A rose by any other name...

General Name Discussion
1

I’m re-watching Desperate Housewives and just got to the episode where one of the housewives has a son and names are being discussed. The dad wants to name the boy [name_m]Maynard[/name_m], after his grandfather, which the housewives don’t like. Anyway, one of the characters just said “If your name was [name_f]Francesca[/name_f], you wouldn’t have time for sarcasm. You’d be too busy having sex on a vespa!” which just cracks me up.

I don’t think your name necessarily shapes who you are, but I do sort of agree with that character’s line. Most people with my name have been pretty similar, though I’ve of course met a few that were my opposites.

[name_f]Do[/name_f] you think you’d be any different with another name? [name_f]Do[/name_f] people who have a disconnect with their birth name and choose to change the name do so for some deeper reason than just finding it boring? Have you ever met someone who just didn’t “fit” their name?

2

Funny you say

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I have met a handful of other people with my name (all different spellings, mostly, my name seems to have infinite variation - [name_f]Shauna[/name_f], [name_f]Shawna[/name_f], [name_f]Seanna[/name_f], [name_f]Shanna[/name_f], [name_f]Shana[/name_f], [name_f]Seana[/name_f], Siona), and we all seem to share a lot of similar traits.

I do wonder if it syas more about the type of mothers we all had, though, versus our actual name. I’m not sure if my personality would be different had I been named [name_f]Francesca[/name_f] (LOL!) or [name_f]Rose[/name_f] or [name_f]Marie[/name_f], for example.

3

My name’s so common that I meet all sorts of people with it so I can’t really tell. :slight_smile:

For people who don’t do their names at all I still can’t get over the first name of a biology teacher I used to have. He looked, sounded-like and sometimes acted like Mr [name_m]Bean[/name_m] ([name_u]Rowan[/name_u] Atkinson) and was actually generally known to the pupils as Dr [name_m]Bean[/name_m]. Then I found out his first name was [name_m]Austin[/name_m]. It had always struck as a young, ‘cool’ sort of name that a sports player or someone might have. It did not suit him the tiniest bit.

4

interesting theory [name_f]Moon[/name_f]. Yes, perhaps it does say something about our mothers. I wonder if a good study has ever been done on this. I have a book I really like, [name_f]Secret[/name_f] Universe of Names, which groups names by sounds. I’ll go get it in a few minutes and tell you what it says about [name_f]Shauna[/name_f]. :slight_smile:

[name_f]Hannie[/name_f], your biology teacher sounds like a hoot, and no he does not sound like an [name_m]Austin[/name_m]!

5

I know a variety of [name_f]Caitlin[/name_f]/[name_f]Katelyn[/name_f]/[name_f]Kaitlyn[/name_f] etc, but they’re all younger than me. It’s common enough that we aren’t all similar in personality, but as a side note, the only person I’ve met who spelled it [name_f]Caitlin[/name_f] is a lot like me. Take from that what you will.

6

Okay, here it is. I’m not taking this all that seriously, it’s just fun and interesting to me. I’m sick right now and bored. If anyone wants theirs done, let me know.

I’ll paraphrase since I don’t want to put everything the books says out there. I’m sure there’s some sort of law against that. :wink:

[name_f]Shauna[/name_f] is under SHN. Deliberate, Protective, Involved / Introverted (that’s a negative??), Self-doubting, Addictive. Privacy is important; doesn’t often offer very private info about self; poised; higher frequency of ups and downs than many; tendency to separate “their emotions from traumatic events”; does well in high stress jobs like emergency work; appreciate quality and don’t shy from demanding the same from partners; needs someone romantic and intriguing.

[name_f]Caitlin[/name_f] is under KTLN. Witty, Determined, Quick-thinking / Hypersensitive, Unstable, Suspicious. Rarely loses cool, works around tense situations; changes “their minds as often as a butterfly with a lobotomy” (lol); not very punctual; loyal; likes to keep people off balance; smart but not big on formal education; procrastinators; like being in the spotligh; picky about love interests.

Fun, fun. This is the book if anyone is interested in it.

7

Unfortunately I do not personally know anyone else named [name_f]Taryn[/name_f]. At least not well enough that I can compare them to myself lol But I do know that people who meet me say that they can’t imagine me with any other name. My best friend in high school told me it was “creative without being crazy” and that’s how she would describe me.

However, just going based off of my own experience knowing other people who share the same name, I can say that I have noticed similarities. Specifically with [name_m]John[/name_m], [name_f]Susan[/name_f], [name_f]Jessica[/name_f] and [name_f]Amanda[/name_f]. There seems to always be at least one major personality trait that all Johns or all Susans have in common.

