Great discussion ladies (and Gent!)
I do think parents do their kids a disservice when they saddle their kids with extra long, made up names with no significance. I have no probably with long, hard to pronounce names--if there is a reason for them (i.e. the meaning of the name, family name, etc.)--but what I do have a problem with is just straight up made up name. I have a cousin who named her son a multisyllable name. When my mother asked her the baby's name she couldn't even pronounce it, let alone spell it!! That is just crazy!! Now, with that being said I also have what some people will call an unusual name. People are forever mispronoucing it. I don't think it is that difficult so I try to "work with" people. (It's only 5 letter for goodness sakes, but it is one letter off from a more common name.) I do not allow them to give me nicknames or mispronouce my name.
Now in terms of people knowing who you are by your name...I attended an HBCU. Regardless of whether my name is Willow, Heather or Bonequesha Shanaynay, people will automatically assume that I am African-American!! I am certainly not going to hid my beloved Spelman so that folks won't discriminate against me!
straightBOS hit the nail on the head...it's about raising unique individuals not just naming them!!