(no subject)

[winninghearts.livejournal.com]

I realized today that I like the name Pamela. Strip away every middle-aged woman I have ever known named Pam and all other preconceptions, and I actually think it is a very beautiful name. It also has a very lovely meaning, "all sweetness".

What do you think? Have you ever had any experiences like this with a name?

Comments

[schexyschteve.livejournal.com]

I went to school with a girl named Pamela (Pam). She's 21 now. I can't get past the dated-ness of it.

[winninghearts.livejournal.com]

It really does feel dated. Which I hate, because I think it's also pretty. It would keep me from using it as a first name, though.

[everinbluejeans.livejournal.com]

Aw, that's my mom's name! I never knew the meaning before, but I find it very fitting for my mom. :) And I love the name Evelyn, in spite of its "dated" status.

[winninghearts.livejournal.com]

I don't really think that's dated anymore! It's come a bit full circle. I know a few baby Evelyns.

[lilacmermaid.livejournal.com]

I don't think of it as terribly dated, but I have negative associations with the name, just because of people I've known.

And then there's a novel called Pamela which I had to read for school last year, and which has to be one of my least favourite books ever.

[harinakshi.livejournal.com]

I have an aunt named Pamela. She is a stupid ex druggie current alcoholic slow minded idiot who had three kids she let her boyfriend beat and torment and pretty much screw up for the rest of their lives. Because of this I absolutely cannot stand the name.

[sarahness.livejournal.com]

One of my best friends is named Pamela (goes by Pam), and she perfectly fits the stereotype of the ditzy blonde (love her, though, and she's smart, she just lacks common sense sometimes), and between her and Pamela Anderson, I can't get over the dumb blonde connotation. Also, it screams 1970s.

But strip away all my associations, I quite like it myself. Nothing I would use because it's hard to see past all that I connect the name with.

[monkey-fruit.livejournal.com]

I have always hated this name; it's just really ugly sounding to me. :(

[tiphanism.livejournal.com]

I don't like it, but I don't think the "middle-aged" connotations are worth worrying about: names go round a circle, and previous old-lady names like Ellen, Grace, Matilda are popular again now.

[winninghearts.livejournal.com]

I know, but I think Pamela has another 20-30 years before that happens.

[sunshinefleur.livejournal.com]

I don't like that name because it's my best friend's grandmother's name. and, well...the nice way to describe her is as a bitch.

[ohyoutrendygirl.livejournal.com]

I can only think of Pamela Des Barres, groupie extraordinaire!

[amaterasa.livejournal.com]

I like it, but I am a little biased because it is my name! I did hate it when I was growing up because everyone called me Pam and I think Pam sounds ugly. As for the datedness, I must admit that when I was growing up the only other Pamelas I knew where the British mothers of my friends!

[sirenphotos.livejournal.com]

My mom's name is Pamela - Pamela Sue. I think it's pretty. She always went by Pam though. I also had a school friend named Pamela and she was sweet and kind so I have very postive thoughts about the name in general.

[rorylareina.livejournal.com]

I'm starting to feel the same way about Linda.

[wowthatisminty.livejournal.com]

That is SO funny, I'm Pam and my mom is Linda!

[spaceandclouds.livejournal.com]

I've had it with Astrid and Ariel. At first I thought Astrid was boring (it's very common among ±40 year-old women here) but then I read White Oleander and realized how much I liked the sound of it.

Ariel just reminded me too much of the Little Mermaid until I started watching Medium and realized I liked it a lot on an actual person.

[let-letitbe.livejournal.com]

My best friend's name is Pamela and I love the name. However, she's Pamela, not Pam (no one can call her Pam or she goes crazy).

[wowthatisminty.livejournal.com]

I'm called Pam and I hate it.

I hated being the only Pam in my class because when you're a Lizzie or a Lauren or an Alexandra and someone goes "Ew, Lizzie/Lauren/Alexandra," there's a chance they're not talking about you but if they go "Ew, Pam," they are. I know this doesn't just happen to Pams but it was awful growing up. I got "Spam" as a nickname.

I honestly believe people grow into their names. I am dumpy and a mess and I really feel that if I were an Amy or a Julia or a Kate, I'd be different.

[cremepuff.livejournal.com]

I like the name Pamela, but not the nickname Pam. It all has to do with association--I had a nice teacher in a summer daycamp program named Pamela, but the nickname Pam makes me think of a coworker of mine who is lazy, irritating, and just plain ditzy.

[hemlockheart.livejournal.com]

I actually realized recently I like Pamela as well, but I hate the nn Pam. I don't know what nn I'd use if I had a child named Pamela though, but I know I'd want a nn 'coz I have nn's for everyone I know- if their name is short it's usually an extension (for example Mike becomes Mikey) or if it's long I shorten it (Linsey gets called Linz, Jacquelyn is Jac but HATES Jackie)...