I can add little to the horrifying shitstorm of cutesy-bootsy, adorable-horrible names previously mentioned. But I’ll try.
K-names get me when they sound too coined and American. Kristina, Kirsten or Krystyna are all legitimate ethnic spellings of Christine. But the alabaster purity of that classic name fades to the patina of a cheap plastic toy when it’s spelled Kristine, Krystine or some such.
Needless to say, whenever I read about a Kristopher, Korey or Kraig, I kringe. I also don’t care for Carens, Cates or Cays.
I’m not real big on the tawny, brawny boys’ names that started coming in in the '60s and '70s: Todd, Brant, Scott, etc., or the faux-gentry '80s names that can apply to both boys and girls, eg: Hunter, Taylor, Tyler, Ryan.
I have never gotten a truly good vibe from a Diane or Diana. I can’t help associating the name with diatribes, diabetes, and diarrhea.
O-names leave a weird taste in my mouth. Owen, Oliver, Olivia, Otis, etc. seem old, owlish and ornery to me. However, I once knew a man with the first name of O’Neil. I thought it had dash.
John or Jonathan (not Johnathan, Jonathon etc.) are real names. Jon is a nickname. Don’t name your kid Jon.