# White People's Funny Names for Children **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 30, 2018, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-peoples-funny-names-for-children/825308 "2018-11-30T02:29:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2018, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-peoples-funny-names-for-children/825308/121 "2018-12-01T00:42:18Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > I used to work with a woman whose maiden name was Smith. > > Her first name was Merry. Yes, spelled M E R R Y. > > You may have guessed her middle name: Chris > > Merry Chris Smith > > I kid you not. A friend of mine said he knew a family whose last name was Tree. Their kids were Scott Pine, Douglas Fir, and Merry Christmas. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2018, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-peoples-funny-names-for-children/825308/122 "2018-12-01T00:42:41Z")
> [@Weedy](#): > > I know a kid called Juan, pronounced Joo-Un. I don’t know how his parents came up with that. Byron fans? ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2018, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-peoples-funny-names-for-children/825308/123 "2018-12-01T00:51:50Z")
> [@WolfpackJeep](#): > > I have a [white] relative named Juanita who frequently laments that her parents gave her a “black person” name. :smack: I do know an elderly black woman named Juanita; however, when I was a kid in the 1970s, I went to school with two girls (both non-Hispanic white, FWIW) named Juanita, and was later surprised to find out that it was a popular name in my parents’ generation. I also knew a woman named Carla in my old town who would now be about 50 years old. She once told me that with one exception, every other woman she had ever met with that name spelled it with a K, and with one exception, all of them were black. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2018, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-peoples-funny-names-for-children/825308/124 "2018-12-01T00:56:56Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > I do know an elderly black woman named Juanita; however, when I was a kid in the 1970s, I went to school with two girls (both non-Hispanic white, FWIW) named Juanita, and was later surprised to find out that it was a popular name in my parents’ generation. > > I also knew a woman named Carla in my old town who would now be about 50 years old. She once told me that with one exception, every other woman she had ever met with that name spelled it with a K, and with one exception, all of them were black. My aunt was named Carla (she was named for her father, Carl). ---
**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:** [December 1, 2018, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-peoples-funny-names-for-children/825308/125 "2018-12-01T03:02:55Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > Bill Lear, of Lear Jet fame, named a daughter “Shanda”. Which is her middle name. Her full name? Crystal Shanda Lear. ---
**Author:** ![K2500](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f6c823/32.png) [@K2500](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K2500)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2018, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-peoples-funny-names-for-children/825308/126 "2018-12-01T03:03:37Z")
> [@Weedy](#): > > I know a kid called Juan, pronounced Joo-Un. I don’t know how his parents came up with that. I think picking a new pronunciation for an existing name should be a crime punishable with language Ed classes. ---
**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:** [December 1, 2018, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-peoples-funny-names-for-children/825308/127 "2018-12-01T03:10:52Z")
> [@K2500](#): > > I think picking a new pronunciation for an existing name should be a crime punishable with language Ed classes. It’s not just Byron—Joo-an is the British English pronunciation of Juan going back a ways, and in fact is (coincidentally) also a Manx form of the name John. So it’s bizarre in the US but actually quite legit. There’s a few of those: Evelyn Waugh and George Bernard Shaw have pronunciations that you don’t find much in North American English. ---
**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:** [December 1, 2018, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-peoples-funny-names-for-children/825308/128 "2018-12-01T03:38:06Z")
I have a big problem with the logic of not naming your kid something unusual because they will be bullied. And that is simply this: **Bullies don’t need a funny name or anything else to bully you.** Bullies, in my experience, look for people who are good targets first, and then come up with how they are going to make fun of them. Do we have any evidence that bullying of kids with unusual names is more common than so-called “normal” names? Or is it just confirmation bias since we remember the people who did have unusual names were bullied? My real life name isn’t as out there as “Abcde,” but it is unusual. It’s more commonly a last name than a first name. I’ve run into exactly two people with the same name as me, and both spell it differently (and one is a girl.) But I’ve never been made fun of for it. Sure, I’ve had to tell people how to pronounce it, or how to spell it, but it never was a bullying issue. The closest is that I have a neighbor who I went to school with who likes to refer to me by a more common name that is similar to mine. And while it did get a bit annoying, it was always presented as a joke, with him saying it in a weird way, and it came from him genuinely forgetting my name the second time we met, and he got it wrong, it’s kinda a shared history thing. If I had to guess, maybe a name could make you stand out a bit more and make you a slightly higher target, but I