# You're naming your baby what!
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-naming-your-baby-what/277202
**Category:** The BBQ Pit
**Created:** [November 29, 2004, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-naming-your-baby-what/277202 "2004-11-29T20:06:55Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 7
### Author:  [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2004, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-naming-your-baby-what/277202/121 "2004-11-30T09:02:57Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#):
>
> Maybe it’s just geeky old me, but _Dagen_ immediately brought to mind _Dagon_, Semitic fish-gods and H.P. Lovecraft’s _Deep Ones_.
>
> Now I’m not trying to imply anything here, but I don’t think a casual check for webbed toes on that baby by the attending physician would be entirely out of order. Even half-human ichthyoid cultists can aspire to novel new names you know ;).
>
> - Tamerlane
umm… fish-god…
Dagen means ”the day” in Norwegian, Swedish and Danish. If they had called him Dennis Dagen it could have been spelled D. Dagen and his buddies could have said: “hey, let’s go hang out with D-Day.”
Anyway I think it’s great you can pick whatever name you want in the US – even though the result apparently often can be called dubious at best. Would you believe there’re naming laws in Denmark?! Your name supposedly has to be on a list of allowed names, though mostly Danes don’t give a shit about that law. Wasn’t there a case of somebody calling his son PlayStation2?
- Rune (my real life name)
ps. Tamerlane, is/was your first born called Attila? I suppose you can soothe him when he has scraped his knees with a little “aw, little Scourge of God, come to daddy.”
---
### Author:  [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2004, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-naming-your-baby-what/277202/122 "2004-11-30T09:36:58Z")
> [@wring](#):
>
> once again. FUck you quite seriously for claiming that I called some one a liar.
>
> you made a serious fucking claim against me. back it the fuck up.
> .
Classy reply. Very ladylike and impressive. Perhaps you could throw some more gutter language in there and browbeat me into groveling at your feet for forgiveness.
The poster said that her friend worked there. She said she told her what had happened. Given the mentality of those on the website that I showed, I don’t doubt in the least that something like this could happen.
Sneering “sounds like a UL to me” and “spare me” is the same as saying that the other person wasn’t telling the truth. If YOU know it’s a UL, then you think someone, whether the poster who originally said it, or her friend was not telling the truth about having actually experienced it.
Which IS BTW, what the other poster said (other poster, I’m sorry, I can’t remember your username), that is, that her friend had actually had this experience. What else COULD you have meant? You’re stupid? Just as bad as “you’re lying”.
And for the last time, given the posts of mom’s on the baby name site. I would not be the least bit surprised if it had happened.
---
### Author:  [@Battle\_Pope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Battle_Pope)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2004, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-naming-your-baby-what/277202/123 "2004-11-30T09:56:14Z")
> [@Hey you!](#):
>
> A friend of a friend named their child…
>
> **Anakin**
> I kid you not.
Not long ago one of the local radio stations was going through their daily birthday list: twins, **Leeloo** & **Korben** :eek:
---
### Author:  [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2004, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-naming-your-baby-what/277202/124 "2004-11-30T10:51:11Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#):
>
> THANK YOU!
>
> In my mother’s defense, she really didn’t think about it until after it was pointed out to her. When I came along first, I was Kathleen Mary. Seven years later, surprise surprise-Baby Sis shows up! Mom and Dad picked out Colleen Marie.
>
> My uncle started calling us “The Leen Sisters”.
>
> :smack:
I know of a family with daughter named Abby and Addy. No, that’s not confusing at all :rolleyes: It makes you think that they see their children more as matching accessories than as unique individuals.
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### Author:  [@Go\_You\_Big\_Red\_Fire\_Engine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_You_Big_Red_Fire_Engine)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2004, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-naming-your-baby-what/277202/125 "2004-11-30T11:20:00Z")
> [@Princhester](#):
>
> 1/ It’s easy here coz everyone’s called Bruce. Even people who aren’t.
>
> 2/ Why does it annoy people so much what others names are? Get a life.
Well said, I don’t see what the fuss is about. I have a tutoring job with kids and there are a lot fo different names, I like them. I think they’re kind of beautiful in a way. They’re your way of giving something to your child.
Of course, some of them are bad choices, which could get the child teased, but then so would some conservative ones, Dick and Nigel for example.
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### Author:  [@stegon66](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stegon66)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2004, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-naming-your-baby-what/277202/126 "2004-11-30T13:41:31Z")
> [@](#):
>
> We met a young man of nine months at Thanksgiving whose name is Quasar.
That’s a cool name, if borderline outrageous. Can’t help but think of the Marvel superhero…
I’m not sure why some people are getting so worked up over this. It’s a trivial topic to be sure, but it’s fun to grouse about. 😃 For the record, I’d much rather see an out-of-the-ordinary name then a trendy different spelling of a common name. (“Ashlee” for Ashley) These tend to draw attention to themselves in a show-offy way that is just irksome.
