Why doesn't anybody like...?

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-23-2006
Why doesn't anybody like...?
34
Fri, 03-10-2006 - 4:11pm

...the name London for a boy? Ok, so we have tried out a bunch of different names, combinations of names, polls, opinions, and it appears everyone truly dislikes the name London for a boy? They say it sounds feminine or strange. My husband and I regardless keep going back to it no matter how many other great names there are out there so there must be a reason it is sticking? We thought of Quinton, Pierce, Westin (nn West), etc. but kept jumping back to the one that we originally fell in love with...hmmm...sigh.

I guess the point of this last message is just to ask for more clarification and to ask what people think or feel when they hear the name. Whether it really sounds like a city when you hear it. Like, "hi, my name is Los Angeles". Or, if it works the way it sounds like Florence or Dakota (as a name)?

Does it really sound as bad as if we were to call our son Zurich or New York? Why is it any different than calling a baby girl Giorgia or Savannah?

We don't like Lyndon or Landon or Londan or other variations. Actually, to us those variations sound even more feminine or as if we are spelling London incorrectly.

We live in Switzerland and have been in Europe for 10 years. We eventually will be moving back to the States which is a main reason we wanted to get some feedback. We realize that we have to be thoughtful about whether the child will like his name or fit in...I am so grateful for this website and for people's honesty. It is the responsible thing to do (consider how the name sounds to others or how it might affect the child growing up) so thanks to those who voted or gave input.

But, we are just so torn. We love it but we don't want our child teased or left with a girl's name.

What makes the name London so awful for a boy? Or, awful as a name in general? Maybe we just aren't hearing it like everyone else.

Thanks for your help and feedback. Looking forward to reading your comments :)

I also posted this under the 'boys' category

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-03-2006
Sat, 03-11-2006 - 2:20pm

there is nothing wrond with London for a boy,
and if you and your husband love it, then go with London for your baby boy!!!
is just as manly as Landon.
i'd seen London listed, but hadnt responed at all,
simply i have no difference of opinion about it.
i've known of Ireland's, of course we all know of Paris (Hilton) but i've known other Paris' too, Sydney, Dakota, Austin, ..i personally love the idea of Arizona for a girl doesnt mean i'll name my daughter that, but if strongly when have her i would.

of course, when people see his name they will think of the city, and may comment on it, but that's alright, and you and your husband know that.

go with what You LOVE!

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-03-2006
Sat, 03-11-2006 - 2:43pm

i've yet to understand some people on this site about 'matching style' names.
my brother is an R full name, goes by a nn, and uses his full name legally (and is a JR.)
my sister younger than him is an S full name, goes by nn and legally goes by nn (except for documents of course)
the next sister, she has short L name, which could also be a nn, that is what she goes by in all ways
(they are within 4yrs apart)
(in fact my sisters have kind of rhymey-style names they go by)

i'm 10 yrs younger 'surprise'
i am an R full name, called a nn by family friends, legally go by full name

none of us have any issues about our names. all are successful, though all have had normal human-living-learning problems.

so what's the big deal with matchy-names? not having say 2 out of 4 kids with same letter? (only exception with same letter i fully understand is if have 3 of same letter then another letter..dont want any feeling of alientation)

if personally love and want matchy-style names, great!!!
but why must all have matchy-style names?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-10-2006
Sat, 03-11-2006 - 3:16pm
I like london for a boy or a girl. I think you can name your kid whatever you want to becuse its is your kid. Who's gonna say anything abot it and even if they do---who cares?
Do you like the name, it sound like you do an awful lot. I think you should do whatever you want to when it comes to your kids names.
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-23-2006
Sat, 03-11-2006 - 5:39pm
I know how hard it is to find a name that you and your husband both love, never mind trying to please everyone else (including total strangers?). My husband and I are currently trying to choose a name for our 3rd son (5th child)due in 12 weeks. We are interested in the opinion of our other children and the Grandparents, but it seems IMPOSSIBLE to even please that small number of people, never mind the general public!!
My husband and I thought that Quentin/ Quinton/ or Quinn might be cool being that this will be our 5th child, but we got negative reactions from more than half our family/ friends and so have pretty much decided against it.
Place names are not my style, but I don't really "dislike" London. I personally know a young boy named Paris, his sister is named Arabia. Yes, my first reaction was not exactly positive (jnms). But as you get to know the person, it becomes familiar, and how you feel about the name (that gut reaction) changes.
I had the same reaction to the name Brady (a last name, and the "Brady Bunch"), but it feels so familiar to me now (we have a neighbor who named her son that) that I am actually considering Brody now myself.
Go with what you love (unless you have a family member who will make faces everytime they hear it, for the rest of their life), and somehow I doubt that's the case.
Alex
due date 5/28?/06
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-07-2003
Sun, 03-12-2006 - 3:07am

I actually know a man in his 40's who's name is London - for what it's worth he is always mentioning that he hates his name. Personally I like it on him and think it sounds just fine as an adult male name. Use it if you want to.

