would you?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2006
would you?
6
Tue, 04-04-2006 - 10:32am
Would you name your child something that you love the name,but not too keen on the meaning?Do you think that meaning is important?For ex:when I had my youngest,I considered naming her Mallory Claire,but Mallory means unlucky..Thanks.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-18-2006
Tue, 04-04-2006 - 11:37am

I would definitely consider using a name even if I wasn't fond of its meaning. For instance, I love the name Lorelei. I admire it for its ethnic heritage (German), for the way it sounds, and its uniqueness. However, I'm not particularly fond of the association in literature with sirens. In the end, I came to the realization that 1) I love the name more than I care about the meaning. 2) Most people when introduced to a child will have no clue what their name means nor will they care. 3) In my mind, Lorelei Rock on the River Rhine was there long before the legend of the Lorelei, so this is what I focus on. :) I think I would regret not using a name that I love just because there are negative associations with its history or meaning.

In saying that, though, there are some names that may have wonderful meanings and sound beautiful but that I wouldn't consider using. For example, Adolph, Delilah, Jezebel, Judas, etc.

Those are just my thoughts!

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-29-2003
Tue, 04-04-2006 - 12:57pm
To me, meanings are irrelevant. I pick a name based on how much I like it, whether it goes with our last name and sometimes, its relation to our family (we are big on family names). Those dictionary meanings are silly.
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-23-2006
Tue, 04-04-2006 - 1:55pm
I agree. The meanings really aren't important. Your child will give the name a meaning and give life to it even more! I feel the same way. We are picking a name after a city which doesn't really have a lot of meaning to us but we LOVE the name. The important thing I think about picking a name is that it really sticks in your heart as being 'the one'.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-21-2004
Tue, 04-04-2006 - 2:14pm
I don't think most "normal" (not named obsessed!) people know the meanings of names so I wouldn't even consider it at all when naming my child. I consider myself semi-obsessed and would never have known about Mallory.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2005
Tue, 04-04-2006 - 2:15pm
Absolutely. I could not care less what the names mean according to name dictionaries. I'm far more concerned with how they sound and any historical/personal references. If I happen like the meaning, great, but it's definitely not a factor in my decision at all.



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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-01-2005
Tue, 04-04-2006 - 2:42pm
I don't think the meaning is that important either. The name doesn't define the child, the child defines the name. Good luck!