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| Thread: Names, who needs them anyway? |  This thread is pages long: 1 2 3 · NEXT» |
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Setitetart
Known Hero
Reality check....
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posted July 30, 2007 10:58 PM |
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Names, who needs them anyway?
You know.
I have been immersed in this whole name thing.
I have to admit as much as they put me off and made me mad, they have also made me laugh and made me think.
Make me question some things, do my own research, and come back from all of it with a bit of a different attitude.
Regardless of the heckling I’ve received on the bad baby names site. (Some of it I have deserved)
I have still been looking into the Onomastics, and etymology.
Looking at the sites I belong to, and the names of the people I converse with.
For those on this board that aren’t aware Onomastics is the study of proper names, their origins, and their formation.
While etymology is the study of the origins of words or parts of words and how they have arrived at their current form and meaning.
Really very fascinating.
This is what they say they do.
They are right. My name IS made up.
I don’t know what my mom was thinking; I only go by what she has told me.
And seeing as how I have never met another “Tayandy” I have nothing else to go on.
So I called her today. Just to ask what she was thinking.
”I named you that because you were so small, such a small baby I thought should have a grandiose name...it would have looked good on a gravestone.”
I think I physically twitched.
Me: Mom. You know that’s morbid right?
Mom: *Laughs* Well, I guess it might be.
Me. Might be? Mom that IS morbid. Okay, all of that aside, did you have any other choices picked out?
Mom: No.
Me: None? Are you kidding?
Mom: I didn’t have time.
Me: ....
Mom: Are you there? Tay?
Me: *Heaves a sigh* Yeah, I’m here Mom. You had time Mom...
She interrupts me
Mom: *Yells* I DID NOT have 9 months!
Me: *Exasperated* Alright. I heard you. But never in the...what...5 or some odd months that you were pregnant, you didn’t think of anything else? I mean seriously, you spent more time obsessing over Tiff’s name than you obviously did with mine. And Brady William still sucks by the way. *Laughs*
Mom: That’s not funny.
Me: Okay, okay I am sorry. So what would my name have been if I was a boy, can you at least answer me that?
Mom: *Huffs* I don’t know if I want to tell you now.
Me: *Laughs* Of course not.
Long pause
Mom: Chadwick Allen.
Me: WHAT? But...that’s Chad’s name. They stole it?
Mom: You asked.
Me: *dryly* Indeed I did.
Mom: Is that all you wanted?
Me: ...yeah I suppose.
I wanted to choke my Mom out after that conversation. Well, not really.
But I was quite annoyed with her, not that this is any sort of a surprise.
We often disagree on even the most mundane things anyway.
Her and my step dad obsessed for months over my little sister’s name, buying up books and pouring over them. They had ALL the books.
Tiffany and Brady were the final picks and I still gag over Brady.
I laugh because at least I wasn’t named for a lamp.
Then I find out my dad used the boys name supposedly meant for me and named my little brother with it.
Well. Learn something new every day right?
But it got me thinking.
What’s in a name? Isn’t the person more important than the name?
The bad baby name people say there are rules. That a bunch of letters doesn’t make a name.
I can agree with that looking at some of the names out there.
Even with the name I have, I have difficulty translating some of the stranger ones out there.
I guess I should be very thankful she didn’t completely fall off the wagon, and name me anything like:
”Chism”
”Aryan joy”
”Tameka”
”Shanalaqwa”
Or some equally nauseating gem or flower name.
Apologies if anyone here has any of those names.
I am comfortable with my name now.
It even comes in handy now.
I hated it growing up, and even thought the "Andy" part was my middle name and completely freaked out on my mom in 1st grade thinking she'd given me a boy's name since everyone called me "Tay".
I am betting that a lot of people couldn't pronounce my name.
It was picked on so much in my younger days that I have pretty much heard everything out there as far as teasing/name games go.
Mom says that "Tay" was for the Tay River in Scotland and "Andy" was in honor of a great uncle who was/is a Catholic priest.
*shrugs* Could have been worse.
Doesn’t mean I am going to run down to the courthouse to change my name.
So how about your name?
Who named you?
Where did it come from?
What do you think of it? Growing up and now.
Do you use a nickname instead of your full name?
Other thoughts you’d like to add?
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"Do you think we should drive a stake through his heart, just in case?"
