CRE8IVE SPELLING all in one. Blech. Or should I say, B’lych.
Edlawit
I’d make fun of this, but it’s not funny. It’s just perplexing. Sort of like staring at an albatross.
Renner
I’ve seen this name a few times lately. Can anyone explain its appeal? Because I’m at a loss, personally.
Angelina Jolie
There’s being STAR STRUCK...and then there’s just obsessed. Let’s just hope THIS one doesn’t have a brother.
Jaazaniah
Was that second “a” necessary? Not that it matters with this MOUTHFUL. I was just wondering.
Eu’nijah Jhunyai Nashae
Speaking of MOUTHFUL names...this one may very well be the queen.
Pryncess Amaya
Ah, another BAD combo: PSEUDO-ROYALTY and CRE8IVE SPELLING. Why? Was naming a human child “Princess” just not silly enough? I don’t get it.
Chameron
My question here is: is the “ch” in this name pronounced like “change” or like “chameleon”? Is the “h” part of an elaborate-—and ill-advised-—CRE8IVE SPELLING, or is it a whole different name from the Scottish stand-by Cameron?
Jett
Joan would be proud.
DillOn
Sous chef! We need more DillOn the chicken!
SECOND RUNNER-UP:
Ahonesty Ny’Kirra Amirr
This is a BAD BABY NAME....Ahonesty BAD BABY NAME.
(sang to the tune of Olivia Newton-John’s “I Honestly Love You”)
FIRST RUNNER-UP:
Warrior James
Does anyone else recall that 80’s song, “The Warrior” by Scandal? The one with the horrid chorus: “Shootin’ at the walls of heartache, BANG! BANG! I am the warrior”? Anyone? Well, this name, sadly, is even worse than the song and only slightly less putrid than the video. For shame.
AND THE WINNER OF BAD BABY NAMES 18 IS.....
GRACELAND
Millions love Elvis. He is the King. I get it. But who is so STAR STRUCK that they would ACTUALLY name their baby after the house in which the rock n’ roll legend died on his throne after one too many trips to the all-you-can-eat pigs’ feet & prescription pills buffet? This is a hunka-hunka-burnin’ bad name. Thank you very much.
My dad’s middle name is L.
I kind of felt the same way when my son was born, but my mother really wanted a "IV," so we compromised by giving him the nickname "Bud," which is about as down-to-earth as I could think of. It also happens to be the name of a close, beloved family friend.
Her daughter’s name may be the closest she ever came to it.
You got a nice song to go with the name from Warren Zevon
I met a woman whose parents named all their kids for the date they were born. Her name was September Eighteen.
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