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Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/17 12:24:28


Post by: Bangbangboom


My wife is expecting, we are having difficulty choosing names we both like. I consider myself between rarely and never on my scale of how common a name is and I would like our child to have a name of similar rarity. My wife who has a very common name would like to choose a common name.

I personally like my name and my wife likes hers. I believe its important to like your name and was wondering whether the rarity of a name effects this.

This is a poll for given names that you have grown up with, if you have changed your name for any reason then please answer based on your given name.

Thanks


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/17 12:39:31


Post by: Sasori


Maybe a few examples on what you consider an uncommon name?

Think about the childs professional life, as you don't want them to be judged because of an uncommmon name.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/17 12:41:46


Post by: Avatar 720


According to this thread: http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/610510.page There's a dearth of Hodors; you might want to look into changing that.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/17 12:43:55


Post by: Ashiraya


 Sasori wrote:
Maybe a few examples on what you consider an uncommon name?

Think about the childs professional life, as you don't want them to be judged because of an uncommmon name.


Yep. Imagine meeting a businessman named xXSéphìróthXx.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/17 12:45:07


Post by: Sigvatr


 Ashiraya wrote:
 Sasori wrote:
Maybe a few examples on what you consider an uncommon name?

Think about the childs professional life, as you don't want them to be judged because of an uncommmon name.


Yep. Imagine meeting a businessman named xXSéphìróthXx.


Oh him, I heard he's been having an argument with xXxDarkShadowDestroyer69xXx lately.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/17 12:51:04


Post by: Avatar 720


 Ashiraya wrote:
 Sasori wrote:
Maybe a few examples on what you consider an uncommon name?

Think about the childs professional life, as you don't want them to be judged because of an uncommmon name.


Yep. Imagine meeting a businessman named xXSéphìróthXx.


"I like to work hard and pwn nubs, and I'm all outta nubs."


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/17 12:52:38


Post by: Iron_Captain


When I was born, my parents could not decide whether they should name me after my father's father (Kirill) or my mother's father (Elia). So after much squabbling, they decided to do both and name me Cyril-Elia (that is Kirill-Ilya in Russian). That is two names, not one! I must be the only Russian with a double first name And already posessing a hyphenated family name, that means my full name consists of no less than 5 words (two first names, a patronym, two family names). That is horribly ineffecient to write or say! (though it does sound fancy).
Luckily, my first name is made less worse because I can contract Kirill-Ilya to Kirya, which also happens to be a normal nickname for Kirill.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/17 12:59:00


Post by: Bangbangboom


 Sasori wrote:
Maybe a few examples on what you consider an uncommon name?

Think about the childs professional life, as you don't want them to be judged because of an uncommmon name.


What is common to me may be less common to you, I'm certain Dave is pretty rare in China. What's important is how rare you consider your name. I think an uncommon name is a benefit to both professional and social life and can help make you more memorable, but it has to be a "real" name to be so. Calling a kid Pepsi for example is just stupid.

And its a kid I have to name not a gamertag



Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/17 13:14:05


Post by: Sturmtruppen


I'm Alex and I don't meet many other Alexes.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/17 13:17:17


Post by: Nevelon


Some depends on how odd your last name is as well. If you have an unusual one, you might want to stick with a more normal first name.

Make sure the initials don’t spell anything odd/obscene
Make sure the full name rolls off the tongue. You will be shouting it from time to time, and need to make sure you can belt it out before the kid runs into traffic.

If you do go for something odd, you might want to restrict yourself to middle names. Less likely to scar the kid.

When The Boy was born, I argued heavily for “Danger” as a middle name. The Wife vetoed that at the time, but in years since, admits that I might have been correct. We ended up with a much more traditional name.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/17 14:00:54


Post by: Soladrin


I like my name, it helps that english speakers suck at pronouncing it.

Jos.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/17 14:37:16


Post by: SilverMK2


My name is ok. Don't meet too many people with it though there are a few. Not really a fan of my middle name - always annoyed when I ommit it from forms but they pull it from somewhere else and put it in my information anyway.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/17 14:49:09


Post by: Gitzbitah


A good compromise would be a variant spelling of a common name. My son will walk this road- his name is Rhys, but it is most often pronounced the same as Reese, which is a fairly common name. The only one with a similar spelling we've ever met was born to an acquaintance of ours about 9 months later- he calls this child impostor Rhys.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/17 14:53:33


Post by: TheCustomLime


My name is Samir and I have yet to meet another one in person. I've heard of one on TV and there is one in WoW. Never in IRL, though.








Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/17 14:56:39


Post by: Iron_Captain


 TheCustomLime wrote:
My name is Samir and I have yet to meet another one in person. I've heard of one on TV and there is one in WoW. Never in IRL, though.






iirc, there was an islamic terrorist in the Netherlands that was called Samir


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/17 14:57:38


Post by: thenoobbomb


I've never met another Steven anywhere. Variations on the name, but well.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/17 15:02:23


Post by: Avatar 720


 thenoobbomb wrote:
I've never met another Steven anywhere. Variations on the name, but well.