~ Peter Lorre to Vincent Price at Bela Lugosi's funeral
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Corribus
Hero of Order
The Abyss Staring Back at You
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posted July 30, 2007 11:17 PM |
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I can tell you with some authority that someone here in Philadelphia named her unfortunate twins "Diswan" and "Datwan". I'm not sure of the spelling, but if you say it outloud, it may dawn on you why it's so amusingly terrible. (Think: "This One" and "That One".)
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baklava
Honorable
Legendary Hero
Mostly harmless
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posted July 30, 2007 11:19 PM |
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Meh. Could've been worse. Imagine how Tiger Woods feels like.
Tayandy. It's kinda cool actually. Sounds a bit native American.
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"Let me tell you what the blues
is. When you ain't got no
money,
you got the blues."
Howlin Wolf
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antipaladin
Promising
Legendary Hero
of Ooohs and Aaahs
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posted July 30, 2007 11:22 PM |
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change it to tayrande.
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types in obscure english
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baklava
Honorable
Legendary Hero
Mostly harmless
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posted July 30, 2007 11:44 PM |
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You mean Tyrande? Tyrande Whispermoon?
I think naming yourself after a Warcraft character is about as low as you can get... No, wait, it takes the second place.
First place is of course voting republ-
Must... restrain... myself... from... making... republican... puns...
____________
"Let me tell you what the blues
is. When you ain't got no
money,
you got the blues."
Howlin Wolf
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Setitetart
Known Hero
Reality check....
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posted July 30, 2007 11:52 PM |
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Quote:
I can tell you with some authority that someone here in Philadelphia named her unfortunate twins "Diswan" and "Datwan". I'm not sure of the spelling, but if you say it outloud, it may dawn on you why it's so amusingly terrible. (Think: "This One" and "That One".)
OMG.
That IS bad. Maybe you should send that over to the girls in BBBN.
I have a feeling they'd HATE those names and I'd have to agree.
I have only known 2 sets of twins:
Corey & Chad (boys) ~ Likeable names *shrugs*
Riley & Kennedy (girls)~ Little twerps like the names would suggest
For some reason the name Kennedy gives me creepy flashbacks from the LARP games I played. *smirks* Gootch might know who I am talking about.
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"Do you think we should drive a stake through his heart, just in case?"
~ Peter Lorre to Vincent Price at Bela Lugosi's funeral
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Setitetart
Known Hero
Reality check....
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posted July 30, 2007 11:59 PM |
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Quote:
Meh. Could've been worse. Imagine how Tiger Woods feels like.
Tayandy. It's kinda cool actually. Sounds a bit native American.
Thank you Baklava.
I have some Native American in my background, but nothing in my name for it. Unless my mom changes her mind.  She says that "Tay" means small in India.
But since I am not from India, have never been there...I wouldn't know.
I did work with a lot of Indian women in Chicago but I suppose I was more focused on my rounds than asking whether or not my mom was a nut.
Definitely could have been worse.
I don't know about Tiger either...I don't follow golf or know much about him. I guess I am so used to it that it doesn't really bother me either way. I read somewhere that he recently had a daughter. Anyone knows what she was named?
What about your name?
____________
"Do you think we should drive a stake through his heart, just in case?"
~ Peter Lorre to Vincent Price at Bela Lugosi's funeral
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Setitetart
Known Hero
Reality check....
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posted July 31, 2007 12:01 AM |
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Quote:
change it to tayrande.
No way.
The girls already got to that one. Only I think they went for Tayrandy.
Reminds me of Scooby Doo.
Quote:
You mean Tyrande? Tyrande Whispermoon?
I think naming yourself after a Warcraft character is about as low as you can get... No, wait, it takes the second place.
First place is of course voting republ-
Must... restrain... myself... from... making... republican... puns...
Wait, is that a WoW character name option?
If it is I will seriously throw up in my mouth a little.
To think that when my husband was playing that god awful game, he might have been able to call a character something even remotely close to my name. EWWWW.
WoW was banned in this household and I have a serious grudge AGAINST that game. The MMORPG's are...I don't have names enough for my hatred for those wastes. Sorry if you play them, but they aren't played here.
As for republicans... But that's another thread somewhere around here isn't it?
____________
"Do you think we should drive a stake through his heart, just in case?"
