Will using an "out there" name hurt my child? - Page 2

[sebarnes]

I like unusual names and I don't give a rats butt about what other people think. Kids will tease about anything, so a common name isn't going to save a kid anything. My name is fairly common, and I was teased mercilessly about other things AND my name. Any name can be rhymed with something, associated with something, etc. And I really am not swayed with the idea "But, but, they might want to be a Senator!" Yeah, they might, but then again, they might want to be a yoga instructor, or a writer, or a business owner. If I made every decision based on every single slim possibility out there, I probably wouldn't have had kids. And, after all, we have a president named Barack, so it's obviously not an obstacle that can't be overcome. And if they really, really hate it, they can change it.

I like both names, and I don't associate Zeplin with the Hindenburg, more with the band.

[ursusarctos]

I have heard weirder. Way weirder And I think Fable is beautiful. Zeplin does have the whole Hindenberg thing but I still don't think it would be the top thing on people's minds when they're talking to your son.
I grew up with a highly unusual name (haven't even heard of anybody with it yet) and was teased, but not about my name. Like PPs have said, kids will find something to tease about regardless of the name, and I think it has far more to do with personal traits/mannerisms than an unusual name. I actually disliked my name when I was little but have "grown into it" so to speak and now like it very much!

[jimblejamble]

People who want to tease someone will find an excuse to tease no matter what the name is. If it's not the name it's because the kid has funny hair, is skinny, is short, is this or that. Name your kid what you want!

And really, I have the most boring, common name there is. Jessica. Not reason to tease, right? Well my maiden name is Solomon so I got teased and called Salamander all the time as a kid. And now my last name is Johnson and some friends have to make penis jokes all the time about it. Again, people will tease no matter what the person's name is.

[ZanZansMommy]

I think both are great names. I really don't think you can protect your kids from these things. Sure having a differnt names sort of *asks for name calling* but both DH & I have normal everyday names & guess what? We both got our names turned into bizzarre things that I'm sure neither of our parents could have ever thought of. I say go for what you & Dh like & piss on anyone else.

[cristeen]

Originally Posted by MeepyCat

That said, the association I have with Zeplin is the Hindenburg, so I wouldn't go there.

That was my first thought too.

That being said, I'm all about unusual names, so long as they're not so completely confusing that there's no way anyone would ever be able to spell it. My maiden name is like that, and after 30 years, I was more than happy to take my DH's name. But, I do have an unusual (for the time, it's more common now) first name... there were times as a child I would have loved to be Jessica or Jennifer, but overall I really like my name.

But I also think taking into account how it would sound as an adult trying to gain respect in a career is important. That being said, I've never heard a senator or judge addressed by Senator/Judge FirstName. So, as long as it's not completely froofroo, name the child what you like.

[FiveLittleMonkeys]

We have three naming criteria.

1. Put it on a business card. Would you hire a lawyer with that name?
2. Does the name (first, middle, last) flow off you're tongue? It might come in handy when they are a teenager and exasperating.
3. Do the initials spell anything?

That being said, kids will find things to tease about. Name your baby what you want. We've gone with more "traditional" first names and if we have a more "unusual" name preference, we use it as a middle name.

Good luck!!

[RiverSky]

My 10 and 7 year olds have unusual names and have NEVER been teased, they are just readily remembered, well known, etc. They both say they love having unique names and never having met anyone else with their same names. I LOVE the name, Fable. I don't like real words that have their spelling changed, honestly, I tend to immediately think the parents didn't know how to spell the word the correct way and that it was an error. I do LOVE the way Zeppelin sounds and the way it looks, so I'm a bit torn. I do think Zephyr is a better name than Zeppelin, due to the Hindenburg associations.

Originally Posted by zinemama

I tend to think about how it's going to look on a resume. Senator Fable. Judge Zeplin. To me, those names sound really unfortunate. You'd certainly hope people would see a name like that on a job application and not give it a second thought - but people aren't like that.

I couldn't disagree more. There are numerous public figures right now with unusual names and it seems the public got used to them extremely quickly. Condoleeza Rice, Wolf Blitzer, Barack Obama, Mitt Romney, current U.S. Supreme court judge Antonin Scalia - I know there are tons more. A name is a gift given by parents, why would anyone hold the name choice against the person themself? How immature that would be.

Fable just begs to be teased as "feeble." And I guarantee you that homeschooling will not protect her.

Guarantee? My son was in both public school and has been homeschooled and has never been teased about his name at either, and my guess is that you would think his name is ridiculous. Interestingly, children seem to be easily able to overlook things such as that, and I imagine my son's classmates and peers will grow up thinking his name is perfectly normal. It's only adults who occasionally sneer or giggle at his name.

Good luck choosing, OP! And have fun! Also, take everyone else's opinions with a grain of salt and go with your heart. We accidentally told people our name choices before our first...only to have numerous family members freaking out about our bad choices...now they all LOVE our son's name. DH and I wouldn't have had his name be anything else. With our second child, we kept the name secret until she was born, and feel that is the better way to go.