"My name is Steven."
"Stephen?"
"No, Steven; with a 'v'."
"Vtephen?"


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/17 15:59:08


Post by: thenoobbomb


 Avatar 720 wrote:
 thenoobbomb wrote:
I've never met another Steven anywhere. Variations on the name, but well.


"My name is Steven."
"Stephen?"
"No, Steven; with a 'v'."
"Vtephen?"

The struggle is more real than you might think!


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/17 16:13:35


Post by: Slarg232


 Soladrin wrote:
I like my name, it helps that english speakers suck at pronouncing it.

Jos.

Jos. Jos. Jos.

My name is Clinton, which other than hearing "Mr. President" as my nickname I don't mind at all.

I myself have always wanted to name my son/daughter Darth.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/17 16:15:35


Post by: djphranq


I like my name... actually my problem is the name I give people when I introduce myself... some people I say 'Frank'... others I tell 'Francis' I'm not sure what drives it. Really I prefer my birth name Francis but I think I give 'Frank' because its a bit faster to say or something. It can be confusing when certain people I know meet for the first time.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/17 16:34:00


Post by: Ciciro


 SilverMK2 wrote:
My name is ok. Don't meet too many people with it though there are a few. Not really a fan of my middle name - always annoyed when I ommit it from forms but they pull it from somewhere else and put it in my information anyway.

HI Ok!


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/17 16:57:35


Post by: Eilif


I have a somewhat unusual, but recognizable first name and an extremely unusual nordic middle name. This has worked very well me. I'm not a fan of hyphenated first names, but we gave my son two unusual middle names, one of which is my middle name and the other of which is a name from my wife's family. He has a "normal" first name that is less than common.

Really, with names, I think you want to consider a few things.
1) Are you naming the kid for their benefit or for yours?
-If you Answered "yours" pick a different name.

2) Are you giving the kid a name that will be a help or a hindrance?
-If you answered hindrance, think very strongly -possibly reconsider- your choice of name.

3) If you lean toward unusual names, is it a name that has cultural significance or familiy history?
-If it's unusual, but not with a "meaning" consider a different name.

As both the names you are considering appear to be family names, either would probably be a good choice. No matter how rare the name, being named after your parent is always something honorable to hang your hat on.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/17 16:59:30


Post by: phantommaster


Full name of Rhys Aubrey Hughes, nobody has ever managed to spell it right first time without seeing it.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/17 19:51:20


Post by: Cheesecat


Children with common names are more likely to get hired and/or promoted and less likely to commit crimes.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/17 20:16:16


Post by: LordofHats


 Cheesecat wrote:
Children with common names are more likely to get hired and/or promoted and less likely to commit crimes.


So what you're tell me is that when my kids (Optimus Prime and Megatron) grow up they're going to start a global civil war for the fate of the human race?


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/17 20:39:14


Post by: greenskin lynn


having worked with kids for some years, i'd say
1)avoid names that sound like a stripper
2) don't name your kids after a video game (i'm looking at you, person who named their son after a mortal combat character)
3) don't use something that sounds more like a pets name
4) changing out a y for an i doesn't make the name any fancier, neither does doing the reverse


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/17 22:28:14


Post by: Chancetragedy


 thenoobbomb wrote:
 Avatar 720 wrote:
 thenoobbomb wrote:
I've never met another Steven anywhere. Variations on the name, but well.


"My name is Steven."
"Stephen?"
"No, Steven; with a 'v'."
"Vtephen?"

The struggle is more real than you might think!


So weird, I'm a stephen and I've only met a few people that spell it that way. It's Steven almost 95% of the time.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/17 22:57:13


Post by: Albatross


 Cheesecat wrote:
Children with common names are more likely to get hired and/or promoted and less likely to commit crimes.

That's more because certain types of names are symptomatic of socio-economic background. I'm pretty sure it's not a causal link.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/17 23:05:09


Post by: Riquende


I was born 'Ricky' and I've never met anyone else with the same name.

I go by the name 'Rick' and I've only ever met one other Rick, and his name was actually Richard (imposter, stick to Ritch, or Ritchie!).

I like having a name that's uncommon.

Incidentally, my middle name is weird, and apart from enjoying baiting people with "my middle name is weird" I hate it.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/17 23:16:35


Post by: Breotan


I suggest you choose a name that is respectful of your child. Giving your child a "funny" or "cute" name isn't very respectful. Nor is naming said child after your D&D character or some character from a novel/movie. Like Ashiraya alluded to, you wouldn't have liked growing up with xXSéphìróthXx for a name so don't do that to your child.

On the other hand, unique names can be pretty cool, as long as they're tasteful and respectful. For instance there's an actress named Fairuza who was in The Craft.



Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/17 23:28:44


Post by: Shadow Captain Edithae


My first & middle names are Joshua Luke, both inspired by the Bible as my parents are Christians.

Joshua is alright I suppose, though I sometimes wish I had a more unique name (If I'd been born a girl, I'd totally want to be called Arya).

