We have 2 boys and are expecting our first girl in [name]June[/name]. I fell in love with the name [name]Eden[/name] back in [name]January[/name] and that has been “her” name (in my head) since then. My husband likes the name in general, but is having a hard time getting past the thought of teenage boys talking about getting into our daughter’s “Garden of [name]Eden[/name]” or some other sexual reference. His choice is [name]Kennedy[/name], which I like, but not as much as I like [name]Eden[/name]. This is our first and probably only girl and I’d really like to name her something girly, (though both of our boys have last names for first names, so [name]Kennedy[/name] would fit with that genre).
So, do you like [name]Eden[/name] or [name]Kennedy[/name], and what do those names make you think of?
What an amusing euphemism - I’d never thought of that! Personally, I would go for [name]Eden[/name], as I find it more feminine than [name]Kennedy[/name], and although it seems to be becoming popular, I think it would date better. A lot of names, in fact probably most, have some sort of teasing potential ([name]Pandora[/name]'s box is a similar situation), but I don’t imagine this particular situation will be a problem. Hopefully your husband will be able to get past it. In the same vein, you might also like [name]Ada[/name], [name]Edith[/name] and [name]Edie[/name] (that could be a nn for [name]ED[/name] initials, too).
[name]Kennedy[/name] just doesn’t seem feminine to me at all. I much prefer [name]Eden[/name].
Honestly, the kind of teasing that your husband fears would never occurr to me in relation to [name]Eden[/name].
One way of getting around this issue entirely, though, might be to pick a similar sounding/feeling name instead. Have you considered [name]Arden[/name]?
I would never have come up with that, but he’s probably right. The only thing is, teenage boys will come up with a euphemism if they want to regardless of her name. It certainly wouldn’t stop me from using it, and I think [name]Eden[/name] is lovely. It was on mine and my husband’s list not too long ago. I definitely like it more than [name]Kennedy[/name]; there just seem to be so many Kinseys and McKenzies and Kennedys and the like. [name]Eden[/name] will be familiar enough that people will recognize it (unless you spell it something like Edynn), has a great connotation, and will be unique. It’s a great choice!
Ha! You know, boys will be boys and they will come up with anything. But, seriously, pick the name you love most! [name]Eden[/name] is great! I think it sounds fresh, fun, and feminine, and yes it does have an ethereal, ‘holy’ thing going on with the connection to the Garden of [name]Eden[/name]. I get the euphemism you - or your husband - are suggesting, but at the same time, it isn’t perfect. The Garden of [name]Eden[/name] is paradise, but original sin took place in the garden, so it isn’t like center of purity. So, whatever - I doubt anybody else thinks so much about these things in literal terms.
If it is any consolation, I would definitely pick [name]Eden[/name] over [name]Kennedy[/name]. Not only does [name]Kennedy[/name] sound decidedly masculine to me, it reminds me of the [name]Kennedy[/name] family (not necessarily bad, but quite the association), and it has a terrible meaning - “misshapen head”!
So, the choice is yours. Give your daughter a soft, lovely name with presence that means “place of pleasure,” or give her a comparably masculine name associated with a dynasty of political figures that means “misshapen head”? A true debate…
I think the “Garden of [name]Eden[/name]” association is too old-fashioned for todays teenagers, and I don’t think one that most teenage boys will think is very funny or relevant. I am a highschool teacher in my 20’s and I just don’t see it becomming too much of a problem…and your husband is going to want to control a bunch of other thoughts guys have and he’s won’t be able to!
Also, she’ll have two big brothers to take care of any comments like that!
PS: lemon, I need your opinion on a name! I have seen a lot of your comments and you seem to know what you’re talking about (and have a similar style to mine). I’m going to post later today about a name…look for my post!
I dont love the name [name]Eden[/name] because it has never really seemed like a name to me. I personally only associate it with the bible story. It does have a pretty sound to it though and it becoming increasingly popular so I dont see a problem in using it. I wouldnt worry about stupid teenage boys, chances are they could do that with any name.
I wouldnt name her [name]Kennedy[/name]. Not only does it start with [name]Ken[/name] (boys name!), but it also screams [name]Kennedy[/name] family. I dont get much past JFK or [name]Bobby[/name] [name]Kennedy[/name] when I hear this one. I think given that she has two older brothers she should have a feminine pretty name to set her apart, whether that be [name]Eden[/name] or somthing else.
If neither name feels right to the both of you than I suggest going back to the drawing board and finding other options.
