Posted on 06/27/2006 10:33:31 AM PDT by qam1
Many parents, especially celebrities, are choosing distinctive names or spellings to make their children stand out
Choosing a name for your newborn requires a certain level of sober reflection, contemplation and introspection.
Expectant parents consult relatives and friends, leaf through scores of books and scour the Internet for just the right handle to reflect their little cherub's shining personality, obvious brilliance and unquestionable character.
So it makes you wonder what the recent spate of Hollywood celebrity parents were thinking - or drinking - when they chose such distinctive names, to put it kindly, for their high-profile offspring. That goes for Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, who named their daughter Shiloh, and Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, who named their girl Suri.
Sure, we've had a chuckle at some and scratched our heads over others, but before you go calling your sons Dilbert after your favorite cartoon character or christening your daughters Brangelina because you adore Couple-of-the-Moment Pitt and Jolie, give it some thought, baby and parenting experts say.
Like all parents, celebrities see their children as extensions of themselves and choose names that reflect their tastes and values, says Babytalk magazine senior editor Christina Vercelletto.
"What's driving this is this whole sort of Gen-X competitive parenting trend," Vercelletto says. "Parents who are now in their 30s, they have their children, and they feel that from birth it's practically a competition. You want your child to stand out. We live in a competitive society, and you don't want your child to blend into the woodwork."
"Names are really brands," says Rachel Weingarten, a branding and trends expert and the president of GTK Marketing Group in Brooklyn.
Take Brangelina's baby, Shiloh. "You're saying we have turned this into a money-maker from birth,"
"It's this whole, 'Look at me' kind of thing."
(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...
I haven't seen too many "weak, gender neutral" names given to boys. It's girls who usually get those such as Madison, Taylor, Reagan, etc.
Not sure if you are being sarcastic, but Inmaculada Concepcion is VERY USUAL in Spain. They make it short like "Imma" o "Concha" o "Conchi".
Caitlyn, Katelynn, Catelin, Katelin, Katlyn Caytlyn, Kaytlin
Mickayla, Michela, Michaela, Mikayla, Michala, Mikkayla
Megyn, Megin, Meggan, Mehgyn, Meahgin, Meyhgyn, Meggyn
Weak.
We wanted to name our son Hitler, but my MIL convinced us to go with Joeseph Stalin, instead.
Ba-dum, dum!!
Almost 18 years ago, I named my first-born daughter Barbara. She went through 4 years of life in a big suburban school (school enrollment over 2700) and not once was in class with another Barbara.
My favorite is the story of the mother who had twins and didn't name them right away. She told the family that the hospital had named them already. They were named Boya and Boyb.
Its when celebrities choose names that don't make any sense - like "Apple" (Gwyneth Paltrow). Maybe I can understand an association, but you dont want to saddle the child with a lifetime of jokes about eating, right? At least Shiloh has some historical/biblical inferences that are really quite grand. And 'Suri' isnt so bad. I have an aunt who married a Jewish man, who named their ownly daughter "Shaina" - which is Hebrew for 'beautiful.' I love names like that.
Im still of the opinion the name "Peregrin" is a fine old Latin name that deserves a come-back.
I wanted to name my son 'Gunner' but nobody would have it.
: (
That's 'cause it's taken!
When she informed us of the name I looked upside her noggin and ponder what an idiot.
The name was/is Rotunda
Nobody messes with a guy named 'Gunner'.
It's actually fairly common in Argentina (source of this name) where a lot of people have various Germanic, Scandinavian, Irish, etc. surnames even though they are Spanish speakers.
Actually, in Norwegian, it's "Gunnar". My great-grandfather was Gunnar Gundarsson. I say go for it!!!
Very cute, I think it's a good name, but don't like the nickname "Tab".
I believe it. I work with a linguist and have seen this name used as an example before.
Ping.
Yeah, I don't much care for Tab or Tabby, which is why she's called Spot. :)
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