BTW, my real name is Steve. With no middle name. 😃
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### Author:  [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2004, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-naming-your-baby-what/277202/127 "2004-11-30T14:28:33Z")
Spitfire? Still, it’s better than a guy I met at university named Dikshit.
And the best part is that I get to go through all this now, since my kid’s due in the spring. I think I’m going to add Dagon to the list.
---
### Author:  [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2004, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-naming-your-baby-what/277202/128 "2004-11-30T14:37:31Z")
I just had an image of a Star Wars/Star Trek couple having boy/girl twins and naming them Anakin and Annaka. :eek:
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### Author:  [@jlzania](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jlzania)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2004, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-naming-your-baby-what/277202/129 "2004-11-30T14:40:47Z")
> [@Baker](#):
>
> I did company clerk work for the year I spent in the Army Reserves, after I was active duty for three years. We had one gal whose parents had desperately wanted a boy to name for the husband. They got a girl instead, so they hung “Floydene Earlene” on the poor kid.
That’s not terribly uncommon-at least here in Texas.
Dad’s name is Ray-daughter’s name is Raylene.
Dad’s name is Joe-daughter’s name is Joelene.
The worse name I ever ran into however, was Bubbette.
Dad’s nickname was Bubba, of course.
---
### Author:  [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2004, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-naming-your-baby-what/277202/130 "2004-11-30T15:14:04Z")
> [@jlzania](#):
>
> That’s not terribly uncommon-at least here in Texas.
> Dad’s name is Ray-daughter’s name is Raylene.
> Dad’s name is Joe-daughter’s name is Joelene.
> The worse name I ever ran into however, was Bubbette.
> Dad’s nickname was Bubba, of course.
Yep. The aunt I previously mentioned who’s name is Juanita, was a favorite of another of the sisters. Said woman is married to Don. They in turn had a daughter. Obvious result? Name her after the beloved sis -and- dad… Donita. Whew.
And as an aside, this _is_ Texas we’re talking about too.
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### Author:  [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2004, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-naming-your-baby-what/277202/131 "2004-11-30T15:55:16Z")
> [@stegon66](#):
>
> I’m not sure why some people are getting so worked up over this. It’s a trivial topic to be sure, but it’s fun to grouse about. 😃
Exactly. It’s something we have in common – everyone has a name, and many of us have the opportunity to bestow a name. The thought (or not) that goes into the naming process and the effect a name has on the namee makes it interesting.
I grew up with three sisters named Marlene, Darlene, and Jaylene, and one of my best friends now is Bernita (she goes by Bird). These are all variations of family names. The “-lenes” didn’t like their names, because people kept getting them confused.
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### Author:  [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2004, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-naming-your-baby-what/277202/132 "2004-11-30T16:38:11Z")
> [@matt\_mcl](#):
>
> “Leiden” is German for “to suffer,” apparently.
>
> (Then again, we still have “Dolores”…)
Hey!!! What’s wrong with Dolores? 😃
And all you soon to be parents—don’t forget about your kids’ initials! I didn’t think, and my son has the initials PMS… and although he has been a big pain, it wasn’t very nice of me.
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### Author:  [@RumMunkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RumMunkey)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2004, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-naming-your-baby-what/277202/133 "2004-11-30T16:49:31Z")
> [@](#):
>
> I thought about starting a thread once on the names of pro football players.
You have got to talk to Mrs. RM! She has some sort of problem with me wanting to name our forthcoming little bundle of joy [**Tiki**](http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/1782)!
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### Author:  [@Stonebow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stonebow)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2004, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-naming-your-baby-what/277202/134 "2004-11-30T17:05:50Z")
I think the worst I’ve seen in person are two little girls, sisters, that are in my wife’s school.
**Trashanda** and…
wait for it…
**Nastasia**.
Christ on a Cracker. Actually, I think I’d rather name my child \*Christ on a Cracker \* before those others.
I think the major beef some of us have is that we genuinely feel BAD for these kids because their parents decided to be ‘cute.’ You have no idea how many students at the college go by middle names (usually handed down, so are conservative) to avoid some really messed up first names.
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### Author:  [@Agrippina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agrippina)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2004, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-naming-your-baby-what/277202/135 "2004-11-30T17:36:44Z")
I like the name Phinneas. I think we should bring back more early 1900s names like Philo, Phineas, and Orville! 😃
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### Author:  [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2004, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-naming-your-baby-what/277202/136 "2004-11-30T17:39:06Z")
would you rather be the third ‘ **Jennifer** ’ in the office or _makesupaword_ the only ‘ **Jenne** ’?