don’t think it’s as big a deal as people make it out to be. I don’t think it’s a big deal at all for celebrities. And, well, new names come into existence all the time. Someone had to have it first. Neveah is actually becoming more common. There are 300 "Abcde"s in the US. Names that people used to laugh at, with all the unusual spellings, are considered no big deal now. The names ending in -son for girl’s names is a thing. I just don’t see any reason to get involved at all unless the name is itself offensive. And then it’s less about bullies, and more about what kind of parents would give their child a name that insults them. That actually crosses the line into abuse. But Abcde? I can imagine her getting the nickname “Alphabet,” but that’s kinda like the guy I know named “Andrew Johnson” with the nickname “Prez.” Sure, it coule be used to bully, but it could just be a fun nickname. Don’t get me wrong: I have no problem with people sitting around talking about all the unusual names or names that made them laugh, as long as it doesn’t affect the person themselves. You want to laugh at “Abcde” fine. But don’t mock the child, and if you’re going to share a ticket, blur out all identifying details. The only reason to show the ticket it to say “look, this is real.” Also, the source I saw [showed the ticket and the Facebook post](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jom6uIqaf8k&t=48s). Edit: missed the post where someone already linked an image search. I even Ctrl-F to make sure, but the person called it a “boarding pass” instead of “ticket,” so I didn’t find it. And the reply was a one liner, which my eyes sometimes automatically glaze over unintentionally. ---
**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:** [December 1, 2018, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-peoples-funny-names-for-children/825308/129 "2018-12-01T04:00:43Z")
Abcde may not be a traditional name, but it’s not like all names are traditional. New names do constantly arise. I do remember hearing of a trend with African American names where they deliberately were trying to not give their child “slave names.” A lot of this involved creating new “African” names that weren’t traditional at all. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that, either. The main issue I have with “Abcde” is just that it’s not clear from the spelling how to pronounce it. It’s one thing with traditional names, but if you’re going to make up a name, make it pronounceable. It’s why I have less of a problem with “Neveah” than “Nevaeh.” (Though, admittedly, it’s not quite clear how even “Neveah” is pronounced: It seems to be “nuh-VEY-uh,” but I could also see “NEH-vee-uh” or “nuh-VEE-uh.”) ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2018, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-peoples-funny-names-for-children/825308/130 "2018-12-01T04:16:28Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > It’s why I have less of a problem with “Neveah” than “Nevaeh.” (Though, admittedly, it’s not quite clear how even “Neveah” is pronounced: It seems to be “nuh-VEY-uh,” but I could also see “NEH-vee-uh” or “nuh-VEE-uh.”) I don’t get the whole thing about naming kids “Nevaeh” anyway. Why not just call her “Heaven,” which is a lot prettier (IMO anyway)? Every time I see “Nevaeh” I think, “Oh, Heaven backwards - does that mean Hell?” I always feel guilty for thinking “Rehtaeh” is about the dumbest name on the planet, because I feel sorry for the poor girl who went through all that horrible stuff and killed herself. But I still do think it’s pretty much the dumbest (unintentionally, anyway) name on the planet. ---
**Author:** ![coffeecat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coffeecat/32/3405_2.png) [@coffeecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coffeecat)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2018, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-peoples-funny-names-for-children/825308/131 "2018-12-01T04:45:50Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > the “backwards” names really get me. Beck already mentioned “Nevaeh;” I remember from some years ago a story about a girl who had died whose name was “Rehtaeh” (“Heather” spelled backwards.) > > who thinks of this stuff and believes it’s a good idea? I once knew someone named “Bob.” For more name fun, there’s [Falsehoods Programmers Believe About Names](https://www.kalzumeus.com/2010/06/17/falsehoods-programmers-believe-about-names/) ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2018, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-peoples-funny-names-for-children/825308/132 "2018-12-01T04:50:55Z")
Charles Rocket (originally Claverie) was an SNL cast member, briefly, in the early 80s. If this [blog](http://inmemoryofcharlierocket.blogspot.com/2008/05/rediscovering-man-called-charlie.html) has any legitimacy, he had a nasty upbringing, with his parents calling him JimLinkCharlie. His brothers were Jim and Link, and they too were called the same combined name. Apparently, their parents had this thing about not wanting them to have identities, or something. The way buddy so self-indulgently repeats himself in his blog, though, makes me wonder his about credibility. Still think George Foreman’s an asshole. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2018, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-peoples-funny-names-for-children/825308/133 "2018-12-01T04:52:42Z")
Lleh’s not so bad. ---
