Baby Name Research!

General Name Discussion
1

[name_m]Hi[/name_m] Nameberry!
I’m currently doing a research project for school that involves conducting my own research. So, I have 2 (Ish) questions for you:

  1. Why do names matter to you? I’m assuming that you’re here because you love names, so tell me why they matter. What were the main motives behind your kids’ names?
  2. Would you say that a name has an effect on a child? If so, what kind of effect?
    [name_f]Answer[/name_f] as thoroughly or not as you want, and provide as much evidence as you feel necessary.
    Thanks in advance!
2

  1. I think my interest in names comes from the fact that it is the very first stepping stone into the creation of an identity. You give a baby a name, and that baby grows around it, becoming the embodiment of that name to those around them. As a writer, there is so much meaning, symbolism, and history in a name, and I can only imagine that it’s the first gift a parent can give to their child. A good name can last a lifetime.

  2. I would absolutely say that a name has an effect on a child. It doesn’t so much change them as it changes the way the general public receives them, which in turn effects the child. For instance, someone with a name that is made up of unnecessary Y’s and creative spellings will be perceived differently than a child named [name_f]Dolores[/name_f], who will then be perceived differently than a child named [name_f]Brittany[/name_f], and so on and so forth. Generally your name is the first thing a person knows about you, and I think subconsciously or not preconceived notions about certain names will factor into the first impression a person has of that child.

3

  1. I think my interest in names comes from an interest in literature, pop culture and characters. [name_m]How[/name_m] names have different associations and images they bring to mind. I love 19th century lit and adaptations and most of the names found in them! My motives for naming my future children will be names that are quirky, classic and stand out just the right amount.

  2. Yes, names definitely do have an effect on a child. Like the likelihood of their being hired or brought in for an interview. But only so much of an effect as you would think. Kids with a traditional, boring name can still be bullied or received not as well. It really depends on who they are, what they make of it and the class they are born into.

4
  1. My love for names I think comes from the fact I’ve always loved writing and character creating - whether it was in words or playing games like The [name_m]Sims[/name_m] and Role Play Video Games. I wanted a name that would ‘match’ my characters and so I would go on the hunt for names and their meanings… Then that grew into a fondness for history and culture, learning about mythology and the names from those stories. It also comes from a love of reading books and finding new characters with names I’ve not heard of, or match who they are - their name brings them to life as much as anything else about the character.
  1. Names certainly have an impact on a child, but you won’t know what it is as it’s a personal and individual thing. Whether a child has a traditional, unique or trendy name - they will grow up either loving or hating their name. It’s also down to environmental and circumstantial reasons a child will develop who they are. Their name is only part of that as it’s an identity and it’s up to them if they decide it affects who they are as a person. For others to judge a person on something as simple as a name, and not someones personality - says more about the person judging than it does about the person with the name.
5

  1. My love of names comes from my childhood dislike of my own name. I also love writing and finding names that best suit my characters. It’s so fun to see what names are coming back into popularity, finding out where they come from, and what they mean! A name usually reflects a child’s personality, which leads me to answer your next question.

  2. I believe names are very important, they definitely have an affect on children, but that affect can be different for everyone. I grew up hating my name, [name_f]Alicia[/name_f], because no one could say it or spell it correctly. I can’t speak for everyone, but sometimes you can tell if your name just doesn’t fit you. Names also give first impressions to people you meet for the first time and unfortunately people make judgments base on names. If two people are up for a corporate job, a woman named [name_f]Verginya[/name_f] or [name_u]Ryan[/name_u] may have all the experience, but with that name there are thoughts that go through people’s minds. Could your parent’s not spell? [name_f]Do[/name_f] your parent’s not like you? Did they want a boy? On the other hand, a woman named [name_f]Jane[/name_f] or [name_f]Sarah[/name_f] may not have those issues. Names define different generations too. Names go in and out of style. Not always, but a lot of times, if someone has a certain name it can be determined what year they were born.