And I suppose I should be thankful they decided not to go with their original (also Biblically inspired) choice... Something like Jebediah or Jedathan, I can't quite recall.


I do however quite like the name "Josurr", which I think I recall reading somewhere that its some sort of Scandinavian equivalent to the english form of "Joshua".


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/18 00:17:12


Post by: Avatar 720


 Breotan wrote:
I suggest you choose a name that is respectful of your child. Giving your child a "funny" or "cute" name isn't very respectful. Nor is naming said child after your D&D character or some character from a novel/movie. Like Ashiraya alluded to, you wouldn't have liked growing up with xXSéphìróthXx for a name so don't do that to your child.

On the other hand, unique names can be pretty cool, as long as they're tasteful and respectful. For instance there's an actress named Fairuza who was in The Craft.



I disagree, at least on the novel/movie front. If and when the times comes to name my own child, if female I would put forward the name Kahlan from The Sword of Truth books, not only because it looks and sounds nice - and can be shortened easily to 'Kay' - but also because, in my opinion, the character she's named after has many good personal qualities; she's good-natured and gentle, but also incredibly strong-willed.

I can see why naming your children after fictional characters can be a bad thing if you only do it for an in-joke, or so you can boast to your mates about having a son called Goku, but there are plenty of times where the practice is perfectly respectable. To use an example earlier in the thread, it's like the difference between called your daughter Khaleesi, and calling her Daenerys: the former shows little to no respect for either the child or the character and displays only that the parent(s) wanted a GoT reference in their family, but in the latter the parent(s) cared at least enough to get the actual name right which, short of asking them why they chose it, shows that they put some thought into it.

Obviously there'll be some names that you can't really do, like Sephiroth - with or without the 'x's - or something like Gandalf. Sephiroth, for example, can be shortened to either 'seph' or 'roth', and I guarantee the conversation "It's Seph." "Seth?" "No, Seph." "Yeah, Seth, that's what I said." will occur - never mind trying to get people to seriously call you 'roth' without making it out to be 'ross' spoken with a lisp or some such. At the end of the day, I don't think it's possible to blanket ban names from books/tv shows/films/games on the grounds that they're all disrespectful, but more care needs to be taken in choosing them than would need to be taken in choosing a normal name.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/18 03:11:12


Post by: Eilif


Avatar 720,
I respect that you're at least trying to give real thought to the names you suggest, but they're still names from recent fictional sources, and ones that we really don't know how they will be viewed in a few decades. Do you really want your kid to be named after what might in a decade be remembered as "that TV series that really went downhill after season 5…"? or "that book series that never finished?
There's so many REAL human cultures with excellent names that have actual historical meanings. I always think about how the kid is going to have to explain their name, and "It means ____ in ____ language" seems much better IMHO than "It's a character from a fantasy book".

I gave this alot of thought long before either of my kids came around, but I admit it's possible that my opinion may be slanted since I met a kid named Aragorn once and his parents. Nothing about that encounter made me think it had been a wise choice.

On a different tack, I'm a bit surprised at the relatively few number of family names that parents seem to be considering these days, at least in my limited contact with friends having kids. Family legacy can be a source of pride for a child (most times) and I think many people would be surprised at the variety of names they'll find if they just work their way down the family tree a bit. Depending on the name chosen the parents can associate it with positive aspects of a given relative. for example "you're named after Great Great uncle _____ who was a ______ in the far north" or "You're named after _____ who was the first of our family to come to ______".

A family name is not necessarily the right choice, but it's unique chance to instill legacy, meaning and pride in a child of a sort that can't easily be taken away. Every family has it's own history/mythology and a name can be a strong link to that.

All this to say, names have power. The name and the meaning behind it will forever affect the child and numerous studies prove that it will impact the way they are viewed by peers, authorities, and future employers, just to name a few. With all that at stake, why risk it?


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/18 03:21:12


Post by: feeder


Really, just give your child a nice, normal name. A woman my wife knows named her brats Mercy Danger and Scarlett Fever. Seriously. Every parent I know that has given their offspring a "unique" or "cool" name is a total spanker. Don't be a spanker.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/18 04:27:31


Post by: Avatar 720


 Eilif wrote:
Avatar 720,
I respect that you're at least trying to give real thought to the names you suggest, but they're still names from recent fictional sources, and ones that we really don't know how they will be viewed in a few decades. Do you really want your kid to be named after what might in a decade be remembered as "that TV series that really went downhill after season 5…"? or "that book series that never finished?


Which is why I said more care needs to be taken when choosing them, not that you should never, ever do it. The option to have a normal-ish shortened version of the name helps, because it allows the child to more easily avoid situations where they can be judged for their name; my child could easily ask to be called 'Kay' which, to link in to your name explanation comment, means 'Pure' in Greek.

Obviously it'd have to be wife-approved first, but if it isn't I can always try and appeal for it as a middle name, instead.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/18 04:28:48


Post by: Krellnus


Eh, What's in a name?


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/18 04:45:42


Post by: Avatar 720


 Krellnus wrote:
Eh, What's in a name?


