Respondents: 156 (This poll is closed)
I have four children. Not expecting, but hoping to have one or two more in the near future. I love talking about names. 
Does it really matter?? (and no, I’m not saying that in a grouchy tone) I am just wondering if labeling each other is necessary. Some are mummas, some want to be mummas, some can’t be mummas… it doesn’t matter. Whether people are part of this community for need, want, love, etc isn’t of consequence. 
Someone’s opinion on a name isn’t more or less valid based on their parental or social status. [name_m]Just[/name_m] remember to love, accept, and care for everyone equally… that’s all I wanted to remind us of. <3
I [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] names.
I have M/C twice and I will TTC again in [name_u]July[/name_u] after finally getting my physical/mental health back on track.
My husband and I are TTC now, but I have been on this site since 2012 (I think). I think there’s a pretty good mix of parents, TTC members, teens, writers, pet parents, name lovers, and any other category you can think of. That’s part of what I love about this site. There are other websites out there where you get attacked if you are not a parent and dare post anything. You don’t really find that here. There’s different forum sections and everyone is very welcoming many names lovers get teased or misunderstood enough and don’t want to subject others to that same treatment. This is a pretty good place for name lovers of all kinds.
Girl, I completely agree with you!
hey now…this poll was by no means meant to attack, label or judge anyone. It’s a wonderful site and community here and probably the most extensive Naming resource I’ve found
I was simply curious, because I noticed many senior posters here are “Name Lovers” or “Name Obsessed” and while I agree, it’s fun to think up names for an upcoming [name_u]Baby[/name_u], [name_f]Pet[/name_f] or a Character in a book - I just am just wondering what motivates people to spend countless hours making up tons of different Name lists & combos if they never plan to really use them (on a baby, a pet or a book character?)? Again, I’m not attacking, just trying to get it.
Maybe I just don’t understand the purpose of making random hypothetical Name lists, without the intention of actually using them?
There’s a thread going on in the baby names forum that I think might satisfy your curiosity 
I find this really interesting as well! I was just thinking yesterday how I love this site as my escapism- whether you’re looking for a real baby or just having fun throwing ideas around, I think it’s so great that like minded people who share a somewhat niche interest can come together and share ideas. Personally, I’m a little bit of both- I’m not expecting and won’t be TTC for probably a while so my lists are mainly for fun, with the thought that they might influence our actual choice at some point in the future.
Sometimes I wonder why I’m so interested in names, but I think it’s partly excitement for the future? I’ve always been maternal and can’t wait to start a family with my SO, so I think this is my little guilty pleasure, just like as a little girl I used to spend time looking at wedding magazines because I couldn’t wait to get married! I guess we retain part of that childlike wonder for the future even as adults. Also, the hidden gem of onomastics is infinitely fascinating, and I really love exploring the origins and development of names.
It’s okay lol. I don’t think anyone thought you were being negative or attacking. It really is interesting to learn why people are on here. Speaking for myself, I came across this site several years back and really liked it. I was huge into the game The [name_m]Sims[/name_m] 2 and honestly just needed some fresher names than the same few I kept recycling. I also just really liked names and finding out the meanings of them, as well as thinking of names I’d like to use for my future children. I sort of got really intrigued by the community aspect of it and eventually joined the site and started participating. I suppose it may have seemed weird to anyone who would’ve found out, since I was an 18-year-old high school student who frankly had no real reason to be planning any of that, in the opinion of some. It was fun, though, and entertaining. I liked being able to offer suggestions or opinions to others who were either seeking advice about the names of their actual/expected children and those who were like myself: interested in names.
Now that I am TTC, I suppose I have “legitimate” reason at this point. [name_m]Even[/name_m] though we are on our way to have some names on a short list for our baby which we are trying to conceive, I still like being on here. I’ve made friends here and enjoy talking about other aspects of life on here (the Mom and Everything but Names forums are my favorite ones). That doesn’t really answer your question though…honestly, it’s fun. Some here find it calming, actually. Some may not be planning to TTC any time soon, but want to gather ideas. Others may be done having kids but want opinions on names and still love names. There’s a bunch of reasons, actually. I guess that doesn’t answer your question though 
sorry.
Your poll doesn’t make sense, I’m sorry. For example, I am a writer who is interested in names, who is trying to conceive, and who has other kids. There is no box to check.
This thread should take place in a different forum, not in ‘Girl [name_u]Baby[/name_u] Names’.
I’ve been using this site for a few years already just because I love names, but now we’re expecting our first baby so I’m using it a lot more lately! I think there is a pretty good mix of people actually looking to name a baby and those who are just interested in names in general. It makes it a welcoming place for whatever situation you’re currently in.
Am a mom. Miscarried Halloween of 2015. Doesn’t that qualify me as a mom?
I think it comes down to a sense of community, something bigger than you. Children are born here with a literal village of hundreds of folks from around the world that have helped choose the identity of that child. Hours poured into it. Thousands of hours if you count all the folks. We’re romantics, longing for a time when people knew what was in a name.
I miscarried Halloween of 2015. But I don’t know if that matters. People are here because they’re searching, for whatever that may be. Escape, assistance, curiousity, hope, commaraderie, to help etc. I see your point but they’re still getting something from it.
For what it is worth I did not take offense to your original question. I read it as purely, genuine curiosity.
I’ve been interested in names since I was a child. Nothing to do with having kids myself (yet).
I’d say the community is pretty split between mums and those who simply love names with nothing to name.
That’s an interesting question. I guess you could say I don’t really have a “purpose” to be here, but names have always fascinated me, as well as language as a whole. I find it interesting to study names and the associations that come with them. No, I am obviously not a parent but for me, names are a creative outlet and their meanings and origins are a look into history (another one of my interests).
I’ve been on this site since 2012 I believe. I didn’t have a child until fall/winter 2014. I am not currently expecting a baby, but are planning on TTC this year for baby #2.
Forgot to mention, I love names and have loved them since as long as I can remember. I think I was 8 or 9 when I first got a baby name book. I don’t see it is as being any different than interests others have. My husband enjoys fish aquariums, I happen to enjoy names, their meanings/origins, etc.