How unique is too unique?
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How unique is too unique?
| Sun, 01-29-2006 - 1:24pm |
My husband, a lifelong Louisiana resident, moved to the midwest to be with me (he swore he'd never leave the bayou). When we found out we were expecting he said that he really liked the name Bayou. I was not sure at first, but it has grown on me. So ... Bayou for a girl, wdyt? I would really appreciate some "outside" viewpoints.

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I have to admit, I'm really not a fan. It makes me think of swamps and it's just too out there for me. It could be something that would grow on people, I suppose. I do sort of like the nn Bay, though I don't know if you would use it since it's not pronounced like the full name.
I definitely understand the desire to pass on his love for the area to his child via their name, it's just this particular name that I don't love.
What about Louisa? It's a pretty and uncommon name, without being too unique. Or maybe there are some city names from where he grew up that would be pretty names? Or you could use a pretty french/cajun name like Margaux.
Bayou,
Hi--I hope this doesn't sound too harsh but here is what I think--- I think it's something you would name a dog not a baby girl. I know that sounds terrible but it's what I would think but never say out loud if we were friends!! Also the Bayou is not like Paris (not that I think anyone should use that name) but what I'm saying is that it's not exactly this beautiful place. If your going to use a place as a name I think the place should be beautiful or sophisticated or something other than alligator infested.
I really can't see it for a name, for no other reason is that its too out there. Bayou just does not sounds like a name to me. BUT, I did like the other suggestions of using Louisa. I think its a very pretty name and would be unique, but not too unique! If you really wanted to, you could name her Louisa Bayou, that way, your husband would be getting his wish of using it. Anyway, I really think Louisa is a great alternative.
Theresa
It is different....but I really like it. I'd say go for it.
Is Bayou pronounced 'Bay-you'? That's how I say it.
Terra.
Edited 1/31/2006 9:39 pm ET by belle_petite
I'm not a huge fan of trends, but I have to say I'd rather see a little girl named Louisiana than one named Bayou. It's like naming a child Swamp or Beach. I dunno.
Yah, just a little too unique (although that's not really what I would call it :) for me.
Hey, I'm going to chime in just because Bayou needs some backup. I think it's nice for a variety of reasons. And at least he doesn't want to name her Pontchartrain or Gumbo! :)
Bayou has a very gentle and natural sound to it like many other "acceptable" names. Compare its soft sound to Willow or Miriam or Naomi and see for yourself. It's an interesting name choice and it would, indeed, "sound like a name" if it, in fact, were given as a name.
And the bayou, as your husband can surely attest, is not just a swamp or an alligator-infested pit of murk. It is an almost enchanted sort of place full of myth and legend, heritage and history. And it's a heritage that your daughter will be a part of, no matter what her name is.
Yes, people will stumble over pronouncing it. Also, they'll make jokes here and there. But so will they if she's named Ruby or Violet (popular names around here, and no less strange when you think about it -- why is naming for a body of water considered weirder than for a rock or a plant?) and in the end, if her name is Bayou, it's Bayou; no one can argue with her about it once it's done.
It's a tribute to something important to her heritage, it is a "real" word that anyone would be welcome to look up in a dictionary if they didn't understand it and byond all that, it's kind of pretty. Would people be so weird about it if you wanted to name her Brooke or Lake? Probably not. And that's exactly why it's such a nice idea. It's groundbreaking but not earth-shattering. Go for it.
If people have already managed to convince you that Bayou is a bad name, how about Cayenne or Joie (from joie de'vivre)?
olivesparks,
Thank you for your post. You have fairly well hit the nail on the head with your viewpoint of Bayou. For me, and for my husband, the bayou is one of the most glorious places on earth.
After much thought on the topic my husband and I decided to go with the name Bayou. She will have a ~ slightly ~ more normal middle name, Jace, and if Bayou bothers her later, she can follow the tradition in my husband's family, and become B. Jace.
I appreciate everyone's posts on this topic. The naming process is extremely interesting to me, and it is fascinating to peek into the logic of others. For example, some say that Bayou is a dog's name. Well, my name is Maggie, and if I had a nickle for every person who said, upon meeting me, "Oh! I (my cousin/son/sister/friend/boss)have (has/had) a dog named Maggie!" I would be a rich woman. But I think that sometimes having someone play devil's advocate makes it easier to solidify one's own position - whatever that may be.
And so, olivesparks, you have made my day with your kind words. Thank you.
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