Mainly letters.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/18 04:48:08


Post by: Dust


I was named after a dog which was named after an archangel. Hell of a dog, as I'm told.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/18 05:12:29


Post by: focusedfire


 greenskin lynn wrote:
having worked with kids for some years, i'd say
1)avoid names that sound like a stripper
2) don't name your kids after a video game (i'm looking at you, person who named their son after a mortal combat character)
3) don't use something that sounds more like a pets name
4) changing out a y for an i doesn't make the name any fancier, neither does doing the reverse


To this I would add:

Think back to when you were a kid and remember how clever or blunt your peers were about twisting names into insults.

Then decide on your philosophy of child raising. Would you name a boy Sue or Adolph to make him tuff or would you try to protect your child by giving them a bland unassuming name?

Examples:

Initials as names like BJ is rough on both boys and girls. Names that create unfortunate initial chains should also be noted: Bradley Steven Holder would be BS Holder. Names that spell ASS, LOL, BFF could, also, make life more difficult than needed.

Have a care as to how the given name works with the sir name.
Mike Hunt might seem good on paper but when sounded out quickly it really ticks off American women.
Another instance of this was a poor girl whose first name was Twana and her last name was Dix.

Basically, it might be a good thing to avoid anything that sounds like a prank call name.


Later,
ff


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/18 05:45:52


Post by: Krellnus


 Avatar 720 wrote:
 Krellnus wrote:
Eh, What's in a name?


Mainly letters.

Hyphens too iirc?


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/18 05:49:24


Post by: Thorgrim Bloodcrow


I got what's affectionately become known of as "the old man name". I have the same name as my grandfather's grandfather so it is a bit dated. Needless to say, I will be the last of this name as I refuse to put my future kids through the torment I did.

Gradeschoolers are mean little bastards.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/18 06:13:07


Post by: welshhoppo


My name is Matthew Hopkins, I was named after this guy.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Hopkins


I have no complaints, and happily tell people that I am in fact the reincarnation of a mass murderer.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/18 06:35:03


Post by: Cheesecat


 Albatross wrote:
 Cheesecat wrote:
Children with common names are more likely to get hired and/or promoted and less likely to commit crimes.

That's more because certain types of names are symptomatic of socio-economic background. I'm pretty sure it's not a causal link.


Yeah, that's probably a major factor to it plus I would imagine having a common name allows you to have an easier time socializing.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/18 07:40:44


Post by: Iron_Captain


 Krellnus wrote:
 Avatar 720 wrote:
 Krellnus wrote:
Eh, What's in a name?


Mainly letters.

Hyphens too iirc?
Way too many of them...


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/18 08:13:51


Post by: Bangbangboom


 Cheesecat wrote:
 Albatross wrote:
 Cheesecat wrote:
Children with common names are more likely to get hired and/or promoted and less likely to commit crimes.

That's more because certain types of names are symptomatic of socio-economic background. I'm pretty sure it's not a causal link.


Yeah, that's probably a major factor to it plus I would imagine having a common name allows you to have an easier time socializing.


I would disagree.

As a young man in a new town socializing in the only way us Brits know how. The only folks who's names I managed to remember are those with uncommon names. All the Daves, Toms, and Andrews just blend into the crowd and are forever just called "mate". Of course there are advantages to being able to blend in but being the only Ernest in the pub has its own advantage and is certainly preferable then being known as fat Dave or hippy Dave or Dave 2.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/18 08:25:43


Post by: Cheesecat


I was thinking of in terms of young kids being less likely to pick on someone called Ryan or Sarah (something more familiar) vs being called Damien or Helena.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/18 12:55:31


Post by: Nevelon


 Thorgrim Bloodcrow wrote:
I got what's affectionately become known of as "the old man name". I have the same name as my grandfather's grandfather so it is a bit dated. Needless to say, I will be the last of this name as I refuse to put my future kids through the torment I did.

Gradeschoolers are mean little bastards.


It’s worth noting that names often come and go in cycles. If you have enough people naming babies after their grandparents, suddenly it becomes a young name again. But if you are a little ahead of the curve, you get a name only seen in nursing homes.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/18 13:52:50


Post by: Hlaine Larkin mk2


My name is a family name but it's pretty common so I can't complain too Much (James)
except when I was about 2 or 3 I hated it (I think I associated it with being in trouble) so I was called Jamie until I went to high school when I couldn't be bothered correcting 7 teachers a day


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/18 15:04:05


Post by: thenoobbomb


Chancetragedy wrote:
 thenoobbomb wrote:
 Avatar 720 wrote:
 thenoobbomb wrote:
I've never met another Steven anywhere. Variations on the name, but well.


"My name is Steven."
"Stephen?"
"No, Steven; with a 'v'."
"Vtephen?"

The struggle is more real than you might think!


So weird, I'm a stephen and I've only met a few people that spell it that way. It's Steven almost 95% of the time.

