[name]How[/name] much does the history associated with a name matter? Is it ok to use a name with a huge meaning ( like virtue names) or is it too much for a child to live up to?
My husband and I were talking and we both like the idea of the name [name]Juno[/name] [name]Isis[/name]. But both are goddesses in different religious traditions. Would that just be too much?
If y’all haven’t caught on yet, we tend to be a little over the top and intense ourselves! But one doesn’t want to saddle their child with something horrid, of course!
I think the original literal meaning usually has less effect than the pop culture meaning. So people will probably think less of the goddess when they hear [name]Juno[/name], and more of the indie flick about the pregnant teenager. I think today [name]Juno[/name] definitely says hipster way more than goddess.
Adding [name]Isis[/name] definitely adds to the goddess association, of course. I think [name]Juno[/name] [name]Isis[/name] is a bit much even for the daring. If you’re gonna go that goddessy, it kind of needs to be for a reason. Using one or the other on its own or with an extra-pantheonic middle would probably be different.
Also, [name]IMO[/name], [name]Juno[/name] [name]Isis[/name] just doesn’t flow very well. Wrong rhythm.
I love being able to have a story or historical meaning behind my kid’s name, so I like where you’re going with your name ideas. That said I think [name]Juno[/name] and [name]Isis[/name] together clash. I say go for the goddess name, but pair it with a toned down middle that still has meaning to you.
I think it matters a great deal. I agree wholeheartedly with missusH that modern meaning/context trumps the ancient and historical-- assuming there is a modern context. For a name like [name]Isis[/name], there isn’t. And since the only reference point is the Egyptian goddess, that’s what people will think (even people who have to google it), and it will reinforce the goddess image of [name]Juno[/name] which might otherwise have been superceded by the hipsters & cinemaphiles.
Google brings up another point. Nearly everyone googles their own name. It’s habit for most to google something that’s new to you, be it a name or a coffee shop. If your child’s name is out of the ordinary, it will be googled, and that historical context or namesake you might wish to avoid will come up.
[name]Iris[/name] is another option. [name]Iris[/name] too was a goddess, but no one really knows that. Most people think a) flower, b) part of the eye. [name]Juno[/name] [name]Iris[/name] would be much more practical than [name]Juno[/name] [name]Isis[/name].
You could also swap [name]Isis[/name] out for [name]Isadora[/name], meaning ‘gift of [name]Isis[/name].’ No one really knows that, either. [name]Juno[/name] [name]Isadora[/name] is quite nice.
To the original question of how much does history/meaning matter? I don’t think it has to matter. There are plenty of lovely names that have very little of either. If that’s not important to you, then that’s okay.
Regarding the specific history of the names you mentioned. I agree with the others that [name]Juno[/name] will likely be connected to the movie. Middle names are rarely used or known outside of close family/friends and forms so if you love it, then use it.
I don’t think the double goddess name is necessarily “something to live up to”. Naming your child “[name]Obedience[/name]” is one thing, but using a name that means “lover of God” doesn’t necessarily mean they can’t be an atheist down the line. I don’t think using goddes names is any worse than using [name]Aurora[/name] or [name]Charity[/name] or [name]Lilac[/name] - as long as you don’t expect your child to always be be god-like, a princess, loving, or a beautiful little flower.
I agree with pp that the flow isn’t particularly great, but it’s up to you how important that is to you.
[name]Juno[/name] [name]Isis[/name], is very [name]Goddess[/name] like, and to me it is a bit much. [name]One[/name] or the other is fine, but both feels like a lot to me. I don’t think it’s a bad choice, but it does feel over the top imo. I hope this helps.
To me meaning and history is very important. As a kid I always loved knowing what my name meant and often sought strength in that. It also helped me as a roadmap once or twice when I was in peer pressure situations. With a name that incorporates wisdom and protector I often took it as an inspiration of what I should live up to. My mom choose the names with purpose - to remind me of the values that were important to her I liked having that incorporated in my name as a reminder.
I think [name]Juno[/name] [name]Isis[/name] is an odd combo because it feels like you are telling your daughter (not once but twice) that she needs to be a strong female leader. I think it’s a great thing for a little girl to aspire too but I also think that if you are considering meanings you can give her name more depth.
I really like @blades suggestion of [name]Juno[/name] [name]Isadora[/name] (or even [name]Isadora[/name] [name]Juno[/name] depending on your last name). Or maybe [name]Iris[/name] instead of [name]Isis[/name].
[name]How[/name] much does the history associated with a name matter? It doesn’t matter. I just want my kids to have some sort of family connection in their name. I don’t care what the name meaning is.
I think it depends on the person. For me, history and meaning trump all. What is the most important factor for you?
I agree with [name]Blade[/name] and missusaytch’s perspective - and the suggestion of [name]Juno[/name] [name]Isadora[/name].
Yep, I agree completely
And I would add that names WITH some kind of history that are not heavy on pop culture or recent events help a name become timeless and classic.
Okay, mom of a toddler [name]Juno[/name] here, so I have a lot to say.
We were worried about the movie, but it hasn’t been a big thing at all. The movie was nearly five years ago, and most the college students I teach haven’t even seen it (Plus, the [name]Juno[/name] in the movie may be a pregnant teen, but she’s funny and kind). We’ve been asked a few times, “Oh, like the movie?” but that’s more because people are trying to understand the name if they don’t have an education in the classics. No one assumes we named her after the movie. Of course I bristle at the above “hipster” statement, but whatever. I’m an English professor, I love Greek mythology, there’s nothing hipster about the name for me. I don’t really care, in the end, what other people think. Most people have told us it’s a lovely name, and some have said it’ll be hard to top it with our twins on the way. (It is. I’m still struggling with their names–so many girl names at once!)
That said, I think [name]Juno[/name] [name]Isis[/name] might be a lot. I love the idea of [name]Juno[/name] [name]Isadora[/name]. We used [name]Elizabeth[/name] because it was my grandmother’s name, and I liked that it was a very traditional name to ground an unusual, ancient first name. I think there are so many possibilities for lovely middles with [name]Juno[/name]. Good luck!
I love names with meanings and names with [name]History[/name]… if my [name]Baby[/name] #1 is a girl, all of her names are plucked from DH’s family tree. If it’s a boy, it’s taking names from both mine and my husband’s family tree.
I have 5 given names personally, and although it’s excessive, my Mum actually looked into the meanings / history / connotations of each. I think it’s important to be able to say you were named this because… instead of “oh I just liked the name!”. Having meaning and history behind a name can give you a sense of pride, for sure