# Can we play another round of "What the hell were Mom and Dad thinking when they named the kid?" **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 1, 2014, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-play-another-round-of-what-the-hell-were-mom-and-dad-thinking-when-they-named-the-kid/682572 "2014-03-01T02:19:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 19
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2014, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-play-another-round-of-what-the-hell-were-mom-and-dad-thinking-when-they-named-the-kid/682572/361 "2014-04-29T06:45:05Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > the standard English pronunciation is like “Zavier.” I thought it \*was \*pronounced X-avier. Can’t say I’ve ever heard anyone say Zavier before, it’s always X-avier. Like the “X-Men” character. ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2014, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-play-another-round-of-what-the-hell-were-mom-and-dad-thinking-when-they-named-the-kid/682572/362 "2014-04-29T08:53:14Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > I thought it \*was \*pronounced X-avier. Can’t say I’ve ever heard anyone say Zavier before, it’s always X-avier. Like the “X-Men” character. My neighbor was Xavier, pronounced Zayvier. My brother never got it and always called him Ex-zayvier. Drove me crazy but Xavier never said a word. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2014, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-play-another-round-of-what-the-hell-were-mom-and-dad-thinking-when-they-named-the-kid/682572/363 "2014-04-29T11:12:54Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > I thought it \*was \*pronounced X-avier. Can’t say I’ve ever heard anyone say Zavier before, it’s always X-avier. Like the “X-Men” character. Nope. X-Men got it wrong. There are several American universities with the name Xavier in their names. They’re all “Zayvier.” Francis Xavier is “Zayvier” in English. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2014, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-play-another-round-of-what-the-hell-were-mom-and-dad-thinking-when-they-named-the-kid/682572/364 "2014-04-29T12:23:23Z")
> [@brujaja](#): > > There is a game that I love to play called [“Rowowor.”](http://www.tonypa.pri.ee/rowowor.html) Oh, thanks for _that_. 'Cause that wasn’t addictive at all. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2014, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-play-another-round-of-what-the-hell-were-mom-and-dad-thinking-when-they-named-the-kid/682572/365 "2014-04-29T12:34:12Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > Two Family Guy references: one with Native American “Chief Grand Cherokee.” Also, Brian and Frank Sinatra Jr. tried to mack on “Dakota” and “New Bedford.” There was an episode of The PJs in which one of the characters dubbed himself “Chief Grand Cherokee Fully Loaded” during a camping trip. ---
**Author:** ![delsina363](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@delsina363](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/delsina363)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2014, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-play-another-round-of-what-the-hell-were-mom-and-dad-thinking-when-they-named-the-kid/682572/366 "2014-04-29T13:04:49Z")
I wanted to name my two girls simple names like Margaret, Audrey, Elizabeth. I did not figure out my first daughters name until the night before I was due for a c-section. I was with some family members, and they would put names in a hat, and then pull them out, and we all would rate the name. I settled on Raina Katherine. It is different, but not that different. It is very common in Hispanic families, and also Russia (My kid is neither). I still love it, and so does she. For the second girl, I had the named picked out for months. Reese Elisabeth. I fell victim to the trend of naming your daughter a boys name - I also considered Spencer. It is not that I do not like the name anymore, I just wished I had thought about it more. ---
**Author:** ![delsina363](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@delsina363](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/delsina363)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2014, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-play-another-round-of-what-the-hell-were-mom-and-dad-thinking-when-they-named-the-kid/682572/367 "2014-04-29T13:07:09Z")
> [@WolfpackJeep](#): > > There was an episode of The PJs in which one of the characters dubbed himself “Chief Grand Cherokee Fully Loaded” during a camping trip. I loved that show. Everyone had funny names in that series. Did not last long, but I liked it a lot. I grew up int the PJs, and I thought it was hilarious. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2014, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-play-another-round-of-what-the-hell-were-mom-and-dad-thinking-when-they-named-the-kid/682572/368 "2014-04-29T14:21:56Z")
