Do meanings matter?

Hey Berries! I have a little problem. There are several names that I adore that have not the greatest meaning/ associations. [name_m]How[/name_m] much meaning does a meaning have to you? Would you name your child a name with a not so great meaning or association? What about a name with an embarrassing short form.

Examples of names with not so great meanings: [name_u]Kennedy[/name_u] (I love this, but it means ugly head…), [name_f]Lilith[/name_f] (I love this too, but it means night monster! And she is a demon in Jewish mythology),

Examples of names with embarrassing short forms: [name_f]Astrid[/name_f], [name_f]Astoria[/name_f], [name_u]Aspen[/name_u]- (All have “a**” sound in it!)

Thanks in advance!

I think meanings only matter as much as they matter to you, if that makes sense. Personally I think a good meaning is a plus, but not a necessity, except for my favourite girls’ name, where the meaning has significance/is honouring. I have a few names on my list with not so great meanings (including [name_f]Lilith[/name_f], although I think the story comes into play there too) but I love everything else about them, so the meaning isn’t a problem for me.

With names that have problematic sounds, it depends on the name I guess. I have Arsinoë on my guilty pleasure partly because of the 1st syllable, but I think [name_f]Astrid[/name_f] is fine. As- is quite a common sound, so it doesn’t bother me as much.

For me on the most part meanings don’t matter, I hardly ever take them into account. I agree with the pp that associations matter more.

To some extent, yes. I don’t mind not-so-great meanings, but I do avoid ones that I feel very negative. [name_m]Cassius[/name_m], for example, is my GP due to its meaning “hollow”. For many it’s not so bad, but it has a really negative association for me, and I feel like I can’t name my son this while his siblings get [name_f]Valentina[/name_f] (brave), [name_f]Evangeline[/name_f] (bearer of good news), etc. [name_u]Tristan[/name_u], too, will definitely make it to my list if only it’s not so triste.

[name_f]Astrid[/name_f], [name_f]Astoria[/name_f], [name_u]Aspen[/name_u] are completely fine to me, I never even make that connection.

Thanks so much guys!!

It definitely depends on the person, culture, etc. I tend to look for names that have good meanings since my surname has a negative one, but if I truly loved a name I wouldn’t care. It’s just like how some people care about honoring above all else, some care about the flow of names, length of names, the syllables, and many other things. That’s why naming is so subjective; we all come with our own associations, experiences, and beliefs towards it. In the end, you have to do what makes you (and your spouse if coupled) happy.

It depends on if it’s negative to you. I’m not Abrahamic so the [name_f]Lilith[/name_f] thing doesn’t bother me. On the other hand, I wouldn’t use a name with a violent meaning because I’m a pacifist. It’s all about what is negative or positive to you, not to society.

Thanks again guys. Your opinion really helps me!!

I don’t let meanings sway me very much. If a name I like has a nice meaning, then it’s just an added bonus. Associations tend to bother me more, because meanings are only applicable in real life if the person looks them up. It’s not super common knowledge to know the meaning of names besides your own and maybe your childrens’. Some people don’t even know the meaning of their own name. Associations, however, are common knowledge because that’s how they become associations. [name_f]Lilith[/name_f] has a nice sound, but most people know of the negative association, especially those who are religious or study religion (or watch Supernatural), so therefore I’d never use it. [name_u]Salem[/name_u] is another example. I love the sound but the association with the witch trials is too much. Other associations don’t bother me though. Some associations are passing fads, for instance, I don’t worry about the movie association with the name [name_f]Juno[/name_f] because, personally, I’m too young for the movie and I think that if I’m too young to associate [name_f]Juno[/name_f] with the movie, then kids younger than me have a lower chance of associating it. I don’t expect for it to be a huge deal for kids my age or younger, and especially not for children born in 10 years, when I’m having kids. I’m also not bothered by the [name_f]Sabrina[/name_f] the Teenage Witch association for [name_f]Sabrina[/name_f], which is, again, before my time, and probably won’t be a big deal for anyone younger than me. I’d say an association would only bother me if it was a negative one that has a lasting impact; ie, something that I, my younger sisters, my parents, and my grandparents see an issue with.

Those are my thoughts.

I don’t think meanings will make a difference to your child’s life. What makes a difference is the common cultural association for the name. For example if you call your kid [name_f]Lillith[/name_f], it’s very possible they will never come across a positive television or literary character with the same name and now and then a person will wonder or ask your child, probably in a tactful way, why you know, they were given a ‘bad’ name. It’s vaguely sexualised as well, not as bad as calling your kid lolita or something, but it does carry that kind of cultural baggage. What your personal associations for the name are will make barely any difference in whether the name is well received by others and your child’s self image will be coloured by their constant interactions with others outside the home.
I don’t think advice such as follow your heart works for names. You need to put a lot of stock into what everyone else thinks. Everyone I know who gave their kid a name that the rest of society has a issue with is upset that the world didn’t turn around and go along with it.
It’s always amazing how many parents get angry when no one can spell or pronounce [name_f]Sioban[/name_f] or when people keep asking their daughter why on earth they’re called [name_u]Salem[/name_u]. Unless you’re going to home school your kid in the wilderness, they will spend a LOT of time with other people who have negative associations to certain names and it may or may not be a big deal depending on the personality of your child, but just be honest with yourself that you’re knowingly setting them up with a disadvantage.

I don’t think meanings will make a difference to your child’s life. What makes a difference is the common cultural association for the name. For example if you call your kid [name_f]Lillith[/name_f], it’s very possible they will never come across a positive television or literary character with the same name and now and then a person will wonder or ask your child, probably in a tactful way, why you know, they were given a ‘bad’ name. It’s vaguely sexualised as well, not as bad as calling your kid lolita or something, but it does carry that kind of cultural baggage. What your personal associations for the name are will make barely any difference in whether the name is well received by others and your child’s self image will be coloured by their constant interactions with others outside the home.
I don’t think advice such as follow your heart works for names. You need to put a lot of stock into what everyone else thinks. Everyone I know who gave their kid a name that the rest of society has a issue with is upset that the world didn’t turn around and go along with it.
It’s always amazing how many parents get angry when no one can spell or pronounce [name_f]Sioban[/name_f] or when people keep asking their daughter why on earth they’re called [name_u]Salem[/name_u]. Unless you’re going to home school your kid in the wilderness, they will spend a LOT of time with other people who have negative associations to certain names and it may or may not be a big deal depending on the personality of your child, but just be honest with yourself that you’re knowingly setting them up with a disadvantage.

Meanings do mean a lot to me. However, this is a personal thing. I grew up with a name that was originally a male name and has the meaning “manly”. I am extremely feminine & always longed for a name with a better meaning. [name_m]Even[/name_m] before I was a name nerd I knew the meaning of my name & disliked it. When my children are old enough to understand I plan to tell them the meaning of their names & explain to them why I picked them.

Like I said this is entirely personal, it all depends on how you feel. If a certain name has a special association to you and the meaning is not wonderful than for many people that can trump literal meaning.

One thing people always say, however, is “no one will ever know the meaning of the your kids name”. Well, your kid will and (personally) I want them to be proud of the meaning of their names.