Why do people look down on modern invented names?

Names had to be invented sometime.

Troll in the dungeon.

I think the main problem is that most people want meaning and history behind the names they choose- and made up names just don’t have that
These new ā€œnamesā€ would also be especially prone to spelling and pronunciation issues

What makes you think I’m trolling? This is a genuine question, and I’d appreciate a genuine answer.

You’ve provided reason for people not choosing modern names–it is the prerogative of the parents to choose their baby’s name–, but what I’m talking about the disdain some parents have for those who do. Is is not also their prerogative to choose a modern name? BTW, a newer name like [name_u]Jayden[/name_u] is pretty easy to spell and pronounce.

Considering the wild popularity of the ā€œAidenā€ trend and the -lyn/-lee trend, the issue you bring up is really only relevant on the internet, specifically here on NB. I’ve never really seen it anywhere else, because frankly, most people who aren’t involved in baby name discussion communities really don’t care about trends like we do. I can name way more kids that I know in real life that have trendy/modern invented names, whereas nearly none of them have Nameberry-esque names.

That said, I think the PP poster was right when they said it’s a history thing. There’s some elitism in having a name that has solid roots and a strong background. Names like Raelyn or Kayden just feel flimsy and trendy. They’re not going to stick around for very long. I think that’s the main reason why so many people draw away from them, since most people want their child’s name to be able to carry them through life; not to be a passing trend, or end up being perpetually attached to the mental image of a high school cheerleader because the name is so dated. There are a lot of people on this forum that actually like more modern names, and there’s no shame in giving your child a name that’s trendy for the moment. It’s just that you’re on a baby name forum with a lot of users that are interested in the history and etymology of names, so the logical conclusion is that they’re going to be drawn to the ones with the stronger backgrounds. I hope that answers your question :slight_smile:

I guess names invented in the past have greater acceptability and respectability than names invented in the present.

I think part of it is also commonness–a lot of parents are wary of trendy names; firstly bc they don’t want their kid to be one of 7 in their class with that name (see: the [name_f]Jennifer[/name_f] craze of the 80s), but also because they don’t want their kid to sound ā€œdated.ā€ If a name is new but fairly unusual/under the radar, I think people find them easier to come to terms with.

I agree with this.

I think classism could be a factor too. I remember reading an article that said low-income parents are more likely to choose non-traditional and unique names.

Classism is definitely a factor here. There are lots of names that have hundreds of years of history that I’ve asked my mom’s opinion about and she’s said ā€œsounds trashy/ trending/ trying too hard to be coolā€ and a couple very modern choices that have gotten a ā€œwell that’s a handsome/beautiful nameā€. I think it boils down to how many and what kinds of name’s they have been exposed to. People have different options based on what they are used to and are familiar with. I have only ever met two other girls named [name_f]Amber[/name_f] in my life but it was number 15 in my state the year I was born. I have a very different opinions on my name than most people because of that. All names were invented at some point and I’m sure people used to raise their eyes at [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] too.

I took two courses relating to this topic in college. It was so interesting, especially since I’m a name lover. I hope to not offend anyone, I’m just sharing insight to the topics brought up during the discussions my courses held.

[name_m]History[/name_m]
An older name has had time to pass through generations. The longer a name has been around the more likely it’s been heard by your parents, grandparents, etc. For instance three generations in my family have heard of the name [name_f]Lillian[/name_f]. Yesterday my mom heard the name [name_m]Dashiell[/name_m] and was confused. I’m guessing if my mom has never heard of [name_m]Dashiell[/name_m] my grandma probably hasn’t either. I also love [name_m]Dashiell[/name_m] and not putting it down at all. My mom likes many traditional and 80s/90s names like [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f], [name_u]Michael[/name_u], [name_m]Stephen[/name_m], and [name_m]Andrew[/name_m]. [name_m]History[/name_m] also stems from location, popularity varies depending on where people live. What is popular in Europe might be new and hip in the U.S.

Classism
Name choices also stem from factors like socioeconomic status and education. A person who has had less education is more likely to spell a name differently, or incorrectly. For example [name_f]Brianna[/name_f] versus [name_f]Bryannah[/name_f] and [name_f]Gabriella[/name_f] versus [name_f]Gabryella[/name_f]. Many names stem from literature and history of novels. I’m still on the hunt to find a name spelled differently within a novel, but I have yet to do so. [name_f]Imagine[/name_f] in Great [name_m]Gatsby[/name_m] if [name_f]Daisy[/name_f]'s name was spelled Dayzee… a name that really challenges everyone I feel like is [name_f]Neveah[/name_f]. We all know the reasons why, I’ve read numerous discussion on the name so I won’t go into detail.

That being said, I’m dying to see these norms challenged. Meet a family where [name_u]Jayden[/name_u] is a family name passed down, a novel with [name_f]Jessyka[/name_f] as the main character, a professor who named her son [name_m]Mykel[/name_m]. I love challenging the norm.

This past summer I ran a summer camp. The amount of Jayden/Jaiden/Jaden’s was crazy. Also many other names like Avah, Journee, Philemon, etc. Others also named Vera, Dean, Miles, etc.

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I wonder this a lot too. I may not like names like [name_f]Nevaeh[/name_f] or whatever but I actually think the level of hatred people on nameberry have for names like this is pretty problematic. I’ve heard people call names like this ā€˜trailer trash’ and that choosing this name makes a parent sound ā€˜unintelligent’ and the whole thing feels very discriminatory and borderline classist. Dislike names all you like, everyone, but when you start associating a name with a group of people and using that as a reason to hate it even more you may want to check yourselves, because I would hope most people don’t actually think someone who chooses [name_f]Andromeda[/name_f] [name_f]Boheme[/name_f] over [name_f]Jaydynn[/name_f] [name_f]Isabella[/name_f] is somehow an inherently more valuable human being.

I honestly don’t know, and that’s coming from someone who doesn’t like modern made up names. I think it’s mostly because those names don’t sound real to me - like people have cobbled together some trendy sounds (like -son, -lyn, rae-, etc) - or that in an effort to be the most creative the name looses all semblance of what made it lovely in the first place (example would be [name_f]Emmaleigh[/name_f]… I’d pick [name_f]Emily[/name_f] over that any day).

As the modern originator of name judgments (with [name_f]Linda[/name_f]), I thought I should respond to this question. The why demands both an explanation and a defense. The kind of invented name that’s really an invented spelling of an established name – Dayzee, say – is easier, because there’s a clear problem with it. It gives you the worst of all name worlds – a name everybody knows in a form that’s confusing. So you don’t get the originality of a truly invented name, or the tradition and ease of an established one. With a name that’s completely invented from different sounds – let’s say Inventessa – the problem is that it’s highly unlikely that a modern individual working all alone (or with a couple of friends) could come up with a name that’s more attractive and interesting and resonant than all the thousands of names that are already established and have deep meanings and associations. Maybe rather than asking why anyone would put down an invented name like this, you have to ask why anyone would give one to their child – and to me the answer is often to shine the spotlight directly on themselves as a brilliant creator. That said, a lot of people love having one-of-a-kind invented names which highlight their unique individuality. But my general belief, after decades of research into the subject and thousands of discussions with people about names they chose and names they carry, is that it’s usually better in every way to choose an established name or at least an established word or place-name or surname that you turn into a first name for reasons that carry some deeper meaning. And by better I mean better for your child as she makes her way through life, both in terms of her own feelings about herself and other people’s perceptions of her vis a vis her name. The reason: It has a wider association in the world through centuries of use. Now everyone can argue about whether they agree or disagree with this!