# I feel like I have a childish name. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 12, 2011, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-like-i-have-a-childish-name/592403 "2011-08-12T01:11:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**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:** [August 13, 2011, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-like-i-have-a-childish-name/592403/61 "2011-08-13T04:39:58Z")
I know a Cody (30 year old guy) and a Kodee (8 year old girl), and I find the former grown up and masculine, and the latter childish and girly. It’s the people who make the name, not the name that makes the people. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-like-i-have-a-childish-name/592403/62 "2011-08-13T04:43:51Z")
> [@Silver Tyger Girl](#): > > I made Katherine my new middle name (my old one was Marie. Ugh. Could be worse—my aunt Marie’s other given name is Carmela. ---
**Author:** ![jasonh300](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/46a35a/32.png) [@jasonh300](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasonh300)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-like-i-have-a-childish-name/592403/63 "2011-08-13T07:36:45Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Identical or fraternal? I didn’t see anything about them being twins, or even related. Who would give twins the same name? North Dakota and South Dakota? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Girlfriend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.girlfriend/32/193_2.png) [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-like-i-have-a-childish-name/592403/64 "2011-08-13T18:54:39Z")
I know a guy named Cody who runs with the cowboy theme. He’s a big guy, and the boots and hat and string tie work for him. He’s also about 60-ish, and he looks like he could kick anyone’s ass with one hand tied behind his back. There’s a family I know with two daughters, Dystyny and Triniti… those are stripper names if I ever saw one. ---
**Author:** ![Sally\_Mander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@Sally\_Mander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sally_Mander)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-like-i-have-a-childish-name/592403/65 "2011-08-14T00:17:48Z")
> [@jasonh300](#): > > I didn’t see anything about them being twins, or even related. > > Who would give twins the same name? > > North Dakota and South Dakota? No, they’re not twins. They’re two unrelated children, the kids of friends. The girl is about five, and the little boy is about two. Although North Dakota and South Dakota would be awesome names for twins. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-like-i-have-a-childish-name/592403/66 "2011-08-14T02:37:13Z")
> [@OpalCat](#): > > Baaaahahahahaaha my middle name is Marie. My middle name is Marie. It was my grandmother’s first name. I’ve always thought it was a beautiful name. However, it does seem that one third of U.S. women seem to have that as our middle name. Another third seem to bear the middle name of “Ann” or “Anne”. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-like-i-have-a-childish-name/592403/67 "2011-08-14T05:41:08Z")
> [@carnut](#): > > My middle name is Marie. It was my grandmother’s first name. I’ve always thought it was a beautiful name. > > However, it does seem that one third of U.S. women seem to have that as our middle name. Another third seem to bear the middle name of “Ann” or “Anne”. and then you get my mother, Ann Marie. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-like-i-have-a-childish-name/592403/68 "2011-08-14T10:13:20Z")
I always thought Lee was oddly popular as a middle name. I don’t think Cody is a bad name, either. Other -y names can sound kiddie because they are modifications of a real name or nickname, designed to be cutesy. But Cody isn’t. It never would have dawned on me to think of it as one of those names. I also think the problem with Dede is not the final sound, but the fact that it’s repetitious, like baby talk. I would always assume it was an affectionate nickname. Finally, I don’t think Kathy is that bad. It sounds a lot better than Katy, and doesn’t confuse people into thinking your name is Kaitlyn. But I do get not liking a shortened version of your name. The only way I like my name shortened is the way it is in my Username: an initial. I only wish my name were not so dadblasted uncommon, so I could share it with you guys. Not only I have always absolutely loved it, but I’ve always wondered if my dislike of the nicknamed version is rational. I mostly don’t like it because it’s usually a nickname for another name, and I like that my name is relatively unique. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-like-i-have-a-childish-name/592403/69 "2011-08-14T14:03:10Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > I always thought Lee was oddly popular as a middle name. Lee is my husband’s middle name. We’re apparently the Common Commonly McCommoner family. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![jasonh300](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/46a35a/32.png) [@jasonh300](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasonh300)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-like-i-have-a-childish-name/592403/70 "2011-08-14T15:11:49Z")
