Why do some parents give their kids really common names?

Question

No offense to you parents who like the more traditional names, but it seems that there are MILLIONS of kids named Michael and Brittany. I'm not saying that parents should name their kids after "Star Trek" characters, but I can't help but think that if a kid has a less common name, he'll have a stronger sense of individuality. Also, he would know when he was being addressed when he heard his name being called.

Answer 1

When I was about 15 years old I was looking through a book of names when I stumbled across a name I considered to be virtually one of a kind. The name was Royd (I checked my spelling three times, it's correct). It means master of the woods, or if you prefer, master woodsman. I knew right then that if I fathered a boy, the first one would have that name. I was fortunate enough to have a son and I named him accordingly.

When my son turned 18 I told him how his first and middle name (that's another story) came about, then I made him an offer. I would pay the court costs if he wanted to change his name. My son was polite when he told me I was crazy. He had a name that he had only known one other person to have. He liked not sharing his name with half of the world's population and that he would only change his name after a fight and then only if I won. He basically told me, when I chose his names, I did good and that I should leave it alone.

Well that warmed my heart in a way that only a son can do. He is almost 30 years old now and we are FRIENDS. Can you imagine how great that is???

Answer 2

One reason could be that the parent lacks creativity. Or the common name is a family name. A kid with a unique name doesn't always face a strong sense of individually - more likely he'll face ridicule from his calss mates. Growing up, my name wasn't exactly as common as it is now, and I wasn't fond of that - although hearing what the alternatives were from Mom, I am content with what I have. My boyfriend actually had his name legally changed after high school, before entering boot camp due to the ridicule he faced...not that his name was very unique - but it's not an every day kids' name. And let's not forget...sometimes with unique names, the pronunciations can be confusing. That's not good...my last name has a common pronunciation, but an uncommon spelling which has led to more than 30 years of me hearing my name butchered.

Answer 3

I think there are a couple of theories of naming which reflect a larger philosophical position. Basically, do you want to tell your child he is special with an unusual name, or do you want to help your child to fit in with a common name? The bad thing about each position is that it tends not to look at the down side of either style. The down side of an unusual name is people spelling and/or pronouncing it wrong. But lots of people recognize that even though it gets tiresome, if you have a pleasant attitude about it, by the time they've learned to spell and pronounce it right, they probably will remember it. The bad thing about a common name is that there is usually at least one other kid in every class with the same name, and you get confused. And it's quite forgettable: now was it Tom or Eddie or Richard or Steven? [my four ex-husbands; have to work at remembering] Or you just seem boring, which is sad, even if you are the type that wants to fit in.

But remember that you can legally change your name when you reach adulthood, and can create a nickname you like better than your given name at any age. You can also go to using first initial and middle name if you like that better, as long as you don't mind sounding sort of like an attorney when it's written out.

The ones I really feel bad for are the ones who were named for someone famous, and they don't like that famous person. My father's middle name was Calvin, after Calvin Coolidge, but he hated it. I, on the other hand, love being named after Barbara Stanwyck, a very classy lady and great actress.

Answer 4

I chose what you would consider to be common names for my children, but they were chosen for their meanings. My daughter is named Angela Dawn which means messenger of the morn. Funny thing, she was born at 12:17 a.m. My son is named Michael Aaron. Michael means who is like God and Aaron means exalted or strong. Michael was an archangel and Aaron was the brother of Moses. This is a strong name. I am now pregnant with my third and she is to be named Jana Joy. I had a really good friend in high school with the name Jana and it is a name that is well liked among both of our families. If it had been a boy, he was going to be named Joshua David after a cousin of mine who died at the age of 16 and a cousin of my husbands who died at the age of 13, but also because of the strong meanings behind the names. I did not choose lightly, nor was I being non-creative. These are strong names for strong children.

Answer 5

Not for nothing but I don't know alot of Michael's or Brittany's. My kids have been in the public school system for 7 years and neither of those names are overly common. I don't even think either of my kids ever even knew someone named Brittany.

Answer 6

Why would someone want to name their children unusual names? 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?

Answer 7

Sometimes you don't know just how common a name is when you choose it! We picked the name Caitlin 17 years ago, it seemed unusual....then we started hearing it everywhere. Also, chose Jacob 5 years ago, then found out that it was the #1 boys name that year. You really have to just decide on a name that you really like, and hope that everybody else doesn't feel the same way!

Answer 8

Remember this: A child's name says less about that child's personality and more about the parents'.
It is personal choice that many people put a lot of thought into. I prefer common but not too popular names which is the route I chose for my son - only to find out later that his name was the third most popular for that year - lol.
When naming your child one must also consider that she will not always be cute, little Tiffy and will need to find a job and be taken seriously as an adult. And many people with radically unique names are finding difficulty as they are being passed over for jobs.
My son may have a common name but he will be raised with a strong sense of being himself. Also, look at the other side. I grew up with a less common name and kids teased the heck out of me for it.
Choose a name for your child that fits him or her and you and raise that child to be proud of it.

Answer 9

I have a matthieu and an aiden. Both named after family. A name will not make the child any different. its all in the way he/she is raised and where he/she grows up. My sisters name is brittany and she is the most strong willed person i have ever met.

Answer 10

what may sound like a common name to you, holds a stronger meaning to somebody else.

The name Michael where micha - means messenger and El - means God .... means messenger of God. Don't know if you're aware of this but Michael is the name of one of the archangels.

So.... alot of what may sound like common names have very strong meanings. Maybe not to you..... but to the giver ofthe name ( and hopefully the bearer) :)