A girl I know just named her baby Miami Blossom. To me that is a whole lot worse then London.

Mama to Anna 06/05/06 and James 09/11/07

Photobu

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-08-2006
Sun, 03-12-2006 - 1:29pm

I just have to say I like the name London for either boy or Girl.
Trust me you cant go by what other people tell you to name your baby.
We caught grief over our daughters name Makenna ( Which I dont think is that weird??) but friends and family did not like it, now that she is here we cant imagine that not being her name AND we have since recieved MANY compliments on it.

Good Luck, I say go for it

~Julie
Proud Mom to
Meghan Virginia
Melissa Lorraine
Jordan Alan
Mallory Grace
Makenna Lillian
Jarrett Stephen
TTC #7

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2005
Sun, 03-12-2006 - 9:34pm

I think you should name your child what you want if you truly believe it is the right name. I think all kids go through periods of hating their names, mine is Karri and I hated it, mostly b/c it was spelled differently. I was named after my mom's aunt whose nickname was Karri. Also, they were going to name me Brandy, yes after the song. I used to get mad because I thought that was a "cooler" name than mine, but guess what? I married a man with the last name Prandy, so imagine how fun that would have been if they had gone with their original name choice? LOL

When I was pg w/ my dd, we easily decided to name her Zara. Why? A few yrs prior we had been eating at a local place and the waitress signed the check Zara. My dh actually had the check and really thought it was a pretty name and pointed it out to me. We really thought it was a strong and pretty name and actually said on the way home we should keep a mental note of it in case we ever have girl. So, there really wasn't a discussion when we found out we were having a dd. But, the feedback was horrible. We got the variety of negativity. The ones who tried to be polite but you could see in their face that they didn't like it. Or the ones who just came out with it and asked me why we would name her that when there are so many other pretty names out there. My own family really didn't respond well. But we didn't care. We thought it was a beautiful, graceful, and very strong girls name. Then when I looked it up I saw that it meant princess and I thought how perfect for my dh since that is what he always called her. We stuck with it, even in moments of weakness when we thought maybe it was too much. And you know what happened? When we had her, the name fit. Now when people hear her name we don't get the weird reactions. The "worst" someone will say is "that is so different". But otherwise we get very nice comments. It seems that when there is a face to a name, things change. They see this little tiny blue eyed blond, strong willed, confidant little toddler and the name fits her to a T, princess all the way.

We are pg w/ #2, a son this time. That proved a harder challenge than naming Zara. My dh, John, didn't want a junior, thankfully, so I started the search. I came up with several names, one of them being Zane. No, not because it is a Z name like Zara's. Actually I tend to stray away from the Name Matching strategy. But, I found out the name Zane comes from the name John and thought, how perfect, he can name his son after himself but not exactly. Well, let me tell you, the reactions are the same. They are saying Shane or making faces or just not being pleasant. But I don't care. It is perfect for us and we love it. Coming up with a mn is a challenge but we will find one. I also hear "Zara and Zane, how adorable" and that bugs me, but what can you do. Everyone has an opinion. But ultimately, it is what you are comfortable with.

Yes, we do have to be careful with what names we give our kids. When they come of school age we all know the cruelty they will endure. Kids can take the seemingly innocent name and turn it into something ugly. So we want to try to minimze that from happening. My maiden name was the subject of much ridicule growing up, so I was glad to be rid of it getting married. But I think London is a strong name and if it works for your family then just do it. Don't take to heart the opinions of us on the board. They are just that, opinions. I probably voted against the name London. But that was my opinion. I know as well as anyone that if the name is in our heart than it is the right name. A previous post said they didn't take the name they loved because of the neg reaction and they regret it. I would have regretted it horribly if I didn't keep the name I loved for my dd. So please, stick with it if you both love it as you do. You will be sorry if you don't.

Karri
dd Zara Ariale 7/14/03
ds Zane ??? 8/2/06

karbear818

Avatar for 3togetready
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-19-1999
Sun, 03-12-2006 - 9:36pm
I really don't care for many names that people are using right now. To many made up, crazy spellings for me. I like names like Michael, Christopher, Andrew, Steven, Mark etc... But with that being said I don't think that London is a bad name especially if you both love it. At least people will know how to say it.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2006
Mon, 03-13-2006 - 1:41pm

Then name him London sister...the object of this is to get opinions...and if none of the input sways your idea then its a fit! I say deffonatly Landon for my son...but Certainly London for yours! We had the same problem with the name we liked...Aloura vs Laura...but in the end shes Aloura Joyce Cottle...and it fits her to a T.

Lots of Luck and if you want ideas for a middle name fire me a message!

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-03-2006
Mon, 03-13-2006 - 1:50pm
Aloura is beautiful!