~ Peter Lorre to Vincent Price at Bela Lugosi's funeral
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Elvin
Admirable
Omnipresent Hero
Endless Revival
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posted July 31, 2007 12:14 AM |
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Hey a new setiteart thread  It's an interesting thought, I've been interested in the nature of names myself. Yes I do believe that it is who you are that is important, not how you are called - after all a name is usually too simple to define a complex character.
But it can affect us more than we know and give a sense of identity.
The ancient Egyptians when naming their kids they gave them the regular name by which everyone knew them and a 'formal' name that was only known by the Gods. They believed that names commanded power and that belief can be found in other cultures as well. Ok that is no proof that names are important but I can think of many cases that they influence our actions.
You mentioned one, some people get teased and laughed at school because they have a funny name. While that may seem silly some really hate it and may come to either hate others or hate themselves at least partially. Others see in their name a 'duty' to live up to a personal idol with whom they share names. That works more with a surname and one's family history but it can go either way. Others may see a meaning behind this, an intended reminder of the one who named you. And of course one does like to be called by others something that rings good to him
Maybe none of these seem serious as most people may not be affected at all but every little bit has an impact on our actions one way or another. And...for all the trouble in finding a name for your kids I like the idea of searching for something that you like, sounds good and matches your hopes or beliefs.
In my family most names had a meaning. One of my uncles was named Nikos after niki which means victory. Around the time of his birth we had pushed the Italians back and ended the war. Girls around that time were named Elpida as in hope or Eleytheria which stands for freedom. It's not something that can move me now but it mattered then and many people felt proud. Other greek names may be after historic figures as Pericles but that trend is almost gone, most are common as Giorgos, Kostas etc.
Of course with that one must make sure that the name does not stand out too much, not in the wrong way. Some just do not fit today's standards, are too long to pronounce or may be extremely common  I have met other people not satisfied with their name and it is small wonder as they feel they had no choice on the matter.
I don't feel my name had a particular influence on me but maybe that's because it's not considered a bad name  I was named after my grandfather as it is the custom, Apostolis. It's a rather unusual but not unheard of name that means someone with a mission, a messenger - sounds the same as the apostles in greek. I do feel as if my life is not random, that I have a role to play but I can't tell if that is a subconscious suggestion Some close friends like calling me Toli(s) but I generally don't use a nickname.
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Corribus
Hero of Order
The Abyss Staring Back at You
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posted July 31, 2007 01:16 AM |
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There's definitely a fine line between naming your kid something original and something completely ridiculous.
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Aculias
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
Pretty Boy Angel Sacraficer
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posted July 31, 2007 02:13 AM |
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Some names are turn ons though.
If your name is Graciela i might tackle you down
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Dreaming of a Better World
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Setitetart
Known Hero
Reality check....
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posted July 31, 2007 05:17 AM |
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Quote:
There's definitely a fine line between naming your kid something original and something completely ridiculous.
VERY fine line. The ones you just told me in PM are...are...
Besides the whole Orange/Lemon Jell-O leanings...they are...
I don't think there is even a word for how bad those names are.
Bad enough that I write to you asking if you were messing with me.
Now I am just going to laugh.
Quote:
Some names are turn ons though.
If your name is Graciela I might tackle you down
Graciela?
*snarks* I never figured you as a Graciela kind of guy there Mister Acu. 
I have to ask, why Graciela?
I suppose I should thank the gods I am NOT named Graceiela.
And you'd have to be able to catch me first, because the first sign I see of you gearing up to do anything of the sort...
I will run like hell.
____________
"Do you think we should drive a stake through his heart, just in case?"
~ Peter Lorre to Vincent Price at Bela Lugosi's funeral
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Corribus
Hero of Order
The Abyss Staring Back at You
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posted July 31, 2007 06:09 AM |
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Edited by Corribus at 06:10, 31 Jul 2007.
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Not messing with you, if my source is credible, which I believe it is. We get a *lot* of strange names here in Philadelphia.
