Some parents brush right over the meaning of their child’s name, while others hold the meaning of a name higher than the name selection itself. No matter where you fall on that spectrum, here are 10 beautiful names with meanings that are less than ideal.
Mallory- This French moniker was first introduced to parents in the 1980s with the popular sitcom Family Ties. By 1986, Mallory had peaked at #83, and has fallen ever since. However, the dip in the charts for Mallory can be explained by her rather undesirable meaning: “unfortunate.” Although some of the other meanings can be interpreted positively, this is one that’s horrific any way you look at it.
Dempsey- Dempsey is an upbeat Irish surname that means “haughty.” Despite suggesting sub-par character values, Dempsey has an upbeat and spunky feel that makes this name worth considering. Peaking in 1919, this moniker is due for a revival if parents can ignore the meaning.
Lola- A revived diminutive for vintage Dolores feels just sassy enough for a modern family, yet the meaning, “lady of sorrows” seems like a big downside if you aren't familiar with the positive religious connotation, referring to one of the Catholic titles for Mary. However, I can see this name gaining in use in upcoming years because of its popularity with celebrities.
Cameron- Although this popular unisex staple had a long run of popularity in the early 2000s, the meaning, “crooked nose,” isn’t exactly complimentary. Although some people do like a distinctive nose, it may not be the ideal baby name meaning. Cameron has since descended from the mid-30s since his peak in 2000, but probably due to the name losing its freshness rather than the strange meaning.
Molly- What started out as a nickname for Mary and a successor to Polly, Molly turned out to be quite the success. This cutesy moniker peaked at #74, despite the meaning “bitter.” Starting your daughter off in life with an undesirable characteristic already embedded into her name isn’t ideal, but the old-timey charm of this appellation is hard to resist.
Cain- Cain feels powerful yet gentle, a combination that is becoming increasingly popular for boys’ names in recent years. However, trendy sound aside, the meaning “possessed” is certainly not the best.
Thana- Thana seems to be the perfect name in a time where Thea, Thora, and Athena are all picking up speed in the naming community. Thana feels feminine, unique, and feisty, as well as current due to her shared sounds with more popular names. But when translated to Arabic, Thana means “death,” a meaning that is hard to get past for parents.
Byron- This surname name feels a little less accessible due to the meaning of “cowshed.” Although this meaning doesn’t insult the character or physical appearance of the child, a cowshed isn’t exactly great naming inspiration.
Lorelai- Hawaiian girls names are just starting to catch on, and this one has caught my eye. No-frills, flowing, and strong, Lorelai seems perfect for any personality. However, the meaning of “deadly spirit,” has definitely reduced my affection for this name.
Tristan- This name has roots in several languages, and therefore multiple meanings. One of these meanings is rooted in Latin, “sorrowful.” Another one of the many meanings for this moniker is “riot.” Both meanings aren’t really ideal, and dim the appeal of this appellation.
If you see one of the names on your shortlist on this list, that’s ok! Although name meaning can matter a lot to some people, the meaning of your name doesn’t play a huge role in your life. Associative meaning often means much more than actual origin, and a baby is a beautiful association to have. If you love a name, go for it, no matter the meaning!
Sincerely,
~Delphina Moon
Would you use one of these names? How much does the meaning of a name matter to you? Let me know in the comments below.
Thank you for bringing that to my attention. I've updated the post and really appreciate you taking the time to give me that additional background information!
This is a neat post! Just as a note though, while Dolores does refer to "Lady of Sorrows", that is a reference to Our Lady of Sorrows, which is a Catholic religious devotional title for Mary. Traditionally it is seen as a positive, not a negative, because it references Mary having empathy for those who are suffering. Spanish has a number of names like that, such as Pilar, which references another title for Mary.