When you’re choosing your future child’s name do you strictly go by name (origin, meaning, family name etc) or do you create an image in your head of what type of little boy or girl would wear that name?
For example we are currently deciding between Alder and [name_m]Casper[/name_m]. I can’t help but imagine a handsome little man named Alder who is soft, gentler then most little boys, quiet and on the nerdier side. I compare him to the super cute, charming and outgoing [name_m]Casper[/name_m] who has a big heart. Obviously these descriptors have no basis and I have no idea what our future child will be like… I really wish they could go nameless for awhile until we have a good grasp of who these little individuals will be… I know he/she will grow into their name and whatever we choose will feel right. Perhaps I am over thinking this?!
I think it’s probably a little bit of both. Unless you’re adopting, the child will have a lot of your genes, so that gives some indication of what his/her personality may be like. I would certainly take that into account.
I definitely think it’s important to consider the type of person your child is likely to become. Obviously we can’t know specifics but, for example, I know if I had a child there’s a very good chance (based on my husband and my inclinations) that they’d love books, be a bit introverted, probably be rather nerdy, be overly opinionated, and have a passion for learning. There are a lot of names that really don’t fit that picture in my head. For example, I can’t imagine a boy named [name_m]Jett[/name_m] or a girl named [name_f]Daffodil[/name_f] with that description.
So, I guess I’m going about it in the opposite direction to you. Rather than saying, this is the description of this name I imagine and can I imagine my kid being like that, instead I’m saying ‘this is how I imagine my kid and what names do I think would fit that’.
I see what you’re saying, I guess my husband and I (as well as family) are borderline the two descriptors // both at times can be quiet, soft and nerdy while other times crave attention and spotlight (whether its by choice of clothing or being outgoing) like to flirt and be charming. I am not one or the other rather both … So I could see our child going either way… We tend to be a little more “alder” but both our fathers and at least one of our siblings would be more “[name_m]Casper[/name_m]” so ya… It’s not so easy to assign I guess.
Well I’m just a teenager, but I would go with both for myself. I don’t know half the meanings of the names I like, I normally go by sound. The only reason I wouldn’t use a name I loved was if it had a terrible meaning.
No kids yet, but I lean more towards choosing names I like that have meaning for me (my general rule is first name is a personal favorite, middle name is a family/very meaningful name). There’s really no way to know if your child will suit the image you have in your head, even after they’re born. Because really, what does a 1 day old baby’s “personality” really mean? People grow and evolve constantly, I am a different person now at 23 than I was at 15, and I was different then than I was at 10. So I think I would choose based on meaning, sound, origin etc. and let the child create my image of what that name would look like rather than the other way around. Not that there’s anything wrong with either way of choosing.
I named my children names that were after family members and we loved the names. I didn’t really name them based off their personalities. I think whatever the personality of the child it will seem to work perfectly with the name you choose for them because over time that name becomes them. Also you do have some wiggle room sometimes with nicknames and such. We always planned on calling my daughter [name_f]Mary[/name_f] [name_f]Claire[/name_f] but I tend to think of a more outgoing little girl with that name not my quiet and somewhat clingy daughter so we just call her [name_f]Mary[/name_f] instead.
I think the name becomes you. My kids’ names definitely suit them and I can’t imagine them being named anything else, but I’m sure I’d feel that way no matter what their names were. My husband’s name is [name_u]Daren[/name_u]. He hates it- the name, the misspelling, etc. I love it on him. [name_m]Steve[/name_m] or [name_m]John[/name_m] just wouldn’t work.
Also, look at history. Celebs make name trends. Names skyrocket after new celebs come onto the scene. That’s because they give us a new view of a name- maybe something we thought was ugly and unusable becomes fresh and beautiful.
So bottom line for me is, choose thoughtfully and see where the children take the name.
[name_m]Don[/name_m]'t think the name you choose will determine what type of child you have. Genetics and role models will determine what kind of personality your child will have. As far as names go if there’s a particular sort of ‘vibe’ that touches you roll with that. For example if you are really into theatre maybe choose a Shakespearean name, or if you have an intense love for literature choose a name from one of the classics. I think its funny when people think the name will determine a child’s personality. [name_m]Just[/name_m] listen to the name out loud, think about the colours, feelings, mental images & memories you get from it, and choose a name that YOU really love.
Of course you need to factor in your child’s well-being. Can you see your child being a biologist or a lawyer, a forest ranger, firefighter or primary school teacher with that name?
Your expectation of the name or the feeling you get from the name will change as your child evolves & as your experiences with that name change. That I think is what people mean by ‘the name becomes you’ or ‘they’ll grow into the name’.
I don’t have any children yet but for a few years name I’ve been obessing over names. Most of my children will be named after places in Europe and my first son will be named after my dad.
Daughters names: [name_f]Italia[/name_f] Kyivienna [name_f]Barcelona[/name_f] Ukrainea Espana; [name_f]Sicilia[/name_f] [name_f]Athena[/name_f] [name_f]Estella[/name_f] [name_u]Roma[/name_u] [name_f]Lorenza[/name_f] [name_f]Katharina[/name_f]; [name_f]Ireland[/name_f] [name_f]Catalina[/name_f] [name_f]Jezabella[/name_f] Mayaguez [name_f]Odessa[/name_f] [name_f]Margarita[/name_f] Bacardi; [name_f]Russia[/name_f] Czarina [name_f]Anastasia[/name_f] [name_f]Tatiana[/name_f] [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] [name_f]Olga[/name_f] [name_f]Maria[/name_f]