A lot are just strange - obviously made up out of the blue, maybe to be creative and I believe also in the case of many minority groups, just to separate themselves from traditionally caucasion names - and others, like those I told you, are just eye-rollingly bad. It's easy to laugh, especially in the latter case, but it's actually kind of sad. These kids will be handicapped by these names for the rest of their lives. If you think about it, your name means a lot. It doesn't DEFINE you by any means. It doesn't have an impact on your worth, productivity, morality, or anything like that. But, it is something you have to live with; it's who you are. You have it the day you're born and you take it with you the day you die. From signing your letters to answering the phone, this is something that you use daily and impacts your identity. My first name is Tim. And I think of myself as a Tim. My parents could just as easily called me Mike or John but didn't. And I can't really picture myself as a Mike or John because I don't feel like I'm a Mike or John kind of guy. Strange, no? But anyway, these children who are given ridiculous names - it's a burden. And I don't just mean in the sense of having to spell it every time someone asks you for your name, although that is also a difficulty. But when you are an adult and you introduce yourself as lemonjello smith.. well, that's got to have an impact on your confidence, ego, and sense of self-worth after many years of strange looks from other people. I would find it incredibly hard to be social if my name was Pajamas. It would really hurt my ability to be an outgoing human. I've heard it said that in some European countries (Germany?) names have to be approved before they can be given to someone. Is this true? Not a terrible idea.
We wear our names like clothes. They should be something to be proud of. They don't define us, but they color our perception of ourselves, and other people's perception of ourselves. They can be unique, bold, even made up, but when they're downright stupid, well... that's like wearing a clown suit to a coctail party, except you don't have a choice, and you have to wear it to every coctail party you go to until you die, and your parents are responsible.
Now that's got to suck.
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Aculias
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
Pretty Boy Angel Sacraficer
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posted July 31, 2007 07:58 AM |
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Just say it like you got some latin in you.
I knew a girl I had the hots for in my well teens to my early 20's.
I used to flirt with her & have fun with her all the time.
Well until I found out she went out with one of my high school rivals back 7 yrs ago lol.
Nough said lol.
Just say it like you are in the mood lol.
GRAH CIEL LA
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Dreaming of a Better World
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friendofgunnar
Honorable
Legendary Hero
able to speed up time
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posted July 31, 2007 09:31 AM |
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Quote:
A lot are just strange - obviously made up out of the blue, maybe to be creative and I believe also in the case of many minority groups, just to separate themselves from traditionally caucasion names -
I don't remember where I read it but about 60 percent of black girls' names nowadays are unique. You don't have to believe statistics though, just watch some daytime tv to see what I'm talking about
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kookastar
Honorable
Legendary Hero
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posted July 31, 2007 10:03 AM |
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Reminds me, when I was 13 I wanted to name my daughter Sement - with an "S" - made all the difference
My parents thought they invented my name lol, it was an alteration from a name dad read in some sci fi or fantasy novel... I really should find out which one hmmm. Anyway, there are more of us around lol.
A collegue of mine - teacher - said that people with obscure names are just going to end up obscure - I wanted to name my daughter Starr {after watching the lost boys}, but haven't had the blessing of having a daughter Anyway she shook her head I think there are way worse things than being obscure  But I must admit that there is a trend with names and personalities.
Definately
I teach over 150 kids each year and the same names tend to have similar traits...
e.g. Reece/Rhys/Rhyce or any derivative is a handfull... there are tons of examples like this. Maybe it says something about the parents that choose the names, I don't know, but it is interesting...
Maybe a name can affect who we are...
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uhuh
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Corribus
Hero of Order
The Abyss Staring Back at You
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posted July 31, 2007 05:05 PM |
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What about Seven Costanza?
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Homer171
Promising
Supreme Hero
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posted July 31, 2007 05:43 PM |
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Last names can also be pain sometime.
In school we had proper English names in our classes and once i opened my big mouth and said to my class: "My last name would actually be Firehill or Burnhill if translated correctly" Everyone started laughing and after that i was always called Burnhill on English classes
Could be worse but if your name is Jack Burnhill or Firehill what ever you are pound to get in to troubles
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Don't be too proud of this technological terror you've constructed. The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force.
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Nidhgrin
Honorable
Famous Hero
baking cookies from stardust
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posted August 01, 2007 12:56 AM |
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Edited by Nidhgrin at 00:57, 01 Aug 2007.
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Nice thread
I was named after my mother's grandfather. That wasn't unusual at the time, even though Ivo is still an uncommon name. I like my name, it identifies me, and I wouldn't want to trade it for any other name.
Friends and family call me voot, or vooten. It's a logical abreviation in the dialect from the region where I was born. Since I don't live there anymore it's become sort of like a second name, with the difference that only people who know me really well call me that.