> [@Mister\_Rik](#): > > I know GoT has the “anyone can die, any time” thing going, but I honestly can’t see Arya getting killed off. I think Arya is gonna somehow or other hook up with Daenarys and end up one of the most powerful people in Westeros 😃 I wasn’t even really thinking of her dying; I was thinking more of the possibility of her turning heel. _“Sorry, honey - at the time you were born, only five books were out, and Arya Stark hadn’t started skinning puppies yet.”_ 😛 ---
**Author:** ![bobkitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c67d28/32.png) [@bobkitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobkitty)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2014, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-play-another-round-of-what-the-hell-were-mom-and-dad-thinking-when-they-named-the-kid/682572/369 "2014-05-03T18:40:15Z")
One of the folks on a Facebook group I belong to just revealed his daughters’ names: Annaleagh, Kayeleagh, Kimberleagh, and Apryl. He has a son named Keven. I am both dreading and eagerly anticipating the revelation of their middle names, which- with any luck- are no doubt equally as horrific. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2014, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-play-another-round-of-what-the-hell-were-mom-and-dad-thinking-when-they-named-the-kid/682572/370 "2014-05-03T18:41:27Z")
> [@bobkitty](#): > > One of the folks on a Facebook group I belong to just revealed his daughters’ names: Annaleagh, Kayeleagh, Kimberleagh, and Apryl. I am both dreading and eagerly anticipating the revelation of their middle names, which- with any luck- are no doubt equally as horrific. [retch] ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2014, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-play-another-round-of-what-the-hell-were-mom-and-dad-thinking-when-they-named-the-kid/682572/371 "2014-05-03T18:43:22Z")
> [@bobkitty](#): > > One of the folks on a Facebook group I belong to just revealed his daughters’ names: Annaleagh, Kayeleagh, Kimberleagh, and Apryl. He has a son named Keven. I am both dreading and eagerly anticipating the revelation of their middle names, which- with any luck- are no doubt equally as horrific. That’s making my inner [Grammar Nazi](http://www.queenofwands.net/d/20051023.html) twitch. ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2014, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-play-another-round-of-what-the-hell-were-mom-and-dad-thinking-when-they-named-the-kid/682572/372 "2014-05-03T19:25:27Z")
> [@bobkitty](#): > > One of the folks on a Facebook group I belong to just revealed his daughters’ names: Annaleagh, Kayeleagh, Kimberleagh, and Apryl. He has a son named Keven. I am both dreading and eagerly anticipating the revelation of their middle names, which- with any luck- are no doubt equally as horrific. I’d pronounce those Annalee-aggh, Kayelee-aggh, Kimberlee-aggh, and Ape-rile. “Aggh” as in a frustrated sound. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2014, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-play-another-round-of-what-the-hell-were-mom-and-dad-thinking-when-they-named-the-kid/682572/373 "2014-05-03T20:19:00Z")
> [@EmilyG](#): > > I’d pronounce those Annalee-aggh, Kayelee-aggh, Kimberlee-aggh, and Ape-rile. “Aggh” as in a frustrated sound. He must have died while naming them. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2014, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-play-another-round-of-what-the-hell-were-mom-and-dad-thinking-when-they-named-the-kid/682572/374 "2014-05-03T20:41:04Z")
> [@delsina363](#): > > My husband has a niece named Nevaeh - Heaven spelled backwards. Is that just not the cutest name eva :rolleyes: I enjoy the ones named Neveah. Should have filled out the form before they gave you the meds. Or, it could be a transcription error. My birth certificate ended up with a typo on it, which I had corrected later. It didn’t cost anything, because I could show I’d always used the spelling my parents intended, and it was clearly a transcription error at some point. All I had to pay for was the new copy of the certificate I was issued. It wasn’t the same as changing my name (which had been my fear, and the reason I put off doing it for a long time), because it wasn’t my fault it was originally misspelled. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2014, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-play-another-round-of-what-the-hell-were-mom-and-dad-thinking-when-they-named-the-kid/682572/375 "2014-05-03T21:27:09Z")
