WHAT’S IN A NAME?
By Liz Gunn || Each year Baby Center puts out a list of the most popular names that were used in the U.S. in 2014. If you’re done having kids or no where near that stage of life, this probably isn’t anything of interest to you – unless you’re just curious. But having grown up with one of the most popular names of all time – Elizabeth – I always like check it out.
I remember vowing, even at a very young age, that I would never give my children such pedestrian names like “Elizabeth” and “Catherine”, my first and middle name, What a lack of creativity! But somewhere along the way I learned the value of what’s in a name.
Naming a child, for me at least, was harder than I ever imagined it would be. This is a name that will be called out in school in front of their peers, hopefully published in the paper when they achieve great things and placed at the top of a college application and a resumé. There is some pressure to make sure it’s a good one.
As an adult I’m actually grateful for my classic, albeit boring, name. It definitely beats having to help people pronounce or spell it all the time. The only problem with an über popular name is the myriad of nicknames that are bound to follow. It’s necessary because there are seven Elizabeths in your class at school, five more in your sorority, three others in your department at work…you get the picture.
When we named our daughter, Harper, we went for what I thought was slightly different but not “weird”. Turns out it’s not different at all. It came in at 19th this year in popularity. It was 26th the year she was born. Ironically, Elizabeth has fallen to 44th. Our daughter’s middle name is a family name that I have never seen on any list.
It’s funny the connotation that names can evoke for some people. When I was born, both of my parents were in education – and I have a feeling that’s part of the reason I ended up with a very “safe” name. My mother taught school for 43 years and has a plethora of bad name stories she can share…as well as an abundance of names she could never use because she would have associated it with a particular student.
Over time, names do trend in and out, so playing it safe isn’t a terrible way to go. When I was little my favorite name was Tiffany…yes, like the singer. Second favorite? Nicole. (Staci Keanan’s character on 1980’s hit show, “My Two Dads”.) Neither of those is on this year’s list. Go figure.
LIZ GUNN is a wife, mom, travel enthusiast, food snob, daydreamer and lifelong Gamecock fan. A graduate of the University of South Carolina, she lives in Columbia, S.C. with her husband and daughter.
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72 comments
Damn those are some corny cracker assed names. Where’s the cool names at? Like Dayquarius, Charisma, Quanterious, Destiny, Shaquilla?
Cash Monae
Cash Monae Bill-on-air
True story – my son was in the NICU for a week after he was born. There were a pair of premature twins in there as well. The mother hadn’t had time to come up with final names yet so the cards on their incubators said “Boy A Smith” and “Boy B Smith”. “Boy A” went home with the name Boya and Boy B went home as Niccu.
That’s a good story. On our last we started with Nicole, but were going with Nina. Since my in-laws live in South America – they sent up my sister-in-law to help us during the first few weeks. Two days before my daughter was born – via c-section as is the South American custom – we were told we had to change the name. Seems they didn’t want to introduce the new family member as La Nina Nina. So we immediately went back to Nicole. And so it went.
Wait- C-Section births are a South American custom?
They’re over 30% here now.
Yeah, it’s part of keeping the honeymoon shape – if you get the drift.
Ooooh. I didn’t know that. Very interesting…I had one, but it was an emergency after being in labor for 8 hours. Lucky me!
Lucky Daddy too. Personally I’d say any doctor who lets you stay in labor for 8 hours needs his ass kicked. C-sections are so civilized. You show up at your assigned time, and in three hours it’s all over and Mommy is resting in bed. You have time to go get lunch afterward and catch a knap.
Well in my doctor’s defense, I was in active labor – not pushing. But I had an epidural and things were relatively calm. Baby’s heart rate started to drop with each contraction so they called for a c-section then. Turns out she had a short umbilical cord. Next baby (if there is one) will be a scheduled c-section, and as someone who loves to have a plan – it makes me happy.
“Next baby (if there is one) will be a scheduled c-section”
Like you’ll have a choice.
Actually I will have a choice.
You must not know many Latin guys and their let’s just say different thought process. They probably can’t sleep at night just thinking of the size of a baby head.
I know – I had one. Just curious as to why a sometimes unnecessary procedure would be a custom in another country. Seems odd.
See my reply to Colonel. It’s a commitment to the husband – wink, wink.
44% in Mexico and higher in the “Southern Cone”
Hee hee – southern cone!
The saying goes, the only time a child in Brazil is born naturally is either the family lives in the Amazon, or the c-section doctor got stuck in traffic in San Paulo.
where, exactly, you dumb motherfucker, is “San Paulo” Brazil?
That’s a better story – mine’s true but frankly “shaking your head stupid”.
Instead of Niccu they could have named the child after the old NationsBank name NicNib.
Family friend joined the army. His name was R B Sullivan.
After long explanations to various recruiting officers, his dog tags came through as Ronly Bonly Sullivan.
First thing that came to mind after reading that was this Henry Cho comedy routine: http://m.youtube.com/?#/watch?v=U7_3xxQXgFs
Yes, this is a commonly known joke, except that R B Sullivan was our family friends real name and the story is true.
