Community Chat

[ValuSkr]

Sorry that "Caitlyn" is plunging in popularity.  But I guess it's not a surprise.  Wonder if Caitlyn J. will want to change her name now.

[just bee]

@Oznell

Like you, I have a penchant for Celtic/Gaelic names and use them for dogs.  I work in a hospital and can't help think that I spend more time choosing a solid name for a puppy than some people spend choosing a name for a child.

I work in psychiatry and have a theory.  If you can't find your name on one of those license plate keychains that they sell at truck stops, chances are you may end up with psych issues.

[Oznell]

Expounding more on my names obsession, even if I'm just talking to myself, ha.

Over time, I've had to reluctantly drop certain names from my mental list, if the name catches on and becomes popular with either the snob elite or the callow celebrity culture.  If it becomes too popular with either of them, it does lose some of its luster for me.

Examples:   Before they caught on with the above groups, "Henry",  "Miles",  "Milo"  "Lily/Lilly", etc. were big with me-- I still like them but...

Sometimes I'll be drawn to a name for its meaning, despite being somewhat popular.  A name like "Christian" would be a great example of this-- it has such deep, positive meaning for me.  I'd personalize it by sometimes using the archaic nickname for Christopher/Christian--  "Kit" or "Kip", instead of "Chris".   

Feel the same about the Biblical and geographical name "Israel".  Popular in Puritan and colonial times. Bestowing this name on a child would be among other things, an affirmation of a cherished entity, one of my favorite countries and people.  I would worry somewhat that, given this sorry world, it might attract hostility or violence....

I believe in giving multiple names.  My mother had four names, not including her surname-- and when still little, she opted to use her second name instead of her first, and it stuck.  I only had one middle name, but I ended up being called by it instead of my first, just like her!  More names gives flexibility to the child, and allows you to honor various family members...

[faeriemoon]

Sick of all of them except for William and James.

[Oznell]

just bee, ha, that is very clever, and probably very true! I always like the way your mind works.

Your theory might apply to me, since my name is a slightly anomalous variant spelling of a fairly familiar name.  It is actually a medieval variant spelling, dating back to the times before standardized spelling was applied to most names.

So, all my life, I've had to explain, patiently listen to mispronunciations, receive mail that has my name misspelled, cheerfully correct others on the spelling of my name, listen to them say either "Oh".   Or,  "I love that spelling-- where does that come from?",  or among the linguistically savvy "Oh, is that Welsh or something?"  or, in a less-than- complimentary tone,  "Oh--  that's different".

it's either made me bonkers, per your theory, or given me this inordinately passionate interest in names, or, mor likely, a little of both...

[Oznell]

faeriemoon, we are in accord!  Of that Social Security list, "William" and "James" are my favorites too.  Time-honored, distinguished classics.

[missy1]

I am not into trendy names. I also like names spelled the traditional way.

[just bee]

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@Oznell wrote:

just bee, ha, that is very clever, and probably very true! I always like the way your mind works.

Your theory might apply to me, since my name is a slightly anomalous variant spelling of a fairly familiar name.  It is actually a medieval variant spelling, dating back to the times before standardized spelling was applied to most names.

So, all my life, I've had to explain, patiently listen to mispronunciations, receive mail that has my name misspelled, cheerfully correct others on the spelling of my name, listen to them say either "Oh".   Or,  "I love that spelling-- where does that come from?",  or among the linguistically savvy "Oh, is that Welsh or something?"  or, in a less-than- complimentary tone,  "Oh--  that's different".

it's either made me bonkers, per your theory, or given me this inordinately passionate interest in names, or, mor likely, a little of both...

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@Oznell

Like I said... separated at birth.

[qualitygal]

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@just bee wrote:

@Oznell

I work in psychiatry and have a theory.  If you can't find your name on one of those license plate keychains that they sell at truck stops, chances are you may end up with psych issues.

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@just bee, oh my gosh,thank you, that explains so much for me. LOL

[qualitygal]

@Oznell, Seriously I have never met a Dave, that I haven't liked!!! 

My name is never on those lists. That's ok.