[tankgirl136]

I have to say #1 I totally agree with the others my first thought on Zeplin went to dirigibles, maybe not the Hindenburg, but air ships none the less. I think its too close to "Blimp". The meaning would just be lost on me. Even if it's for the band I would still not be really into it. Honestly as much as I love some singers and bands I would never use them as a go to for kid's names, instead that is what you us as go to's for pet's names.

Fable is ok, I don't like it, I don't love it, but if you do then go for it.

I have to say I love Wynn but as I was also debating the name I thought of a few issues, first it will always have to be spelled since everyone will hear "Win". Second the fact that it is the name of a Las Vegas casino and a business guys last name it seems a bit off. But the biggest thing to me is it sounds like a girl's name not a boy's. As others mentioned it has a very soft sound. But I really do still love the meaning and if DH would go for it I would use it as a girl's middle name.

I really like Malcolm it's classic but not popular and sounds strong.

[Ldavis24]

DH and I aren't doing a totally out there name...

BTW I love Fable...I think it is adorable

but we are doing Della and our last name begins with a D so she will be DD for initials...
I have ahem been very well endowed in the chest region so if DD is too she will have to deal with being called double Ds at school once she gets boobs...

DH and I agreed though, if this is the worst thing in her life by time she is a teen then she doesn't have it bad at all. Also will build some character!

Remember the song about the boy named Sue!

[SunShineSally]

there is a bowl (for smokeing pot) called a Zeplin so I would not do that

I think Fable sounds traditional( )also beautiful!

[holyhelianthus]

My name is Margaret and I was teased like crazy for it. My mom's name is Debbie (not Debra) and she was also teased for it and she was a Debbie in the 70s! Really, you are not going to win.

I think people need to get over themselves. Whatever career or path your child chooses when they are older shouldn't be judged on their name. How ridiculous a world we live in that people expect this! It reminds me of foreigners who come to America and are asked to get nicknames or change their names so it's easier

So basically what I am saying is if YOU love the names and they fit your kids go for it! I think society is way too narrow anyway and needs to take a chill pill. If we are really worried about societal stigma I guess that means homebirthing and breastfeeding your 5 year old is out!

BTW I have a Mable (my DH wanted to spell it that way *sigh*) and never considered Fable but it's gorgeous!

[holyhelianthus]

Originally Posted by FiveLittleMonkeys

We have three naming criteria.

1. Put it on a business card. Would you hire a lawyer with that name?

Uh..... why in the world would someone choose to hire or not hire someone based on a name? I am much more concerned with credentials.

Originally Posted by RiverSky

I couldn't disagree more. There are numerous public figures right now with unusual names and it seems the public got used to them extremely quickly. Condoleeza Rice, Wolf Blitzer, Barack Obama, Mitt Romney, current U.S. Supreme court judge Antonin Scalia - I know there are tons more. A name is a gift given by parents, why would anyone hold the name choice against the person themself? How immature that would be.

OT but I love love love Olympia Snow's name as well.

Good luck choosing, OP! And have fun! Also, take everyone else's opinions with a grain of salt and go with your heart. We accidentally told people our name choices before our first...only to have numerous family members freaking out about our bad choices...now they all LOVE our son's name. DH and I wouldn't have had his name be anything else. With our second child, we kept the name secret until she was born, and feel that is the better way to go.

:

Our girl's names have been torn a apart since we came out with them while they were still in the room. But these are our girls! They just aren't Sarahs or Nicoles or Shayes or whatever.

[neverdoingitagain]

I like all the names you picked. Frankly, I see odd names EVERY SINGLE DAY. They are memorable. Ever watch tv? I'm not talking about just actors either. Read a newspaper? Some pretty odd names there. I think odd names are becoming normal.
I think the teasing excuse usually mean that the person saying it will do the teasing. Not all kids with odd names are teased. I have an odd name and I was never teased for it. Being short, smart, lippy and bespeckled was fodder enough thankyouverymuch
As for the whole "Would you hire someone with this name?" I don't follow that at all. Would you hire a chef named Wolfgang? Hmm. Many people have How about an Emeril?
A dog trainer named Cesar? A journalist named Oprah?( before she went talkshow) A lawyer named Starr? How about a doctor with the last name,Oz or Cox? ( actually Dr. Cox is a rl example. He was a vasectomy specialist...)
Choosing a professional by their name is kind of shallow if you ask me.

Only drawback is that you won'tbe able to find your kids name on a cup or a keychain. Oh well.

[sunflwrmoonbeam]

I personally prefer more traditional but not common names. No name is free of connotation, and overcoming the connotations of a name can be very hard, especially in a first impression situation (like, oh, on a resume).

I once had a roommate named Buffy (this predated the vampire slayer). I had a VERY strong image of what she'd be like just from that name, which turned out not at all the case. Incidentally, she was supposed to be named Gabrielle, which fit her a lot better, but her parents forgot in the hospital.

I also have a rather trendy name (Ashley) that pinpoints my age pretty exactly. Go on, guess how old I am, you'll probably be right within a few years. I've felt that that's hurt me for job prospects because, frankly, people would rather hire a 30 year old than a 22 year old, at least in my college town, and there are almost no Ashleys older than me. There's also the fact that my name, with the -y sound, inherently sounds juvenile. It's like the difference between Jim and Jimmy.

