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[jakapi.livejournal.com]

Hey, I'm Jana. I had a few questions about names that I need some opinions on.

I really like the name Cassandra but from what I've seen it means "doom." I can't name any future kids Cassandra after finding out the meaning. I love the sound of Elias but I am not religious at all and the meaning is very much so. Are meanings of names important to you when you choose a name for your child? If not, do you just not research the name or do you find out what it means and then disregard it?

Also, I have a few names I am in love with (Blythe, Mitra, Caleb, etc.) but who remind me of people in my past. I don't necessarily want those people to think I'm naming my future kids after them (especially since they are pretty uncommon), but I also don't want to shy away from them just because someone I know has that name. Would naming them the same thing as friends, coworkers, or past acquaintances be a bad idea? If you do go about naming your kid one of those names, how would you explain it the person with the same name?

Thanks!

Comments

[thepastperfect]

Are meanings of names important to you when you choose a name for your child? If not, do you just not research the name or do you find out what it means and then disregard it?
If the meaning is obvious or loaded, that might make me think twice. For example, I'm not at all religious, so I probably wouldn't name a child Faith; there's no disputing what that means. On the other hand, having taking lots of Latin, I know that Cecilia means "blind," but the general public is probably not as likely to know that, so I'd be less iffy about using it.

Would naming them the same thing as friends, coworkers, or past acquaintances be a bad idea? If you do go about naming your kid one of those names, how would you explain it the person with the same name?
I don't think it's a problem, unless the name is really unusual or you've made it clear that you've only liked the name since meeting that person. If your child does meet that person, treat it like no big deal; most people aren't going to say, "Oh, look, you named your baby after me/him/her!" Unless the person is an ex, in which case that might be a bit awkward.