# Names you absolutely HATE **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 16, 2001, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-absolutely-hate/62132 "2001-04-16T05:39:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mooney252](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7c8e57/32.png) [@Mooney252](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mooney252)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2001, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-absolutely-hate/62132/21 "2001-04-16T15:18:01Z")
This thread is funnier than I’d ever have guessed – and you people are so particular!! Speaker 4 the Dead: I too dislike Agnes – that hard “G” sound is so hard. But the French pronunciation of this name is heaven: Ah-nee-ess. Plus I know a cute Belgian divorcee by that name. But here are the names I hate: – “John Wayne” anything. You could start with “John Wayne” Gacey. – Dweezil and Moon Unit Zappa. Though at least she didn’t have any conflict when she went to register THAT name for use in Hollywood. ---
**Author:** ![soulmurk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b782af/32.png) [@soulmurk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/soulmurk)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2001, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-absolutely-hate/62132/22 "2001-04-16T15:38:14Z")
Blanche. Something about that name that I associate with a smelly old woman who’s not much longer on this Earth. Not a big fan of Agnes or Gertrude either. Francis. Frank is ok, even Francois or some other variation, but not Francis. Any name that is also a well known state/county/city/country/continent. If I have to meet one more Dakota or Asia, I’m going to shriek. ---
**Author:** ![Tygr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/df788c/32.png) [@Tygr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tygr)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2001, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-absolutely-hate/62132/23 "2001-04-16T15:50:38Z")
Some random [sub]\I’d FIRE at random, if your name was random.\[/sub] thoughts on names: The comedian who was the voice of Roger Rabbit once declared: “Never name your kid a verb - ‘Neil, stand up. Neil, stand up! NEIL, STAND UP!’” * * * My wife’s best friend has two beautiful little girls, one named Ashley and one named Heather. Lord, deliver us from redneck yuppies! But considering the best friend’s name is Edith, I guess some sort of backlash was inevitable. * * * Plus we’re expecting our first and we’re already getting all sorts of suggestions for baby names. I’ve determined that my wife’s nineteen-year-old cousin watches too much of the WB network - she emailed us a list of names like ‘Dawson’, ‘Pacey’, ‘Angel’, ‘Piper’, ‘Nikki’, ‘Rory’… I nearly hitchhiked to Chicago just to be able to throttle her. Unfortunately, no-one else has come up with any better ones, so I’ll keep scouring this thread for ideas on what NOT to name the kid. ---
**Author:** ![User\_10K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@User\_10K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/User_10K)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2001, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-absolutely-hate/62132/24 "2001-04-16T15:59:27Z")
Since I’ve heard my whole childhood how my name is “odd”, I now go by something more “generic”. I still cringe when I hear people complain about names, though. Olga, Agatha, Agnes, Candi- none of these deserve a second thought, much less “hate”. ---
**Author:** ![that\_darn\_cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/59ef9b/32.png) [@that\_darn\_cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/that_darn_cat)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2001, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-absolutely-hate/62132/25 "2001-04-16T16:01:49Z")
My best freind’s sister named her daughter “Kayley”. Feh I got her though, thanks to me, her nickname is “Kiwi”. 🙂 If I ever meet her sister, I’m a dead man. ---
**Author:** ![Caesar0211](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@Caesar0211](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caesar0211)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2001, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-absolutely-hate/62132/26 "2001-04-16T16:17:20Z")
I actually know someone who’s middle name is “Niquole” That is the most anyoing thing to see and hear at the same time. Also, I dont think that “Guy” is an appropriate name, and its made worse when its spelled “Gui”. This goes along the likes of, I like the name “Shawn” but dont you dare spell it “Sean” or I’ll slap you across the face. Sue me. I do know my dad cant stand the name “Kirsten”. I asked why, and he said "It sounds too much like “Curse”…he is a minister BTW. Evidently he has no problem with “Kristen” ---
**Author:** ![Tabithina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f04885/32.png) [@Tabithina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabithina)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2001, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-absolutely-hate/62132/27 "2001-04-16T16:19:42Z")
It seem like there’s at least one “Dakota” or “Cheyenne” per block in my town. I’ve also noticed that among the older men in this part of the Ozarks, “Oral” or “Ormal” are not uncommon names. This is a good case for _not_ naming the kids after Grandpa… especially if your last name is something like “Peters” or “Johnson”.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2001, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-absolutely-hate/62132/28 "2001-04-16T17:01:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Caesar0211 \* > **I like the name “Shawn” but dont you dare spell it “Sean” or I’ll slap you across the face.** 😕 “Sean” is the proper spelling! (well actually Seán but) “Shawn” is just an Illiterate Americanism, and it gives me the shudders. (Not as bad as “Katelyn” does though. Folks, that’s NOT how the Irish name Caitlín is pronounced.) I saw a list recently of the 100 most popular baby girls names in America in 2000, I think there were maybe five or six names on it that I wouldn’t divorce or kill my husband if he insisted on saddling our poor kid with it. The boys list wasn’t so bad if you could ignore the Hunters and Logans and other names that were obviously taken from soap opera characters. What are these parents thinking ??? ---