**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:** [December 1, 2018, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-peoples-funny-names-for-children/825308/134 "2018-12-01T06:33:11Z")
> [@WolfpackJeep](#): > > And I have a cousin who names her children using presidents’ last names. This worked great, until she had a girl. The girl was given a suitably popular girly name which was used for about a year, until one or both parents decided the name was a mistake, and legally changed the child’s name to something more in keeping with the theme used for the other kids. I know girls named Kennedy, Madison, Taylor, and Reagan. Madison and Taylor were names I knew growing up (Taylor could be a guy or girl), while Kennedy and Reagan are older teenagers now. None seemed out of place or got made fun of. Other names that feel like they could be girls’ names to my ear are Carter, Harrison (the newer “-son” names for girls), and maybe Tyler (as a crossover name). Did they pick one of those? ---
**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:** [December 1, 2018, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-peoples-funny-names-for-children/825308/135 "2018-12-01T06:48:13Z")
> [@Infovore](#): > > I always feel guilty for thinking “Rehtaeh” is about the dumbest name on the planet, because I feel sorry for the poor girl who went through all that horrible stuff and killed herself. But I still do think it’s pretty much the dumbest (unintentionally, anyway) name on the planet. For some reason, that one seems worse to me. While Nevaeh almost looks like a name to me, Rehtaeh just looks wrong, with no clear indication how to pronounce it. I do understand not calling your kid “Heaven,” as it has that same weird feeling that naming your kid Charity or Chastity and such has. Plus, if you are Christian, you might talk about “heaven” a lot and thus it could be confusing. But what’s wrong with just naming the kid Heather? If you must reverse it, try Retheya. Then it’s a little more hidden. Same if you named the kid Absidy. Then it’s a cute little story about where their name came from, rather than something that just is difficult for people to read. Like I said, that’s my problem. Not the bullying angle. I know you can flout spelling conventions in naming, but it doesn’t mean I think it’s a good idea. It just creates confusion. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2018, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-peoples-funny-names-for-children/825308/136 "2018-12-01T06:49:12Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > Charles Rocket (originally Claverie) was an SNL cast member, briefly, in the early 80s. > If this [blog](http://inmemoryofcharlierocket.blogspot.com/2008/05/rediscovering-man-called-charlie.html) has any legitimacy, he had a nasty upbringing, with his parents calling him JimLinkCharlie. His brothers were Jim and Link, and they too were called the same combined name. Apparently, their parents had this thing about not wanting them to have identities, or something. The way buddy so self-indulgently repeats himself in his blog, though, makes me wonder his about credibility. > > Still think George Foreman’s an asshole. My brother-in-law and his brother are both named after their father. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2018, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-peoples-funny-names-for-children/825308/137 "2018-12-01T07:00:34Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > Charles Rocket (originally Claverie) was an SNL cast member, briefly, in the early 80s. > If this [blog](http://inmemoryofcharlierocket.blogspot.com/2008/05/rediscovering-man-called-charlie.html) has any legitimacy, he had a nasty upbringing, with his parents calling him JimLinkCharlie. His brothers were Jim and Link, and they too were called the same combined name. Apparently, their parents had this thing about not wanting them to have identities, or something. The way buddy so self-indulgently repeats himself in his blog, though, makes me wonder his about credibility. > > Still think George Foreman’s an asshole. And he ended up committing suicide. ---
**Author:** ![Weedy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/weedy/32/301_2.png) [@Weedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weedy)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2018, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-peoples-funny-names-for-children/825308/138 "2018-12-01T07:03:18Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > It’s not just Byron—Joo-an is the British English pronunciation of Juan going back a ways, and in fact is (coincidentally) also a Manx form of the name John. So it’s bizarre in the US but actually quite legit. There’s a few of those: Evelyn Waugh and George Bernard Shaw have pronunciations that you don’t find much in North American English. Ha, cool to know. Thanks for that. ---
**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:** [December 1, 2018, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-peoples-funny-names-for-children/825308/139 "2018-12-01T07:06:04Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > If she was born in the early 20th century, there was a popular song “Juanita” around at the time. My grandmother, also very white, had the same name, but rather less accurately spelled: clearly, my great-grandparents had only heard it, because they started with a W and it just got worse from there. Which yields _[Wanita](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/wanita)_, the Malay word for ‘Lady’. _Malay lady, lay_… ---
**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:** [December 1, 2018, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-peoples-funny-names-for-children/825308/140 "2018-12-01T07:30:40Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > I have less of a problem with “Neveah” than “Nevaeh.” (Though, admittedly, it’s not quite clear how even “Neveah” is pronounced: It seems to be “nuh-VEY-uh,” but I could also see “NEH-vee-uh” or “nuh-VEE-uh.”) It looks like the brand name of a cold cream. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-peoples-funny-names-for-children/825308.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-peoples-funny-names-for-children/825308.md?page=8)