parents...kids are ruthless. as a former daycare worker, i have seen it all. a child with a "weird"/different name is first on the list to be made fun of. i'm all for original names that seperate children from their peers, but i have seen what it can do to kids and i don't think it's fair to give them such "odd" names to satisfy your creativeness!
2007-03-09 02:39:08 · 28 answers · asked by Taken by a Texan 6 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Baby Names
yes, children pick on other children no matter what...but honestly, why GIVE other kids something right from the get go!! And I am far from being shallow...in fact, I think that parents that name their kids something ridiculous are shallow. it's not about YOU...it's about them. Also, someone said something about the name Richard being "dick". Exactly, I would never name my kid Richard either..you have to think about things like that!! (no offense to any richard's...)
2007-03-09 05:31:14 · update #1
oh also, with the last name situation. hey, no one can do anything about that...it's not like your parents chose it!!
2007-03-09 05:33:23 · update #2
oh ashvass....well i can see why you would be bitter with a name like that.
what kind of world do you live in if you honestly think that teachers can prevent and catch 25 kids from making fun of eachother at different points on the playground???? wow. you need a reality check!
2007-03-09 08:15:13 · update #3
Totally, THANK YOU, everyone defending their stupid name choices consider this. It is true that mean kids will always find SOMETHING no matter what, but why throw gasoline on the fire, why help the mean kids with their mission, unless your bizarre choices come with a free karate lesson you should think before you act. Name your Barbie something stupid, or your pet, THEY DON'T CARE. But believe me Owlowicius Tecumseh Jones DOES.
2007-03-09 04:59:00 · answer #1 · answered by Matticus Kole 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I totally agree....i'm sick to death of seeing the bizarre names with wierd spellings because the parents want to be unique and creative. And even more important than being teased when they're kids...these poor kids are going to grow up and seem ridiculous when they're 80! Not to mention they will go through life never hearing their name pronounced right. When picking out a name for my baby (I'm 28 weeks pregnant) I ALWAYS think of what the name will sound like when they are an adult...The name "Preshyous" doesn't seem so precious on a 50 year old, or a 22 year old trying to get a job at a law firm.
I just love the classic, simple names...and when I hear them they sound so refreshing.
I have an odd name (Liza) which I have spent my whole life hearing people misprounonce (even at my graduation!)...I have always been teased as a kid. In fact, I grew up always wanting to change my name...
2007-03-09 11:29:56 · answer #2 · answered by LittleRoo 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is a really tough subject. While I agree there should be a line drawn somewhere with "unique" names, it's not the only thing kids will get picked on for by a long shot.
I mean, I hate names with random silent letters and apostrophes thrown in the middle with no rhyme or reason like Aaila'aiyia or La'shuaundae'equiea where the pronunciation must be explained and parents get mad when people get it wrong.
However, having said that, I had a very common name going through school. There was usually one, two or three other Linda's around. But I was a very withdrawn, shy and chubby kid and I got picked on mercilessly by kids who could sense that vulnerability and horned in on it like vultures. But you know what? As much as it sucked. it contributed to making me the strong, independent person that I am today. We all have challenges to face. Parents can be great contributors to their child's sense of self-confidence by giving them lots of positive reinforcement at a very young age. A name doesn't have to be the focal point of a person's life. It's just a label. It does not make a person who they are. And I agree with one of the people above. Adults contribute to this bullying phenomenon just as much as kids and as a teacher it is your responsibility to try to put a stop to it when you see it and use it as an opportunity to teach compassion. Yes, that is the parents' responsibility too, so make sure they're aware of their childrens' behaviour, but you too can step in and be a positive role model.
2007-03-09 12:05:25 · answer #3 · answered by LindaLou 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have 5 children. Two which have unusual names, they are teenagers now and love their names. It's not just unusual names that can get kids picked on. Think about it how many Richards would turn around and get called Dick. Oh and lets see about about Peter. Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater. Kids are going to find something to pick on regardless of names. Your hair, the way you dress, where you live, or even the way you talk. Your spending to much time concentrating on the possibility of these kids getting picked on because of their names. Their names make them unique.
2007-03-09 11:02:30 · answer #4 · answered by Angel 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My teasing had to do with my LAST name, not my first. Gensch (like bench with a g instead of the b) and every Christmas I BECAME the GRINCH. I was actually one of the most tender hearted kids in the whole school. Kids tease, that's what they do. Suppressing it is bad. When grown-ups leave them alone, unless is becomes aggressive, they learn on both sides of the teasing. I learned to toughen up and the kids that teased me got the message that they couldn't harm me with name calling, so most stopped. Some teasing is good. When I had to deal with a boss that didn't like me because I trained them how to do their job and knew more, I was able to take it in stride because I had dealt with teasing as a child. Life experience is the best learning tool. Unless it is physical, leave the kids alone and counsel the one receiving the teasing to not let it get to them, even start it up and be the one to laugh first. The others will get bored when they can't get the upset response they want and move on. Even "normal" names can be used to tease. I think Annette is pretty normal but kids found a way to tease my daughter about being a fish net. A net, get it? Annette--a net. Anyway. Lighten up! Kids will be kids. Let them learn and grow stronger for it!
2007-03-09 10:57:00 · answer #5 · answered by gigglings 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I totally agree with you. I think it's a great idea to give your child a unique name but just spell it the way it pronounce like my name Mattimus. It's unique and easy to pronounce. My real name is Mattimus Chung Li. And don't go overboard with the name and make it totally weird like spelling it backward or misspell the name on purpose. If you misspell the original name on purpose then it won't sound the same. Parents do that all the time and they think it will pronounce the same as the original name. Wrong!
2007-03-09 12:49:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
my opinion on this subject is that kids can be cruel and if its not over your name then its gonna be over something else!!! most of us teach our children that everyone has their own opinions and that just bcuz someone says your ugly or stupid doesnt mean that you are! so, wouldnt you do that with their names? let them know that it might be unique but thats just cuz mommy and daddy picked a special name to name their special baby! the majority of names can be made fun of in some way, so is everyone supposed to name their babys the same name!? again its just ones opinion, cuz if you pick a name that could be made fun of some ask why but if you pick a commen name others ask why you would name your child a name that they are gonna have 5 other classmates with the same name!!!
2007-03-11 00:24:00 · answer #7 · answered by hello :-) 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Excellent question. Far too many parents try to be cool or funny and especially those of ethnic backgrounds who try to pick names that are rich or important sounding and end up stereotyping the kid. Its all bunk! No one is impressed with their choices, and it only brings hardship to the child. I cannot believe anyone would think it was "shallow" to bring up a good honest point about kids and their feelings.
2007-03-09 10:50:27 · answer #8 · answered by Sane 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Kids can get picked no matter how common their name is. My name, Theresa, was turned into "tree-sa" and "there's a" and my friend, Vicky, hade her name turned into "icky with a v" by classmates when we were younger. I don't think my name was unusual, kids just try to be mean.
I never really let it get to me, though. I'd just laugh along or shake it off because if they see they don't have any effect on you than they move on.
2007-03-09 11:32:25 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree that kids can be mean and make fun of name but I dont think that parent should choose a name because they are afraid of what people are going to say, they have the right to name the kid what they want, they shouldnt have to worry what people say, they should mind their own business, and people should teach their kids manners.
2007-03-09 12:00:28 · answer #10 · answered by Jennifer H 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