Friday, February 16, 2007

pet peeve #4

Wanna know what peeves me?

Parents who bestow ridiculous names onto their children. Many of the worst offenders are those who choose "creative" versions of common names, some of which break spelling rules. An example in recent memory: Alican, (supposed to be pronounced Alice Ann.) I cannot help but to imagine this poor young thing having to deal with her "friends" calling her Alley Can. Eventually, she would probably just answer to that. I also knew a girl named Shelaugh, (Sheila.)

Parents, please don't subject your offspring to middle school torture by naming them something that's only amusing to you.

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10 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm a little worried that I gave my daughter a - how should I put this - a too childish name. And it's also not a traditional girl's name. Before she was born I had more of a "She can call herself FREDDIE if she wants to" attitude (and it's part of why I call myself Freddie now). But now I'm not so sure it was the best thing. She CAN call herself whatever she wants to though.

Saturday, February 17, 2007 4:10:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yes, she can call herself whatever she wants. The trick will be to get her peers to call her whatever she wants. Take heart, though. Choosing a name that may have been, in retrospect, a bit too childish is waaay less problematic than to call her something that most people cannot properly pronounce. Or worse, sounds rude no matter how you try to pronounce it. Rest easy if everyone can pronounce your child's name rather than to have her have to correct every attempt like poor Alican will until she's old enough to convince students and teachers to call her something she prefers.

A "somewhat childish" name can be sweet, and so much better than to bestow a name that would give a child grief during their most trying years, that of middle school. That would simply be short sighted in my opinion.

Saturday, February 17, 2007 5:44:00 PM  
Blogger M@ said...

No one should name their child Travis.

Saturday, February 24, 2007 10:52:00 AM  
Blogger psychoactive toad said...

Don't name your child Genita and give her a middle name that starts with L. I have seen this.

Saturday, February 24, 2007 4:20:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Let's just hope her last name was not Warts.

Saturday, February 24, 2007 9:38:00 PM  
Blogger James Burnett said...

Amen!

Monday, February 26, 2007 3:01:00 PM  
Blogger Lee said...

Weird names I've known:

Chuck Dick
Mr. Hedlicka(we used to joke that his wife's name was Ima
Maya Mae Dicey

Maybe the name was meant to be Allison(Alican)?

I wanted to name mine Anastasia Catherine, but my wife vetoed.

Friday, March 02, 2007 4:36:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks for the visit, Lee. No, the parents specifically stated "the name's per-NOUNCED Alice Ann!"

Friday, March 02, 2007 4:54:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

In Sweden they can reject your chosen baby name if they find it offensive or unsuitable for the "wearer". A girl was saved from the name "Metallica" (I think it's okay actually, wouldn't name mine though), but "Google" was acceptable for a boy. (more here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6525475.stm)

Saturday, April 07, 2007 6:25:00 PM  
Blogger The Sarcasticynic said...

I wonder if there are any Swedish kids named "Abba."

Saturday, April 07, 2007 6:36:00 PM  

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