Yeah, but you've also got Stephan, Stefan, Steve, and so forth here


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/18 15:13:19


Post by: gianlucafiorentini123


Never met anyone with the same name as me and I love it, really helps when you're first meeting someone for the first time. There's a couple of footballers with the same name and a character on Eastenders but that's the only time I've ever heard it (I think it's pretty common in Italy though).


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/18 17:15:10


Post by: gossipmeng


I like my name because it goes well with my last name. The only issue I run into is that people seem to think Stephen (my name) is pronounced Stefan - I do prefer the "PH" to the "V" though.

My Hungarian relatives call me Istvan sometimes which I find pretty cool

I used to think Steve/Steven/Stephen was a pretty common name, but I actually don't run into many very often.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/18 17:29:18


Post by: squidhills


I hate my name and when I put my parents in a crappy nusing home with abusive staff, I will hold up my name as justification for my lack of sympathy for their plight.

I don't care that I'm named after a siant or the guy who maybe, maybe, possibly discovered America (it was Greenland, Mom... he found Greenland, not the US). This name is virtually nonexistant in this country and is far too similar to a far more common girls' name for me to have had a happy childhood. Feth my name and feth my parents for giving it to me.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/18 17:31:58


Post by: KommissarKarl


I have no opinion whatsoever on my name, it's just a name. Pisses me off when parents give their child a name that's special or different...which seems to be most of them these days



Automatically Appended Next Post:
squidhills wrote:
I hate my name and when I put my parents in a crappy nusing home with abusive staff, I will hold up my name as justification for my lack of sympathy for their plight.

I don't care that I'm named after a siant or the guy who maybe, maybe, possibly discovered America (it was Greenland, Mom... he found Greenland, not the US). This name is virtually nonexistant in this country and is far too similar to a far more common girls' name for me to have had a happy childhood. Feth my name and feth my parents for giving it to me.

Leif?



Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/18 17:49:14


Post by: squidhills




Nope. Leif actually *did* discover America (well, Canada, anyway). I'm talking about the guy whose notes he cribbed before setting out on his journey.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/18 17:49:20


Post by: Sgt_Smudge


I really don't care too much about my name. Just a name. I could have a number, I really wouldn't care. Unfortunately, whilst my first and surnames are fairly common, I have a pair of middle names and a number after my name (why??). My friends take great pleasure in reminding me of my full name, which coincides with my southern accent and speech pattern wonderfully: William Francis George Smith VI. Ugh.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/18 18:08:03


Post by: Iron_Captain


squidhills wrote:
I hate my name and when I put my parents in a crappy nusing home with abusive staff, I will hold up my name as justification for my lack of sympathy for their plight.

I don't care that I'm named after a siant or the guy who maybe, maybe, possibly discovered America (it was Greenland, Mom... he found Greenland, not the US). This name is virtually nonexistant in this country and is far too similar to a far more common girls' name for me to have had a happy childhood. Feth my name and feth my parents for giving it to me.
Erik?
I think Erik is an awesome name! It is also a very common boys name, at least in Germanic countries. Want to trade names?


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/18 18:29:52


Post by: squidhills


 Iron_Captain wrote:
Erik?
I think Erik is an awesome name! It is also a very common boys name, at least in Germanic countries. Want to trade names?


I wish my name was Erik, instead of what I got.

Protip for those of you who plan on guessing what it is: It's Irish.

Back to you, Iron_Captain... in the Southern US having two first names for your first name isn't all that uncommon. It may be weird in Europe, but you'd fit right in down in Alabama with all the Billy-Bobs and Johhny Rays and Robert Lees.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/18 19:42:12


Post by: Ensis Ferrae


 focusedfire wrote:

Have a care as to how the given name works with the sir name.
Mike Hunt might seem good on paper but when sounded out quickly it really ticks off American women.
Another instance of this was a poor girl whose first name was Twana and her last name was Dix.

Basically, it might be a good thing to avoid anything that sounds like a prank call name.


A lady that I recently worked with had a teacher in high school who's name was Harold (he went by Harry) Knutt



As for my own kids and naming them, with my daughter we wanted a nice, more traditional sounding German name (as my family has a gakload of German in the tree), So we went with Adelaide (spelled like the city in Australia), the toughest bit was while we were still in the hospital in Germany, as the nurses kept trying to spell it Adelheide, or Edelheide which is the even more traditional spelling/pronunciation). Then my wife wanted to give her the middle name of Shannon, which with our last name would (at least for the first 18 years of life) give her the initials A.S.S. Which I said no to. As a compromise, her middle name is now Rose (so her initials are ARS).

My son was a bit "easier" as it is something of a family tradition that the first born men of the family are given the first name of Charles, with a middle initial of T. Again, my wife wanted a rather odd and I daresay, stupid middle name (as this is what we use in daily converstaions) of Tyr. Luckily, again I prevailed and now my son is Truman.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/18 20:05:11


Post by: gianlucafiorentini123


Well there was a boy at my school called Feilim Daily, so it could always be worse.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/18 20:36:07


Post by: Bromsy


I have the coolest and best name in the world.


