What are your favorite names? If you had (or will have) children, would you use those names for your children? Why or why not?
And if you have any least favorite names, what are they and why?
Remember, guys: this is IMHO, not the Pit! (so please don’t slag other people’s choices; if you must, do so politely)
Mine are: (well, the ones I can remember, anyways…)
Favorite Names
[ul]
[li]Soren (I used to have a crush on someone named Soren; while I like the name, I wouldn’t necessarily name a Chinese baby that)[/li][li]Jesse, Nick (Nicholas), and Trevor (I remember my three big crushes on people with these names… ah, the memories! Of course, I am aware that naming your child after your past crushes is not a good thing to do, but I like these names on their own merits, too. 
)[/li][li]Nina (I used to know a girl named Nina, and thought it was a really pretty name; I would choose it for my child)[/li][li]Tatiana (I read *[Nicholas and Alexandra/i] by Robert Massie, and liked the name Tatiana; I’d choose it for my child)[/li][li]Sebastian (I used to know someone in elementary school that was named Sebastian, and I liked that name even then; I might choose this name for my child)[/li][li]Eleanor (I used to have a friend with this name; I might choose it for my child)[/li][li]Gloria (I know several people with this name, and always thought it pretty; I’d choose it for my child)[/li][li]Bronwen (this is a pretty name, but I might not choose it for my child simply because it sounds “clashy” with a Chinese surname)[/li][li]James (I’ve always liked this name; and I’d choose it for my child)[/li][li]Claire (the name of one of my favorite characters in the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon; I’d choose it for my child if it didn’t sound too clashy with a one-syllable Chinese surname, or I might go with Clara instead)[/li][li]Damien (for some reason, I think this name is a stong name)[/li][li]Scott (I know a good many people with this name, but I think what cemented it in my affections was when I met a boy named Scott at the summer camp I went to; is it any wonder why I like the names Matthew and Paul also? [his brothers] ) {no, this is not about scott evil! :rolleyes:}[/li][li]Sarah, Ryan, Brian. Jessica, Eric, Patrick, and Karen (I’ve always liked these names, but probably wouldn’t choose them for my child simply because they might be too popular… then again, they do say go with what your heart desires, so you never know)[/li][li]Graham (reminds me of an excellent drummer at my high school; I’d choose it for my child)[/li][/ul]
Least Favorite Names
[ul]
[li]Britney (two words: Britney Spears; I wouldn’t mind if it was spelled “Brittany”, though)[/li][li]Petrina (somehow, that name just doesn’t appeal to me; if I wanted to name my child with a feminine form of the name Peter, I’d name her Petra)[/li][li]Shane (that name just has bad associations for me; in elementary school, a kid by that name always bugged me)[/li][li]Leanne (same as above, only this girl and I fought all the way from elementary school to high school)[/li][li]Terrence (I don’t know why I don’t like the name; maybe it’s because I prefer “Terry” and “Terrence” sounds too formal)[/li][li]Ellen (I have a friend called Ellen, and I like her just fine; however, I find it sounds too much like “Helen”)[/li][li]Cynthia (for some reason, I picture a way serious, pedantic person whenever I think of this name; I prefer Cindy because to me, it sounds more light-hearted)[/li][li]Humphrey, Gertrude, and Louise: for some reason, I keep picturing old people in my head whenever I hear these names![/li][li]Chloris (in a book I was reading quite some time ago, this was the name of one of the characters; the character was all right, but I wouldn’t choose the name itself for my child)[/li][li]Gladys (I know two people with that name; they’re all right, but somehow I don’t like the name, I don’t know why)[/li][li]Maximillian (the name makes me think of some huge overlord who has control of everything and everyone; if I wanted to name my child that, I’d change it to “Maxwell”)[/li][li]Alyssa, Alissa, etc. (to my mind, they sound too much like Melissa)[/li][/ul]
Standard Disclaimer 1: No, I am not a one-trick pony! I am well aware that I have started exactly one thread about names in the time I’ve been here, and that wasn’t even started until last week sometime, I believe. I’m just interested in names, that’s all. Just in case any of you had any doubts, that should clear it right up.
Standard Disclaimer 2: If anyone here has any of the names on their “least liked” lists (or has chosen them for their children), let it be understood that we’re not maligning these names, as such. Sometimes people simply do not like a name, but that does not mean that they don’t like people who have that name or choose it for their child. (I would hope) People are so much more than the names they have or choose for their children.
Standard Disclaimer 3: I am aware that I may not marry a Chinese guy, but I am working on that assumption. If I happen to marry a non-Chinese guy, then I might use the names I deem too “clashy” for people with Chinese surnames!
Standard Disclamer 4: I am not against popular names, but sometimes they can be TOO popular, y’know? 
j/k, Cecil is fine for our patron saint, but it just sounds too basebally.