What do you think makes a parent want to name their child an unusual name...?

..if it has been proven that those children have been shown to suffer many social disorders, psycological issues, and even discrimination later in life moreso than those with "socially acceptable" names?





I can understand the desire to give a child their own sense of identity, to make them stand out from the rest, I really do. But honestly, it should be the childs decision to stand out, not something they inherit at birth. A name can be so essential on a subconscience level in a childs growth.





Am I making any sense? I see so many people on here that ask for opinions on certain names, and I sometimes shake my head knowing that the child will most likely not only have a rough childhood, but adulthood as well. I know this isn't always the case; But are you, as caring and loving parent, willing to take that chance? What are your opinions?

What do you think makes a parent want to name their child an unusual name...?
You are making perfect sense. I think that you hit the nail on the head...parents want to give the kid a special sense of identity but in doing so they open the kid to harassment and pain. I went to school with a kid named Abraham. He got picked on and all of our teachers expected more out of him than anyone in the class. He felt picked on. My real name is long and hard to pronounce and I took a lot of flack as a kid....I hate my name.
Reply:It would be nice if you give an example of an unusual name is for you. I agree with your point, but what is unusual for you, might not be unusual for others. I, for instance I don't like popular names like Jessica. Although is a beautiful name, you can name 3 kids in each block with that name. I named both my daughters with Italian names. one is known the other not so much, but very understandable.I came from Italian background and most English names did not sound smooth in our pronunciation, but their name sound beautiful in English. They are not unusual names. But I agree with you, I have seen some distasteful things done to a child because of their name.
Reply:Naming of the child is the prerogative of parents. The child for all purposes carries through this name all along the life and gets an identity in the society. Parents have hope and expectation when they name the child. I have asked many children about the meaning,significance %26amp; background of their names. Most of them have replied that they are ignorant about it. They have not even asked their parents even once when they are/were alive.A name without any significance is futille. If the child is informed about the reason/background about the name it would try to live upto it.
Reply:Not enough information to answer. Will anyway.





Are you talking unusual (like Helmut, Tyrone, Anastasia, etc), or just plain stupid, - like, ahem, the downright funny and degrading names a certain group tends to give their kids, like DeWaffleress, LaShodriseka, Demetriolious, Schnoriss, QuoVardis, etc.? (these are all real names on real birth certificates, by the way).





In the case of the former, I think the parents are just trying to give the kid a moniker that reflects and transmits what they see as his/her uniqueness, or at least the uniqueness they hope he/she will develop. Yeah, lots of time that's just born of the parents' unfounded arrogance, but I think they mean well by doing it. Whether the kid suffers or benefits from being set apart from the crowd, if only in name only, would take a hell of a lot of research and more time than anyone would would want to devote - or be able to get the government to underwrite - to determine. In the case of the latter, I DO think it is detrimental, as it amounts to saddling your kid with your own gunky, anti-intellectual, stirring the alphabet soup one time more than your neighbor, boneheaded statement of sorts.
Reply:Yes I do think you have something there but you have to think almost every child gets teased about something weight,hair color (red heads=carrot top), clothes,being in the band,wearing glasses,how tall or short you are etc. You could have some crazy name and be a star football player. I don't think names have that much impact on a kid its what they make of themselves as individuals your name doesn't define who you are or what you will become in life. All kids get teased if you have a unusual name or not. I have an 8 yr old daughter her name is Amber which isn't too unusual she gets teased about 2 things her height and weight. I'm 5'9 so i know she is gonna be tall my ex was 6'0 she is a little chunky but i know she is gonna grow outta that when she hits puberty so i'm not worried she's not significantly overweight but she gets called big bird cause of her size and weight at first she didn't like it but now when she gets called it she laughs cause she's proud of being herself.My son is the opposite his name is Wesley he's a twig and alittle taller than his sister being 11 he doesn't like to be only a couple inches taller and weighs 30 lbs less then his younger sister he gets teased about his size a good gust of wind could take you places.My points is kids get teased about anything no matter what name they have.Hope this helps. Good Luck :)
Reply:I believe a parent should truely take into consideration what they name their child. Because, while it might sound cute reading it out of a baby name book, the child will have to grow up being called "Kingston" or "Apple" (Some hollywood baby names).When I heard the parents had named their children this, I didn't think to myself, oh that's original, much better than Brittany or Sara. I thought, that's completely ridiculous.
Reply:An ego trip for the parents, but cruel to the child who has to live with the "handle" selected. In the 1970's a colleague was mortified that his grandchild was named "Huckelberry Schwartz. "
Reply:America has people from everywhere in the world and these people may not think that Mary, John %26amp; David mean anything to them....they're too mediocre.





I think as long as the name isn't derogotory it's the parents decision.





Sometimes having a difficult name can be a way to give a child some back-bone.
Reply:You reap what you sow!


Explain to your child when he or she is big and mature enough.


Justify why you give such a weird name.


If you don't have the guts to risk, choose a socially acceptable name and you'll be safe!
Reply:I have an unusual name and I have always liked being the only one and yes I have always felt different but not in a bad way and probably no different than other people feel from each other.

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