# Given Names -- What were they thinking? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 14, 2012, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/given-names-what-were-they-thinking/618759 "2012-04-14T14:32:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![iftheresaway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecae2f/32.png) [@iftheresaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iftheresaway)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2012, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/given-names-what-were-they-thinking/618759/61 "2012-04-14T23:23:11Z")
I should start with the caveat that I don’t think “weird” names are really that big a deal; if kids want to make fun of you, they’ll find a way to do it even if your name is Mike Smith or Elizabeth Brown. Also, a lot of “weirdness” comes from names that are just fine in their own cultural/ social tradition, but don’t fit with your own experience. That being said, I work with No Child Left Behind tutoring programs, and in dealing with hundreds of students every year, I see a lot of names that give me a giggle in passing (and some that are just awesome). A couple of examples: \*Nicquayleeonnetea (goes by Nikki) \*Ragel \*Kizzy \*Jelani \*Shagina (yes, really) \*Angeliek (not sure if it was supposed to be pronounced like “Angelique” or “Angelic”) \*Martini \*Zi-Keith \*Jah-sun \*Phurious (this is actually the best name for anyone ever) \*Kamechion \*Evert \*Eligah (presumably this is more unique than Elijah) \*Starteese \*Gysai \*Naykkiah \*Anquanette (because there are already too many girls named Antoinette, Antoinette, Antwonette, & Antwanette) \*Antjuanique (ditto) \*Pahmel \*Adanael (this and the next two seem like they came out of a misprinted Bible) \*Azyairiah \*Magdiel \*Kysyia \*Likellon \*Taronica \*Montenaze And “matchy” twin or sibling names are also very popular: \*Devin & Tevin \*Autumn & Summer \*Darcey & Darcia \*Mo’Nyshia & Mo’Quiesha \*Darria & Darrien \*Tamaja & Tamonta \*Jada & Jenise \*Donte & Damonte \*Carlee & Casee \*Tamarah & Tamiyah \*Tramell & Travell ---
**Author:** ![Seren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19adc/32.png) [@Seren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seren)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2012, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/given-names-what-were-they-thinking/618759/62 "2012-04-14T23:24:18Z")
We’ve got a kid at our school named Asshatta. When I was growing up, two of my classmates were siblings named Tequila and Champagne. Oh! and my husband had Tyranny and Ordeal as students one year. ---
**Author:** ![6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/6/e19adc/32.png) [@6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2012, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/given-names-what-were-they-thinking/618759/63 "2012-04-14T23:34:25Z")
> [@iftheresaway](#): > > \*Phurious (this is actually the best name for anyone ever) Are his parents mad? ---
**Author:** ![FrancisCastle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b4bc9f/32.png) [@FrancisCastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FrancisCastle)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2012, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/given-names-what-were-they-thinking/618759/64 "2012-04-14T23:34:40Z")
Garden and Gather (sisters) Orangejello (pronounced or-AN-gel-oh) I’ve had the pleasure of meeting all three of these children (and their mothers). ---
**Author:** ![6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/6/e19adc/32.png) [@6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2012, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/given-names-what-were-they-thinking/618759/65 "2012-04-14T23:37:36Z")
> [@FrancisCastle](#): > > Orangejello (pronounced or-AN-gel-oh) Well _that_ kid’s set for life.. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2012, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/given-names-what-were-they-thinking/618759/66 "2012-04-14T23:45:01Z")
> [@iftheresaway](#): > > \*Phurious (this is actually the best name for anyone ever) > [@6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](#): > > Are his parents mad? I had it almost a sure thing in my mind that Sam Jackson had played a character by that name, but I was wrong: [Jason ‘Furious’ Styles](http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0012618/) ---
**Author:** ![Avarie537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Avarie537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avarie537)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2012, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/given-names-what-were-they-thinking/618759/67 "2012-04-15T00:01:42Z")
My favorite Kroger cashier is Pashique. I like this one from the local paper: Kryzjun (pronounced like Christian) in the caption here [http://www.indystar.com/article/20100714/LOCAL18/7140321/Y-gets-new-name-mission-unchanged](http://www.indystar.com/article/20100714/LOCAL18/7140321/Y-gets-new-name-mission-unchanged) ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2012, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/given-names-what-were-they-thinking/618759/68 "2012-04-15T00:04:17Z")
> [@6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](#): > > Well _that_ kid’s set for life.. _golf clap and fish slap_ ---
