Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Christine, Frederick MD — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:06:59 GMT

Celebrities don't have a monopoly on weird/unfortunate names. My neighbor's daughter named her son Juke. The baby's father's last name was Box. I went to school with a girl named Blueberry Sunshine.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

shea andover, ma — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:31:28 GMT

i also grew up with a difficult name "Shea" which peope pronounced She-a. it was embarrassing as a kid but now i love it. it's nice to know that when people yell my name from far away that they're talking to me, as opposed to the 5 other people standing near me if my name was Sara or something else common.
i totally lurve Knox. i'm definitely adding it to my list of potential baby names.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Nancy Case, Atlanta, Georgia — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:35:05 GMT

What are they thinking? Saddling children with strange names is cruel - do their parents even think of reactions to them in school and or in public? Most names are beautiful in their simplicity, Jane, Linda, Susan, Elizabeth, James, Michael. Using one of those names might even be more unusual than some of the latest dreamed up by celebrities.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Sue, Hollywood FL — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:39:51 GMT

"...some of the other celebrity baby names still flummox me."

Flummox - hmm, sounds like a good name for the next Jolie-Pitt male.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Amanda, Oklahoma City, OK — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:40:33 GMT

Gael, that is my absolute favorite link you've ever given us. "Baby's Named a Bad Bad Thing" is a website I show to every expectant mom and dad when they're trying to choose their baby's name. I just wish someone would update the site - I don't think it's been touched in ages. But who cares, it's always good for quick laugh. I don't get why people insist on utilizing such bizarre names...but at least we can still get a good giggle out of them.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

W, Pennsylvania — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:46:19 GMT

I could see criticizing people were mistreating their children, but this whole subject is so ridiculous. What are we basing the idea of "bad" names on, anyway? What about widening your perspective to include different time periods, cultures, etc? Get over it. It's a big world out there and people differ. I have a friend with Chinese parents whose name is Sunday and I've never thought twice about it. You can name your child Rose, which grows on a bush, but not Apple, which grows on a tree? Really, what's the difference? Plus, it's been reported that Brad Pitt's grandfather's name was Knox. Mine was Nunzio. So what? Perhaps it would please the masses if we were all named Jennifer and Michael.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Laurah in NY — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:56:46 GMT

I feel sorry for the kids that might be made fun of because of their names (Apple, Audio Science) or that will forever be hearing "Oh, that's my dog's name." (Coco, Max). Then there are the names that just don't sound right (Bailey Baio).

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Camille Warring, Beltsville, Maryland — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:56:47 GMT

I don't particularly care for these "fad" names. I still prefer the old fashioned ones like, Elizabeth, Katherine, Victoria, Sarah, Rachel, Michael, Mark, John, Joseph, Matthew, etc. If my mother had named me Shiloh or Apple I think I would have divorced her at birth. Maybe this will turn around again after they run out of these "off the wall" names.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

barb, atlanta, ga — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:23:28 GMT

there's nothing wrong with Knox. It was my maternal grandfather's middle name. It was on my short list of boy's names for my child, but we had a girl.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Robin, Las Vegas NV — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:24:34 GMT

I feel bad that these children are going to grow up with such stupid names. I never minded my name, Robin, when I was little but it's not a name that ages. I'm in my 50s and Robin sounds just too "cute".

Gwenyth Paltrow has Apple and Moses. Isn't there an actress who's son is named Banjo? Banjo???? Can you see this boy during school role call?

I wouldn't have minded Nicole Kidman's name for her daughter if the first name was Rose. It reminds me of Jennifer Garner's little girl Violet.

Oh well, these aren't our children but I do wish people would consider the future before they stick these ridiculous names on their children.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Lisa K, Sherwood Park, AB — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:28:16 GMT

I believe that Knox is the middle name of Brad Pitt's maternal grandfather, so it's a family name...

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Mo, Columbia, SC — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:32:45 GMT

Knox doesn't bother me or conjure up anything, except that I knew someone with that as last name. And maybe it's because I'm from the South, but we have LOTS of last names as first names; often, like mine, it is the mother's maiden name. Vivienne is just okay for me. Actually, what I like most about these names is that they are actually NAMES, not made up or a noun (or series of nouns) that the kid was saddled with i.e. Pilot Inspektor, Audio Science, Moxie Crimefighter, Apple, etc. (Geez, Apple actually sounds normal compared to those others).

I don't really have a problem with Harlow, just the fact that she has 4 names -- if you were trying to name her after family, I can kinda get having three first names, but if you're just picking out names you like, that seems a bit much.

I agree that there are a lot of Maddies out there, but my biggest problem with it is that I always thought "Maddie" was a nickname for "Madeleine" (or even Madison) not a full name -- I don't know maybe Jamie Lyn just couldn't be bothered to write the whole thing out.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

sybil grey, chapala, jalisco, mexico — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:33:53 GMT

I don't have a problem with Knox. I had a friend with that first name over 30 years ago.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Kate, Snoqualmie, Washington — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:40:32 GMT

http://www.dwanollah.com/blather/092103/index.html

To the author: you may like this one, too...

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Karen Holmes — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:49:23 GMT

I think the celebs (and private folks) have taken the trend of funky baby names because it is somehow "glamorous or unique". I'm all for traditional names like John, James, Ben, etc.. For Pete's sake...when they are in preschool they have to spell this stuff!!!!

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Mrs. Fabulous, Central Georgia — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:49:53 GMT

I have to say that I named my baby Knox Hayden. He was born March of this year. I obviously love the name because it is masculine and different. However, now that Angelina and Brad have used this name there will probably be 5 more kids in my son's kindergarten class with the same name! :(

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Pam Turner, Cuyahoga Falls, OH — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:05:29 GMT

I named my daughter Chloe almost 17 years ago. Not many Chloe's around then, and nobody EVER pronounced her name correctly. Sh-low, Chl-ow-ee and the ever popular Cleo. And I thought I was doing her a favor by not putting an accent gravé or an umlaut in her name (saddled with the name of Chloe-Marie [her name hypenated with my sisters] Thomas [my father's middle name and my grandmother's maiden name] was bad enough!), saving her one step in the "no that's not how you said it" game. Although she's endured years of getting birthday cards from grandma and grandpa with every spelling imaginable EXCEPT the correct one, she has managed to get a sense of humor about it, especially at the ripe old age of 16. I wouldn't change it for the world ... she was born Chloe. I knew that when I looked at her. So whether you're an Apple, a Shiloh, a Catherine or a Missy ... be as unique as your name and remember, you can always change it later!

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

not so plain jane doe, irmo, south carolina — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:06:02 GMT

I don't find anything wrong with those names. I love the name apple and the reasons why she named her in that manner. Knox is a very old name and it's not a funky fad (like the author of this post thinks...) common traditional names are well and good, but sometimes, those common names can seem too common. My name isn't too common and I learned how to spell it just fine. People just think it's a bad thing because they're jealous that they have to be traditional and the same like everyone else!

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Elizabeth, Bethesda, Maryland — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:19:10 GMT

To Kate from Snoqualmie: I've read that, and I love it!

My parents went to school with a Ken Tuckey, and I went to school with a Justin Case. I've heard no shortage of uncommon names in my lifetime, and I don't care...name your kid whatever you want. I work with children, though...and the only problem I have with names I don't hear often is really from the parents. I don't care if you're a Raja, Sky, Jedediah, or John. I will repeat your name to make sure I have it right, and I will ask how to spell it. When I do this, I am not making any judgments that you chose to name your child Evergreen. I am not displaying cultural bias when I ask how to spell Kumiko...I just need to fill out some forms and make some name tags. Seriously. Calm down. Knock off the snorts and eye rolls if I don't automatically know to spell your daughter's name as "Charitea".

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Lesley, Greenvill, South Carolina — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:46:29 GMT

The mayor of Greenville, South Carolina is Knox White. May be Angelian and Brad were inspired by him... some how I doubt it.

To way in on the unusual name topic, when I was a substitute teacher frequently I would not call on a student with an unsual name, simply because I couldn't remember how to say. Call them something easy for them and their friends to learn to write and spell! Come Valentine's Day in kindergarten you don't want your kid to be the one who didn't get any cards because the others couldn't spell his/her name!

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Kristin in Bennington Vermont — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:47:35 GMT

Okay, you had me until you grouped Madeleine and Madeline with MADISON!! Madeleine is a classic, timeless french name and it being americanized to Madeline was bad enough....grouping it with Madison is just adding insult to injury!

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Derek Death, St. Paul, Minnesota — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:49:34 GMT

Odd, I ALSO happen to work with a girl named April that was ACTUALLAY born in June. To set things straight, myself and another person have started calling her June instead. She's grown used to it, but I still always wonder -- what's with the helmet?

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

RHR, Brooklyn, NY — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:10:41 GMT

I don't think that there is anything wrong with the name Knox or Sunday. While they are unique, they are certainly not as odd as Pilot Inspektor or Audio Science. They wouldn't be my choice, but it's not my business. It doesn't lessen that child's worth as a human being/soul on this earth.

In another bad celebrity baby name list, Sage Moonblood is mentioned. I do not quite understand the problem with Sylvester Stallone naming his daughter "Sage Moonblood". It is a Native American name. Perhaps he has ancestral roots and Moonblood is a family name? I am Cherokee and we have many interesting (possibly interpreted as strange) family names. Sage is very, very sacred to Native Americans; whether it is ceremonially burned or a clairavoyant being. No mysteries there.

Naming children is a difficult and personal choice. I don't think parents should feel the need to ever expalin why their children were given specific names. It doesn't matter if outside people like them or not. Children grow into their names and if they end up not liking them later in life they can opt to change it. In the end, they usually wear it proudly and truly own it throughout their lives.

The one thing that is certain, is that Knox and Sunday will crack the Top 100 any time now.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Joan, Northern Kentucky — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:16:25 GMT

Listen, I went to Catholic school with a girl named Happy. Talk about pressure!

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Alice in Ohio — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:27:59 GMT

I had a neighbor...a sweet, tiny lady who was named Hortense Aurealis..I just kept wondering what her mother was thinking when she looked at this tiny little newborn ...did she think "she looks like a Hortense!"? Poor little thing. My grandfather was attorney who had a client named Female Jones...the parents thought the hospital had named her..because on the birth certificate it said "Female" Jones ! They pronounced it Feemolly. hilarious.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Jeananne, Ma. — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:28:14 GMT

I can see both sides, although, I must admit I like the less traditional names myself. That is the beauty though.... your child your choice! We decided to name our daughter with a combination of my mother's name, Sharyn & my father's name, Nelson & came up with Shaylen (Shay'-len) Kelsey. We get many compliments & I am happy to give them the reasons on where her name came from...
Our son has an easy name but I don't feel it to be an overused one, which was important for me Caleb Joshua. As you saw my mother now 65 grew up with an unusual spelling of her name & she gave me an unusual name as well... Jeananne (for those who don't get the pronunciation, & many don't... it is simply Jean & Anne put together into one name.) Perhaps that's why I like unique names.... I have one of my own... & not a cookie cutter one that many will have.... not that there's anything wrong with that! ;-D

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Michael T., Greenville, SC — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:32:45 GMT

I have to second the person who said that in the South the last-names-as-first names thing is a lot more common. Particularly with boys. Heck, my son's first name is Reeve (mostly as an homage to my wife's maiden name). And that doesn't even get into the boomlet of the popularity of the name Jackson as a first name. Of course, this might all be a subconscious rebellion against the fact that I have the most common boy's name of the 100 years, and my wife has one of the most common girl's names....

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Janine, Boston Ma — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:33:02 GMT

I don't mind unusal names but the nicknames have to go. I also named my daughter chloe 12 years ago and now her peers and coaches call her clo...as if the name isn't short enuf!!! I tell her to correct them but to correct an adult can be imtimidating. People should be asked if they want their name to be shortened. People assume it's okay to shorten a name...well, I feel it's not. She will always be my Chloe Renee!!

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Anita, East Coast, USA — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:38:59 GMT

I hated my name as a kid because of Anita Bryant. Everyone always asked if I'd had my orange juice that day. I like it now because it's not too common. I love uncommon names that have a story behind them. Apple, Knox, Harlow -- I like them all. It's when someone names a kid something weird just to be weird (i.e., Pilot Inspektor) that I find odd. Let's be honest, kids will find a way to make fun of any name, whether it's Jane or Banjo, anyway.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Cas — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:40:03 GMT

A relative of mine named Mary got remarried to a gentleman with the last name of Christmas--and she took the name! Three of their daughters are Haphelia (nicknamed Hapi), Noelle, and Candice (yup, she calls herself Candy). Candice married a man named John Jarre (pronounced Har-e, but looks like Jar). Her name is now Candy Christmas-Jarre and their son is named Mason.

We had a set of family friends, who named their daughters Seven, Five, and Three (perhaps a throwback from the days of Blossom and her friend Six?)

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Ken, Cadiz KY — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:40:28 GMT

My sons name is Maverick, he was born in 1992, I had him young and always liked that name from the Movie "Top Gun." We use variations Rick, Mav, or Maverick. Always wanted him to have a brother but neither "Iceman" or "Goose" sounded very good.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Margaret — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:46:13 GMT

I only think it is funny coming from the same people who crave anonimity for their children. When they go to school won't everyone know who they are because of their unique names? If I wanted my kids to go about their lives without photographers following them evrywhere, I might make it easier for them to blend in.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Mumcat, Philadelphia, PA — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:50:45 GMT

My Mom worked in Labor and Delivery and would tell us some of the unusual names that she heard the mom's give their children...I am not making these up!!! Teflon Velveeta, twins Tish and Tosh, Monday Morning, Remember September,Dinette, and the extremely unfortunate Syphillis. I learned from the laughter we had at those childrens expense - my children and Kathryn and Michael...

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Leslie, Albuquerque — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:51:50 GMT

For all the comments about kids with unusual names getting teased - bullies can get creative with plain names just as easily as exotic ones. When my mom named me she thought I'd be impervious to bullying but "Leslie" easily turned to "Lesbi" (ahh, those creative little scamps!) My stepdaughters have pretty straight forward, traditional names that you wouldn't think someone could tease you with, and I was still amazed with some of the ways kids twisted their names to torment them.
Whether you get fancy with your kid's name or not, jerks will be jerks. :-P

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Tom, CT — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:53:21 GMT

I am firmly of the opinion that parents should be REQUIRED to be called by whatever name they're considering for their child for at least a month.

ESPECIALLY if they're considering something 'cute'.

Don't these parents realize that other kids will tease them?

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Megan Eagle Mtn., UT — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:00:38 GMT

Personally, I think that it is a parent's right to have creative freedom with their children's names. You and I may not agree with (or even understand) some people's name choices, but the fact that we have the freedom to be original and creative is what makes being American wonderful.

PS: I think Knox is an awesome name. I wish I'd thought of it first!! HA!

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Audrey Smith, Ireland — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:06:21 GMT

Right I understand kids not being able to spell their names while growing up; but it's not impossible, they'll learn. Who knows, maybe it'll be that much smarter in the end! I think the idea of calling the students nicknames that you pick out is RIDICULOUS. Names are special; isn't that why we're having this debate? Names are personal and given to us by our parents-yes some of them are hilarious but they're still unique to that person. I think it's slightly offensive to call a child by a nick name because you don't want to learn how to spell it or pronounce it. Its understandable for an adult/young adult to have a nick name if they choose; but otherwise, why can't change and being different be respected and welcomed?

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Leslie, Edmonton, Alberta — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:07:02 GMT

I named my daughter Emma in 2002. I named her after my great grandmother and I thought the name was beautiful and didn't know anyone else with the name. Then Rachel on Friends had a baby and it was suddenly the most popular name of the year. Emma is going to be Emma O for the rest of her life and even her best friend's name is Emma. I was very disappointed when I discovered the name I picked was so popular all because of an episode of Friends.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

DB, Killingworth, CT — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:07:54 GMT

I've got to say, this latest batch of celeb baby names, while not exactly every-day names, really aren't all that off the wall. When I think of Knox, two things come to mind - the character of Knox Overstreet from "Dead Poets Society" (played by the cute Josh Charles!) and a line from Dr.Seuss' "Fox in Socks"..."Knox on blocks!" At least they aren't named Kal-El, Spec Wildhorse, Moon Unit, or Reignbeau!!

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Charley Beth, Tennessee — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:08:41 GMT

My mother named me Charley Beth because she felt Charlotte, her mother's name, was too old, and Charlene, the name my father wanted, sounded like an even older lady's name. As a kid, I recieved a lot of criticism for my name (seeing as I am a girl)... But now, more and more, I appreciate it. Even if it sounds like a nickname.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Deb, CT — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:14:52 GMT

What about poor Kyd Duchovny (David Duchovny & Tea Leoni's child)...will he have to change his (her?) name to Teen and then Adult as he grows?

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Sue S, Grand Forks, ND — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:22:31 GMT

There are "odd" names in every generation and chosen by regular people. My sister and I are researching our family history. We have Quaker ancestors from the 1600's and 1700's named Freelove and Desire.

I have one of the most common names from the 1950's. No one is naming their daughters Susie, Patty, Nancy, or Debbie anymore. Good names come and go just like the "bad" ones. Choose a name you like for your child and say it with love. How can that be bad?

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Brown-eyed Girl, Hot Springs, AR — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:27:07 GMT

Two women I work with have named their daughters "Sorrow" and "Envy". I feel so sorry for those two little girls! How could anyone even THINK of naming their child "Sorrow"?!

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

VEH, Metro Detroit — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:33:55 GMT

One of my neighbors when we lived in Detroit introduced herself to me as "Debbie". Then she told me her real name was pronounced "Debriss", but her mother spelled it "Debris". Hence, Debbie.

Cas--did your friends love Seinfeld a bit too much? Didn't George want to name one of his kids "Seven", after Mickey Mantle? And don't forget "Soda"!)

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Izzy, Minneapolis, MN — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:35:10 GMT

I agree with the gaggle of horrific baby names. At first I thought Shiloh was bad for poor baby Pitt. For these two, the girl fared far better than the boy. I pity him--he's going to get beaten up in school, I just know it.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Dawn, Cincinnati, OH — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:39:48 GMT

Gael said, "It's "Knox" that makes me giggle. I always want to follow it up with "Blox," as in "Knox Blox," the cubed JELL-O treat we made as kids. I guess the family wanted all their sons' names to end with "X" -- witness brothers Maddox and Pax. And he continues the never-ending trend of giving babies first names that were commonly used only as last names."

Hey Gael, you did some research on Angie's family, but do some on Brad's before you poke fun. Knox is his grandfather's name!! So just as Angie has honored her mother, so has Brad honored his grandfather.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

K H. Imperial California — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:47:21 GMT

It doesn't matter what the name is, as long as the child is shown the unconditional love they deserve, life is good! My two kids have normal names with unusual spellings, a girl, Jordyne (Jordan), and a boy, Kaleb. I always wanted an unusual name because when I was born, variations of Christina were popular and Christopher so there were always 6 of us in my elementary and high school classes. We had to use nicknames or last initials on all our assignments. My kids don't have to worry, they are the only ones in their classes with not only those names, but those spellings. They both like having different names and spellings from all their friends who are Maddie or John.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

A. Williams, San Diego, CA — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:48:17 GMT

So if it's a "family name," criticism is off-limits...? Tell that to the middle-schoolers the kid will go to school with. Or to the employers reading their resumes coming out of college. A name doesn't need to be common, but it definitely is selfish to attach a name to a child that's downright embarrassing. And watch out, too: see how a kid feels about great-grandpa Chadwick or great-grandma Frankilene after living with his/her name for a while.... Way to inspire love for heritage....

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Julie, Nashville, TN — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:51:29 GMT

I agree that people should call their kids what they want, but they should consider how their child will grow up with the name (which is where formal names and nicknames can work well). My niece was originally going to be named Abby, but they named her Abigail instead and mostly called her Abby to give her the option of a more formal name for use as an adult. Also they should try to pick something that isn't too hard for their child to spell, but really all kinds of names are mispronounced or misspelled. I had a teacher insist that my name was Julia because she claimed Julie was ALWAYS short for Julia, and another claimed I must be spelling my last name wrong (since she spelled it another way). Now that I have an easy last name, I still spell it out (just habit, I suppose).

Speaking of number names, I have a second or third cousin who is called "Four" by the family because he is Augustin (last name) IV, and his father is called Gus. I guess they couldn't think of another nickname. I don't know what he goes by with friends and in professional circles (he does have a PhD), but to his relatives, he has always been Four (even though he is now in his 30s).

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Amy, Texas — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:51:31 GMT

I grew up with one of the more common names of my generation (Amy). I believe there were five of us in my 8th grade math class. When my husband and I first started trying for a baby six years ago, we picked names we loved but that weren't too popular. By the time we conceived in 2006, both of our original name choices had breached the top ten. I had to scrap them both because I didn't want to put my child through the same thing I went through in school. We like traditional names and old-fashioned but unusual names, so we went with William Duncan. Until last year, William was waaay down the top 100 list and not popular at all around here. It ended up #8 for the year 2007! Dangit...

I am pretty much a do-what-you-want kind of girl, but you do have to think about your children's lives when naming them. I am a teacher, so I can see the effects of the unusual names/spellings. By the time the kids reach my 10th grade class, they are fed up with having to spell and/or pronounce their names for people. You also have to think of how the name will sound when your child is 80. It's the inverse situation of the post earlier about the baby Hortense. In 60 years or so, the nursing homes will be full of grandparents named Kyleigh, McKenzie, Prince, and Destinee.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

De-si-RAY, Fall River, MA — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:53:29 GMT

Comedian Ralphie May's daughter is April June May. I actually think thats rather cute and clever. My name is Desireah. People never pronounced it right (de-si-ree-ah, de-si-ray-a, diarreah- that was more of a tease from kids, but still). The more common spelling is Desiree. I used to want to change it, but I love it now. Its nice have a name that, in pronounciation, not many people have, and that no one has in the spelling.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Liz, Sammamish, WA — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:57:24 GMT

I named my daughter Tatiana never dreaming it would be so difficult for so many folks to pronounce or spell. I just thought it was a very feminine and beautiful name, and I wanted her to have something other than a common name.

Unfortunately, immediately following her birth (while we were all still in the hospital...in fact), my MIL unilaterally shortened it to Tasha, which stuck and grew to be how almost everyone refers to her now.

That was never my intent (in fact, I never figured out why Tasha would be the shortened version of Tatiana anyway), but I hope she someday goes back to being called by her full name.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Name your own kids!!! — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:05:59 GMT

Everyone is entitled to their likes and dislikes. It shouldn't and doesnt matter if someone doesn't like a name. Sorry, but it's not up to everyone else. So for the people who like names such as Jack, John, Rose or Betty- have at it. Names such as Amber-jack, Knox, Suri will be the norm one day- because, times change as do people and names. There is nothing wrong with deing different- there is nothing wrong with naming a child something that isn't on the top 10 names of the year. Get over it and yourselves no one care what name you prefer.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Chris in CA — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:06:18 GMT

The person with the strangest name that I have ever meet was Crystal Blu Waters. Apparently hippie parents giving their children funky names hasn't ended. While I can appreciate wanting to name your kids something unique, afterall there are far to many people named Chris, of which I am one, let's not go so far out that they will get teased for their name.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Yaitza Canterbury, Virginia Beach, VA — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:07:39 GMT

I've got to admit that some of the names (Apple, Coco, etc) are a little eccentric but it is the parents choice what to name thier child and their reasons for doing so.

