#1
These kinds of names make me wonder why parents hate their children.
Kirsty Ketley, a qualified early years and parenting specialist with a wealth of knowledge from over two decades of experience, told Bored Panda, "Baby naming trends have evolved significantly [over recent years], reflecting broader cultural, social, and technological changes."
"There has been a shift toward unique, non-traditional names as parents seek individuality for their children. Additionally, pop culture, celebrity influences, and even social media trends have introduced new names into mainstream use. Meanwhile, vintage and classic names have made a comeback, as parents look to the past for inspiration," Ketley explained.
#2
I'm in a Target, in the bath section, I think I was looking for like a shower curtain or something. From the a couple aisles over I hear this woman call her kid. I freeze, do a doubletake, assume I MUST have misheard. There's NO GODDAMNED WAY SHE NAMED HER KID THAT.
I head over that way as I got what I came for and it's in the direction of the registers. Woman calls her kid again. I DID hear it correctly.
Her daughter's name was, and I s**t reddit not, Hashtag.
I'm not a violent person but part of me wanted to put that woman into the towel display.
#3
Me: “What an interesting name. How do you spell that?”
Mother: replied, “ S E A N”
Me: “Isn’t that Sean?”
Mother: “AUUUUGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!! Why do people keep saying that!? So many ignorant people in this world!!!!!!”
And she storms off in a huff.
The numbers support Ketley's insights, too. In a study conducted by the University of Edinburgh, researchers used a tool derived from biosciences, known as network analysis, to spot trends in the names given to more than 22 million babies born in the UK between 1838 and 2016. Using this tool, they found that names centered mostly around biblical characters until the mid-to-late 20th century, when the country saw a decline in religiosity and an influx of immigrants coming to the UK to help it steam through the Industrial Revolution, and there has been very little stability in naming patterns since.
#4
#5
The researchers also noticed that some names cycle in and out of fashion between generations or become popular because of a positive association with a public figure or event, such as the early 2000s surge in Mileys—after the rise of teen star Miley Cyrus.
However, as spikes in the popularity of certain names became more frequent in the 21st century, those names also eventually fell out of fashion due to overuse.
Because of this, parents have been increasingly searching for those that will help their kids stand out. That, the scientists concluded, is why hyphens and variant spellings have increased substantially in recent years. But with time, those names also become recognizable, which is why contemporary naming patterns are characterized by "a balance struck between recognizability and rarity."
#6
#7
Anyway, the girls were clearly overexcited, running about while the mum was exhausted. But then, the mum called “Megan and Megan, get here NOW.”
I thought she was only calling one twin over.
But both girls came back. So I thought, “Oh they must have similar names like Megan and Morgan, and I misheard.”
One of the twins saw something on the shelf and ran over to it. The mum called out:
“No, we’re not having that. Put it down. NOW, Megan 1.”
“Was she going to start counting down “1, 2, 3” to lead to a punishment?” was obviously my next thought.
But then the girls started arguing about something, and we heard the mum retort: “For God’s sake, Megan 2. Leave Megan 1 alone.”
These twin sisters not only looked the same and dressed the same…they had the same name, differentiated by numbers like the Bananas in Pyjamas.
Some countries take active measures to save children from possible embarrassment due to an unorthodox name. For example, Iceland has a list of 1,853 female names and 1,712 male ones, and parents must pick from these lists or seek permission from a special committee. Similarly, when Japanese parents register newborns, local authorities can say no if they don't think the name is appropriate. But, the UK and the US have much more liberal naming laws.
"I feel that regulating names, such as putting bans in place for certain names, would perhaps infringe on people's freedoms," Kirsty Ketley said, reminding us that there's a whole range of possible solutions. "Perhaps having guidelines instead, which help parents choose culturally appropriate names that are non-offensive, practical, etc. So not strict rules, but advice."
#8
And guess what poor Ballgown’s brother is named. Inflato. WHY WOULD YOU NAME A CHILD “INFLATO”? I lose respect for parents once I start thinking “wow, that name is hilarious”. Just don’t name a child crazy things. It will make the child’s life a lot harder.
#9
Like what was the point??? I read somewhere that their baby was allowed to choose their gender, but really? There are plenty of gender-neutral names out there, you don't need to use the Windows Start-Up sound to name the kid.
#11
Btw this was actually true.
applepiepirate:
Someone in my parents’ neighborhood did Korrona and Kovid.
#12
#13
I think the custom among some indigenous American cultures worked better. A child had a ‘baby name’ until they came of age to be considered an adult, and then took or were given an appropriate adult name. I think it’s cruel and unfair to stick an infant with having to live their lives with an unsuitable name.
#14
I once had a girl named Bo-peep. Her sister Bambi was in my class the following year.
I had a boy named Elohim (Hebrew for God) one year, and his brother Adonai (also Hebrew for God) the next — I was so glad that there was not a third brother, since Jehovah was the next logical name choice.
I had a girl whose first name was Rice — and her middle name was Aroni. Yes, like the side dish known as the “San Francisco treat".
Another young lady was Summer, which sounded great — until I saw her middle name was Eve. Yep, like the disposable feminine hygiene products.
One girl was named Marriott — born 9 months to the day after her parents' wedding because “that's where she was made.” (A direct quote from her dad.)
Yep — there are names…
#15
#16
As I had a mass of children crying around me. She left her assistant reading to the children on the rug. It was then our job to decipher the cryers names.
It to us awhile. But we were down to 3 kids. We asked them numerous times what their names were. But neither answered. I told the teacher to read the names. But it was only one name.
She asked the girls which one was K 8. Puzzled I asked “K8?” She showed it to me. Astonished I told the letter and number went together. The girl’s name was K8, Kate. Her parents named her K8.
When the parents picked up the kids from school I waited at the door. I had to find out what parent would name their daughter with something so closely related to K9.
The mother explained that in her family the first granddaughter was named Kate. She wanted her daughter to have it uniquely written. I told her that her daughter would be teased as she progressed in school. As the school psychologist I worried about this.
After 2nd grade her husband had his wife legally change her name. It was not Kate. The girl wanted to be named Tiffanie.
#17
Pronunciation was Ladasha. I wonder if that girl changed her name when she turned 18.
#18
When “Chaos” arrived in kindergarten, he proved true to his name. He ended up requiring a paraeducator to attend to his behavior the entire day and essentially ruined the learning environment for all the students in the classroom.
Clearly the child wasn’t “Chaos” when he entered the world but became such as a result of what his parents expected or wanted due to naming him with complete disregard for his future.
#19
#20
