So naming a baby girl is a surprisingly difficult thing. Do we pick a name that honors beloved ancestors (my dad, her grandpa)? Do we pick one that honors our respective heritages (Thai by way of Guam, Mainer by way of the Virgin Islands)? Or that has some meaning we like or that just sounds really cool or that fulfills my arbitrary familial alliterative tendency to give everybody a "J" name?
I mean, what the shit. How do people not spend months paralyzed with anxiety over the power and influence that the name they choose is going to have over their child's entire life?
So, this is the part where I crowdsource a bit with a target audience that I consider to be a bit more of a jury of my peers than I'd get with a facebook post.
Names on the short list so far include:
Joey (current front-runner)
Jazeera
Adelaide
Calypso
Charlotte
Tasi
Isabelle
Nikita
Juno
So I'd love any feedback or suggestions any of you might have, especially any of you who have experienced the agony of having to give your kid a moniker that they're stuck with for life and doubly especially any of you who aren't going to say some dumb shit that isn't funny in a failed attempt to be funny.
I really, really, really wanted to name my youngest Walter.
Her father refused.
A second runner-up to the name we gave her was Phaedra.
I really like "Adelaide" and "Charlotte", as I'm a sucker for old-fashioned names, but I also like "Joey" a lot. I have classes with a woman named Gregory and I like traditional men's names for girls.
But just imagine how many interviews she'll get called for with a name like Walter Johnson. That's just a damn solid name. Trustworthy. Competent. Reliable.
I kinda like Joey.
Adelaide is a beautiful name. Just don't let anyone call her Addy.
I like Isabelle.
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on December 08, 2015, 02:00:19 AM
I kinda like Joey.
That's my favorite so far. It leads with the all-important "J" and it honors the 2 most important role models in my life, my dad (
John) and my godfather (Whit
ey). But we have 3 months, so I'm not trying to call a winner yet. And while ECHGF likes that one, she's by no means 100% sold on it.
I really like Charlotte because the capital town on St. Thomas is Charlotte Amalie (named after a Danish queen) but I'm afraid there's gonna be a ton of them now that there's a Princess Charlotte.
Quote from: East Coast Hustle on December 08, 2015, 06:17:51 AM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on December 08, 2015, 02:00:19 AM
I kinda like Joey.
That's my favorite so far. It leads with the all-important "J" and it honors the 2 most important role models in my life, my dad (John) and my godfather (Whitey). But we have 3 months, so I'm not trying to call a winner yet. And while ECHGF likes that one, she's by no means 100% sold on it.
I really like Charlotte because the capital town on St. Thomas is Charlotte Amalie (named after a Danish queen) but I'm afraid there's gonna be a ton of them now that there's a Princess Charlotte.
I'm just thinking that I've only known 2 women named Joey, and they were both absolute bad-asses.
Which ain't a bad thing to be, these days.
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 08, 2015, 01:42:23 AM
I really, really, really wanted to name my youngest Walter.
Her father refused.
A second runner-up to the name we gave her was Phaedra.
I really like "Adelaide" and "Charlotte", as I'm a sucker for old-fashioned names, but I also like "Joey" a lot. I have classes with a woman named Gregory and I like traditional men's names for girls.
I had to think about it for a minute, but I really like Walter for a girl. Particularly, I like Wally for a girl's nickname. I'm going to run it by ECHGF. She's going to give me that look, but whatever. She already shot down Jazeera and that didn't stop me from putting it on my short list.
Jeris.
Just a thought. What's she like btw? Its amazing how quickly babies show character.
I think Joey is a great name.
So is Walter.
I'm a fan of old-fashioned names myself, so my vote goes with Isabelle and Charlotte. Even when they're not popular, they never go out of fashion.
I quite like Tasi and Nikita, but Joey is also really good.
Quote from: East Coast Hustle on December 08, 2015, 06:47:48 AM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 08, 2015, 01:42:23 AM
I really, really, really wanted to name my youngest Walter.
Her father refused.
A second runner-up to the name we gave her was Phaedra.
I really like "Adelaide" and "Charlotte", as I'm a sucker for old-fashioned names, but I also like "Joey" a lot. I have classes with a woman named Gregory and I like traditional men's names for girls.
I had to think about it for a minute, but I really like Walter for a girl. Particularly, I like Wally for a girl's nickname. I'm going to run it by ECHGF. She's going to give me that look, but whatever. She already shot down Jazeera and that didn't stop me from putting it on my short list.
OMG OMG OMG. I hope she doesn't hate it. It would make me so happy if you named your little spawn Walter! And Wally is a totally awesome nickname.
She actually liked it. It's on the short list. :lulz:
So does Wally not have the same meaning in the US??