For this little one I picked a name that I think sounds traditional, classic, elegant and refined (and comes with a cute nickname). I figure I might as well give her a great first impression.

And, I know a few people who've hated their names enough to change them legally. I have a friend who changed her name at 18 from Heidi to something more elegant and adult sounding. The name she gave herself fits her SO MUCH better than the name she was born with.

I don't think names like Fable or Zeplin will "hurt" your children, but I think it will put them at a slight disadvantage and perhaps mark them in a way that they'd, as adults would prefer not to be marked.

[jjawm]

I don't think Fable is out there at all. I love it, actually, and have heard it before for a girl and a boy.

Kids will find ways to make fun of kids for whatever reason. If not the name, then the ears, or how fat or skinny they are, or their hair color. I do pay attention to innitials. That said, I had a friend whose brother was named Fleet. All I could ever think about was the enema.

[Ianthe]

Originally Posted by magstphil

Uh..... why in the world would someone choose to hire or not hire someone based on a name? I am much more concerned with credentials.

It happens all the time. One of my life-long friends changed her last name to Rodriguez after she got married, and both of them are VERY caucasian looking (Her DH is like 1/8th hispanic, but he carries on the last name). She gets overlooked all the time because of her last name. But, when she goes by her English maiden name she gets called back much, much more frequently.

[sunflwrmoonbeam]

Barack, Antonin, and Olympia are unusual but not ridiculous. Condoleeza has stronger ethnic connotations, but again isn't ridiculous. I've ALWAYS thought Wolf Blitzer was an absolutely ludicrous name.

Being a Pagan, I know many people who name their children after Pagan Gods. In my mind there's little difference between Mary and Joshua and, say, Apollo and Persephone.

Not every kid is teased, but few kids have the personality to avoid it. My name is Ashley and no one bugged me about that as a kid, though I've grown to hate it as an adult (and would change my name if I had a good alternative). That said, people didn't really pester me anyways because I was out and out weird and they simply couldn't. I was weird enough that I scared a good chunk of people (seriously, schoolmates were afraid of me, I don't get why) and I had the confidence to not care about being a social outcast. Few people are like that.

I also find it is FAR harder to remember an uncommon name than a common one. A really uncommon name has no associations, so it's like picking up a word from a foreign language. If you don't have associations, memorizing becomes much more difficult. There are reasons why most English speakers can look at a French or German word and reproduce it but not a Chinese or Russian one. I met a girl named, something like Anobi or Asona the other week, and have hung out with her amongst other friends 3 or 4 times now. Still can't remember her name because I have NO associations with it.

As for spelling, having a name no one can spell is ANNOYING. And being the sole person with a name has downsides as well. My maiden name is long and Lithuanian and very rare in this country. You google me you find me or immediate family members (and not all of it's pleasant). Now that I've changed my name to something simpler I have a degree of anonymity. People can't just type my name into google anymore and figure out where I live, where I went to school, what I read, what websites I visit, and my family history.

[Ambystoma]

Originally Posted by LizzyQ

It happens all the time. One of my life-long friends changed her last name to Rodriguez after she got married, and both of them are VERY caucasian looking (Her DH is like 1/8th hispanic, but he carries on the last name). She gets overlooked all the time because of her last name. But, when she goes by her English maiden name she gets called back much, much more frequently.

That's terrible! Although, I am surprised...2009. That hasn't been my experience in academia (though somewhat limited, I'll admit).

I LOVE the name Fable. So much so that I want to steal it for my list of names for my as-of-yet-not-conceived child. I have to say I think it's really funny that everyone keeps thinking of blimps when hearing the name Zeppelin, when all I can hear is the guitar to Heartbreaker....

About teasing, etc.: Don't buy that just because someone's name is different, they will be teased. I mean, the more common names have more common "teases" because kids encounter them more often and have more time to think of mean things to say.

It may help or hurt in getting jobs. But so does having a name that reminds the boss of someone who they used to date, was best friends with, was a high school bully. I mean, if I was an executive and a publishing company, I would be quick to hire someone name Fable, Lyric, etc just because I love words. I love Led Zeppelin, so as a future professor, I would probably show a little more interest in a grad student that applied to my lab with that name.

But, DH and I love more unusual names. I want to give our kids "good" names, but that doesn't mean traditional necessarily. I want them to think I put a little more effort into picking the perfect name for them than just flipping a baby name book open and picking whatever the most popular name was at the time.

[Ambystoma]

Originally Posted by sunflwrmoonbeam

Being a Pagan, I know many people who name their children after Pagan Gods. In my mind there's little difference between Mary and Joshua and, say, Apollo and Persephone.

I LOVE Persephone, but DH is not too thrilled about that one.

[utuss]

Our son's middle name IS Zepellin... His first name is Haven. The middle name is my husband's choice.... We received Mixed reviews for both names, but we're good with it!! Our son sports a Mohawk, too so it all fits together with our style and our lifestyle! As you know,(with names, birth choices, parenting styles) you can't please everyone!!