My name is Yaitza (pronounced JA-EAT-SA) and all of my sisters have names starting with a Y (which is pronounced like a J in spanish, we are Puerto Rican) and carry my mother's middle name. Almost all of my teachers would not call my name during roll call if they thought they would mispronounce it and many schoolmates wanted me to give them a "nickname" to make it easier on them. When I was younger I succommed to the pressure and came up with Jay as a nickname but as I got older I realized that my name is beautiful and unique. Now no one but family is allowed to use Jay and everyone refers to me by my God given name. It has a great backstory to it, is original, and I get tons of compliments on it. I can't wait until the day I can give my children meaningful and unique names of their own!

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

maria sexton — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:14:02 GMT

My Daughter named my Grand-daughter Crystal Blu Snow. I hate it! I think it is horrible to saddle a kid with three slang names for drugs.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Heather B R, Cville, VA — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:21:19 GMT

There is nothing bad about the names Knox and Vivienne. While the names may not crack the Top 50 list, they are still names, and beautiful ones at that. Little Knox and Vivienne will grow up with names that can be pronounced easily (like their siblings). While they (Vivienne especially due to her French spelling) may have to spell their names out for people on occasion, their spellings aren't made up or stupid. They are proper and traditional ways of spellings their names. We should be thankful to the Jolie-Pitt family for reminding everyone that your child can have a unique name, that is actually a name, without having to spell it in a horrific way in an attempt at being unique.

Worse than giving your child a less common name is giving them a normal name that is spelled in a stupid way. I'm sorry "Alivia," but when roll-call time comes, you'll still be one of six "Olivia"s in the classroom. And to you, Masters Kayden and Kamryn- your names look like a girl's name to me. If you want to get an idea of how bad this naming trend has gone, check out the US Social Security list for 2007 top 50-100-500-1000 names. http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/

On the Sunday-Maddie front: Sunday is just plain cute and Sunday Rose sounds lovely. Maddie is only bad because there is no formal name to go with it. What if little Maddie grows up to be a CEO? Perhaps she'd rather go by Madison or Madeleine then.

And on another note, people, please stop naming your child Nevaeh. It's got to be the stupidest name ever. Heaven spelled backwards? Come on! Perhaps some day a celebrity will embrace the trend of stupid spellings and random words and name their child Elppa or Rotkepsni Tilop.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Amanda — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:27:56 GMT

I went to school with a girl named Jenna Rader. Say it fast.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Linda Anson, Tulsa, OK — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:30:53 GMT

I knew a teacher who allowed her daughter to re-name herself at 12......she became Rainbow Thunder (the Thunder part she already had).....always made me think of some cartoon character doll.

Also, my great Aunt was stuck with the name Darcus Arvezine. We THINK the Darcus was supposed to be Dorcas, but we never did figure out the Arvezine part. She always went by Arve.

I think names are very important - no one likes to be THAT different. Unique, yes - glarely wierd has to be lived down or changed.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Bridget Ikerd — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:33:07 GMT

I had an old boyfriend that went to Purdue with a guy named Hammond Yeggs (silent Y) and when he transferred to another college his roommates name was Beecher Buttoff

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Violet Bentonville, AR — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:33:40 GMT

I believe that when you are trying to name a baby you should always try the prospective name with the word Grandma or Grandpa in front of it. Chances are that these children will someday be grandparents and grandma Tiffany just sounds ridiculous to me.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Tony C. — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:42:47 GMT

Why is this news? Consider the source. Spoiled, rich, whiny celebrities who don't even live in the same world as the rest of us are prone to doing ridiculous things.

I'm just glad that Brangelina didn't name their kids Tree and Flower.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Tony — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:45:11 GMT

Wasn't it the ludicrouos, over-rated Julia Roberts who named her kids Phinnaeous(?)and Hazel?

This is nothing new coming from people who don't live in the real world. Consider the source.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Melinda, Bellevue WA — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:47:32 GMT

I respect the right of parents to name their children what they choose. However, every parent owes it to these same children to give them a name that will not saddle them with childhood issues, as well as one that is a good name for both the child AND the adult they will become. After all, in the working world a Madeleine is taken much more seriously than a Maddie, just as a Bill is seen as more adult than Billy. ALL parents should consider how their child will grow into their name, and not worry so much about originality as common sense.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Greer, Bangkok, Thailand — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:51:50 GMT

I live in Bangkok and my three kids have Thai names of course, but it is also common in Thailand for everyone with one of the complex (or not so complex - it depends) Thai names, to have a simple nickname. My daughter is Saranya, but her nickname is Miki. Many people have nicknames like Lek (small), Yai (big), Nok (bird), Meow (cat - not kidding), etc... I wanted our kids to have nicknames that also sounded OK in the west. My son's is Kris, and my baby daughter is Kira. I am Australian, but my first name is actually an Irish surname...live and let live...but not too weird!

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Jo, Yakima, WA — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:56:26 GMT

"Didn't George want to name one of his kids "Seven", after Mickey Mantle? "

Yeah, and he was very upset when some of their friends decided they liked the name Seven.

I actually really like all of the Jolie-Pitt kids' names. They're cute and unusual without being the type of names that get kids beat up (although honestly, those kids are going to be so freaking attractive that they'll never get beat up, so I'm guessing the names don't matter). I really like Shiloh, and I think Knox and Vivienne are both adorable.

My first name is Jobetta (before I was born, my dad made up a combination of the Joseph and Elizabeth -- the names they'd chosen -- so they wouldn't have to call me "it," and when I was born, they kept it). I thought I was the only person on Earth with this name, although there are variations. Google seems to indicate I'm not the only one. I spent my entire childhood telling substitute teachers how to pronounce my name, took a bit of teasing from classmates and just about half an hour ago, a woman with a Spanish-speaking accent called to confirm an appointment and pronounced my name "Ho-bee-ta." But I really like my name. I can use it as a user name on any Web site or e-mail account because it won't be taken. I've never been "Jobetta H" (although from 5th grade until grad school, I tended to just go by Jo, so sometimes I was "girl Jo"). I get a little sick of having to spell my entire first and last name, but I like having a unique name.

Incidentally, the names I have picked out for any children I may have (we're talking several years from now) are Miriam Sophia and Gabriel Dante (Dante after the Italian poet)

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Dorothy, Kansas — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:57:16 GMT

Gael ... makes me think of the gale-winds of Ireland!