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### Author:  [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2004, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-naming-your-baby-what/277202/137 "2004-11-30T17:50:24Z")
From today’s Washington Post: [Will Phinnaeus Get Teased? Celebrities like Julia Roberts give their babies names that are . . . different.](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A20962-2004Nov29.html)
> [@](#):
>
> Congratulations, Julia Roberts, and you, too, Mr. Julia Roberts, on the birth of your twins, little Hazel and Phinnaeus. But our joy over your Blessed Event is tempered by a couple of questions. To wit:
>
> Hazel? And, more important, Phinnaeus?
>
> We know we don’t live in a “John” and “Mary” (or “Paul”) era anymore, that the traditional honor-thy-ancestors naming consensus of previous generations has collapsed under the weight of all those Caitlins and Connors and Briannas. But Phinnaeus and Hazel?
>
> Hazel is retro by at least a couple of generations. The world stopped having Hazels around the time it stopped having Berthas and Gladyses and Mildreds. The last time Hazel was heard from was 1961, when Shirley Booth played a busybody maid of that name in a sitcom of that name. Phinnaeus is even more retro, as in Old Testament retro, and more obscure than such OT running mates as Methuselah and Obadiah.
>
> But that’s probably the point. Celebrity baby names these days are very . . . different. We say this not to pass judgment, but to point out one more way celebrities are not like the rest of us.
>
> The list keeps growing. Demi Moore and Bruce Willis are the parents of Rumer Glenn, Scout LaRue and Tallulah Belle. Gwyneth Paltrow and Coldplay singer Chris Martin recently begat Apple. Sylvester Stallone sired Sage Moonblood and Sistine Rose. Courteney Cox Arquette and David Arquette are the proud parents of Coco. Singer Erykah Badu – herself on the celebrity all-name team – has a child named Puma. John Travolta and Kelly Preston named their boy Jett. Christie Brinkley’s youngest is a girl named Sailor. The late rock star Michael Hutchence named his daughter Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily. Long-ago rock star Bob Geldof calls daughter Fifi Trixabelle to dinner. Soccer star David Beckham and Victoria “Posh Spice” Adams’s brood includes Brooklyn, Romeo and a soon-to-be wee one who reportedly may be dubbed San Miguel. Supermodel Claudia Schiffer has a girl named Clementine, as does Cybill Shepherd. Rob Morrow, of “Northern Exposure” quasi-fame, dubbed his baby Tu, as in Tu Morrow.
>
> We’d mention that Michael Jackson named one of his children Prince Michael, but this seems like the least Out There thing about Michael Jackson.
>
> It was not always thus. Sure, back when, Sonny and Cher had Chastity, and Frank Zappa famously named his kids Moon Unit, Dweezil, Ahmet Emuukha Rodan and Diva. But for the most part, stars of an earlier generation tended to name their children the way everyone else did.
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### Author:  [@catsix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catsix)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2004, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-naming-your-baby-what/277202/138 "2004-11-30T18:05:42Z")
Wouldn’t it be funny if kids were named after where they were conceived?
Sure you’d have a lot of kids named ‘bed’, but then you’d get the ‘car’ and ‘washing machine’ and ‘coffee table’ also.
A friend of mine from Iceland told me that since kids there are named Firstname Fathernameson or Fathernamedaughter, there are quite a few people who were born in WWII era that have the last name ‘Soldierson’ or ‘Soldierdaughter’ in Icelandic.
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### Author:  [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2004, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-naming-your-baby-what/277202/139 "2004-11-30T18:09:13Z")
> [@Rune](#):
>
> ps. Tamerlane, is/was your first born called Attila? I suppose you can soothe him when he has scraped his knees with a little “aw, little Scourge of God, come to daddy.”
😃 I’m going to steal this and say it to my cats, and to my kids when I have some…
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### Author:  [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2004, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-naming-your-baby-what/277202/140 "2004-11-30T18:43:27Z")
> [@Rune](#):
>
> ps. Tamerlane, is/was your first born called Attila? I suppose you can soothe him when he has scraped his knees with a little “aw, little Scourge of God, come to daddy.”
Now, now - If you’re talking the real **ME** here, I am childless. And currently at least, I devoutly wish to leave this earth in the same state ;).
If we’re talking the historical “me”, his eldest son was Jahangir ( later the regnal name of one of the ‘Great Moghuls’ ), who pre-deceased him. And as I noted in the post below, I rather doubt he ever heard of Attila 🙂 :
> **[Tell me about Timur](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=5542541)**
>
> Probably true. Though it probably wasn’t purely a factor of nomadic invasion. For example there is some suggestion that soil salinization caused by millenia of over irrigation combined with limited drainage was increasingly depressing agricultural...
- Tamerlane
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