**Author:** ![silent\_rob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@silent\_rob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silent_rob)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2001, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-absolutely-hate/62132/29 "2001-04-16T17:22:29Z")
I’ve got a friend whose name is **Myek** (yep, weird spelling of Mike). The thing is, it wasn’t his parents that spelled it like that. He changed it himself (though why, I don’t know). I think there’s only one name that I just HATE: “ **Bobbie** ”. Yep, really hate that one. You might think that strange, seeing as my name is rob, and Bobbie is a derivative of robert. However, I’ve known one Bobbie in my life and he’s not my favourite person in the world (to say the least). I’ve been called robbie for a large portion of my life, and still am by many people. I don’t mind that at all. But if someone changes the “R” to a “B” for any reason besides coughing when they say it…bad news for them. ---
**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 16, 2001, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-absolutely-hate/62132/30 "2001-04-16T17:53:17Z")
Ok, neutral language be hanged; here are my big dislikes: **Louise.** My friend is considering this name for her baby. It’s not new, or trendy, rather a name that has lasted down the generations, and has to be one of the all-time most popular middle names. But I don’t like it at all. Am I the only one who has noticed that Louise rhymes with disease? **Leanne.** My middle name. I don’t like it. It sounds so trashy to me. My parents were leaning towards plain, simple Anne for my middle name, but were put off at the idea of my initials spelling “C-A-T”. I wish they’d thought a little harder, I can’t like Leanne no matter how I try. **-een.** Any name ending with the -een sound. Maureen, Kathleen, Irene… you get the picture. It just sounds whiney to my ears. **Wayne.** Will have to agree with **honkytonkwilly** on the Wayne/Duane set of names. I think it’s the same “whiney” principle as with -een names. And I stand by my earlier declaration against **Chase** , and add the ultra-trendy **Hunter** , for the same reasoning - what kind of meaning is that? Does Hunter hunt Chase, and chase Chase through the forest? Where is Forrest? Perhaps he’s caught in the blaze with Blaze?. Chase… pff. Why not just name your son Stumble, or Ponder, or Reach, or Seek? I blame these names on too many romance novels with love interests named Rocky Carstairs, who pursue the beautiful but unattainable Miss Brandy Fitzmichael-Laurence with a passion so intense you can feel the heat. Just once, I want to read a romance novel where the love interest, Bruce Hicky pursues the lovely Miss Charlene Rooster with a passion so intense … Maybe not 🙂 But at least they could come up with some realistic names so the children of the future don’t have to suffer through school with a name that describes an action, occupation or surname not related to the family. ---
**Author:** ![missbunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@missbunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missbunny)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2001, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-absolutely-hate/62132/31 "2001-04-16T18:10:21Z")
I should have also pointed out that of my four brothers and sisters, two others besides me **also** have their names listed in this thread. And the other two - one male and one female - have the _same_ name. And no, they’re not twins. Sometimes I think my mum must have been on some heavy-duty drugs throughout her entire child-bearing years. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2001, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-absolutely-hate/62132/32 "2001-04-16T18:10:24Z")
“Bob.” Any time I meet a pretentious fuckwad who refers to himself as “Bob,” I just wanna punch his lights out. “Oh, Bah-hahb…ooooh, BAHHHHHHH-HAHHHHHHB…” “Bill” is almost as bad. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2001, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-absolutely-hate/62132/33 "2001-04-16T18:17:40Z")
Oh I hate Sean. I **love** Shawn, though, so go figure. 😛 It just looks so nicer without the “e” and with the “w” and the “a.” The way it was meant to look…you know? Okay worst names… I’ve always hated Helen. Jenny or Jennifer…it always makes me think of someone younger than 20. I mean, can you imagine a 37 year old stockbroker on Wall Street as a Jenny? How about a seventy year old woman? Sorry, I don’t have anything against **people** whose names are Jenny/Jennifer, it’s just…a weird thing I have…(Let’s hope no one I know in real life sees this board, shall we?) Mandy. Creeps me out. Makes me think of ultra huge Persian cats. Amanda’s not so bad, but Mandy? Er… Ken. Ever since those long gone days of playing with my barbies, i’ve detested this name. It can’t be real! Lance. I thought I liked it…and I do. Sort of. It’s just that those Backstreet Boys, or N Sync fellows, or whoever- have corrupted it! I was going to name the protagonist in my short story Lance, but realized how…icky it sounded, because it kept reminding me of that idolized teenybopper singer. ☹ Donald. Its probably due to the duck… Mickey. I like it, mostly, it just doesn’t feel like a real name. I can’t take it seriously. Now, Mick I like, but Mickey…it’s nice, I just can’t imagine knowing someone called Mickey and having to call him that all the time. Wow I never realized I had problems with so many names. Once you start, you can’t stop going. At least I know what not to name my future babies, assuming I have them. I don’t have a problem with Dweezil or Moon Unit. Well, Dweezil maybe, but they are original at least. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2001, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-absolutely-hate/62132/34 "2001-04-16T18:53:00Z")
