What do you think makes a parent want to name their child an unusual name...?

Question

..if it has been proven that those children have been shown to suffer many social disorders, psycological issues, and even discrimination later in life moreso than those with "socially acceptable" names?

I can understand the desire to give a child their own sense of identity, to make them stand out from the rest, I really do. But honestly, it should be the childs decision to stand out, not something they inherit at birth. A name can be so essential on a subconscience level in a childs growth.

Am I making any sense? I see so many people on here that ask for opinions on certain names, and I sometimes shake my head knowing that the child will most likely not only have a rough childhood, but adulthood as well. I know this isn't always the case; But are you, as caring and loving parent, willing to take that chance? What are your opinions?

Excellent point KristenOne. That's why I put in the disclaimer at the end that it obviously doesn't affect everyone, that's a known fact. But studies have shown it does happen.

Answer 1

The attention given by giving your child an unusual name means more to the parent now then the psychological issues it might cause their child later on. IMHO

Answer 2

My husband and I want unique names for our children because I am a super common name and was so annoyed growing up by having four million other kids in every playground and class with my name. We do plan on using really common middle names so that the child can go by that if they wish. We have also gone out of our way to figure out any way that any names we pick can be twisted to be some sort of insult. I think parents need to make sure that their child has a name that's not overly used, but also not something that will make them an outcast.

In regards to the answer of DN below, my husband and I are using unusual names and rarely, if ever, watch TV. Way to make a hasty generalization.

Answer 3

I think parents pick the unusual names because they want their children to have a very special name that no one has. I like unusual names but, not weird ones like Apple and Dweezil and such. There is nothing I hate more than 5 more Amy's or Katelins in your childrens classes. They just want something original and I see nothing wrong with that unless the name is just too far out there, those children will be teased and their self confidence will be low. People who give the really weird names need to give their children a normal middle name, so the child can use the middle name instead if they really hate their first name.

Answer 4

I think that there are some people who want to be original and who want their child to be "one of a kind." I think that in most cases, an unusual name is not going to cause an undue amount of psychological issues or trauma later in life. And, after all, a name can always be changed.

My husband has an unusual name that is often mispronounced and can often be interpreted as a girl's name. He didn't really like it as a child, but he likes it now. The fact that his parents gave him such a name has not caused him any psychological issues, either growing up or as an adult. However, I do believe that his parents divorcing when he was a year old, the lack of paternal influence and constancy in his life, and emotional abuse has affected him psychologically and emotionally.

I just believe that in most cases, a child's upbringing and environment will do more harm or good, than just having an unusual name.

Answer 5

Well, I think that having a really usual name has a lot of psychological impact. My name is Elizabeth, and in my 3rd grade class there were FIVE kids named Elizabeth. THAT has a lot of impact. I know there are a lot of nicknames, but it just so happens that no one in the class used them. And three of us had the same freaking intials!!!!! That year I had no sense of identity. When someone said my name, I igored them and assumed that they weren't talking to me. It's still that way now, and I'm in the ninth grade. I wish I had an unusual name, and I will give my children unusual names, no matter what that scientific study showed.

Answer 6

I, myself, put a lot of thought in the names of my three kids. I thought of all the possible nicknames they could get and whether or not it sounded good all together, I aslo took into consideration what their intials would spell. I used older names that you don;t hear to often anymore. Raymond Andrew, Pearl Elizabeth and Cade Michael. All these names came from our ancestors. I wanted names that were somewhat original yet normal and something they could be proud of having. Women have 9 months to figure out a name, that is more than enough time to come up with something wonderful and not "trendy".

Answer 7

I dont believe its right to have really unusual names, such as the ones that celebrities name their kids. Then again, they probably wont have to worry about being made fun of because they are the child of a celebrity. but in general, i like unique names. for example, the same old names like ashley, jennifer, matthew, christopher, etc. are so common. I dont want to name my kids really weird names to the point where the teacher cant pronounce their name and they will be made fun of, but i like names that not every kid in their class will have that name. i LOVE the names Trinity, Korey, Dakota, Gabbie, Alexis/Alexia/Alexa, Caroline, Hannah, Madison, Jordan, Aidan, Chayse, Jake, Luke, Jayden etc. sometimes its not necesarily an ususual name, just a different spelling.

Answer 8

Sarcastic answer: so their kids will be Youneeque.

Seriously, I don't understand what has possessed my generation to name their kids after stops on the Chicago el (Addison, Sheridan, Jackson, Merchandise Mart) or by re-arranging letters. Nevaeh? Trusten? Pulling letters out of a Scrabble bag does not a moniker make. Not only are you limiting your child to a career of working at Hot Dog on a Stick, it reflects poorly on you, the parents.

The last chapter of NY Times best-seller Freaknonomics goes into the sociocultural meaning of given names, and tracks what happened to people with certain names--Temptress (garbled from Tempestt, as in Tempestt Bledsoe) comes to mind as one example.

There are lots of wonderful names out there. You don't have to create your own.

Answer 9

I can see what you are saying, but all of the people I know with odd names (or hard to spell or say) are some of the most well adjusted people I know, oddly enough. However, there is something to be said for the difference between a "unique name" and a "freakishly odd name (like Moonunit)."

Answer 10

Unusual names i think are great because the parents don't want their kids to be another Chelsea or another Ashley or Lindsay or Lauren. Or maybe they have a knack for a certain kind of name: i.e. Scandinavian or Irish or Welsch. When i get older, i plan on naming my first boy Reidar. it's scandinavian and means 'home army'. My first girl hopefully will be named Carlin and it means 'little champion'. Unique names are nothing to fret about. They just have to be proud of their names.

Answer 11

Well, maybe they want them to be unique. I don't know. As long as they didn't obviously make it up like this:
Foijsoijgoiwejtmsivn (Kate)
It's fine. Hah! I know what you're saying though. Some names are either religious and such, and some are made up names that parents use to ask for trouble.
My name's Isobelle, not Isabelle, and yet I have no trouble.
It's names like Raeychulle that bother me (not to be mean)
I understand where you're coming from, but I guess some parents want their kids to stand out.