How important is a name to you when it comes to naming your child?

I am curious to know what people think of when it comes to naming their children. Do you think that the name will have an effect on how they grow up, what they will become as adults, how their name will make them be perceived by others. Can a name whether it is an odd name or a name spelled oddly make or break a child in your view. How important is the Name you use to name your child to you?

How important is a name to you when it comes to naming your child?
To me, names are very important to giving a child a sense of identity. A name can connect a child to a special family member, a Biblical value, or a special place. A name suggests to the child what is expected of them-- whether their parents think of them as an individual, as someone to carry on the family legacy, or as an extension of themselves.





A name is the very first thing a child has that is actually who they are. Before their little personality is even apparent, sometimes before they are even born, their name exists.





I don't think names define who we are, but names certainly do impact us. Especially if we have a name we love v.s a name that gets us teased-- this can make a large difference in a child's life.
Reply:While I do understand the first answers point, I have to say that I'm a case where it has only positively affected me. My name is Kyisha (Kee-sha), everyone reads it as Ki ee sha. On top of the fact that I am Caucasian, and it isn't a common name at all (More often it is an African American name). I feel that it has on so many occasions been a great way to break the ice and start a conversation. I have met so many people, and formed relationships because of a conversation started by my name. On top of the fact that I feel my unique name has allowed me to stand out in a crowd. I pride myself on being different. I would hate to have a name that I needed to use my last int. just so people knew which one I was.
Reply:Sydney is right
Reply:Names are soo important, I am only 15 and i think about names that i want to name my futrue kids almost daily. I think as long as you like it, and it doesnt have a crazy meaning why not name your kid that. I love the names Hayden, Abigail, Hailey, McKayla, Bailey and Austin James, Aiden, Tyler, Gavin, Garrett,
Reply:I thought it was important to give my daughter a name that would make her stand out a little. Something that most people don't encounter on a day to day basis. I also picked a name with a lot of meaning behind it. I always thought the word "Kaya" from the Bob Marley song was beautiful... then I found out it was Rastafarian slang for marijuana...lol. So I looked to see if there were any other meanings behind it, and I found out it was Hopi meaning "wise child" and that's how my daughter got her name...


To address the other aspect of your question... specifically how they are perceived by others.... In one of my nursing classes, we were given a fake patient profile containing age, sex, and name. That's it. No health history, nothing. Judging by her name, we were supposed to guess what she looked like and what we thought she was going to the doctor for. Her name was Bertha. Pretty much everyone pictured her as being fat, and frumpy, dressed in sweat clothes. A lot of people put that she was probably poor. Most of the diagnoses people came up with included things that were associated with weight, like hypertension, high cholesterol, etc. Most people thought that she probably ate fast food and candy all the time and lived a sedentary lifestyle. It was interesting to see all the stereotypes that come along with someone's name. Another story... my best friend's name is Angel. She works with mentally handicapped adults. But when I talk about her to people who don't know her, they say "What is she, a stripper?" I cannot tell you how many times I have gotten this response. It's sad, but certain names to evoke a certain perception of what that person is going to be like.
Reply:i totally agree with the answer above... =)
Reply:It defiantly effects your children god forbid you name your little boy sally that will hurt him his whole life he'll get into fights and what if you name you child *apple* sure enough your children will hate their life and hate school.
Reply:I would try and name a child after them. there is usually some feature which makes the child unique, use that to your advantage.


Just remember you don't have to name your child right after they're born.
Reply:It is very important.
Reply:Yes. I think that names are very important. My name is Hope and I hate my name. I was teased and harrassed because of my name all throughout Jr. High and into high school being called, Hopeless and Hope-the-dope, dopey, Bob Hope, ect.





I really REALLY wish that my mom had given me a common name. Not a unique one.





I am 27 years old now and though I don't get teased or harrassed about my name, the teasing and harrassment still haunts me to this day. When I would get harrassed it was an EVERYDAY occurance. Kids are really cruel.





If I could change my name I would but... I know that it would hurt my mom if I ever did.
Reply:It will definitely affect them. Giving your child a weird/ridiculous/bizarre/badly-spelled name will probably lower their chances of getting a good job. And it'll probably get them teased. Why put your kid through that?
Reply:our child, boy or girl, will have the first name Parker. i love unisex names, as long as you can PRONOUNCE and SPELL them easily. that's my biggest pet peeve; when people name their tiny children these huge, horribly spelled names, and not expect them to have to spell them for EVERYONE once they get into school. our child's name (Parker) is a family name, and he/she will also have another family name for a middle name. i also think that it's important to be careful of the initials as well. i grew up with the initials H.A.M. think of THAT to a chubby child....

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