8

I have a rare first name, never in the Top Thousand, and all the people I’ve known who’ve had it were of the same ethnic/religious background. I don’t know any of them well though, it was more of a “you’ve got my name! Cool! I’ve only ever met one before!” sort of thing. In this case “same sort of mothers” might be true.

Being one of a badly-matched (lol) sibset, my sister has a Top 10 name and I have to say I’ve met a ton of them, and she doesn’t suit the name. I love her to bits, and I like the name - but she doesn’t seem like the other ones I’ve met.

The only [name_m]Austin[/name_m] I’ve ever known was a persnickety, rather odd older man. So I think it fits. :wink:

9

The only other female [name_u]Angel[/name_u] I’ve met was a drug using hussy so I’m not even remotely like her. >_<

On the other bit of your question, I don’t feel connected to my name at all. It’s very frilly and girly and I’m most certainly not. The name I picked for myself when I started working on my transition was Remy Voltaire/Archimedes (still haven’t decided on one :P) and I feel much more like a Remy. Remy is sort of romantic but fun, free, adventurous, and everything I tend to be.
As for Dantea, which is closer to how I feel if I were wanting a girls name. It’s sort of dark but bold to me, a bit of dark romance. Someone who feels she could go anywhere and do anything (which Remy also feels like).

Look up both my names in the book!

10

I’ve not met any other [name_u]Ren[/name_u]'s and I doubt I ever will, though I seem to remember there is another [name_f]Karen[/name_f] on this site who spells her nickname [name_u]Wren[/name_u]? The handful of [name_f]Karen[/name_f]'s I’ve met - one much older, two younger - have all been different from me.

I believe I’d have turned out exactly the same way if I was called something else. I’ve never thought that my personality was predestined because my dad chose [name_f]Karen[/name_f] over [name_f]Dawn[/name_f] and it’s the idea that I promote over on the Writers’ Forum too. Names are great and it’s a lot of fun to play with them, look into meanings and like and loathe them, but at the end of the day it’s your DNA and life experiences that shape you as a person.

11

I know one [name_f]Ebony[/name_f] and now of an [name_f]Ebonee[/name_f] and a guy [name_f]Ebony[/name_f]. There is one other [name_f]Ebony[/name_f] on nameberry we’re both from the same country born in the same decade. The [name_f]Ebony[/name_f] I didn’t actually know too well she seemed nothing like me. I think my name suits me I can’t see myself with another name. Sure [name_f]Ebony[/name_f] and [name_u]Ivory[/name_u] does get annoying (no I’m not named after it) but my sister has it worse she gets like the singer comments even though she was obviously born after 2008.

12

"[name_f]Caitlin[/name_f] is under KTLN. Witty, Determined, Quick-thinking / Hypersensitive, Unstable, Suspicious. Rarely loses cool, works around tense situations; changes “their minds as often as a butterfly with a lobotomy” (lol); not very punctual; loyal; likes to keep people off balance; smart but not big on formal education; procrastinators; like being in the spotligh; picky about love interests. "

Ha! That’s all over the map. Some of it rings pretty true (looking at you, lobotomized butterfly)

13

I’ve met so many people of all ages with my name, so it’s hard to tell. However, I’ve never felt like my name fit me, but since it’s a family name I feel like it would be insulting to them if I changed it.

14

My name is [name_f]Emily[/name_f], so I doubt you could find one thing (other than being female) to unite us all.

Several of my cousins don’t fit their names at all. A prime example is my cousin [name_m]Dalton[/name_m]. My aunt gave my uncle full naming rights, and he named him after [name_m]Patrick[/name_m] Swayze’s character in Road House. I’ve known four Daltons, including my cousin, and none of them fit their names. I can’t imagine anyone “fitting” the name [name_m]Dalton[/name_m]. It’s just a bad, awkward name. My cousin [name_m]Dalton[/name_m] is a [name_m]Levi[/name_m], without a doubt. My mom agrees with me.

Another aunt gave up twin boys for adoption, and the names their adoptive parents gave them are not their names (and they’re the most boring, unimaginative names ever). It drives me up the wall.

15

southern.maple - Haha! I actually know a [name_m]Dalton[/name_m] who fits his name perfectly. He’s a very classy, well-spoken older gentleman, and I always felt that that was the type of person who should be named [name_m]Dalton[/name_m], lol

16

I’ve often thought about this, myself, though I haven’t been able to chalk it up to anything specific, or insightful. My aunt, who is very spiritual (believes in destiny, mediums, angel cards all that spiritual stuff) would say that this is 100% true, because we’re named what we’re named for a greater reason, purpose, power. It’s as though your spirit influences your parents name choice, like intuition. Obviously, that idea is flawed in the case of those who hate their names and have them changed. [name_m]Science[/name_m] and logic sway me from believing that thought process. Though, in that sense, names are seen as nouns when they convey a greater meaning, or description, more like adjectives in that respect.

