"good names"

[girlsteve.livejournal.com]

So, I have a question: do you ever hear people raving about a name and think ‘I just don’t get it’? I’m not talking about the hugely trendy Jayden type names. I mean the names that, when you post them up here, you just know are going to get a favourable response?

For example, I know a lot of people like Violet, but I just don’t get it. It sounds like vile, and looks like Violent. I also remember a time when everyone liked Harper, and all I ever heard was Harpie. Similarly, my SO will not budge on Evie, even though I love it and as far as I can tell so do most other people…

I hope no one is offended by my posting this – clearly I’m in the minority on such names, so I hope anyone with these on their list won’t hate me. I was just thinking, so often you get a generally glowing review of a name, especially the traditional or classic ones, and then people don’t come forward and say they don’t like it… I just think I’d hate to give my kid a name that I thought was great, and everyone else seemed to love, only to then have someone point out that it sounds like X or looks like Y, and turn me off of it once it’s too late. I’d like to know all possible connotations before I use something, so I can decide whether or not I still like it…

Comments

[om-shakti.livejournal.com]

I also really don't like Violet, never thought about it but for the same reasons you said. Also I'm very much not a fan of Scarlet (I dont like scars myself.. let alone little scars..) or Francesca. Those are the ones that come to mind immediately for me.

[om-shakti.livejournal.com]

Adding Mathilda (Ughhhh) and Madeline to mine as well.

[snoglobel.livejournal.com]

I agree. I don't really like Violet at all. Or Scarlet, or Grace, or Gabrielle/a...

There are a lot of names that "most" people like that I really don't.

There are a few types of names I really, really, dislike - things that are professions: Harper, Taylor, Cooper, etc. (Yes, I know that no-one really is a cooper any more, but I still associate it with the job of barrel making) To me it's like naming your kid Waitress. I also don't like place names: Dallas, Phoenix, Dakota, etc.

[om-shakti.livejournal.com]

I for some reason don't mind harper too much, but i agree with other profession names, blah. My brother is taylor & my ex boyfriend's nephews and niece were Cooper, Hunter & Aidyn. Ugh. I doubt any of them will sew, make barrels or do much hunting of his own, then poor Aidyn will always have a very trendy boy name like my brother has a trendy girl name of his generation. :(

[lind-saay.livejournal.com]

I don't get Harlow, or Bronwyn, or Rowan.

[ringsandcoffee.livejournal.com]

I first heard Bronwyn years ago on the TLC show "A Wedding Story" and thought it was totally made up. It was the bride's name, and she was in her late 20s. I've heard of a few more Bronwyns since then, but I still don't think it a feminine name.

Rowan seems like a late 90s trend. I don't really like it.

[waitingonsunday.livejournal.com]

The first names that come to mind are Henry, Patrick, George, and Oscar (not that I've heard that name that much here lately). Especially the former two.

[tokudama.livejournal.com]

Personally, I don't mind Violet (and Scarlet) because their meanings come to mind more than other more nebulous connotations. I guess I wouldn't bring up a negative connotation to a name unless it was really obvious to me, or the name was very unusual or perhaps made up, where there really is no original meaning that's stronger than the connotation. I have no idea if that even makes sense; it's not something I've ever tried to explain or put into words before now.

[pythianlegume7.livejournal.com]

For girls I really don't like Gianna/Giada, Ruby or Lola. Boys, I don't particularly like Sebastian...I know there are more. I don't like Tyler or Kevin, or other names I see as dated to my generation. Also, I think that Michael is the most boring name ever.

[sandtree.livejournal.com]

SEBASTIAN. I think it's ridiculous, and I have no idea why so many people 'simply adore' it.

Also: Max, Jack, Scarlett, Addison, Harlow, Fallon... and I never understood the popularity of Noah, because all I can think of is an old Biblical guy with a white beard.

[freezemyazaleas.livejournal.com]

I agree completely about Sebastian!

[nothingtolose19.livejournal.com]

I know exactly what you mean! For me, it's mostly older sounding names, but some newer ones also, that I just don't like, that everyone seems to adore.

The ones that I can think of for girls are Vivian, Ruby, Isabelle/a (actually, I do sort of like Isabella). For boys, LIAM! I hate that name (don't ask me why, and I don't mean to offend anyone with that name/who has a loved one with that name) but I just really dislike it. Also William (Huh, must hate the 'liam' part :P) and Michael, etc, other classic guy's names. Well, maybe I just find them boring, rather than hating them, but yeah. I understand :P

[daydream11.livejournal.com]

I don't get Delilah at all. Maybe it's my Christian upbringing that makes me cringe every time I hear the name, but I don't get naming your daughter after some manipulative seductress. It just doesn't fly with me. I know a lot of parents are getting hip to Salome, but to me, that's even worse than Delilah. At least Samson deserved it, being all stupid, you know? But Salome was just malicious. I can't remember John the Baptist ever doing anything wrong to anybody.

The names Andrew, Abigail, and Hannah bug the crap out of me. I have no idea why, because I don't know anyone that would give me a bad association, but those names are ugly to my ears.

I hate virtue names. To me, naming your daughter Faith or Joy or Angel is just asking for a child that's an atheist*, pessimistic, or a demon child. It's kinda like jinxing the poor kid before she even has a chance, you know? Though I think virtue names that aren't obvious - like Felicity or Blythe - are okay.

*Not that there's anything wrong with being an atheist, but I've noticed that girls names Faith tend to be born to devout Christian parents, to whom being an atheist is an absolute horror.

[sandtree.livejournal.com]

I really agree with you on the whole Salome thing, but maybe that's just because I kind of love John the Baptist...

Weirdly enough, I like a lot of virtue names, but Faith is not one of them.

[queen-mab.livejournal.com]

I'm not a big fan of Violet, either. It reminds me of the Violet from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory so I just think of this uber snotty and uncooperative child who is obsessed with candy. "Vile" and "violent" also come to mind.

There are a ton of names that are popular but sound too much like a word or phrase that brings about a negative connotation. I like Ophelia but it sounds too much like "Oh, feel ya" so I'd never use it.

[stormqueen280.livejournal.com]

I really hate Gianna. I swear I had never heard of it before coming to this community and everyone seems to like Gianna and act like it's the most popular and the prettiest Italian name ever, and I just don't get it. The name doesn't even look Italian for me - Ginevra and Giovanna are much, much better.

Also, Isabella/Isabelle (especially Isabella). It makes me cringe every time I hear it. I don't know why, I think I find it a bit sheesy. And it's funny, because Isabel is in my top five girl names.

And... let me see: Addison (seems someone misspelled Madison) Harlow (butt-ugly), Fallon (all I can think of it's falling - not a good omen).

Gisele/Giselle and Ana Paula were the names in my country in my generation. I have met so many Giseles that I now hate the name. And Ana Paula - eek! I went to school with at least three from first to ninth grade. Talk about annoying.

[stormqueen280.livejournal.com]

I meant cheesy. And also don't like McSomething names, they make me think of McDonald's.

[intothefireugo.livejournal.com]

Landon. IDGI.

[lustdumpster.livejournal.com]

i hate adelaide and annabelle and it seems like everyone here loves them. adelaide sounds like lemonade and annabelle is a cow name.

[daydream11.livejournal.com]

God, I hate Annabelle. It reminds me of cows and country bumpkins. :(

[stormqueen280.livejournal.com]

How do you pronounce Rhiannon? I've always wondered.

[whispertown.livejournal.com]

I don't get why everyone is all ~**~OMg*~* over Violet either. I kind of hate that name. And I really hate the names Esme and Emmeline just because everyone here is so ga-ga over it. Ugh.

[rowan-belle.livejournal.com]

I strongly dislike Nora(h) and Milo. But a lot of people seem to like them. I don't see the appeal at all.

[danne-gerous.livejournal.com]

Totally agree on both counts!

[tunknut.livejournal.com]

I am so bored of James, but everyone here seems to love it. It'll probably win my this or that thing, which is depressing.

Also, Esme is a) the masculine spelling of a French word and b) really, really gross-sounding. Reminds me of asthma.

I also hate Evangeline/Evangelina because it makes me think of Evangelicals, but so many people here love it!

Also, Lillian and Evelyn are old lady names to me.

[freezemyazaleas.livejournal.com]

I HATE James, Esme, Evangeline/Evangelina, and Evelyn too!!! I only like Lillian because of the nickname Lilly.

[sarahness.livejournal.com]

When I hear Violet I think of the color, not vile or violent. I love the name probably because I love the color, but I probably wouldn't use it because of the vile/violent connection that people make so readily.

Harper is a name I've never wrapped my head around. Sounds like a last name, period.

My brain is taking a vacation right now, but there's plenty of names I've heard around here that I absolutely hate.

I can't even think of one at the moment. Pregnancy brain wins again.

[morningapproach.livejournal.com]

I hate violet because of the Charlie and the Chocolate factory connotations! "Violet! You're turning Violet, Violet!" and I still can never hear that name w/o repeating that line.

[kellyjoy.livejournal.com]

That's how I feel about Owen. I don't get the appeal at all.

[freezemyazaleas.livejournal.com]

Me neither.

[sxylilwitch.livejournal.com]

I feel that way about Imogen. It's not insanely popular or anything, but I see it enough to wonder what the heck is up with it. Sure it's from Shakespeare and it's got a cool/unique vibe to it, but it just doesn't sound like a little girl to me. And it's a mouthful! What kind of cute nickname could you get from it?

[blosmbee.livejournal.com]

Imogen (or Imogene) was my #1 pick for this baby, but DH gave it an "absolute non-negotiable don't even bother trying to change my mind" veto.
I was thinking Ginny for a nickname.

[jordle.livejournal.com]

I agree with you on Violet. I don't understand Ruby, Audrey, Ethan and Nathan - to name a few.

[morningapproach.livejournal.com]

I don't like trait names. Like Harmony, Hope, Grace, etc. I tend to gravitate towards more old-fashioned and classic sounding names, like Elsabeth and Matilda and Madeline.

[laminy.livejournal.com]

Lily, Orion, Rhiannon, Grace, Emma/Emily, Amelia, Nora, Ella.

[freezemyazaleas.livejournal.com]

I hate Orion, Emma, Amelia, Nora, and Ella too!

[0o-faerie.livejournal.com]

I agree with you about Violet. It's so close to 'violent'!

I personally don't get Claire. Maybe it's because all the (sort of) spoiled girls are called Claire.
I'm also not a fan of Amelia.

[stormqueen280.livejournal.com]

i rather like Amelia, it's the name of my best friend, but it does have not-so-nice connotations in my country, due to a song which claims that "Amelia didn't have the slightest vanity, Amelia, now that was a true woman". Terrible. The name even made the dictionary as a synonym for a passive woman.

[satunian.livejournal.com]

a few posts back someone asked for the best and worst celebrity baby names, and I was shocked at the almost unanimous appeal of Harlow. What a terrible, ugly sounding name, that's just one T away from Harlot! Harley, too, which I think of gross, hairy, beer-gutted men riding motorcycles... and Harper... I agree... Harpy, sharpie... all harsh, ugly sounding names.

I do like violet though, but would probably avoid it, because it would be so easy to slip an N in there accidentally.

And some of the top names now are some of the most boring, unimpressive names I've ever heard. I can't for the life of me imagine why Emily is in the top 5 (or it was last I checked). same goes for Emma, Hannah, Hailey, Bailey, Riley (which is totally a boys' name), Madison, Addison and Abigail... I just don't get it...

And that's like, almost half of the top 20, Lol.