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
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.
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.
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.
I’m looking for further evidence of the Orangejello. Snopes article here. And for a site that is supposed to be fighting ignorance, there seems to be a buttload of urban legends on this thread.
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.
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.