Why do parents name their babies weird names?

Question

Parents need to realize that their babies name will help them or hurt them throughout their life. A baby with a strange name, with a strange spelling, will be made fun of, and later in life, people will discriminate against them when they read their job applications.
A Utopia or Atari will be deemed less qualified than a Susan or Elaine. (Same as De'Shaw and Da'Nell versus David and James)
(please, parents, stick to standard spelling of traditional American baby names! Abigail, Susan, Julie, Teresa, James, David, Stanley, Scott, etc)

Answer 1

I have to agree with the first responder to this question. Parents who name their child/children weird names is the worst thing they could do. I know a family friend who is going to name her baby Anastasia. It's a pretty name, but it makes me think of the Walt Disney version of Cinderella, where one of the step sister's names was Anastasia. I don't understand why people name their children such odd names. There is one celebrity couple, can't remember who, and they named their child Kyd (pronounced kid). There was another celebrity couple who named their child (now in her early 20s) Peaches and Cream. What the heck are these people thinking? I would be so mad at my parents if they were to name me something weird. I'm so glad I have the name that I have.

Answer 2

I definitely agree regarding created names and purposeful misspellings. Easily prone to stereotyping, unfortunately, and far more likely to hold someone back than help them succeed in life. Just not something I'd ever recommend intentionally doing to any child.

But I certainly don't think that should be generalized to all names that wouldn't be considered "traditional American baby names." ;) After all, short of certain recent creations -- which are often the epitome of trendy, lower-class choices LOL -- there are very few authentically "American" names. Abigail, David and Susan have their roots in Hebrew. Julie is French. Scott, quite literally, refers to a Scotsman. LOL You get my point.

So while it's true that something like Gwyneth, Ilsa, Mafalda, Talulla and Daphne might seem less common/traditional "American" choices than Megan, Susanne, Gabriella, Erin and Cynthia, they actually share similar Welsh, German, Italian, Irish and Greek roots, respectively. The only difference is familiarity and common usage, and to say there's anything wrong with a more unusual, but equally real, valid name -- complete with traditional spelling -- is just faulty logic. If that were so, everyone truly would be named Emily and Jacob (to use the most popular examples of the time). ;)

So while I agree that an obviously created or poorly spelled name is a bad choice in general, I don't necessarily think a traditional, properly spelled moniker reflective of the family's heritage would automatically be considered "weird" or at all hurt the child in their personal and professional careers. After all, these are now the norm in most upper-class, urban areas, where classrooms are full of children named Nico, Jasper, Freya and Imogen rather than your run-of-the-mill Jadon, Mason, Madison and Brooklyn, and really, do they seem any more strange -- or rather, less educated LOL -- than their more-popular peers? I think not. ;)

Slightly different from the norm does not inherently equal "bad," after all.

Answer 3

Maybe people are sick of all children being named Emily or Jacob.... Children will always find something about anyone's name to tease if they want to. I hope to god you don't hold a position in Human Resources.... Personally I'm more apt to remember an applicant's resume and what was on it if they're name is something other than run of the mill Jennifer or Michael, but by no means do I go by something as shallow as a name.... I look at qualifications, and if "De'Shaw" has what we're looking for, that person will be called in for an interview. I don't see how a name makes someone seem less qualified for a position....

I agree that purposeful misspellings are hideous, and some names are just way out there, but it breaks up the monotony of Abigails, Avas, Aidans and Madisons.....

Answer 4

There have been many names that have been deemed to be weird or unique through out the years that have become very mainstream. Take my name, Alyssa, for example. I was named that when I was born in 1979. Prior to 1960 the name never even showed up in the US census. Who are you to say that a name should not be given to a child just because you or someone else thinks it is not a traditional American name? That's the beauty of America, this an extremely diverse and wonderful nation that allows us the freedom to name our child what we see fit. Would you rather live in a country where you have to submit the name before a committee and have to obtain approval to name your daughter Jessica or Michael? There are countries out there that have such requirements so until all our freedoms as US citizens are taken away, people will keep on giving their children names THAT THEY CHOOSE TO GIVE THEM AS THEIR GIVEN RIGHT.

Answer 5

Well, I really would like to know what traditional American baby names ARE because traditionally the Indians were here first and they had some pretty interesting names. I am for freedom of speech and where I might lean toward spelling a name out of the norm I don't really go for the names that are just plain made up. But professionally I don't hold that against someone because that is called discrimination. You are stereotyping a person because of their name when you should be looking at their abilities when it comes to a job. To me if the first thing you look at is the name and make an assumption off that then you might as well be looking at my skin and thinking the same thing.

Answer 6

In Asia, the Chinese spend money and time getting names that can bring the children good fortune, etc. But they will somehow land up calling the child "Ah-Boy" or "Ah Girl". Similarly in the Philippines, they will think of all the Biblical or Christian names for their children but finally the child ends up being addressed as - "B-Boy" or "Girlie". Can you imagine how many Ah-Boys, B-Boys, Ah-Girl and Girlie are in the schools and on the streets of Asia. So my friend, do not worry too much about how people go about spelling names or whether it will probably hurt the child or be made fun of. "A Rose by whatever name........". I truly have a friend named Shih-Ting Ong - in Chinese 'Ong' means "King", he is a successful businessman and definitely not in the loo trade.

Answer 7

Look, everyone has there own ways of looking at it. Some people think that, well, Susan is a popular name, so my kid will be popular, so I'll pick something common. Others may think, there are so many Susans, I want somehting just for my kid, becuase she is special, not common, so I'm gonna pick something that suits her. As for me, I like uncommon, people think im creative, and I know I am. But what do I know, I'm just another annoying 13 year old teen. Please, if your gonna ask something like that, do it in a nice way!

Answer 8

I have a friends named Tequila and Bacardi. Parents must have been drinkers. LMAO.

Answer 9

I review resumes all the time and I've never discriminated against an applicant based on their name!
Do you realize that your point of unique vs. classic applies to any applicant if their name was foreign?
So your real problem is with discriminatory employers, not unique names.

Answer 10

People want to create new traditions and to bring some joy into every day life with unique names. America is a diverse place not everyone can be represented by WASP names.

Answer 11

There is only one problem to your theory, what is strange to one is not to another. My oldest has an unusual name and has been complimented on it through out her 18 years, including at her pre admit interview for Texas A&M where she was admitted with honors on early admission with full scholarships. Unusual names are actually much more "normal" these days.