Are kids today comfortable with cool? Something to think about when naming a baby?

Question

When we were growing up, if you had a name like Sonata or Sawyer, other kids thought you were weird. But now that the concept of cool permeates the culture, down to children's own ideas about desirability, don't you think kids take unusual names in stride and even admire them? I am wondering more often than not why we don't go more against the grain in naming children. I ask (ed) quite a few naming Q's lately with very cool, unique names. Maisen (Mason -girl's name) Delaney, Colt, Jennings, Ireland, Cecily, Chance, Cash, Stevens (yes, with an 's') all unique... No need to agree that you like them or not, but most of you tend to stick to 'safe' names... Logan, Keegan, Micheal, James, Cole. Why? Do you really feel that our children will not be able to handle or admire a unique name? What do you think?

The world is full of inspiration for cool child-naming. Or are you ready to give your child a plain, solid, and decidedly un-cool name like John (sorry all you John's- my fathers name) ?

Patti C: It's funny how words can show so much about a person. First of all. I am NOT uneducated. I KNOW that the 'word' Maison means 'house' in french. But thank you so much for explaining that to me. Also, thank you for pointing out that to a narrow-minded person the 'name' Maisen could look like the 'word' raisen'. I see nothing wrong with the name JOHN as I stated before. There are 7 Johns in my family. All wonderful men with the same first and last name. Confusing. My fathers name is John and let me say, it doesn't make him a better man than someone with a more unusual name. It didn't make him more successful in life. The person he is did all of that.

This is my point. There are so many cultures, and beatiful people in the world. A name is just that... a name. It does not define you or make you. It is just a label of an extraordinary person within. A childs name will identify him/her for the rest or their life. It will also distinguish him/her from the world.

Answer 1

I have a very unique name - in fact I have never ever met another person with my same name. It is easy to pronounce and actually a very good ice breaker, conversation starter on interviews, meetings, etc. I think if you teach your kid to be confident in themselves and their abilities whether you name your kid something common or something unheard of will not make a difference in their life. I am well accomplished, have a good job, good family, etc and my name has not affected that one way or the other.

Answer 2

I work in an elementary school and I think that so many parents have named their kids "cool" names that it's really lost any meaning among the kids. They don't recognize or admire their "unique" names because they aren't unique anymore. It's like if you have a gorgeous vintage Corvette parked in your driveway, everyone will notice, but if every driveway on the block has one, no one will notice. That's how it is with the names.

When people name their children, a lot goes into it. They are not always looking to name their kid "cool" names. Sometimes, they are naming them after a relative or an admired celebrity or athlete. Sometimes, they don't want them to have "cool" names -- they want names that sound successful, intelligent or strong.

I'm kind of wondering though why this is such a big deal to you that you seem to have made a mission out of it.

Answer 3

I continually hated my call (Laurie) considering's cutsie. i could have lots particularly been some thing greater classic. i think of once you call a new child you're able to bear in mind you're additionally naming a youngster, an person and particular even a grandparent. My daughter is Sarah and if sometime she needs to be a doctor or a suitable court docket Justice, she might have an much less stressful time getting taken heavily. i like history and learn relatives tree. some names stand the attempt of time and a few do no longer. I extremely have an ancestor named intercourse and my Grandmothers call is Arthena. Ick. i could particularly be risk-free than sorry. issues replace rapid. I bear in mind whilst acid washed, tapered denims tucked into your socks have been cool. issues pass alongside. on the instant's cool and fashionable may be day after today's unhappy and dorky.

Answer 4

No, I plan on using the name John because I realize that it is more important to raise a child to be acceptional and unique rather than name them something that will embarrass them later. These cute baby names are just baby names... not names for 30 year old Stock brokers, dentists, or accountants. It's the name of 3/4's of our great-grandfathers, and it is important to me that the child feel like they are joining the family and is connected to the generations that have come before. If the kid wants to be different - he can do it himself. So it will be John MyLastName Hubby'sLastName. (But, I get to call him Jack until he's a teenager...)

It's not the child who I blame for a name. I assume that the parent who gave the child the name is ignorant and uneducated. It's not COOL to give another human being a name that will have to be spelled constantly and comes with a pronunciation key. That is incredibly short sighted on the parents' side, and looks like they were inconsiderate to their own child.

Oh, and Maisen looks like raisen, not Mason, and looks like you were ignorant of the French spelling of the word for House (Maison) and could not be bothered to look it up. Selfish and Immature of you to do this.


Miss - please note ONCE AGAIN. You may be educated, but what you name your child will lead people to assume things about you and your background. Name your kid Maisen if you want to, but my first impression of the parents that would choose this name is that they may have flunked out of high school. I'm giving you my unaltered first impression here - not sugar coating it for you. If I knew you, I would definately soften the blow - but I don't. So, I am telling you what I think, and it's probably what the majority of people will think as well. If you introduce Maisen to your neighbors, they will definately tell you it's a lovely name. Once you are out of earshot, they'll wonder what's wrong with you. (I'll admit it - I'm a terrible speller, I can't spell in 3 languages, actually. That's why I tend to look up words if it's really important, but Yahoo really isn't.)

Answer 5

The key is to pick a name that's different, but not too different (no Pilot Inspecktor or Maxie CrimeFighter), like either a different spelling of a common name (like Jessekah, Joseff,etc) or combination of 2 names (like Christina +Cassandra = Chrissandra, or make Mary Beth Maribeth, etc.). But really, as long as it's not too off the wall and can still be easily pronounced--especially by Substitute teachers-- it should be fine. I want to name my future daughter Beatrix Uma-Rose after my favorite actress Uma Thurman, her Kill Bill character Beatrix Kiddo and my favorite flower that has symbolic meaning to me. And just in case she doesn't like it later, she can always be Trixie or Rose. So if one does go for an unusual name, it's always good to make sure that a more common nickname can come from it, just in case. That way, the child at least has an option later.

Answer 6

What's "cool" today might not be "cool" tomorrow.

Also, giving a unique name means their friends calling them by some nick-name as the proper name is either hard to pronounce or not considered "cool" by the child and his/her friends.

As well as the fact that the child will constantly be having to tell or correct people on pronunciation and/or spelling of said "cool" name.

Nothing wrong with solid steady names that have stood the test of time.

Answer 7

Uh Patti,
For your information, I know a little girl who's name is Maisen and that's exactly how it's spelled. Please don't be rude. It's not about the "correct" spelling but about how the parents want to spell it. There are tons of names that are not spelled right. So rude!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Oh, and Maisen looks like raisen, not Mason, and looks like you were ignorant of the French spelling of the word for House (Maison) and could not be bothered to look it up. Selfish and Immature of you to do this."

Answer 8

i like maisen delaney (cecily is OK) chance is great...i also like logan and cole(its OK)....i wouldnt name my kid micheal either..its really common since it is an old name....i have an uncle and 5 cuzins with that name.....u thought of some pretty & unique names tho...my name is kayla and more and more i see ppl with the same name...i like my name but i think it would have been cool to have a more uncommon name.

Answer 9

My son is 14 and I went with the completely uncool biblical first name and his paternal great-grandfather's name as middle name. Sorry, but it's something your child will carry for the rest of his/her life and it really needs to have some meaning to you and your family.

Studies have shown that "cool" names affect people's first impressions to the extent that it can even determine whether or not they are considered for a job!

Your generation may change that, but for now, good luck to all the Jayden's --there are plenty of Johns out there beating them out of jobs.

Answer 10

I personally like both traditional names and unusual unique names.