Weird/unusual names for (your) children

[Winner]

Three questions:

1) (To those of you who don't have any children [that you know of]): Have you ever considered giving your children some very unusual name, for example something from your favourite book, film, or TV series? Or perhaps an ancient name which isn't really used today? If the answer is yes, what names have you considered and why?

2) What do you think about parents who give their children such names? Do you think it is within their rights to name their children in any way they like, or should the government regulate this? And to what extent? Do you think it is a good parental choice to give your child a name that nobody else shares, one that could make his/her life difficult when growing up?

3) What does the law in your country say about this?

Spoiler :

In the Czech Republic, you can give your child any name that's listed in the calendar (and thus has an official name day) as well as any other from about 11,000 names known to our bureaucrats This includes foreign versions of Czech names (Lucas instead of Lukáš, Friedrich instead of Jindřich, Pierre instead of Petr, etc.), archaic names (like Bogomil, Střezivoj, and so on), and other names that are considered 'acceptable', meaning existing or having existed somewhere at some point in history. These names can't be modified, meaning you can't use their diminutive forms or use non-standard spelling (so for example if you name your son John which you can do even if you don't speak a word of English, you can't write it down as Džon, which would be the Czech phonetic transcription.) Also, you can't give boys female names and vice versa.

If the name you want to give to your child isn't listed there, you need to ask the registry office to approve your choice, a process which could actually involve getting an expert opinion from a court authorized expert on the matter. The registry office can refuse the name if you fail to properly justify it.

 

[Leoreth]

Three questions:

1) (To those of you who don't have any children [that you know of]): Have you ever considered giving your children some very unusual name, for example something from your favourite book, film, or TV series? Or perhaps an ancient name which isn't really used today? If the answer is yes, what names have you considered and why?

I always considered "Vanya" to be a wonderful name. It's a biblical name, so I don't know if it really counts as exotic, but I'd mainly choose it because it means "beautiful" in Quenya It also has the advantage of still being able to pass as a common name.

2) What do you think about parents who give their children such names? Do you think it is within their rights to name their children in any way they like, or should the government regulate this? And to what extent? Do you think it is a good parental choice to give your child a name that nobody else shares, one that could make his/her life difficult when growing up?

Free market solves all. Seriously though, I think it's not a good idea to give children outlandish names or even spellings. It's just an inconvenience for them and increases the likeliness of getting picked on in school. I also think that most parents don't have their children in mind when choosing these names, but rather themselves - they are special, so their child won't have a lowly common name, but should rather be called Tiger Blue Rainbow or similar nonsense.

I don't think the government should overly interfere with this, though, unless the name is really offensive. But I'm in support of letting children legally change their own name even before they're adult in such cases.

3) What does the law in your country say about this?

I have no idea actually. Not enough to stop celebrities from being embarassing.

 

[Mise]

I've always thought Gueneviere and Lancelot would be badass names for kids. Although they sound kind of French, which is strange given how much earlier than the Norman invasion those legends were supposed to have occurred.

 

[Leoreth]

Ugh, think about when they find out what kind of story inspired their name

Although they sound kind of French, which is strange given how much earlier than the Norman invasion those legends were set.

That's because these names derive from the writings of Chretien de Troyes. The actual myth is likely to feature names from pre-Anglo-Saxon times. Gueneviere especially sounds like something Welsh, Gwenyfar or something like that.

 

[Winner]

I always considered "Vanya" to be a wonderful name. It's a biblical name, so I don't know if it really counts as exotic, but I'd mainly choose it because it means "beautiful" in Quenya It also has the advantage of still being able to pass as a common name.

If it is in the Bible, you could probably justify it to Czech bureaucrats

Free market solves all. Seriously though, I think it's not a good idea to give children outlandish names or even spellings. It's just an inconvenience for them and increases the likeliness of getting picked on in school. I also think that most parents don't have their children in mind when choosing these names, but rather themselves - they are special, so their child won't have a lowly common name, but should rather be called Tiger Blue Rainbow or similar nonsense.

That, or they want the name to reflect their hopes for the child. Or they're just stupid - some years ago an "alternative lifestyle" couple wanted to name their baby girl "Půlnoční bouře" (Midnight Storm). Their request was denied, of course.

I wonder what would the registry office say if I proposed "Irulán" as a name for my daughter

I don't think the government should overly interfere with this, though, unless the name is really offensive. But I'm in support of letting children legally change their own name even before they're adult in such cases.