> [@carnut](#): > > My middle name is Marie. It was my grandmother’s first name. I’ve always thought it was a beautiful name. > > However, it does seem that one third of U.S. women seem to have that as our middle name. Another third seem to bear the middle name of “Ann” or “Anne”. Catholics like to give their daughters Mary, Marie or Maria as a middle name because of the Catholic devotion to the Blessed Mother. Statistically, 22% of the U.S. population is Catholic, so it’s going to be a very popular name. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-like-i-have-a-childish-name/592403/71 "2011-08-14T16:49:28Z")
> [@jasonh300](#): > > Catholics like to give their daughters Mary, Marie or Maria as a middle name because of the Catholic devotion to the Blessed Mother. Statistically, 22% of the U.S. population is Catholic, so it’s going to be a very popular name. Well, that is true and I do qualify as Catholic. But I was named after my grandmother, or rather to pacify my grandmother for not giving me the first name she suggested, not for religious reasons. ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-like-i-have-a-childish-name/592403/72 "2011-08-14T17:08:14Z")
It is pretty crazy how many women have Ann, Lynn, or Marie as a middle name. It seems much more consistent than with guys. I am on the side of thinking Cody is a tough-sounding name for an adult man. I have heard far worse names. ---
**Author:** ![llcoolbj77](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/eb9ed0/32.png) [@llcoolbj77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/llcoolbj77)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-like-i-have-a-childish-name/592403/73 "2011-08-14T17:43:48Z")
I think Cody is ok, but it does make me think of someone younger. My parents named me after a favored cousin, Elizabeth Jean. But she went by Betty Jean or BJ. So my parents called me BJ pretty much from birth, despite them not being my initials nor calling me Betty Jean. I was in second grade the first time someone called me blow job. And high school was fun, as you can imagine. But Beej or BJ is just who I am. In court the judges call me Elizabeth. But the bailiffs, clerks, and judges off the bench call me BJ. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![KittenKat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kittenkat/32/306_2.png) [@KittenKat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KittenKat)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-like-i-have-a-childish-name/592403/74 "2011-08-14T19:37:33Z")
> [@kath94](#): > > ☹ I only hear my full name from my mother when I’m in BIG trouble, and only use it when signing legal documents. Otherwise, I’m perfectly happy with my name. I wouldn’t be ME otherwise. ☹ This pretty much sums it up for me, too. _Kathryn_ from my mother meant she was _very_ annoyed with me. _Kathryn Margaret_ meant I was seriously trying her patience, and when she used all three names (first, middle, last), look out! [QUOTE=BigT] I don’t think Kathy is that bad. It sounds a lot better than Katy, and doesn’t confuse people into thinking your name is Kaitlyn. But I do get not liking a shortened version of your name. The only way I like my name shortened is the way it is in my Username: an initial. [/QUOTE] Thanks for the first part, and I get not liking a shortened version of your name, too. But I’ve been called Kathy for all of my 50+ years, and I’m used to it and I like it. It’s become a part of me, as have Kath and Kat, other versions some people call me. Since I’m not called Kate or Katy, no one has ever thought I was a Kaitlyn, but knowing I was a “K” Kathy, some people have assumed I was a Kathleen. I haven’t gotten that in years, though, probably because Kathleen seems to be way down on the popularity list these days. And let me just take this opportunity to remind people that although it may feel like you’re having a conversation with only one (or a few) person (people), plenty of others are reading your posts, and you might want to take a moment or two to think if your words might gratuitously insult someone out there. I was heartily offended by **Silver Tyger Girl** ’s bald pronouncement that my name is “just kind of an ugly name anyway.” It’s not that I think every one should love the name; if she had just said that it was a name she’d never cared for, hey, that’s cool. There are plenty of names I don’t care for, too. But I don’t go posting how they’re ugly, or dumb, or silly on message boards when to do so might offend some one I have no intention of offending. ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-like-i-have-a-childish-name/592403/75 "2011-08-14T21:25:26Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > …as for Cody - well, I can see how it carries requirements - it can be hard pulling off a name like that. I can see some motorcycle-riding badass making the name Cody work (“Who was that guy? That was Cody McBadass”). Do you ride a hog? Can you shoot stuff? Open bottles with your teeth or eye socket or something? > > All I am sayin’ is: maybe you haven’t gotten in touch with your inner Cody yet 😉 I love this. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-like-i-have-a-childish-name/592403/76 "2011-08-14T21:28:31Z")
> [@carnut](#): > > My middle name is Marie. It was my grandmother’s first name. I’ve always thought it was a beautiful name. > > However, it does seem that one third of U.S. women seem to have that as our middle name. Another third seem to bear the middle name of “Ann” or “Anne”. Just in case anyone missed the poll: [Poll: Ladies, \: What's your middle name? - In My Humble Opinion - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=585177) My middle name’s Marie, because…it tied the first and last names together. No religious or family reason. ETA: Whoops…my middle name is now my husband’s last name. Changed it when I got married, and almost forgot! ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-like-i-have-a-childish-name/592403/77 "2011-08-15T01:54:03Z")
The only Cody I knew, I knew in grade school, so… (That Cody aside, I don’t think I’ve ever thought as the name as being particularly childish. Or particularly anything- the only association I have with “Cody” is blond hair). ---
**Author:** ![GilaB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@GilaB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GilaB)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-like-i-have-a-childish-name/592403/78 "2011-08-15T19:44:52Z")
Cody only got really popular in the 1980’s, so yes, most of today’s Codys are youngish. As you get older, the profile of the name will get older as well. I mean, you probably don’t think of ‘Gilbert’ as a young name, but it once was - in the 1930’s and 40’s. That said, people seem to identify that -y ending as too childish for boys right now. Witness the rise of the mostly made-up name Braden, possibly because people thought Brady sounded to nickname-y. Read a whole essay on the subject [here](http://www.babynamewizard.com/archives/2008/8/instant-name-just-add-n). ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-like-i-have-a-childish-name/592403/79 "2011-08-15T22:12:33Z")
> [@GilaB](#): > > Cody only got really popular in the 1980’s, so yes, most of today’s Codys are youngish. As you get older, the profile of the name will get older as well. I mean, you probably don’t think of ‘Gilbert’ as a young name, but it once was - in the 1930’s and 40’s. > > That said, people seem to identify that -y ending as too childish for boys right now. Witness the rise of the mostly made-up name Braden, possibly because people thought Brady sounded to nickname-y. Read a whole essay on the subject [here](http://www.babynamewizard.com/archives/2008/8/instant-name-just-add-n). The -en thing is really interesting, since the -n in a lot of those names (Aidan, Kevin, and a zillion girls’ names—Kathleen, Eileen, Maureen, Megan, Doreen) is from Irish Gaelic, where it’s a diminutive almost exactly equal to English -ie / -y. I guess in the translation to English, the “small / cute / dear / nice” part gets lost and it just sounds like a name. ---
**Author:** ![LaurenIpsum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@LaurenIpsum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LaurenIpsum)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-like-i-have-a-childish-name/592403/80 "2011-08-16T14:52:11Z")
> [@lavenderviolet](#): > > It is pretty crazy how many women have Ann, Lynn, or Marie as a middle name. I agree. My middle name is Marie, and my two sisters have Ann and Lynn as theirs. I always thought that was so boring. Maybe after my parents came up with our first names, they ran out of ideas. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-like-i-have-a-childish-name/592403.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-like-i-have-a-childish-name/592403.md?page=5)