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And just to clarify, I think it's fine to use names from another culture (nowadays how would anyone really know your background unless you choose to tell them) as long as you have some idea of the meaning of the name (I'm thinking of the discussion of Cohen awhile back). Otherwise it reminds me of people who get tattoos and find out later they have permanently branded themselves with the Japanese character for "staircase" or something :)
I think my feelings on this subject depend on how connected a person really is with their heritage. For example, I'm half French, but the other side of my family is a mixture of German, Irish, Welsh, and some Russian. The French side of my family does have a strong connection to the culture, so if I picked a French name for a future child (which I have considered) I would feel like there was some meaning there. If I were to pick a Welsh name, however, I really might as well go with Muhammed. I could pull out my Welsh "heritage" to lend authenticity to / justify my choice, but it would really have very little meaning.
Since we're talking popular names, what would you pick if you had to come up with first/middle name combination from the current top 20 list? I'm partial to Alexander James and Sarah Elizabeth...
It's been interesting reading about other's experiences with regional naming; I'm another one who has never met a little Eleanor. In fact, a co-worker recently named his daughter Emily and there was general disbelief at how "old-fashioned" the choice was. I agree that Emily is charmingly old fashioned, but I was surprised how many people were shocked by it! :)
An earlier post mentioned Cecilia as a possibility--I agree, for my neck of the woods, anyway. For an area that seems to have a lot of Jaydens and Kaylees, I have met three little Cecilias in the past few months. It's one of my favorites, along with Celia.
OK, I am enlisting you all in my mission to prevent Lila from becoming a number one name. If anybody approaches you and says, "Lila is such a pretty name. We're thinking of using it for our daughter," you are to shake your head gravely and say "That is the most horrific name I have ever heard." Or "awful, ugly, hideous, terrible," whatever strikes your fancy. My daughter, obviously, is Lila. She's only a few months old and I actually considered changing her name, but my husband vetoed the move. He thinks my aversion to popular names is "bizarre" :) If I were changing it I would go with Leonie--let's see that make it to the top of the charts! :)
piccarah--That is so funny. Weaver was my husband's grandfather's first name.
Oooh, and Sloane (Ferris Bueller's Day Off)
zoerhenne--So true:) Also, I have to agree on the 70's names--particularly kind of preppy girl's names: Paige (as was mentioned), Blair, Brooke, that kind of thing. I have no idea why :)
Names from my son's 2 yr old preschool class: Jack x 2 (including mine) Isaac Gavin Brady Cooper Benjamin Francesca Since Jack is my first child, and my husband and I have uncommon-ish names, we didn't really "get" the problem with having a popular name. So what? we said. So who freaked out today when she realized her son would be Jack R. ? Oh well; it gives me an excuse to use his middle name, Weaver (family name that I love). Also love that the Francesca in his class does not go by a nickname--it's all or nothing! Very cute :)
OK, about "the Mackenzie thing"--I am having a hard time with the idea that it is OK to make assumptions about the "kind of person" who would use a certain name. I realize there is statistical data that does show certain trends, but there seems to be quite a lot of judgment tied in when people are talking about those trends. I think that most people, whether they name their child Astrid or Madison or Nevaeh, are giving their child a label they have an emotional connection to; something that conjures up images of the kind of person they want their child to be and the kind of life they want them to live. For example, Makenzie could strike a parent as a bold, confident, spunky sounding name--traits they would like their daughter to have. It might remind of someone they know. Whatever the reason, I am sure people do not just randomly pick names because someone they know used the same name. I'm sure parents who name their kids Emily and Jacob thought long and hard about their decision, and chose those names for their own personal reasons. There, I just had to get that off my chest. And no, my kid is not named Mackenzie :)
Thanks for the stats Moonlady! I know how much fun it can be to have a project to distract you from work :)
Above should read "the band Braid" :)
Moonlady--I have a two month old named Lila, so I sympathize with you. I am, however, learning to be at peace with my naming choices :) My 2 year old son also has a popular name. As a previous poster mentioned, we were first time parents and my husband and I really did not consider popularity, short of wanting to avoid a MegaPopular name on the order of Madison. I love both my kid's names, though, whether they are popular or not. I actually think it's a little silly to not pick a name you love because--dear god!--someone else likes it too! As has been mentioned here before, even the most popular names are being used in smaller numbers, decreasing the probability that your child will be surrounded by others with their name--no matter how popular it may be. And I wonder how often parents are really concerned about that, anyway--I often feel as though parents regard their name choices as reflections of themselves and their creativity. It reminds me a little of the college radio station I worked at where it was impossible to be "indy" enough; if somebody said they liked the and Braid, for instance, everyone would roll their eyes--"Oh, they're so popular now!"--even though the majority of the population has no idea who they are :) l
My husband just met the oldest son of a golf enthusiast. He and his brothers are named....(wait for it)....Chipper, Putter, and Driver.
Guest--I am by no means an expert :) but in my opinion if they are family names and you like them--use them! I understand your concern, but it seems like less of an issue with a fn/mn combo than a fn/ln. Do you plan on calling him by both names on a regular basis? I only use my son's mn when he is in big trouble:)
This is totally off topic but it is my first post and I need reassurance! My 2 year old son is named Jackson (Jack)--a name my husband and I both loved because of the nn and the Johnny Cash song. Now everybody and their brother has a Jackson, although I have not heard anyone mention the musical connection. My new daughter is named Lila, a name that is not yet common where I live but seems to now be viewed as trendy. I am kind of ridiculously preoccupied with this. If we have a third (big "if" right now) my favorite names are Celia for a girl and Hank for a boy (husband does not like). Does anyone see these as rising quickly and causing me further name anxiety?