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Increasingly These Days Parents Are Giving Their Babies Unusual Names. What Are The Disadvantages?

Synka | Aug 06, 2009 | 0 comments

Perhaps the most important thing you will give to your baby, apart from life itself, is a name. So take your time choosing it and try to opt for one that he or she will wear with pride in later life. The first decision is do you look at traditional names, do you go to the other extreme by making up a name, or do you opt for a middle course and maybe choose a traditional name but with different spelling?

The idea of a unique baby name may seem attractive. After all, your child will not need to have an initial after the first name because another child has the same name; and he or she will stand out from the crowd. But other kids can be cruel and the name you think is a great idea could result in your child being teased or bullied. Then, in later life, the only people who will be able to spell the name will be you and his or her spouse!

Several studies have revealed that people experience a negative reaction to those with unusual names. Dr Albert Mehrabian, author of The Baby Report Card and The Name Game, suggests that people react badly to anything unusual or different, and that includes names.

Dr Mehrabian has spent the last 10 years studying how a person’s name affects them. Compared to a traditional name, unusual names are rated dramatically lower in all categories: a person’s morality, cheerfulness, and success. A lot of people think they are being creative. They think they’re making their kids individual. Blue hair is individual, but is it desirable?

Mehrabian says he has counselled many adults who were ridiculed by their co-workers because of their names, and finds that the more unusual the name the harder it is to adjust.

The idea put forward in Johnny Cash’s song ‘A Boy Named Sue’ that this would toughen up the kid is poppycock. I knew a man whose middle name was Mary. His parents were catholic and wanted a saint’s name; it’s a pity they couldn’t find a male saint. He was ashamed of his name and kept it very secret.

Celebs can get away with giving their children most unusual names. Frank Zappa named his two children Moon Unit and Dweezil; one is a boy and the other a girl, although I have no idea which is which! But kids like that aren’t going to be bullied in the school playground. However, if you give your children names like they will be.

You don’t need to give your baby a unique name for your baby to be unique, she or he already is. And think ahead: baby is going to grow into an adult, so make sure the name you choose will suit a grown up.

If you do decide on an unusual baby name and need a personalised gift for a baby, we can help; visit our store.