Names, especially in our modern day and age, are incredibly varied. On-trend unisex names, age-old family traditions, frilly feminine choices, and lusciously long names all abound in kindergarten classrooms and daycares around the world. But the one thing that all names have in common is a meaning. Many names are derived either from ancient words and syllables that have been altered to fit different cultures over time or are the result of a clever smush of current and beloved sounds, both of which result in some kind of meaning. 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. Wherever you consider yourself on the spectrum of the weight you put in meanings, there are positives and negatives to both sides of the argument, which I’m going to discuss in today’s article. Many thanks to the lovely reader who suggested his idea, and let’s get started with the reasons to go forth with your favorite name, even if it has a poor meaning!
Why you should choose the name you love, regardless of meaning
By show of hands, how many of you have been approached by anyone and asked what your name meant? Likely, a very very small percentage of people will agree with that statement, because it rarely ever happens. Yes, maybe you will be asked by a curious friend at your baby shower what the name you’ve chosen means, but again, it’s not a frequent occurrence. Most likely, the meaning won’t arise unless you emphasize it. Besides, if no one asks, then no one knows, and the very small chance that the meaning of your son or daughter’s name does come up doesn’t outweigh regretting not going with a name you preferred with a bad meaning every time you call for your child. A name’s meaning isn’t what you’ll be shouting across the soccer field, or hearing your child’s friends say. The reality is, the name itself is what will come up in everyday conversation, not the meaning. If Molly is an adorable name that makes your heart flutter, then Molly’s the one regardless of her meaning! The meaning “bitter” likely will never see the light of day after you close the baby name book, but the name Molly will last an entire lifetime for your daughter. And the meaning of “bitter” will soon be replaced by your personal image of the name, which, of course will be your baby.
But on top of your personal meaning shifting to an image of your child as opposed to what’s listed on sites and in books, a “bad” meaning is so extremely varied. Good and bad often depends heavily on a family’s beliefs and preferences, and what would be considered a less than ideal meaning for one expecting couple may be the dream meaning for another. For example, take the wonderful Theodore, which means “God is gracious.” While someone who has religious beliefs that align with this meaning would adore it, a family who doesn’t might find it questionable or flat out bad. Because meanings and their significance often vary from person to person, or even the same person over time, it’s difficult to label a meaning one way or the other. Bad and good is such a wide and diverse spectrum, and one man's trash is another’s treasure, so a supposedly bad meaning may not come across that way to everyone, including your child in the future. Therefore, throwing away your favorite name in the interest of doing your child a favor with a positive meaning may not be necessary. While something like “bitter” may not sound pleasant to your ears, your daughter Molly may find it encouraging and bold. Who knows?
Why it’s best to avoid a name with bad meaning
A name is the first gift you’ll give your baby. It’s a thought-out gift that will last a lifetime, and when you’re handed a newborn baby and a birth certificate, you write lovingly a premonition of things to come and a caring message behind that name is the cherry on top. So when your first gift to your child is a name meaning “possessed” or “cowshed”.... Well, it’s not exactly the ideal situation. Because a name is the only indicator of a baby’s personality when they’re merely a newborn, choosing something meaningful is exceptionally significant. And by choosing a meaning that isn’t very pleasant, you’re giving up the dream meaning that could make you fall head over heels in love with a name. If you go for a potentially positive meaning, it may not do much for you in the future, but it can put one name ahead of the other in a tight competition. However, choosing a bad meaning also means that you’re forfeiting a good one, so it all relies on how important meaning is to you.
Oftentimes, religious beliefs are what make a positive meaning a particularly necessary component in a baby’s name. Many times in religious writings, the meaning of the people’s names directly correlate to their experiences and accomplishments during their lifetime, which may encourage some people to further look into the meaning of their children’s names. For instance, the name Adam, whom Christians believe was created from dirt and clay, means “one made of the earth.” Because some religions put emphasis on the importance of name meanings, religious families may find name meanings that are positive a must-have when looking for a name for their baby.
The Final Verdict:
The answer to me wasn’t clear at the start, but now that I’ve seen both sides of the story, I’ve decided that meaning isn’t everything. True, meaning can be the icing on the cake for many people, but the first name is the name that you will use, not the meaning of the name, so if Byron or Thana catch your eye, I wouldn’t worry too much. A name that lasts a lifetime, even one with poor meaning, will soon be attached to the person or people you know with that name, not the name meaning. Thank you so much for reading, and I hope to see you soon!
Sincerely,
~Delphina Moon
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