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.
During my second year of teaching in Brooklyn our class was studying the play Romeo and Juliet. As we were discussing the characters, one of my students called out, “Man, they sure have funny-sounding names.” I replied, “Whatever do you mean, Napasha?”
But not a single Shinola.
I thought my name was “dammit” for a long time.
The name tha irritates me the most right now is “Naeveh”.
Anybody know how to pronounce it?
I went to school with Carol Bang.
Her parents were Yang and Sang Bang.
And where is Shitonia?
“Nevaeh.” It’s been around long enough for me to see it in the school honor-roll lists sometimes. (Speaking of lists of dingbat names ...)
I think it’s pronounced Neh-VAY-uh.
And your brother was Jesus Christ?
On a more amusing note, a neighborhood family I grew up with had an interesting way of naming their kids. Apparently the husband got made that his wife wouldn’t let him buy a new car since they had triplets on the way, so after arguing for a bit, he won the right to name the kids.
My little sister grew up with friends named: Lexus, Mercedes, and Porsche.
Good Chinese names!
“Heaven spelled backwards” is what I would say.
Remember that 10 year old kid who stole a car, then flew some 1000 miles to Texas. He wanted to see his dad.
His name was James spelled backwards. “Semaj”
Ooops. My bad. The kid was 9 years old.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/18/AR2007011801681.html
I only have sisters. We all answered to “dammit” or worse!
She was really nice(and a Republican), so the teasing was kept to a minimum.
Besides, we were in high school, and much too sophisticated for that. Heehee
I was skiing the other week, and I was with this guy who had his name all over his skis, his name was “Rental.”
OK, so are you - or your sisters - named Dammit Janet?
Cue the song from the Rocky Horror Picture show....
http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/therockyhorrorpictureshow/dammitjanet.htm
I know a guy named Richard (don’t call me Dick) Hertz. What were the parents thinking?
Oh yeah, I knew a
Candi Cain
and a MAN named
MARIAN LYNN
NOT
Marion Len (as he should have been named)
Oh, yes ... high school sophisticates ...
(Now I feel old :-).
At least Carol is a good, ordinary name.
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