I've thought about names before, and not just what they mean and which words they are derived from. Though I have no solid logical explanation for it, it seems to me that people who share the same name share similar traits most of the time. I'm very much NOT into superstitious/unrational things, but there seems to be a pattern that is hard to classify as coincidence. I generally get along well with Frank's, but don't like to work with them. Melissa's are generally bright and intelligent, but rather distant and tough to get to know. Tom's are quite cheerful but can a bit timid or weird when they don't know you very well. Veronique's on the other hand are much more open, but can be pretty blunt at times.
The idea is weird, I know, and I'm not entirely convinced that there is more to it than mere coincidence. Perhaps I just notice the similarities in cases where it is obvious, and don't pay enough attention to people with the same name who behave entirely different. Then again, I started thinking about this for a reason, and the idea alone is worth exploring in my opinion.
If this idea holds some thruth, maybe it has something to do with the sound of a name, and the ways it can be used. With the latter I mean that some names ask for softer, some for harder abbreviations. Veronique could become Vero, which is tougher than the original name, while Frank might become Franky, which is softer. Perhaps the length, the brightness of the vowels, and the amount of consonants in a name play a role as well. We hear our name thousands of times while growing up. If you believe the form/shape and the sound of a name bears a charge, it's bound to have an influence on the development of our personality. Ivo for instance is an uncommon name, short and powerful, with very clear vowels. For a child, this means when anyone calls that name, there's no reason to look around to see if there are any other Ivo's around. It's a name that is softened easily, but since it's so short and powerful, the vowels can be stressed to express anger, miscontent, ... as well.
I wrote some short stories in the past, am writing a book, and did some RP'ing every now and then. When I have a character in mind, I always try to find a name that fits the personality. Can't really explain how my choice is determined, but it has to feel right, and in character. A necromancer called Bart is just rediculous, and a prince charming named Kharad'um is completely wrong as well.
Just some thoughts...
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Setitetart
Known Hero
Reality check....
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posted August 02, 2007 03:16 AM |
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Quote:
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A lot are just strange - obviously made up out of the blue, maybe to be creative and I believe also in the case of many minority groups, just to separate themselves from traditionally caucasion names -
I don't remember where I read it but about 60 percent of black girls' names nowadays are unique. You don't have to believe statistics though, just watch some daytime tv to see what I'm talking about
That doesn't surprise me in the very least. LOL
A lot of the women I worked with at facilities in Chicago were black and their names were freaking OUT THERE. LOL
I couldn't pronounce most of them and when in doubt...ask? Hehe.
Black men's names aren't any better. I know a few that are pretty obnoxious.
Corribus told me about Orangello and Lemongello. HA! Suppose if that couple has any more kids they'd name them Rootbeerello and Grapello?
Good grief. LOL
Quote:
We wear our names like clothes. They should be something to be proud of. They don't define us, but they color our perception of ourselves, and other people's perception of ourselves. They can be unique, bold, even made up, but when they're downright stupid, well... that's like wearing a clown suit to a coctail party, except you don't have a choice, and you have to wear it to every coctail party you go to until you die, and your parents are responsible.
Now that's got to suck.
Indeed. My mom is definitely responsible for mine and even said that she'd not thought of ANYthing else. I think she had plenty of time to think of other names, but for whatever reason...just didn't. LOL
I don't feel the least bit bad about my name these days, I grew into it. What I DO feel bad about is the people who have the REALLY bad names. Orangello. Yuck. LOL
Quote:
I teach over 150 kids each year and the same names tend to have similar traits...
e.g. Reece/Rhys/Rhyce or any derivative is a handfull... there are tons of examples like this. Maybe it says something about the parents that choose the names, I don't know, but it is interesting...
Maybe a name can affect who we are...
I have noticed that as well.
Every Tiffany/Tiffaney/Typhanie/Tiffanee I have ever met is a first class airhead among other choice things
I have never met a Reese that I liked. LOL
I bet you have a hell of a mental list of those names that when you look over your class lists for the new year you cringe because you just KNOW those certain kids are going to be T-R-O-U-B-L-E.
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"Do you think we should drive a stake through his heart, just in case?"
~ Peter Lorre to Vincent Price at Bela Lugosi's funeral
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