I believe in the US, "Willy" takes that role.
Which is still a used nickname for William. Just like Dick.
Quote from: LMNO on December 09, 2015, 11:20:40 AM
I believe in the US, "Willy" takes that role.
Which is still a used nickname for William. Just like Dick.
Not really. A Wally is a doofus.
Well, in that case, I was totally whacking the doofus last night.
Quote from: MMIX on December 09, 2015, 01:16:35 PM
Quote from: LMNO on December 09, 2015, 11:20:40 AM
I believe in the US, "Willy" takes that role.
Which is still a used nickname for William. Just like Dick.
Not really. A Wally is a doofus.
No, I've never heard that usage.
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 09, 2015, 04:08:25 PM
Quote from: MMIX on December 09, 2015, 01:16:35 PM
Quote from: LMNO on December 09, 2015, 11:20:40 AM
I believe in the US, "Willy" takes that role.
Which is still a used nickname for William. Just like Dick.
How to use in context:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m35RAMml8xY
Those unfamiliar with David Jason should be ashamed of themselves.
Not really. A Wally is a doofus.
No, I've never heard that usage.
Quote from: Junkenstein on December 09, 2015, 07:02:23 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on December 09, 2015, 04:08:25 PM
Quote from: MMIX on December 09, 2015, 01:16:35 PM
Quote from: LMNO on December 09, 2015, 11:20:40 AM
I believe in the US, "Willy" takes that role.
Which is still a used nickname for William. Just like Dick.
How to use in context:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m35RAMml8xY
Those unfamiliar with David Jason should be ashamed of themselves.
Not really. A Wally is a doofus.
No, I've never heard that usage.
Learn2quote.
I don't give a fuck about teevee or teevee entertainment people, therefore I decline to be ashamed of myself.
Didn't click link, don't care about videos or performing monkeys, etc.
Damn, it's been a while.
I stuck it up as he's one of the few actors I can actually tolerate playing practically anything.
Quote from: East Coast Hustle on December 08, 2015, 12:31:03 AM
Joey (current front-runner)
Jazeera
Adelaide
Calypso
Charlotte
Tasi
Isabelle
Nikita
Juno
Jazeera I would avoid because of the news network, Tasi because it's unusual enough to get the "icky I don't know this" reaction when people are looking at resumes, Isabelle normally would be a solid choice but you're still living in the backwash of people naming their kids after Twilight characters, Juno and Nikita likewise have undesirable media associations, leaving Charlotte, Adelaide and Calypso as your safest bets.
I went for boring as fuck names for my kids so they can be as weird as they want but still look "normal" on paper. Your priorities may vary.
I haven't really had any issues with having an unusual name, FWIW.
Quote from: Q. G. Pennyworth on December 10, 2015, 12:21:17 PM
Quote from: East Coast Hustle on December 08, 2015, 12:31:03 AM
Joey (current front-runner)
Jazeera
Adelaide
Calypso
Charlotte
Tasi
Isabelle
Nikita
Juno
Jazeera I would avoid because of the news network, Tasi because it's unusual enough to get the "icky I don't know this" reaction when people are looking at resumes, Isabelle normally would be a solid choice but you're still living in the backwash of people naming their kids after Twilight characters, Juno and Nikita likewise have undesirable media associations, leaving Charlotte, Adelaide and Calypso as your safest bets.
I went for boring as fuck names for my kids so they can be as weird as they want but still look "normal" on paper. Your priorities may vary.
I just realized I mistyped one of the potential choices.
"Isabelle" should be "Isabella". Like the queen. Or that one Clutch song.
Quote from: East Coast Hustle on December 11, 2015, 03:54:09 AM
Quote from: Q. G. Pennyworth on December 10, 2015, 12:21:17 PM
Quote from: East Coast Hustle on December 08, 2015, 12:31:03 AM
Joey (current front-runner)
Jazeera
Adelaide
Calypso
Charlotte
Tasi
Isabelle
Nikita
Juno
Jazeera I would avoid because of the news network, Tasi because it's unusual enough to get the "icky I don't know this" reaction when people are looking at resumes, Isabelle normally would be a solid choice but you're still living in the backwash of people naming their kids after Twilight characters, Juno and Nikita likewise have undesirable media associations, leaving Charlotte, Adelaide and Calypso as your safest bets.
I went for boring as fuck names for my kids so they can be as weird as they want but still look "normal" on paper. Your priorities may vary.
I just realized I mistyped one of the potential choices.
"Isabelle" should be "Isabella". Like the queen. Or that one Clutch song.
Isabella Swan is the Twilight character.