I love [name]Eden[/name], to me it sounds like a earthy name, perhaps a family who loves the outdoor and nature rather than [name]Kennedy[/name] which is a modern ‘New [name]York[/name] City’ kind of name if you know what I mean. They are very differnt. It doesn’t really make me think of religion or the Garden of [name]Eden[/name] for some reason. I think your husband is over-thinking! That being said, they are 2 very different names. [name]Both[/name] pretty but very differnt. I vote [name]Eden[/name]!
Religious or political. [name]How[/name] to choose. I don’t really get a good feeling about anyone being named [name]Kennedy[/name], and it’s not because of the Kennedys or the meaning. It just seems a little on the pretentious side but also dated. It’s not exactly [name]Madison[/name] in popularity, but it does seem like a name that had some sort of original appeal once and now seems trying too hard, too yuppie or posh or something in between, aspirational wrt the famous [name]Kennedy[/name] family.
[name]Eden[/name] is not exactly my style, but I do like short and easy to call names. [name]Edie[/name] is a good nickname too without resorting to [name]Edith[/name] (rather quirky yet). I’m also not religious, I probably would avoid it myself for the reference, and not because boys might make lewd jokes 15 years from now. But if you prefer the religious aspect and that’s important to you, or possibly otherwise able to ignore it if it’s not, it’s pretty and even though plain in sound, exotic in imagery. I can’t promise no one will ever make a joke, but as soon as she fills out a bra, teenage boys will probably talk about her. I find it awkward to talk about and yet it’s beneficial to consider the effects her name will have on her whole life. I don’t think it’s possible to speculate every instance where any given child’s name will make someone else’s jokes easier, to pick on your daughter. That is part of growing up and dealing with it, feeling things and learning to measure your reactions so stuff like that doesn’t bother you. While I’m at it, it’s not uncommon for teenaged girls to want to change their name for some reason or other. It’s a phase.
I would not name your daughter [name]Kennedy[/name] as per your husband’s choice if you do not also love it, and if he can’t get over his problem with [name]Eden[/name], you may need to go over the lists, make new lists, find a name together you both think is great. I like [name]Eden[/name] better, but I’m not sure asking a forum of name nerds to choose between the two is going to settle the debate fairly.
A few people mentioned [name]Edie[/name] as a nickname…I met an [name]Eden[/name] last week and she went by [name]Edie[/name] (which I of course told my husband was a sign that we should name our daughter that!). I like that and maybe that would be a compromise of sorts. Ironically, I also like [name]Arden[/name], which was mentioned. It is a family name on my side.
[name]Lemon[/name], loved your post!! I also laughed at the meaning of [name]Kennedy[/name] when I first looked it up, though the first site I looked at had the meaning “ugly head.” Nice, huh?
I know nameberry input can’t settle my family dispute about what to name our daughter, but since I don’t like to share our name with our friends and family until she’s born, it’s nice to get some opinions about our names from people that are removed from the emotions of the situation. I also like to hear things like, “That name makes me think of ____” because it may be something we haven’t thought of.
BTW, our boys are [name]Brady[/name] and [name]Cooper[/name].
[name]Glad[/name] you weren’t offended by my post! Your boys have such fresh and fun names. If you aren’t settled yet, here are some others I thought might work with [name]Brady[/name] and [name]Cooper[/name]…
I like both names perhaps you could choose [name]Kendal[/name]/Kenndel instead of [name]Kennedy[/name] to make it more feminine? Or perhaps a name that sounds similar to [name]Eden[/name] like [name]Aydan[/name]/ [name]Aiden[/name]/[name]Aidan[/name], [name]Jadyn[/name]/[name]Jaeden[/name]?
Haha… isn’t that so funny that an otherwise “normal” name has such a bad meaning? It’s like the name [name]Cameron[/name], I’ve always loved the name itself but the meaning is “crooked nose!” Who wants that image for their child?
I’m not fond of [name]Kennedy[/name], for a girl or boy, for pretty much the same reasons as everyone else has listed. If you love [name]Eden[/name], I think you should go with it. I’ve worked at two middle schools (different states) and I’ve been surprised by how little the teenagers I’ve dealt with catch on to biblical or historical references and puns. It’s a possibility for sure, but boys with girls on the mind are always going to find something to say, frankly, I’d prefer a witty kind of pun like that to the extremely crude and nasty things that I’ve heard (yes, from middle schoolers). Of course, that’s not going to make your husband feel much better, I realize.
I think that boys are going to be imature about a lot of things but they grow out of it. I wouldn’t worry about that. [name]Eden[/name] is gorgeous, sweet and you can call her [name]Edie[/name].