I agree. But it would be hard to teach bureaucrats the meaning of words such as "offensive", "funny", "ugly", etc. because they don't translate well into legalese.

One way or another, children usually pick names for themselves anyway. I think almost all of us had a nickname or two when we were growing up. I know people whose real names I've forgotten, which is a bit funny I admit

I have no idea actually. Not enough to stop celebrities from being embarassing.

Find out, I'd like to compare that.

 

[Mise]

Ugh, think about when they find out what kind of story inspired their name


That's because these names derive from the writings of Chretien de Troyes. The actual myth is likely to feature names from pre-Anglo-Saxon times. Gueneviere especially sounds like something Welsh, Gwenyfar or something like that.

Ahh, I see. As bad as a French name would be, I consider it a form of child cruelty to give any child a Welsh name.

Wiki says that the name indeed derives from a Welsh name, Gwenhwyfar. And also that Jennifer is a Cornish variant of this. That's neat!

 

[Leoreth]

I agree. But it would be hard to teach bureaucrats the meaning of words such as "offensive", "funny", "ugly", etc. because they don't translate well into legalese.

That's why legalese shouldn't have a place there. A "know it when you see it" guideline would work better in this case.

Find out, I'd like to compare that.

I'll ask my Law studying friends next time I see them

Ahh, I see. As bad as a French name would be, I consider it a form of child cruelty to give any child a Welsh name.

Wiki says that the name indeed derives from a Welsh name, Gwenhwyfar. And also that Jennifer is a Cornish variant of this. That's neat!

That's really cool.

And I don't know, but Anglicized Welsh names tend to be quite good in my opinion.

 

[Josu]

Three questions:

1) (To those of you who don't have any children [that you know of]): Have you ever considered giving your children some very unusual name, for example something from your favourite book, film, or TV series? Or perhaps an ancient name which isn't really used today? If the answer is yes, what names have you considered and why?

No, never considered.

2) What do you think about parents who give their children such names? Do you think it is within their rights to name their children in any way they like, or should the government regulate this? And to what extent? Do you think it is a good parental choice to give your child a name that nobody else shares, one that could make his/her life difficult when growing up?

I think that this is something to be considered by parents, some people want to make their children so special that they make them really special. On the other hand, kids, classmates may be more cruel than the name itself.

3) What does the law in your country say about this?

In the basque country side where I live the Spanish law rules. Names which affect person's dignity are not allowed, for example Cain or Judas are not allowed. Only some diminutives are allowed and names that are no specific with gender are forbiden. Foreign names are allowed, as well as historical, mithological or geographical names.

 

[Yeekim]

I always considered "Vanya" to be a wonderful name.

It is also a common nick/diminutive for Slavic "Ivan".
Most would probably associate that with Chekhov, rather than quenya
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncle_Vanya

EDIT: The most important criteria I had while choosing a name for my son was, that it should be easy to spell/pronounce and recognizably male (in most of the civilized world, anyway). That probably clarifies my position on the matter.

 

[Patroklos]

There are a few names I like (some for middle names only) that are common enough in my region of the country, but probably not well known or represented West of the Missisippi or North of Maryland.

These are all boy names (along with how they are actually used):
Cooper (Coop)
Ashley (Ash)
Courtney (Court)
Rhett
Tabor
Landon
Milo
Gabriel (Gabe)
Trip
Jackson
Forrest
Beau
Chet
Jett
Tristen
Tyler
Waylon

 

[Godwynn]

 

[downtown]

Me and Mrs.Town have discussed the idea of giving our kids an ethic middle name, which may appear a little out of place since my last name is exceptionally Anglo, but that's it.

In america though, you can name your kid whatever stupid crap you want.

 

[Winner]

I think that this is something to be considered by parents, some people want to make their children so special that they make them really special. On the other hand, kids, classmates may be more cruel than the name itself.

Unfortunately, that's often the case. My name is Victor, which is a "standard" name here, just not that common. Especially little children like to make fun of other people's names, but I think I managed rather well to dissuade any sneering nicknames I don't think I'd fare as well if I had any of the "funny" names (like "Květoslav" - literally "he who celebrates flowers", I hear the most usual nickname for it is "Květák" - a cauliflower ).