To digress from rambling, who knows! It would be interesting to read a comparative study.

17

[name_f]Taryn[/name_f]- the only place I’ve ever heard [name_f]Taryn[/name_f] is the actress, [name_f]Taryn[/name_f] [name_m]Manning[/name_m]. Crazy/Beautiful came out when I was about 19 and I loved it. I always imagine a [name_f]Taryn[/name_f] as being rather bohemian.

Stripedsocks- I’m always so curious about mismatched sibsets, at least when they’re extreme. Have you asked your mom about what made her pick a rare name and a top ten one?

Dantea- I will look you up in a few minutes. I’m under the covers and this book is pretty big. :stuck_out_tongue: Yes, you’re one of the people I was thinking of when I asked about people not feeling connected to their name. I’ve always felt very connected to my name, my first at least, but I did go through the typical young person wanting a different name phase. I changed my name to [name_f]Jessamyn[/name_f] when I was in sixth or fifth grade, and insisted everyone call me that. I even signed my homework with [name_f]Jessamyn[/name_f]. Haha. I also got called [name_m]Ed[/name_m] almost exclusively by all my friends from 4th grade until 12th, and many of them still call me that. I also (and this is mortifying) changed the spelling of my name to [name_f]Eryka[/name_f] in high school. I was on the yearbook staff, so even the yearbook has me as [name_f]Eryka[/name_f]. Sigh.

[name_u]Ren[/name_u]- Hmm, yes, perhaps. Like I said, I’m not totally serious about this, I just think it’s interesting. I do agree that who we are is shaped by our experiences and DNA. I guess my question then would be, how would our experiences have changed with a different name? If you were a [name_f]Sheherazade[/name_f], would you be less or more patient after dealing with a world who can’t say or spell your name? Would you have been teased? Would people assume you were quirky, until you finally embrace it and become the “extravagantly elaborate” person your parents must have wanted you to be?

[name_f]Emiliana[/name_f]- I’ve never known an [name_f]Ebony[/name_f]. Not sure I’d have any preconceived notions about one. I’d mostly just hope she had gorgeous ebony hair, a sort of [name_f]Snow[/name_f] White I suppose.

[name_f]Cait[/name_f]- Yes, the lobotomized butterfly made me laugh.

[name_f]Maple[/name_f]- I didn’t know you were an [name_f]Emily[/name_f]! [name_f]Every[/name_f] [name_f]Emily[/name_f] I’ve ever known has been cheerful and friendly on the outside, but has a lot going on underneath. That’s rather ambiguous I guess. I was in love with an [name_f]Emily[/name_f] once, so she’s the closest I ever got to one, and boy did she have stuff on the inside nobody would have guessed.

[name_f]Moon[/name_f]- In spite of Road House, I imagine an older guy with [name_m]Dalton[/name_m]. I think because it reminds me of Dallben from the Prydain Chronicles, who was an old farm wizard.

Mutant- Ooh, I think I’d enjoy talking with you and your aunt over a cup of coffee. I’m always torn between my logical science self and my crazy magic and energy and fantasy side. I call myself atheist, but I have some pretty out there ideas about spiritualism and the universe.

Thanks for sharing, berries! I enjoyed reading your thoughts. Dantea, I’ll be back shortly with the name info.

18

@redwoodfey I’m blonde haired, of Scottish and English ancestry but it is quite popular in Australia all of the [name_f]Ebony[/name_f]'s I know are white one has brown hair, one red and I think the boys hair was also brown. My name probably wouldn’t work anywhere but Australia because I know its considered trashy in the US and the UK

19

Okay.

Dantea: The closest I found is with the DN names ([name_f]Danita[/name_f] and [name_m]Donta[/name_m] are included here, so it’s pretty close). The Daring. Idealist, Faithful, Devoted / Demanding, Self-Indulgent, Isoalted. Stubborn; enthusiastic; easily attracts people who take advantage, but DN’s don’t usually expect anything in return; enjoys a good wallow from time to time; doesn’t deal with failure easily, leading to depression; they do snap out of their depression; devoted; high ideals that can place impossible expectations on mates.

[name_u]Remy[/name_u]: The Multi-Faceted. [name_m]RY[/name_m] names. Composed, Observant, Open-Minded / Reserved, Detached, Complicated. Optimistic; self-contained; make decisions with head, not heart; not to be confused with a cold fish, RYs have found a way to “discipline their emotions instead of indulging in them”; channel feelings into their work, leading to lots of accomplishments; that leads people to think they’re all business, no romance; opinionated; compulsion to “rattle the cage”; enjoy making waves; good listeners; not motivated by money, but find ways to live comfortably; struggle with self-doubt; restless.

20

Oh, I’d never have guessed a blonde [name_f]Ebony[/name_f]. That’s rather cute. :slight_smile: