What would you NOT name your child?

[Rio_Kohitsuji]

I loathe the names: C/Krystle, Stephanie, Oliver, Dakota, Gwen, & Shane, Sean, Ivalou, Diane, Doris, Mitch, Dick

I went to grade school with a guy named "Jack Russel" No one got it but me

[OrigamiTulip]

In my 3rd grade class, we had April, May, June, September, Spring, and Autumn - all girls.

In high school I had a Hye Yu, pronounced "Hey, You!" in my class.

Mr. BetaRose went to high school with a Candy Cherry. Candy, not Candace, was her actual name.

Working at housing, we mailed out applications for all incoming freshman, and we got to see some of the most awful names. One of the worst we saw was a girl named Porpiglia. Then there was Randy Hand. Why would you subject a child to a life of masturbation jokes?

As for normal names that I would never give a child:
Benjamin
Linda
Steve
Tina
Jamie
Candace
Bob

[Taualumna]

Originally posted by BetaRose
In my 3rd grade class, we had April, May, June, September, Spring, and Autumn - all girls.

In high school I had a Hye Yu, pronounced "Hey, You!" in my class.

Mr. BetaRose went to high school with a Candy Cherry. Candy, not Candace, was her actual name.

Working at housing, we mailed out applications for all incoming freshman, and we got to see some of the most awful names. One of the worst we saw was a girl named Porpiglia. Then there was Randy Hand. Why would you subject a child to a life of masturbation jokes?

As for normal names that I would never give a child:
Benjamin
Linda
Steve
Tina
Jamie
Candace
Bob

A girl in my cousin's high school was Candy _____. The school suggested that she change it. Her parents don't really speak English, so they picked whatever English name that came to mind first. Her "ethnic" name was hard to pronounce. Also, a friend of mine's husband's name is Harry Chin.

[Tippiechick]

I would never name my child Madison, Tori, McKenzie, Kaylie, Katelynn, Austin, Dalton, etc. Those are all names that are way too trendy in TN!

We chose our names from family members: Max Kendell and Calleigh Reese. Yes, Calleigh and Kendell were spelled that way by the family members the babe will be named after. Reese is our only non-family name. Reese is very uncommon here and was a compromise: hubby wanted Calleigh Jean, but I thought it just sounded WAY too "Country" -- and I was suggesting Calleigh Mattea, Calleigh Caroline, or Calleigh Francis. (All of these are after family members as well...)

[tinydancer]

HAHAHA! After 30 years working in the public schools, I have heard just about everything!! For example: Uniroyal, Cocaine, Marijuana, Menagerie (like a zoo, and with her family, it was appropriate!!), Shuniquia (called Shun!)and then there were the twins - Jonathan and Jonathan, but one pronounced it Joe-Nathan, Pharoah, Mister, oh, I could go on and on.

I worked with a woman whose last name was Legg, and she used to joke that she was going to name her children Harry and Peg.

I don't mind the unusual spelling as long as it can be pronounced ( says Lizz, yes with 2 z's)

[KillarneyRose]

I wish I could remember the name of this book, but it outlined differences between the socio-economic classes in the United States and one entire chapter was devoted to naming trends.

Mentioned was something called, I believe, "Trickle down". Meaning, the upper class uses certain names for a few years then the middle, many of whom want to emulate the upper class, starts using those names. The upper class then moves on to other names.

Those same names then trickle down to the lower classes.

Hence, within the span of a generation, a name can go from being considered a "high class" name to being heard in trailer parks from coast to coast.

Examples of such names were listed, but I didn't think it was necessary to post them here.

[carnation]

OMG. The post on ethnic names reminded me--not only does the community college here have a professor named Long Wang, but the pronunciation of the name of a boy that my oldest graduated with was "Chew My Dong". I don't know what the spelling was.

The graduates were waiting expectantly to hear the superintendent say his name. He said it real fast but they all fell out of their seats laughing anyway.

[Taualumna]

Originally posted by carnation
OMG. The post on ethnic names reminded me--not only does the community college here have a professor named Long Wang, but the pronunciation of the name of a boy that my oldest graduated with was "Chew My Dong". I don't know what the spelling was.

The graduates were waiting expectantly to hear the superintendent say his name. He said it real fast but they all fell out of their seats laughing anyway.

See that's what I don't get. One doesn't lose his or her ethnic identity if they change their name to something more westernized. "Chew My Dong" would still be the same person if his name were, say Michael, Donald or Charles/Charlie. .My mom only had a Chinese name until she started junior high school at a Catholic school run by American nuns. Adding a westernized name didn't change her one bit.

Edited because I just realized that I had "would still be the same person" twice!!!

[justamom]

It's funny when kids have famous names like James Stewart or
famous fictious names.

I wonder how many women named their boys "Jakes". C'mon now, you KNOW I'm talking about Jake in 16 Candles!

[PM_Mama00]

Aww I forgot one of my graduating classmates/ex sister's ex boyfriend. His name was Hung So. He was hot. However, of course, the first time I met him I accidentally said "Oh hey you're Hung Lo!"... yeahh....but he was a sweetheart and laughed.

[winnieb]

I know two little girls named Summer and Autumn, they are sisters.
There is a lady that works at walmart her name is Windy and her sister's name is Stormie.
I know a couple with a baby girl named Hazel --something just as bad for the middle name.
My mom went to high school with a guy whose first and last name were the same.
Ohh and I also know a girl named Dolly, and yes she is a stripper.

I never been fond of my name, wendi. It is just a airheaded name. It is not short for anything , just wendi.

However, my two sons have very common names but with 2 middle names....
Zachary Jordan Alexander ...
Jacob Michael Gunn ...


-wendi

[AXJules]

I almost forgot the reason I wanted to post in this thread in the first place...they had this on the radio in Chicago the other day (B96)and this woman called in bitching because she wanted to name her baby Jaylo and her husband said no way.

I also saw a woman working in a hospital once whose name was Chandelier.

[bcdphie]

Originally posted by Taualumna
I also think it's harsh to give your kid a name from your own cultural background, that is almost unpronouncabile in English

I will have to disagree with this one. I love the name my parents gave me. It's a great conversation piece and I never get tired of hearing people say "what a beautiful name" once they know how to pronounce it.

btw my name is Siobhan (pronunced Shavon). My children will also have fun to pronounce Gaelic names too! .

[Taualumna]

Originally posted by bcdphie
I will have to disagree with this one. I love the name my parents gave me. It's a great conversation piece and I never get tired of hearing people say "what a beautiful name" once they know how to pronounce it.

btw my name is Siobhan (pronunced Shavon). My children will also have fun to pronounce Gaelic names too! .

A girl in my biology class back in high school has an Anglicized spelling of Siobhan, spelled Chevon. Likely done so that teachers wouldn't have problems pronouncing her name.

ETA: Siobhan isn't embarassing/harsh in the English language.

[CutiePie2000]

Originally posted by bcdphie
I will have to disagree with this one. I love the name my parents gave me. It's a great conversation piece and I never get tired of hearing people say "what a beautiful name" once they know how to pronounce it.

I sometimes tire of the comments that I get: "What nationality is your name?" blah blah blah. (Those who have corresponded with me on GC do know what my name is).

When you've been correcting people for over 30 years of your life, it gets to be rather wearisome......

FWIW: I also know a "Siobhan" who spells it "Sibavaughn".
No, my name is not Siobhan, though it does start with an "S".