**Author:** ![chizzuk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@chizzuk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chizzuk)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2012, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/given-names-what-were-they-thinking/618759/69 "2012-04-15T00:18:40Z")
My brother had a friend named McTheophilus. At least there are nicknames you can do with that (he went by Mac, Theo, and Phil at various points), but still, jeez. I knew a guy named Stevephen. I guess they couldn’t decide whether to spell it with a V or a PH and so they went with both. He did pronounce it “Steven” and not “Steve-uh-ven,” which is what I initially thought it was. It looks absolutely ridiculous, though. I read on another board about a neighbor’s child named “Yechi Adoneinu Moreinu V’rabbeinu Melech HaMoshiach Le’olam Va’ed Menachem Mendel [lastname].” (Long live our master, teacher and rabbi king messiah forever Menachem Mendel). I am assuming the parents are _meshichist_ Lubavitchers. ---
**Author:** ![feppytweed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/feppytweed/32/4280_2.png) [@feppytweed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/feppytweed)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2012, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/given-names-what-were-they-thinking/618759/70 "2012-04-15T00:48:17Z")
I humbly submit my customers Elastic and DeLovely. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2012, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/given-names-what-were-they-thinking/618759/71 "2012-04-15T00:58:14Z")
There’s a survival expert named Mykel A. G. “Hawke” Pierce who, along with his wife, Ruth, hosts a TV show on Discovery (Man, Woman, Wild). He goes by the name Myke Hawke. Really. It sounds like a name Bart Simpson would give when prank calling Moe. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2012, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/given-names-what-were-they-thinking/618759/72 "2012-04-15T00:59:18Z")
Never mind. Accidentally quoted myself. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2012, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/given-names-what-were-they-thinking/618759/73 "2012-04-15T01:14:55Z")
I’ve hear that fe-mal-eh story from at least 4 different people who swer it’s true 'cuz someone close to them saw it firsthand. All were in different professions and states, and over a 15 year spread or so. I know a kid named England, and her little brother Paris (yes, where they were conceived) I knew a Meadow Meeder, and one of my favorites, Peter Abbet (say it fast). I don’t know as I have room to talk though, my middle name is Seymour, and I’m female. ---
**Author:** ![mcgato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac8455/32.png) [@mcgato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcgato)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2012, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/given-names-what-were-they-thinking/618759/74 "2012-04-15T01:19:59Z")
> [@FrancisCastle](#): > > Garden and Gather (sisters) > > Orangejello (pronounced or-AN-gel-oh) > > I’ve had the pleasure of meeting all three of these children (and their mothers). I’m looking for further evidence of the Orangejello. [Snopes article here](http://www.snopes.com/racial/language/names.asp). And for a site that is supposed to be fighting ignorance, there seems to be a buttload of urban legends on this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2012, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/given-names-what-were-they-thinking/618759/75 "2012-04-15T01:27:52Z")
> [@FrancisCastle](#): > > Orangejello (pronounced or-AN-gel-oh) > > I’ve had the pleasure of meeting all three of these children (and their mothers). At the risk of offending you, this urban legend has been around for a very long time, along with other names such as Lemonjello and other supposedly misheard words. These are almost invariably accompanied by a description of the mother as an ignorant black woman. I can’t disprove your assertion that you have actually met these people, but it’s highly unlikely. And…beaten to it, I see. ---
**Author:** ![jabiru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@jabiru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabiru)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2012, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/given-names-what-were-they-thinking/618759/76 "2012-04-15T01:36:04Z")
Melina. Yes, I know it’s an OK name - just not for a nurse. It could have been worse: her surname could’ve been Stool. ---
**Author:** ![Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/regallag_the_axe/32/445_2.png) [@Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Regallag_The_Axe)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2012, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/given-names-what-were-they-thinking/618759/77 "2012-04-15T02:09:47Z")
I once met a girl called April Fields. It’s more poetic than terrible, but I’m sure she gets tired of the comments. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2012, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/given-names-what-were-they-thinking/618759/78 "2012-04-15T02:23:53Z")
There’s a journalist named [Krystal Ball](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krystal_Ball). ---
**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2012, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/given-names-what-were-they-thinking/618759/79 "2012-04-15T02:29:03Z")
I’ve got a buddy named [Sand](http://www.myspace.com/sandsheff) and I met a Willy Wonka as a child. ---
**Author:** ![OldnCrinkly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8e7dd6/32.png) [@OldnCrinkly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldnCrinkly)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2012, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/given-names-what-were-they-thinking/618759/80 "2012-04-15T02:34:35Z")
In high school, I worked a summer job with a guy named Advil. He was pretty old though. I think he was around before the medicine. Still cracked me up. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/given-names-what-were-they-thinking/618759.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/given-names-what-were-they-thinking/618759.md?page=5)