Lemongello, Orangello
My mother in law taught a Orangello up in York, SC
A couple years ago my daughter taught a set of fraternal twins in Lancaster, SC named LaWahsa and LaDrya. No Joke.
Some people I’ve met in the Midlands: Junior Senior, Green Berry Bush, and a woman with the first name of Fluoride.
If”Ms. Fluoride is in her seventies I think I know her.
And for the non-stick babies out there, Teflon is the perfect name.
Teflon Haley?
Sociologists and shrinks have performed many studies on the “safe name” thing you mentioned, and you’re right in your inference that some names aren’t “safe.” Names that are too far out of the mainstream (or that have negative racial or sub-cultural connotations- think “Shontay” or “Bubba”) have been proven to create negative social outcomes, including lower incomes throughout life, although there are chick-and-egg issues there. Here’s an interesting side note for too- guess what the #1 baby name in the UK was this year? Mohammed…(although some statisticians claim it’s actually down around 10-15). Interesting nonetheless.
Seriously, people need to stop naming their kids Aidan already. Hasn’t that been like one of the top names for a friggin’ decade now?
I’m naming my next son Grande Tango Shithead
I can’t upvote this enough. Every other kid is Aiden-Brayden-Hayden-Kayden-Jayden.
Well, if you name your daughter something like “Brandi”,”Candi”, “Destiny”, or “Diamond”, you’ve already pretty much given them a career, at least until they are about 32-35.
Why do girls name their cats Fluffy, or Muffy? If I were brave enough to have a cat I’d give him a more realistic name such as Tuna Breath or Stink Butt.
Was “Nimrata Folks” on the list? Just curious.
For the record King, Queen, Princess, Major, Doctor, His Majesty, Her Majesty, Precious, Female, Urine, and Fuckwit are not names.
You haven’t read,Catch 22?
Two of my favorite literature characters: Major Major Major Major, and Milo Minderbender.
My personal fav: Brandy,Candy,Tammy,Bailey,Bethaney,Brittiney love those future trailer park queen names.
Like this…http://youtu.be/Q7URSM_ShQQ
How about a Boy Named Sue?
As a child, I remember two sisters named Poly and Ester. The fiber wasn’t invented until after they were born. They were bored housewives and mothers in their forties when the movie came out. Perfect timing.
“When we named our daughter, Harper, we went for what I thought was slightly different but not “weird”.”
It’s a better name than “Nagger” I suppose. I’m sure her future hubby will be grateful.
La-Tred T-Rod. Actual name. I can’t see how that helps anyone get ahead.
FIRE LIZ GUNN. This stuff is just awful.
Hey Brainiac…don’t read her stuff if you don’t like it. It’s as simple as that. Sorry if that was too over your head, idiot.
Hey, Brainiac…don’t comment on my comment if you don’t like it. It’s as simple as that. Sorry if that was too over your head, idiot.
I appreciate you coming to my defense. If I had a nickel for every time I’d told someone the exact same thing, I’d be rich. They are idiots – don’t waste your time on them.
“They are idiots” takes one to know one you food snob,free ticket grabbing Gamecock Goat.
FUCK YOU, YOU FUCKING FUCK. Your comments here are the least creative.
Love the shouty capitals, but would a few exclamation points kill you? Stop upvoting your own comment. That’s so lame.
That’s because the caps lock key on his play station is broken.
“This stuff is just awful.”
No it isn’t. I think Liz is great and a breath of fresh air on this site!
Liz: did you just selfy-vote? ;~)
{I know. That post Taylor did about fast food was killer. This is crap. Fire Sic too for hiring her! More cheeseburger posts please.}
Forget it! I’m not through with her yet.
People make fun of black names,and they are funny.The white writer,Eudora Welty;not a common name,explained it best.When you’re poor,mothers feel they need to give Something special.Years ago,I had a black girlfriend whose name was,Benzena,now passed away. I’ve googled her name before,and she was apparently,the only Benzena who ever lived.
Or just C6H6 to her friends.
Nice!
I wanted my youngest grand son’s middle name to be Walker but my son wouldn’t go for it.
I like the name Walker. I wouldn’t want my parents to help name my kids either, though. Sorry.
You have parents? I thought maybe you grew under a rock.
Ironic you would say under a rock -since that’s where trolls often hangout.
Liz, I really enjoyed your article. I have always been fascinated by people’s names. I have an unusual, but not freaky first name. I did not appreciate it until I got into high school and ran into numerous girls named, Patty, Cheryl, Linda, and Brenda. Those were popular girls’ names at that time. I have never understood why so many parents want to name their children the same names that everyone else is naming their children. Elizabeth is somewhat of an ageless name. It also makes a good middle name, it goes well with other names. Again, thanks for the insights.
Thanks for reading -glad you enjoyed it!
??? … Harper? … Like the detective? … .
Like the author. Harper Lee.
Suggested Boy name: Raymond … Suggested Girl name: Chandler … :>)