Call me bear.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/18 20:54:16


Post by: Iron_Captain


squidhills wrote:
 Iron_Captain wrote:
Erik?
I think Erik is an awesome name! It is also a very common boys name, at least in Germanic countries. Want to trade names?


I wish my name was Erik, instead of what I got.

Protip for those of you who plan on guessing what it is: It's Irish.

Back to you, Iron_Captain... in the Southern US having two first names for your first name isn't all that uncommon. It may be weird in Europe, but you'd fit right in down in Alabama with all the Billy-Bobs and Johhny Rays and Robert Lees.

Irish? hmmm... Now you are making it difficult. All the discoverers of America I know are Norse, and according to Wikipedia, the first European to ever see North America (Greenland) was Gunnbjörn Ulfsson.
But I also recall having read a very old Dutch book once (in Medieval Dutch, so it was really though to read) of which I only understood half, but it was a legend about an Irish saint named Brandaan and his journey across the Atlantic Ocean, where he discovered an island that could have been part of Greenland/North America.
So... Is your name Brendan or some variant spelling of that?
That wouldn't be a bad name at all! Much better than to be on the same level as Billy-Bob...
Still want to trade?

Double names are also rather common in the Netherlands btw, but most Dutch double names actually sound nice and like they are a single name, not two random names pasted together. Russians never have double names, and for good reason. It just doesn't sound right in Russian.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/18 21:09:04


Post by: mega_bassist


I like my name (Joshua), and it's fairly common. I work with three other Josh's in my office, and there's about 200 of us here now.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/18 21:25:46


Post by: squidhills


 Iron_Captain wrote:

But I also recall having read a very old Dutch book once (in Medieval Dutch, so it was really though to read) of which I only understood half, but it was a legend about an Irish saint named Brandaan and his journey across the Atlantic Ocean, where he discovered an island that could have been part of Greenland/North America.
So... Is your name Brendan or some variant spelling of that?


That's it exactly. Saint Brendan the Navigator, who maybe, possibly, kinda got as far as Greenland (though the Irish will loudly claim he discovered America if you give them the chance).

 Iron_Captain wrote:
That wouldn't be a bad name at all! Much better than to be on the same level as Billy-Bob...


Its not a bad name in Boston, but I don't live in Boston. I live where there are more Billy Bobs than Brendans by whole orders of magnitude. I have relatives named for Civil War generals... Confederate Civil War generals. With a name like Brendan I may as well be called Strangeperson McDoucheface. Oh yeah, another trait of Southerners is their habit of naming girls Brenda. So they don't name their sons Brendan but they do name their daughters Brenda and you can imagine what school was like for me.

Brian. My name could've been Brian. My parents were *this* close to naming me Brian. Sure, I would have shared that name with literally seven other kids I knew growing up, but that's what nicknames are for. If I'd been named Brian as a kid, I might've turned out well-adjusted.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/18 21:44:55


Post by: TheCustomLime


 Iron_Captain wrote:
 TheCustomLime wrote:
My name is Samir and I have yet to meet another one in person. I've heard of one on TV and there is one in WoW. Never in IRL, though.






iirc, there was an islamic terrorist in the Netherlands that was called Samir


At least someone famous shares my name.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/18 22:46:04


Post by: greenskin lynn


now that i think about it, i can only recall meeting perhaps 3 or 4 people with the same name as me, and they have all been within 2 or 3 years of the same age as me.
apparently the early/mid 80's was a good time to use Travis


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/18 23:01:17


Post by: changerofways


Named Kyle and I like it! Fairly rare name, have not met too many other Kyle's, just 4 or 5 across my 19 years.

Some food for thought on what makes a name common or not, it has been proven that whatever names were popular with the upper class 5 or 10 years ago are the names that are currently popular with middle and lower class America.

Also certain celebrities can influence that but it is rare. Jordan and Brittany are two such rare cases (Michael Jordan and Brittany Spears)


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/19 00:19:48


Post by: Ensis Ferrae


 greenskin lynn wrote:
now that i think about it, i can only recall meeting perhaps 3 or 4 people with the same name as me, and they have all been within 2 or 3 years of the same age as me.
apparently the early/mid 80's was a good time to use Travis


Lol, that is my middle name, and the one I use for everything


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/19 01:21:57


Post by: greenskin lynn


 Ensis Ferrae wrote:
 greenskin lynn wrote:
now that i think about it, i can only recall meeting perhaps 3 or 4 people with the same name as me, and they have all been within 2 or 3 years of the same age as me.
apparently the early/mid 80's was a good time to use Travis


Lol, that is my middle name, and the one I use for everything

well, since your profile lists you as the same age as me, it still seems to be a name of the times. lol


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/19 03:38:39


Post by: feeder


squidhills wrote:
 Iron_Captain wrote:

But I also recall having read a very old Dutch book once (in Medieval Dutch, so it was really though to read) of which I only understood half, but it was a legend about an Irish saint named Brandaan and his journey across the Atlantic Ocean, where he discovered an island that could have been part of Greenland/North America.
So... Is your name Brendan or some variant spelling of that?