Quote from: Q. G. Pennyworth on December 11, 2015, 02:20:26 PM
Quote from: East Coast Hustle on December 11, 2015, 03:54:09 AM
Quote from: Q. G. Pennyworth on December 10, 2015, 12:21:17 PM
Quote from: East Coast Hustle on December 08, 2015, 12:31:03 AM
Joey (current front-runner)
Jazeera
Adelaide
Calypso
Charlotte
Tasi
Isabelle
Nikita
Juno
Jazeera I would avoid because of the news network, Tasi because it's unusual enough to get the "icky I don't know this" reaction when people are looking at resumes, Isabelle normally would be a solid choice but you're still living in the backwash of people naming their kids after Twilight characters, Juno and Nikita likewise have undesirable media associations, leaving Charlotte, Adelaide and Calypso as your safest bets.
I went for boring as fuck names for my kids so they can be as weird as they want but still look "normal" on paper. Your priorities may vary.
I just realized I mistyped one of the potential choices.
"Isabelle" should be "Isabella". Like the queen. Or that one Clutch song.
Isabella Swan is the Twilight character.
Such a hilariously cliche name, too. "Bella Swan". I mean, really. At least Hiro Protagonist was
funny.
That "Baby Doe" they were trying to ID in Boston turned out to be a "Bella."
Quote from: Q. G. Pennyworth on December 11, 2015, 02:20:26 PM
Quote from: East Coast Hustle on December 11, 2015, 03:54:09 AM
Quote from: Q. G. Pennyworth on December 10, 2015, 12:21:17 PM
Quote from: East Coast Hustle on December 08, 2015, 12:31:03 AM
Joey (current front-runner)
Jazeera
Adelaide
Calypso
Charlotte
Tasi
Isabelle
Nikita
Juno
Jazeera I would avoid because of the news network, Tasi because it's unusual enough to get the "icky I don't know this" reaction when people are looking at resumes, Isabelle normally would be a solid choice but you're still living in the backwash of people naming their kids after Twilight characters, Juno and Nikita likewise have undesirable media associations, leaving Charlotte, Adelaide and Calypso as your safest bets.
I went for boring as fuck names for my kids so they can be as weird as they want but still look "normal" on paper. Your priorities may vary.
I just realized I mistyped one of the potential choices.
"Isabelle" should be "Isabella". Like the queen. Or that one Clutch song.
Isabella Swan is the Twilight character.
I would have gone my whole life not knowing that had you not informed me. I don't think anyone I hang out with has read Twilight and I doubt that my child's peers are going to be into it. Something tells me it won't be considered a "must-read" in 10 or 15 years. :lulz:
Also what is the undesirable media connotation associated with "Nikita"? I must have missed that one.
Also also, do people really avoid names they like because of cinematic or literary characters? Because that seems dumb as shit to me, and a good way to not ever find a usable name.
Quote from: East Coast Hustle on December 11, 2015, 04:08:28 PM
Also what is the undesirable media connotation associated with "Nikita"? I must have missed that one.
Also also, do people really avoid names they like because of cinematic or literary characters? Because that seems dumb as shit to me, and a good way to not ever find a usable name.
I only avoided names already in use in either family. No juniors around here.
Quote from: East Coast Hustle on December 11, 2015, 04:06:48 PM
I would have gone my whole life not knowing that had you not informed me. I don't think anyone I hang out with has read Twilight and I doubt that my child's peers are going to be into it. Something tells me it won't be considered a "must-read" in 10 or 15 years. :lulz:
They probably won't be reading it, but she may be in a graduating class with 50 Isabellas and Bellas.
Quote from: East Coast Hustle on December 11, 2015, 04:08:28 PM
Also what is the undesirable media connotation associated with "Nikita"? I must have missed that one.
Also also, do people really avoid names they like because of cinematic or literary characters? Because that seems dumb as shit to me, and a good way to not ever find a usable name.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikita_(TV_series)
Which, who knows, maybe you like that and it's a positive media thing. I went really, really conservative with names, I know that's not everyone's preference.
Huh. I was thinking either Khrushchev, or the Luc Besson movie La Femme Nikita, which is badass as fuck.
Didn't know about the TV show. Then again, I forgot the CW was a thing that exists.
Quote from: East Coast Hustle on December 11, 2015, 04:08:28 PM
Also what is the undesirable media connotation associated with "Nikita"? I must have missed that one.
Also also, do people really avoid names they like because of cinematic or literary characters? Because that seems dumb as shit to me, and a good way to not ever find a usable name.
I don't think there's any really valid reason to avoid names because of characters in entertainment media. You can't control the media or the names they choose, and you can't predict what names will be wildly popular in the years after your child is born. Avoiding names because they are popular is, in my opinion, just as silly as favoring them because they are popular. Go with your guts on this one, and cross your finger that your kid likes what you pick.