Unique names: Good or Bad?

Question

Do you like unique names? I do, but I think lots of people have different opinions. Tell me yours. Here's some different veiwes of the topic:

PRO UNIQUE:
-The teacher won't on call Allison and have four of them yell "Which one?"
-In their adult life, they'll appreciate it.

CON UNIQUE:
-They'll be made fun of.
-No one will be able to pronounce it.

Well, here's MY veiwpoints:
-I agree with the points in the pro side.
-I don't think they'd be made fun of. There's lots of people I know with Indian names, and they're never made fun of: Aarthy, Harita, Aakankhya, Aishwarya, Prathibha, Deva, Punya...
-They're not ALWAYS that hard to pronounce. Harita is pronounced HUH-rete-UH. Some people may say HA-right-ah, but it's not that hard!

But, I didn't waste five points just to tell you how I feel. How do YOU feel about unique names? And, please exlain why...

Answer 1

I love unique names. I chose fairly uncommon names for my kids and so far have not known any other kids, or adults, with their names.

Answer 2

In the day and age that we live in, I think a unique name is a wonderful thing, it sets the child apart. The child has the oppurtunity to be an individual and will probably have a deeper sense of self pride. Part of being a kid is making fun, and teasing, so every child has to go thru that at some point. I don't know what was worse; being called Coffee all thru school, and sometimes still to this day by old classmates or the fact that everywhere I go there are at least 3 people with the same first name I have. With there being so many different cultures in the world, alot of the names are unique to the different cultures. Being black American is a culture all it's own, and in much the same way we may see a foreign name, like one above, and think it's weird and difficult to pronouce, our names are viewed the same way. Back in the days it was customary for a child's name to have meaning, not be made up. Even common names can be slaughtered and I think sometimes the black community catches a bad rap because of names that we give our children that are based on material things, (Porsche, Mercedes, Alize, Remy, etc,); but if the name is something unique without any ties to a product or brand name, I don't see anything wrong with it. My child has a unique name because I have a common name and his dad is a Jr, we wanted him to have his own identity, and grow up to be his own man. His name was a collaboration between his dad and I; I didn't agree on the name he chose, and he didn't agree on mine, so after a little brainstorming we came up with our child's name. I've heard about 3 pronuncations of my baby's name, but he knows his name, and will correct them if they say it wrong. So maybe it is not the name, it's the connection the brain has with the mouth that might be a little off. Mostly though I find that it is non- blacks who pronounced the names wrong. God created us all to be different, it would be a boring world if we were all Sarah's or Melissa. Find a unique name, but keep in mind one day the baby is going to have to learn to spell it. All the best.

Answer 3

I love unique names. I have a unique name and even though there were some kids in school who made fun of it (it sounds kind of like malaria) everyone else loved it and I always got asked were my parents came up with the name. Sure there were lots of people who didn't know how to pronounce it but I didn't have a problem with helping them out if they took an interest in learning it. I do go by a nickname most of the time because it makes things a lot easier for people I don't spend a much time with but when someone goes through the trouble of learning how to say it I really love it! I feel that it has made me a more unique person and I love having a name that no one else around me has! The only down side I can think of is that it took me a little longer in school to learn how to spell my whole name then it did the other kids especially since the teacher wasn't quite sure of the proper spelling.

Answer 4

I love unique names. I have a unique name and even though there were some kids in school who made fun of it (it sounds kind of like malaria) everyone else loved it and I always got asked were my parents came up with the name. Sure there were lots of people who didn't know how to pronounce it but I didn't have a problem with helping them out if they took an interest in learning it. I do go by a nickname most of the time because it makes things a lot easier for people I don't spend a much time with but when someone goes through the trouble of learning how to say it I really love it! I feel that it has made me a more unique person and I love having a name that no one else around me has! The only down side I can think of is that it took me a little longer in school to learn how to spell my whole name then it did the other kids especially since the teacher wasn't quite sure of the proper spelling.

I don't want to post my name because I would like for it to stay unique..... ;)

Answer 5

what's in a name

Answer 6

I really like unique names. But the other day I heard about something that made me want to slap the mom who named her children this. Here is the story (and it is 100% true) :
My aunt subbed at an elementary once for a second grade class. There were twin boys in the class. The first one's name is pronounced or-AN-ja-lo.
Right there, you can kind of sense some strangeness a little beyond just a 'unique' name, but the story continues:
The second one's name was pronounced la-MON-ja-lo.
Now you're kind of thinking that it is really wierd that these names rhyme...But the last part is the kicker:
They wrote their names down on paper for their worksheet or something and they were spelled Orangejello and Lemonjello.
I swear to god, if I ever meet that woman/man/both I will lead them into a dark alley and beat them up!!! I feel if you are planning to name your child with a unique name:
1) Make sure you examine it from all angles to see if it is really appropriate for a child's name.
2) Make sure it is not over the top.
3) Make sure it is not Lemonjello.

Answer 7

Hello! I don't think having unique cheesy made up names is a good thing. Some of these names seemed to have been created while someone was drunk, out of their skull, or something akin to it! Back in the 60's, 70's etc. people crafted these innocuous names and they don't sound good and solid. I think someone's name should actually have a real MEANING in the first place, and the name should have some ACTUAL history behind it. Most people who have these names are poor souls who have to deal with people mispronouncing and misspelling their names... and that'll be the case for their entire life! Yes, people in biblical times named their children from their respective languages... but the actually had meaning. Those who try to be clever changing the spelling for the anemic desire to make it unique or special are not making it unique or special in the true sense of things. Give a child a name that has specific meaning, history, and with a given value to associate with that name! They should give a child a name with a clear mind, good heart, and with a sense of purpose to endow upon the child's life... for thier lifetime. So, skip the inane name orthography and go with the real!

Answer 8

I also love unique names, and it seems that a lot of children now have very different names,-so, I do not think it as much of a problem for the kids in school now.
Some people choose a more accesible name and the unique name is the middle name. Later on the child can choose to use the middle name, when 'fitting in' isn't so important, and standing out is more desirable!

Answer 9

A name says a lot about a person. People with unique names seem to have a harder time figuring out who they are as opposed to people who pick unique names for themselves as a symbol for something.
There are some names that just seem to bring bad karma so be careful what sorts of people/names you hang around. Priscilla's seem to really hate me and I'm fine with that. they just don't have to be .......Sorry my life.
If you have a strong name it does cause problems but it just goes to show people are lazy and don't want to listen.
A unique name is a statement people should respect or have to learn to respect. Nothing wrong with it. Stop thinking people should fit into a box to make life easier. If everyone was the same life would be boring. You need a few Xena's to make life interesting

Answer 10

Ok, first off, my name is Allison and I was one of only three in my whole graduating class and we didn't have any classes together so HA! Second, I like unique names but not this crap unique spelling, it makes people look stupid and uneducated which is passed on to these poor kids. Some are not hard to pronounce but they take a minute to figure out and they look stupid, not unique, stupid! People need to know this. Last, your children are going to pick your nursing home so if it's between unique names they will hate you for or pooping yourself in the corner when you are 85, go conventional!!!!! See what I mean.

Answer 11

I have a unique name. I have to repeat it and spell it almost constantly, but I was never teased with it as a kid and as an adult I like that it's not a name I see everywhere.

I don't think something as minor as a unique name or non-brand clothes is what make some children get picked on. I was clearly the most different kid in class, but it was a friend of mine that was bullied - and he seemed to have it all, being blonde, tall, with a common name, expensive clothes, and all the latest gadgets.