That's it exactly. Saint Brendan the Navigator, who maybe, possibly, kinda got as far as Greenland (though the Irish will loudly claim he discovered America if you give them the chance).


Brendan is a fine, strong name. Good enough for one of the best players to ever take to the ice. (Brendan Shanahan)


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/19 05:35:27


Post by: Boyofdestiny205


I used to hate my name when I was younger and I hated my middle name even more. Now though, I love how unique it is.

Josiah Nunzio

Met a few Josiah's but never met a Nunzio.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/19 05:58:59


Post by: 40KNobz11


I like my name lol


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/19 07:15:50


Post by: Jehan-reznor


 Soladrin wrote:
I like my name, it helps that english speakers suck at pronouncing it.

Jos.


Ge zeit ut sjoske?

I like my name , It's Dennis, although during my youth they made fun of me because of the song Denise, Denise from Blondie. I was named after Dennis the menace
Meet a lot of Dan's, Denny's but rarely another Dennis.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/19 07:24:46


Post by: Knockagh


I have a friend who has named both his kids really weird names that I couldn't even pronounce when I got a text from him after they were born. I had to go round to his house a few times and talk round the baby until I heard someone say their names.

I can stand really weird names. It pretentious and unfair on the phonetically challenged.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/19 07:32:59


Post by: Hordini


 Soladrin wrote:
I like my name, it helps that english speakers suck at pronouncing it.

Jos.



What's so difficult about that?


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/19 09:29:26


Post by: Knockagh


 Jehan-reznor wrote:
 Soladrin wrote:
I like my name, it helps that english speakers suck at pronouncing it.

Jos.


Ge zeit ut sjoske?

I like my name , It's Dennis, although during my youth they made fun of me because of the song Denise, Denise from Blondie. I was named after Dennis the menace
Meet a lot of Dan's, Denny's but rarely another Dennis.


I know a Dennis and he is a top bloke!


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/19 12:10:20


Post by: EmilCrane


My name is Jeremy, I hate it, it's the name of watch makers and weak willed musicians. It was given to me because my parents believed it could not be shortened, but the Australians found a way.

My middle name is Patrick, which I don't like either, but I can't say why, it's just something deep down in me that hates the name Patrick, I've never really know any other Patricks, certainly none that I would hate, I just don't like the name.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/19 13:12:41


Post by: sarpedons-right-hand


Thankfully, my parents are sensible people and gave me a couple of Scottish names, Andrew Stuart.. My lil brother, on the other hand, was saddled with the name Richard Edward. Which sounds fine on paper. But shorten it and it becomes Dick Ed....


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/19 17:36:47


Post by: KommissarKarl


squidhills wrote:
 Iron_Captain wrote:
Erik?
I think Erik is an awesome name! It is also a very common boys name, at least in Germanic countries. Want to trade names?


I wish my name was Erik, instead of what I got.

Protip for those of you who plan on guessing what it is: It's Irish.

Back to you, Iron_Captain... in the Southern US having two first names for your first name isn't all that uncommon. It may be weird in Europe, but you'd fit right in down in Alabama with all the Billy-Bobs and Johhny Rays and Robert Lees.

Eric is not an uncommon name in the UK, it's certainly not commentworthy.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/20 10:23:03


Post by: Blacksails


Was born a Jason, and I'll die a Jason.

I like my name. Its not as badass as the kids these days who get sweet names like 'Blayde', but I'll survive.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/20 13:28:05


Post by: Iron_Captain


 Blacksails wrote:
Was born a Jason, and I'll die a Jason.

I like my name. Its not as badass as the kids these days who get sweet names like 'Blayde', but I'll survive.

Jason is a 100 times more badass than any kind of Blayde.
A name like Blayde sounds kinda silly imo, it has no meaning and is just a misspelling of the word 'blade'


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/20 18:52:22


Post by: squidhills


 Iron_Captain wrote:

A name like Blayde sounds kinda silly imo, it has no meaning and is just a misspelling of the word 'blade'


Actually, Blayde is a misspelling of the word "myparentsarepretentiousdouchebagsandhateme".


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/20 18:55:57


Post by: Grimskul


I like my name Jesse, specially since in Biblical terms he's the father of King David, so I always tease my friend named David that he should his "father" more respect . One thing that is annoying however is the plethora of people who write or print my name as Jessie rather than just Jesse. I can't cash my cheques in if they're spelled wrong darnit!


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/23 10:43:49


Post by: Brennus43


My name is Justin and I hate it. It's a great name for a kid... Unfortunately you (hopefully) spend most of your life as an adult. I'm 27 and my family still calls me by pet names like "Justy" all the time and I CAN'T STAND IT. I've asked politely for them to stop but they don't.

I luckily work in a career field where everyone either calls you by your title or by your last name. I have very close friends I've made at work and we still only call each other by our last names. Unless you're sort of infamous there, then for some reason you get a first name.