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Maura, Springfield — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:00:50 GMT

I can't agree with most that said it doesn't matter what a child is named. These celebrities have no clue what the future holds for their children with such ridiculous names. While Apple is just plain silly, Pilot Inspektor is cruel and stupid. If these children were guaranteed that their parents would still be famous when they hit school age I don't think there'd be too much of a problem as Pilot would be sitting next to Scout, Rumer, Kal-El and Owen (a girl). If their parent's star fades however and they find themselves in the real world like most of us the poor kids will have a pretty tough time. Yes, kids can make fun out of any name, but let's not just hand them something they don't even have to think about!

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Brenda — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:07:50 GMT

Regardless of what we think...the names these people chose mean something to them, represent something to them. And its none of our business.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

JB, North Carolina — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:08:51 GMT

Well, I don't think we have to worry about the celebrity kids with weird names being teased. They will have a childhood very different than the rest of us. They probably will not attend regular schools and will not ride the bus. They will surely have lots of kids wanting to hang out with them because of their cool parents, etc.

In my opinion, the problem is that when "regular folk" imitate this trend, it can be hard on kids. Most parents don't have the money and cache that celeb parents do so that kid may end up on a public school bus, in out-of-date fashions, being teased, whereas I doubt that will happen to the celeb kids.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Karen, Syracuse, NY — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:11:48 GMT

My sisters name is Caprece. She always said that though she hated her name when she was younger, she really grew to appreciate it. I always thought my name, Karen Elizabeth Greenfield, was so boring. My son is name River Holden Greenfield. I think its beautiful and his dad and I could agree on it. I wanted a more traditional name, and some of the names his dad (matthew) came up with made me cringe. We thought it was unusual until we heard of several people naming their boys "River" around the same time. I think this name will be pretty common.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Dave Anderson Austin, Texas — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:13:47 GMT

My daughter has four kids adopted from China. Since her husband is Irish they decided to go with an Irish theme and keeping their Chinese names as middle names. Riley, Quinn and Pierce are neat names, but the last one is Brogan which is either a high top work boot or an Irish whiskey.
His Chinese name is Jun Jie which means Handsome Hero
(a lot to live up to, but no one will know.)
Dave Anderson...Austin, Texas

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Gamediva2112 — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:23:15 GMT

I have been working on a very large family tree. Believe me it HELPS to have an unusual name, er, except when the family uses it over and over and over again. For several generations my family had "Drury" on every branch of the tree, father, son, uncle, cousin, on and on for four generations. We also had a "Fanny Pack". LOL But to me, a very average, plain, overused name either means, "you are not special" or you had very uncreative parents who were afraid to take risks.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Karol, Taneytown, MD — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:25:40 GMT

My mom named me a common name, but spelled it different and because of that reason my boys names are common and commonly spelled: Jordan (which is a unisex name, so my son has told me over and over again) and Joshua (Josh for short) I am not fond of "unique" names because of the teasing mostly, kids have it tough enough without having to deal with a weird name.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Ashley, Minneapolis, MN — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:27:16 GMT

I think it was mean for Jessica Alba to name her child Honor. As soon as she hits middle school, none of the boys will be able to let that slide. I can imagine all of the comments...

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Heather, Orlando, FL — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:27:28 GMT

I'm ok with some of the unique names, but please: if I see one more little girl named "Nevaeh" I might keep my child from playing with her. How can anyone think that spelling 'heaven' backwards is a good name choice?

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Gamediva2112 — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:35:39 GMT

My sister delivered babies for years. She tells a story of the hospital staff having to dissuade a young mother from naming her daughter Vagina Jo (rhymes with Regina Jo, but still....). See? Apple ain't so bad! =D

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Tina, KY — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:44:53 GMT

Julie, I can relate.
I had a teacher tell me one time that my name was Christina..and that we didn't use nicknames in her class. Problem was, my name was TINA..not Christina, and that's exactly what I told her.
I think this was the beginning of our sour relationship, and the beginning of my dismay with the public school system!

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Rhonda, Central, LA — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:45:05 GMT

I am a teacher. One year I taught a girl named Lovely and there was a boy in the same class named Handsome. Think about that when you call roll. Are Lovely and Handsome here today?

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Kim, Denver CO — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:54:56 GMT

Somewhere, long ago, I read an article where people in prisons were more likely to have odd, unfashionable names that they grew up hating. I'm just sayin'....

I think saddling a child with something obnoxious as a name ("Audio Science" WTF??) is nasty. Other names out of the norm are just creative and fun. Remember, at some point, someone said "Jane? What kind of name is that? Your kid will grow up a freak!" Times change.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Teresa, Hilliard, Ohio — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:06:53 GMT

My 17 year old son is named Darien Edward. I thought is sounded regal and royal...his father thought it sounded like the name of a quarterback! I must admit he loves his name as he is the only one in his school (unlike his cousin - his name is Cody).....

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Tangerine, South Carolina — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:15:06 GMT

My name is Tangerine and has been for forty years and im just fine. any child that doesnt grow into or appreciate their name will change it legally or go by something else so just chill out people.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Cheryl, Chicago, IL — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:18:33 GMT

I have no problem with creativity in naming your kid...as long as it won't cause the kid any harm when he/she hits puberty. Besides, it's none of my business when it comes to naming someone else's kid. That being said, Jason Lee's Pilot Inspektor may be in for some unnecessary teasing when he gets older. That's a little harsh.

I do love the name Harlow, Sunday, Apple, Shiloh, etc. Cute without being absurd ;) (although Apple's really riding the line, no?)

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Robin, Las Vegas NV — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:24:06 GMT

To Anita 12:38pm post. If you hated Anita, try living with Robin. I always got "Hey Robin, where's Batman? (during the 60s when the Batman tv series was popular)" And Robin Hood, Robin Red-Breast, and Rockin Robin. My brothers would then yell out "Hood Goody-Goody grab bag" from the Robin Hood nickname.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Charity , Kentucky — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:26:40 GMT

I was named for one of those virtues, Charity. Charity was also my great-grandmother's name. I've only met a very limited number of people that have the same name as me. My middle name is Charity Beth, which seems to flow off the tongue easily, and although I used to think it was so old-fashioned, I now find it quite refreshing. And, like others have said, I don't have to worry about twenty people turning around when someone says my name in a crowd!

