Today, I’m taking a look at the newly stylish nature name Meadow. A name that has recently captured the attention of nature name aficionados, we’re delving into the perks and possible negative aspects of the name Meadow. Is she far too flower child and babyish for a child to grow comfortably into? Or is Meadow’s similarity to other trending names of now keeping her a completely appropriate and even average choice that no one would bat an eye at in a professional situation? Let’s examine the pros and cons of Meadow, starting….now!
Pros
A light and airy baby girl name possibility that conjures up gorgeous visions of flowers and grass underneath a shining sun, Meadow could be the perfect name for your little girl. I always feel as if I’m writing a sales pitch for name profiles, though some names are far easier than others. Meadow has so many glorious qualities, she’s very easy to show in a favorable light.
First of all, let’s take a moment to appreciate Meadow’s ideal popularity. At #497, Meadow strikes that beloved blend of a family favorite and an obscure oddity. She definitely hits my optimal popularity range, and the range of so many others who want to escape the issues of both a painfully common name (Unwanted nicknames and last initial usage for distinction) and a rare name (“that’s….interesting”s, spelling and pronunciation mess-ups). So on that same tangent, Meadow not only avoids the certainty of spelling and pronunciation complications, her word name status ensures that most people will be able to recognize Meadow as the word and be able to spell it without much trouble. With simple spelling and perfect popularity, we have all of the sensible issues tackled. But how about style? Well, Meadow brings plenty of style and spunk to the table as well. First off, her sound is peak trendiness. The -ow of Willow and Marlow gives her an immediate edge, although she ranks much lower than her nature-themed counterpart, making the perfect alternative. Anyway, her sounds offer quite a lot to a sibset compiled from the latest trends or for parents who want an in-vogue option. And that nature oriented aspect of Meadow serves her well in addition to her practical popularity and stylish sound. Nature names have never been more intriguing to parents, and choices like Rowan, Olive, and Violet are being yanked off the shelves like toilet paper during quarantine. Meadow offers that same outdoorsy vibe along with some stunning imagery. Picture a little girl twirling through a grassy meadow of little white flowers, the sun gleaming in the brilliant blue sky. Wonderful, right? Meadow has those associations tied very strongly to her, making the name one of beauty for many.
Cons
While Meadow does have a bevy of positive pieces to her, she also has her fair share of problems that extend far beyond just stylistic preferences or fitting with certain surnames. To be frank, Meadow seems like quite a hippie name, and although many parents choosing the name may not be bothered by teachers and friends thinking of them as such, others may take offense to this label or even joking “are your parent’s hippies?” anytime your little girl presents her name to someone new. It is a name that is bound to bring about some hippie references or paint the parents of a little Meadow in a negative or stereotypical light that might not be much appreciated.
On top of Meadow feeling very flower child, I have trouble picturing a grown woman called Meadow. Again, as we discussed in the “Pet Names on People” Opinions On article, although I’m not sure that Meadow qualifies as a pet name, try the elected leader test. Would you feel, judging solely on names, that Meadow James sounds reputable? Obviously people define the names they’re given, but names often set the stage for opinions on someone, especially in a campaign or resume. And even if Meadow did pass the elected leader test, she has to fit all stages of life. Baby? Absolutely adorable. Toddler? Sweet as can be. Child? Eh, maybe. Teen and young adult? Probably not. Middle aged woman? Can’t see it. At a certain point, the name Meadow just feels….insufficient for an older child or woman. And then there’s the single most popular association for this name, and that is…. The Sopranos Meadow Soprano. A moody, bratty, trouble-maker and overall terrible influence and image for a child to be named for, this character not only gives the name Meadow a bad rap, it also ruins the name for many people. While Meadow Soprano eventually gets a character arc, her initial behavior as a reckless and unwise teenager might deter some couples from giving the name to their little one. As the overwhelmingly most well-known bearer of the name is a character with such a negative connotation for many, that alone has turned many families away from gifting Meadow to their newest addition. Finally, and what would really be a dealbreaker for me if I was considering the name Meadow for my daughter, is the lack of nicknames. Outside of Med, which just sounds like an abbreviation of “medical” or “medicine” (I’ve got to take my meds), Meadow lacks any sweet nicknames that match her adorable full form.
Predictions For Meadow:
Meadow is at an all time high with both names with the same sound like Willow and nature names like June and Violet soaring to the tops of the charts. She’s had quite a rocky and inconsistent history with popularity, but her hitting those new heights leads me to believe that she’ll continue to fly. Not only is Meadow practical, she also has all of the aspects needed to stylistically appeal to the masses. That’s all for now, but I hope you enjoyed, and perhaps share your opinions on this name and where you think Meadow’s going in the future.
Sincerely,
-Delphina Moon