How is one to pronounce “Neveah”? ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2014, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-play-another-round-of-what-the-hell-were-mom-and-dad-thinking-when-they-named-the-kid/682572/376 "2014-05-03T21:35:35Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > …My birth certificate ended up with a typo on it, which I had corrected later. It didn’t cost anything, because I could show I’d always used the spelling my parents intended, and it was clearly a transcription error at some point. All I had to pay for was the new copy of the certificate I was issued. It wasn’t the same as changing my name (which had been my fear, and the reason I put off doing it for a long time), because it wasn’t my fault it was originally misspelled. I know someone whose dad actually misspelled his name on his son’s birth certificate. So my friend is named Rodger instead of Roger. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGrenze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dbc845/32.png) [@KarlGrenze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGrenze)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2014, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-play-another-round-of-what-the-hell-were-mom-and-dad-thinking-when-they-named-the-kid/682572/377 "2014-05-03T23:06:23Z")
My mom and dad agreed finally on an invented name, but disagreed on the spelling. Dad was the one who registered me. His spelling won. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2014, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-play-another-round-of-what-the-hell-were-mom-and-dad-thinking-when-they-named-the-kid/682572/378 "2014-05-04T02:01:37Z")
We have a Xion as well as a Zion, both pronounced the same way. We also have Zackies, whose mom gets upset if you don’t automatically pronounce it like “Zacchaeus.” I understand that the original is hard to spell, but don’t blame me if I look at your kid’s name and assume it’s pronounced as spelled. I was assuming he’d be “Zack” by now, but it’s been almost a full school year and that’s not happening. ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2014, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-play-another-round-of-what-the-hell-were-mom-and-dad-thinking-when-they-named-the-kid/682572/379 "2014-05-04T02:26:46Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > How is one to pronounce “Neveah”? I would pronounce it Nivea. As in [Nivea](http://www.niveausa.com/). ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2014, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-play-another-round-of-what-the-hell-were-mom-and-dad-thinking-when-they-named-the-kid/682572/380 "2014-05-04T15:52:14Z")
Funny story: one night a couple of years back, Mrs. Homie and I were discussing kids’ names (we don’t, and won’t, have kids) and the names we’d have ultimately given our kids if we’d had them. For a boy, I suggested Benjamin Elias [Ourlastname]. Benjamin is a Biblical name (I like Biblical names) that is neither common (like Matthew or Mark) nor obscure (like Hezekiah or Gomer). Elias is the middle name of a man I _greatly_ admire (Walter Elias Disney). Since “Ben” doesn’t work with our last name, I suggested we’d call him “Eli.” Mrs. Homie was having none of that. We bantered around back & forth for a bit and reached a compromise: Elias William [Ourlastname], and we’d call him “Will.” On to girls’ names. This was much easier. I suggested Grace Louise [Ourlastname]. I love the name “Grace”; it has a Biblical ring to it, and it’s neither trendy (like Ashley or Mackenzie) nor old-lady (like Agnes or Myrtle); Louise is my mom’s middle name. Mrs. Homie suggested “Holly Grace [Ourlastname];” Holly is the name of a friend we went to college with, who died in a car accident. However, “Holly [Ourlastname]” doesn’t really work, so we’d officially name her “Holly Grace [Ourlastname]” and call her “Grace.” About an hour (and a couple of bong hits) later, out of nowhere it occurred to me: our hypothetical kids are Will & Grace. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-play-another-round-of-what-the-hell-were-mom-and-dad-thinking-when-they-named-the-kid/682572.md?page=18) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-play-another-round-of-what-the-hell-were-mom-and-dad-thinking-when-they-named-the-kid/682572.md?page=20)