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Don, so. cal. — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:30:17 GMT

How about the man named (Mr.)LOAF who named his son MEAT! Who's laughing now, Mr. Loaf ? And yes, meatloaf is his given name. Think of the children,people !!!

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Dana--Baltimore — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:30:22 GMT

These celebs think its a joke with naming their children these weird names. They must have spent the whole 9 months thinking of how to embarass their kids. Its just ridiculous. Kids aren't a joke.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Kristen — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:33:15 GMT

I went to high school with a girl who's given name was Princess. A girl at my church is named Dwightette after her father, Dwight. They nicknamed her Dwighty for short. My husband knows a girl whose name is April May June (with June being her surname). I once lived beside a family whose last name was Kane and they named their daughter Candy. I just know she became a stripper!!!

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Susan, Washington DC — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:34:42 GMT

I went to high school with a "Morgan Morgan" LOL! Poor guy. He was second in weird names only to Alvie.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Sharon , Omaha, NE — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:35:52 GMT

I really I do not think Brad & Angie's kids are going to worry about being teased in school. It has been quoted by Brad that the kids are pretty much do whatever they want. I am sure if they get teased in school, the body guard will take care of the kid. Or will get sent to a private school. If they even have to go to school.They will be just like all the other good for nothing rich kids that is in the celebrity news shows out every night.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Chuck Krausie, San Francisco, Ca — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:36:51 GMT

The coolest guy's name I ever heard is, Thane Madrid. (Hey Thane, we went to art school together.) My runner up is a girl's name I also love, Sarah Finn.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Mary, Fredericksburg, VA — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:41:20 GMT

The problem is that when parents exercise "creativity" in naming a child, it isn't the parents who suffer from it. The child isn't going to be a child forever (God willing, only a very small percentage of their entire life) and a 23 year-old Pryncyss Grayson Smith who is trying to get a job is going to have a harder time than a Margaret Elizabeth Smith. If you give your kid a name that is just embarrassing or difficult to say, people will go out of their way to avoid saying it. I'm looking at you, Jermajesty. Or you name your daughter Cooper Kennedy Smith, don't look at me like *I* am the idiot when I can't tell if it is a boy or a girl.

Also, the desire for "unique" names has gone much too far. Especially since most of the "unique" or "unusual" names are neither (Looking at you coworker who had chose an "unusual" name--Aiden--last year.) In this world of the never-forgetting, never-forgiving internet, do you really (REALLY) want your child to be the only one out there. If my kid does stupid stuff as a kid/teen (like beating up another kid an posting it on youtube), I want his/her name to be as common as dirt so when they eventually grow up, it doesn't bite them in the butt. Anonymity is going to be a precious commodity in the future, what with all the surveillance and the proliferation of cameras. So, sign me up to be a Jane Smith--I don't want to be unique and I don't want you to be able to google me and discover my entire history in one fell swoop.

Also, at least in the U.S., it seems to be the trend to name your kid after dead presidents. Madison, Harrison, Jackson, Kennedy, etc. So, for all the trendies out there, I offer up: Coolidge. No one has it yet, and the nickname "Cool" is awesome! Next, Nevaeh, according to phonetics, cannot be said "Nuh-vay-ah." It is "Nee-vah-eh." Finally, Kennedy means "malformed head." Yeah, such a pretty name with a lovely meaning! Do some research before naming your next "little princess."

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

sherry, missouri — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:52:35 GMT

i went to school in the 6th grade, we called her jody...her full name was Josephine Francis Ludwig, we were good friends.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Sylvia — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:21:23 GMT

I'm sure everyone has their own theory on names, my son's name is Quisto because it is Indian. My daughter is named Blythe, for years I never heard any children byt hese names and lately there seems to be one around every corner...

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Rori in Nebraska — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:31:17 GMT

My first name is Rori and I am a 34 year old female. I always get the, "like on Gilmore Girls" comment which really unnerves me. No, not like on Gilmore Girls. For the past thirty years, I have had to spell this name 2 -10 times daily, explain that it isn't short for Victoria, and also explain that I am not/nor have ever been a male. I don't want it to be dismissed so easily - especially to be accredited to something as vapid as a crappy sitcom - no thanks! I have always loved my name but it can be somewhat of a burden. I recently took a job working with my father, and our offices are within earshot of eachother. After my first week in the office, he stuck his head through my door and apologized for naming me Rori. He had heard what I go through on a daily basis and said he had no idea just how many times I had to spell, sound it out for people (apparantly Rori must sound as if it is to be spelled ROY or ROI, the 'r' just disappears somehow) and explain that it isn't a nickname. I am so used to it, it doesn't phase me anymore, but just once I would love to hear, "Rori, that's R-O-R-I, right?" Oh, a girl can dream...

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Tracy Knox, Memphis, TN — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:32:20 GMT

My last name is Knox and if ever I was to have a son, I would have named him Knox to honor my father and his family line. I think that Knox is a great name for a son! It is a strong and proud name that will serve him well through out his life!

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Robin, Las Vegas NV — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:39:47 GMT

I was watching Hidden Potential on HGTV yesterday and a woman's name was Spontaneous.

A lady I work with; her daughter took in a foster child. The child's name was Ammunique; named after Ammunition.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

KATHLEEN!, TWIN CITIES, MN — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:44:30 GMT

My name is Kathleen. Not that hard, really common. Apparently, only to my family! I tell people Kathleen & get all sorts of responses back. Most common, Kath-a-leen. No, no extra A needed, just master the 2 syllables, please. Not Kathy, not Katie, not Kate. And the spelling! There is one common, traditional spelling of it. I'll allow a C mistake but really, I've seen Kafleen, Kathline, Kathaline, Kathalyn and Kathlene. And I know I'm not the only person with a common, traditional name that just gets pummeled! I'm talking for all the Katherines/Catherines, Rogers, Michaels, Rachels, Colleens & Shannons out there. Can you imagine the difficulties for Joans, JoAnns and Carolyns & Carolines?