As far as picking names now goes? My wife and I like old-timey names. I kinda like Magnus for a boy, has some power, its kinda unique but not like naming your kid Turok for 20k. Evelyn for a girl. Good proper name you can shorten into something cute if you like.

My wife almost never calls me by my first name because she knows I despise it. I was almost a Jack or Matthew. I would have much rather preferred either of those names.

Also if you have a girl, PLEASE don't give her a middle name of Marie, unless it has some sort of significance to you. I had a friend who was obsessed with a gal and he was telling me they "had a connection." He asked me, "Did I tell you I guessed her middle name on the first try?" I replied, "Is it Marie?" He was taken aback, "How did you know?!" Because that is literally every woman's middle name!

I do like my wife's name, Michelle Renee.

Edit: Oh and I work with like 10 other Justins. Not at the same time usually. There was a time where an area where 5 people work, 4 of us were Justin. The other was Loretta, another fine name in my opinion.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/23 20:26:37


Post by: Storm Shadow


I'm indifferent about my name, Joseph. I mean, sure I would have liked a more "exotic" name, but it is what it is.

My wife and I recently had our firstborn and we ended up naming her "Saige". Hopefully she likes it!


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/23 22:55:41


Post by: Iron_Captain


 Storm Shadow wrote:
I'm indifferent about my name, Joseph. I mean, sure I would have liked a more "exotic" name, but it is what it is.

My wife and I recently had our firstborn and we ended up naming her "Saige". Hopefully she likes it!
How are you supposed to pronounce that? Does it sound more like 'seɪdʒ' or like 'sɔɪdʒ'? I would pronounce it like 'saɪdʒ'. Or perhaps like 'sɑːdʒ', but that way it sounds very British.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/23 23:00:39


Post by: hotsauceman1


I have a Name with slightly, although not weird, spelling so it is misspelled all the time.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/24 10:37:58


Post by: EmilCrane


My current girlfriend doesn't have a middle name, but she said her mum was going to give her one, she wouldn't tell me what it was.

I guessed it on the first try.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/24 12:34:46


Post by: Storm Shadow


 Iron_Captain wrote:
 Storm Shadow wrote:
I'm indifferent about my name, Joseph. I mean, sure I would have liked a more "exotic" name, but it is what it is.

My wife and I recently had our firstborn and we ended up naming her "Saige". Hopefully she likes it!
How are you supposed to pronounce that? Does it sound more like 'seɪdʒ' or like 'sɔɪdʒ'? I would pronounce it like 'saɪdʒ'. Or perhaps like 'sɑːdʒ', but that way it sounds very British.


just like the spice "Sage".

so, "age" with an "s" sound at the beginning.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/28 13:49:15


Post by: The Bringer


My name is Ransom. I have never met anyone with my name.

Its a curse because people never forget my name, ever - which means that I am supposed to still remember theirs.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/28 13:53:44


Post by: Tibbsy


My name is Josh, it's alright I suppose. It wouldn't have been my first choice but I don't mind it.

My surname I do like though; and that's how most people know me. It's even become my forum name!


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/28 19:19:58


Post by: Overlord Thraka


I will never name my child Dave. Over the course of 17 years of life I've met over 15 people named Dave or David. It's insane. Even more insane is how I've met 3 pastor Daves. It's stupid how many Daves I know.

That said. I've only ever met 3 people with my name (Ben) so I can't complain about it being common


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/29 04:54:16


Post by: Ensis Ferrae


 Overlord Thraka wrote:
I will never name my child Dave. Over the course of 17 years of life I've met over 15 people named Dave or David. It's insane. Even more insane is how I've met 3 pastor Daves. It's stupid how many Daves I know.

That said. I've only ever met 3 people with my name (Ben) so I can't complain about it being common



Too bad... if you get lucky (or unlucky, depending on your views) you could name twin boys Dave and Hal Just hope to whoever that Hal doesn't actually kill dave


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/29 06:15:34


Post by: xole


I've never really liked my name and it's a fairly rare one...but I found out the alternatives were Forest and then Scarlet if I was a girl.


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/29 07:43:32


Post by: Hlaine Larkin mk2


 Ensis Ferrae wrote:
 Overlord Thraka wrote:
I will never name my child Dave. Over the course of 17 years of life I've met over 15 people named Dave or David. It's insane. Even more insane is how I've met 3 pastor Daves. It's stupid how many Daves I know.

That said. I've only ever met 3 people with my name (Ben) so I can't complain about it being common



Too bad... if you get lucky (or unlucky, depending on your views) you could name twin boys Dave and Hal Just hope to whoever that Hal doesn't actually kill dave


Why does everybody forget about Frank


Do you like your name? @ 2014/08/29 08:11:59


Post by: Bromsy


 Overlord Thraka wrote:
I will never name my child Dave. Over the course of 17 years of life I've met over 15 people named Dave or David. It's insane. Even more insane is how I've met 3 pastor Daves. It's stupid how many Daves I know.

That said. I've only ever met 3 people with my name (Ben) so I can't complain about it being common






You aren't alone, they even made a song.