I loathe any English surname used as a girl’s first name. Taylor, Parker, Madison … where tf did this idea come from? Those aren’t girls’ first names! It all just looks so wrong. **Mothra** — sorry to nitpick, luv, but Aimee is actually the original French spelling of Amy (well, _Aimée_ to be precise). It has even more validity, if anything. **ruadh** — _Go raibh maith agat_! Living in America I am sick to death of all the "Kate-Lynn"s masquerading as Caitlin. For the record, everyone, _ **Caitlín** _=Kathleen. Use the anglicized phonetic spelling Kathleen if you have to, but please don’t mispronounce it! ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2001, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-absolutely-hate/62132/35 "2001-04-16T19:59:34Z")
I think it’s pitiful that so many parents don’t have any more imagination than Marie or Elizabeth or Ann or Lynn or Lee for a middle name. A kid’s middle name is an opportunity to show a little creativity, to commemorate an obscure hero, or to delve into family history. It can be something unusal, but the kid doesn’t have to use it in everyday life so you don’t have to worry so much about what other people will think. But noooo. Why hurt your brain? Just think up some first name and then tack on whichever dumb boring predictable middle name sounds best. What a waste of perfectly good consonants and vowels. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Isabella](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Queen\_Isabella](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Isabella)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2001, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-absolutely-hate/62132/36 "2001-04-16T23:08:41Z")
**Helga**. Uck. I also know someone with the name **Kirstyn**. Not just the name, but the way it’s spelled disgusts me. I hate **Sean** too, but Shawn or Shaun is all good with me. Whenever I see the name Sean, I don’t want to pronounce it as _Shawn_. I want to pronounce it as _Sean_! It should be spelled the way it sounds! Sean Sean Sean! Gahhhhhhh! ---
**Author:** ![Tattva](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba8739/32.png) [@Tattva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tattva)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2001, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-absolutely-hate/62132/37 "2001-04-16T23:15:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zoggie \* > Jenny or Jennifer…it always makes me think of someone younger than 20. I mean, can you imagine a 37 year old stockbroker on Wall Street as a Jenny? How about a seventy year old woman? Sorry, I don’t have anything against **people** whose names are Jenny/Jennifer, it’s just…a weird thing I have…(Let’s hope no one I know in real life sees this board, shall we?) My 50 year old mother is named Jennifer, and she thinks it’s odd. But hey, she got the name before it was popular, and knew that when people were hollering for Jenny, it was for her. > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by **Podkayne** _ > I think it’s pitiful that so many parents don’t have any more imagination than Marie or Elizabeth or Ann or Lynn or Lee for a middle name. Try living with Susannah as a middle name. Oh yeah, gotta love that creativity. And yes, it’s from the song. Oh, I know a Bobby that won $125K on Who Wants to be a Millionaire, so he can remain a Bobby. If I’ve got to choose names I dislike I’d have to go with a lot of the older female names too. Bessie, Edith, Gertrude. Amelia. It’s forever associated with bad housekeeping. -Tat ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Silver\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Fire)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2001, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-absolutely-hate/62132/38 "2001-04-16T23:31:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by NPavelka \* > \*\*Just hate Sara… not Sarah… just Sara… \*\* Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!! -Sara **h** , who really likes the name Bob. ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Silver\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Fire)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2001, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-absolutely-hate/62132/39 "2001-04-16T23:53:19Z")
Somewhere in the world right now, there’s a cute little baby boy. He’s wrapped up tight in a fuzzy blue blanket, sleeping peacefully while his mother rocks him gently, quietly humming “You Are My Sunshine” to him. This baby boy will wake up tomorrow morning at which time his mother will coo at him, making him giggle in the cute giggling-baby way. Later in the day, he may take his first step. He’s the most adorable little baby boy in the world. And his name is _Gary_. Gary?? For the sake of everything, ladies!! Gary?? That’s the name of my 78 year old neighbor, not some cute little drooling, puking bundle of snotty joy! ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Onimous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ea5d25/32.png) [@Ann\_Onimous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Onimous)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2001, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-absolutely-hate/62132/40 "2001-04-16T23:54:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by cazzle \* > \*\* > **-een.** Any name ending with the -een sound. Maureen, Kathleen, Irene… you get the picture. It just sounds whiney to my ears. > > \*\* Remind me never to meet you, then. Kai’leen [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-absolutely-hate/62132.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-absolutely-hate/62132.md?page=3)