In the basque country side where I live the Spanish law rules. Names which affect person's dignity are not allowed, for example Cain or Judas are not allowed. Only some diminutives are allowed and names that are no specific with gender are forbiden. Foreign names are allowed, as well as historical, mithological or geographical names.

Just out of curiosity, what names do people in the Basque country give to their kids? Are Spanish names common? Is there any trend there - are more people getting Spanish names these days or vice versa?

 

[gangleri2001]

South America is the best at this.

Just out of curiosity, what names do people in the Basque country give to their kids? Are Spanish names common? Is there any trend there - are more people getting Spanish names these days or vice versa?

The trend is getting Basque names but spanish names are not uncommon at all.

 

[azzaman333]

I intend to give my hypothetical child/children names that are common enough not to be weird, but hopefully uncommon enough that they're the only one in their class at school with their name.

 

[Rashiminos]

Not really in a position to name a child, but the creation (or is that recognition) of weird names has crossed my mind.

Thaimon Draknoz, for instance.

I do wonder how naming would be handled in a dystopia.

 

[dIZZyBlIZZy]

I intend to give my hypothetical child/children names that are common enough not to be weird, but hopefully uncommon enough that they're the only one in their class at school with their name.

That was something my brother and his wife did with the first born.

All of my daughter's grandparents scorned us for her name for about a month, thinking it was something we just came up with. We named her Adora, which is Latin in origin, and means to love.

 

[luiz]

In Brazil there all sort of stupid english sounding names (or rather, supposed to be english sounding) but written in bad Portuguese. This is very evident if you look at a random football team, it'll be full of Uóchintons (as in Washington), Maicons (as in Michael, probably), and plenty of bizarre names ending in "sons" - Wandersons, Claisons, Deividsons, etc. Grotesque.

Parents in Brazil are allowed to name their child as they please, though some names deemed to be offensive may be denied registry (though some Adolf Hitlers or some crazy sexual names manage to slip by on occasion).

My opinion of course is that parents should be free to give whatever name they please, but it should be easy for people to legally change their name since the early teens. Nobody should be humiliated because their parents are stupid.

In Brazil I honestly believe this bizarre fake-english naming thing has gone so far that a genuine name-based social divide is slowly emerging. Educated people are increasingly naming their children with the most traditional Portuguese names possible, to distinguish them from the "son-ending" masses. It could be a serious social barrier, because people will automatically assume someone named Wandercreison (or anything ending in son, really) to be uneducated and thus unfit for high positions. Parents really should think a bit before naming their kids.

 

[The_J]

1) Never thought about giving my possible children such strange names.

2) People who do that probably don't like their kids, because else they'd not give them such names.

3) AFAIK there are rules against too strange names, but can't exactly say which. IIRC you're allowed to give your kid any name which has before been used as first name in any other country, but the official who's responsible for that might deny you names (and you can take it to the court then). The names also have to specify the gender. If the first name doesn't, the second forename has to. To make that clear: Maria or Andrea are also names for boys, at least in Italy, but not in germany. If you want to name your boy like that here, the second forename has to be clearly male.
As other example, a very prominent case was the son of Verona Pooth, which got the names "San Diego". Was allowed because "San" is a first name in Japan (or whereever).
Names like "Coka Carola" (Carola is a normal first name) or Pumuckl have AFAIK been denied.

 

[warpus]

In the Czech Republic, you can give your child any name that's listed in the calendar (and thus has an official name day) as well as any other from about 11,000 names known to our bureaucrats This includes foreign versions of Czech names (Lucas instead of Lukáš, Friedrich instead of Jindřich, Pierre instead of Petr, etc.), archaic names (like Bogomil, Střezivoj, and so on), and other names that are considered 'acceptable', meaning existing or having existed somewhere at some point in history. These names can't be modified, meaning you can't use their diminutive forms or use non-standard spelling (so for example if you name your son John which you can do even if you don't speak a word of English, you can't write it down as Džon, which would be the Czech phonetic transcription.) Also, you can't give boys female names and vice versa.

If the name you want to give to your child isn't listed there, you need to ask the registry office to approve your choice, a process which could actually involve getting an expert opinion from a court authorized expert on the matter. The registry office can refuse the name if you fail to properly justify it.

I think some countries could use laws like these. I'm looking at you USA.

There are way too many idiotic spellings of the name Ashley... and Kaley.. and..