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Everett — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:59:29 GMT

I have to say, this post and the replies are reminding me of the "Friends" episode where Phoebe decides to change her name officially to Princess Consuela Bananahammock...and then her husband gets in on the act :)

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Carol Martin — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 22:05:56 GMT

Sylvester Stallone has a son named Sage, not a daughter.

My mother wanted to name me Anne, but my father wanted Carol, so Carol it is. That name places me firmly in the 40s and 50s just like the Emmas and Emilys, Aidens and Jacobs are all over the place today. There are so many lovely timeless names, but people just don't look for them. Wish I'd been named Anne.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Carol Jacilla — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:13:05 GMT

I worked in a hospital many years ago and received a call from Labor and Delivery to announce the birth of a new baby. The nurse told me that Mrs. Babee had a female - she then added that the family was going to give her the first name of Cuti.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Donna Cloud, Republic, MO — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:23:04 GMT

My name is Donna Jeanne Cloud (supposedly a french, longer version of "Jean" (Joan) my mother's middle name. Everyone still pronounces it "Genie" to this day-at 48. Especially my family. I'm use to it. Donna was for my late father Donald and the song " Oh, Donna", by Ritchie Valens that my mother adored. When I had my daughter, my late husband alway's wanted a daughter named Ashley Rochelle, never said why, just like the sound of it. I liked Ashley "Marie" as it was my Mother's first choice for my middle name at first. Since we couldn't agree I decided to name her " Ashley Marie Rochelle Cloud" Believe me, they don't make fun of her first name but change it to make fun of her last name! Thunder Cloud or Stormy Cloud, or Rain Cloud! Her late father was Cherokee. I call her Ash for short, so no matter, she dealt with it and now she is 19 and a proud Marine, learning her first duties! I couldn't be more proud no matter what I named her! Apple, Shiloh, Pilot Inspektor, Knox or even Dweezil! If they are raised with good heart's and mind's, with a purpose to self and country- a rose by any other name!

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Still Caffeine, still Twin Cites, still MN — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:32:32 GMT

To Tracy Knox--

Wouldn't your son have the butt of many Knox Knox jokes?

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Lyndsay, California — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:54:31 GMT

My dad decided to change my planned name of Amanda to Lyndsay while my mom was in labor and he was watching the Bionic Woman. He failed to pay attention to the spelling, and while I love my name, I can't seem to understand why everyone has such a hard time spelling it. My mom once tried to tell me it was done on purpose, but realized I knew better. I've seen everything from Linzee to Lynsy... One of my college friends swore my name was Lizzie, and thought that I was being called "Liz" instead of "Lynds"... My boyfriend has a family name, and it's an odd spelling to boot(I mispelled his name for the first 6 weeks of our relationship). If and When we ever have kids, it will be our goal to keep the names easy, classic, and so that we can by pregenerated name plates, pens, and necklaces.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Jillian, California — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:58:53 GMT

My name is Jillian. I love it - it's uncommon yet not unusual - but I have no idea why so many people have so much trouble pronouncing it. I get "Jill-yin" and "Julian" a lot. My parents never dreamed it would be so difficult. I just think there are a lot of stupid people in the world. No offense to the poster, but Kathleen's family is case-in-point.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

D'Lynn, Temecula CA — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:06:56 GMT

I went to school with a girl named Rainy Makani (Hawaiian word for Wind). I'm named after my parents and I absolutely love my name. I grew up correcting people and still have to at times when people want to pretend the apostrophe isn't there and want to call me Dillin.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

T, Florida — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 01:24:27 GMT

Since my first name is Tuesday, I spent much of my life with people asking if I was born on a Tuesday. However, people rarely forget my name and it's always a conversation starter. A little teasing in 2nd grade was totally worth it.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Laurah in NY — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 01:48:59 GMT

Oh let's not get started on Sylvester Stallone. He has another son named Seargeeoh or some spelling like that. C'mon! It's "Sergio," for Pete's sake! Yes, he named a SON Sage Moonblood. One of his poor daughters is named Sistine!

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Amanda Moulton,AL — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 02:43:43 GMT

I love unususal names I was given the name Amanda Leigh and always thought that it was such a plain name. My kids are named Karstin Deann; Grayson Kristian ( when I named him he was the 1st Grayson in the state, now there is one in every grade below him); My son's name was almost Wheeler Creed after the influnce of Gen. Joseph Wheeler on my family and my ex-husband is irish and Creed was connected to his family. And finally Samantha Kennedy ( who goes by Sammie K).

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Kathleen Mosby, Georgetown, DE — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 03:34:46 GMT

My paternal grandfather had the middle name Knox. I always thought it was a family name, but maybe it's big in the south. He was from AK.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Rebecca R, Fresno, CA — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:03:54 GMT

I love unique baby names. Personally I don't find it worth while to critize, no matter how out there or how plain it may be. A name is a name. It all depends on the parents' personality. I happen to like the name Knox, especially given the fact that the other Jolie-Pitt boys have the X at the end of their names. It has a sense of family pride, while still offereing a unique name.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Jo, Yakima, WA — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 08:48:51 GMT

"I have to say, this post and the replies are reminding me of the "Friends" episode where Phoebe decides to change her name officially to Princess Consuela Bananahammock...and then her husband gets in on the act :) "

Oh, you're not the only one. Love it when Mike explains to Phoebe what a Banana Hammock is.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Sabrina H. — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 11:14:55 GMT

This is nothing, my nephews names are "Riddge Caden Jeshua" and "Sequoyah Coulson" (yes, it's spelled with an "e"...not a typo), but the worst I've heard is not from a celebrity, but from a local girl here in N.C., her name is "Misty Rain"...she now goes through life with being know as "Drizzle"....

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Patrick, St. Louis, MO — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:22:53 GMT

I think these parents need to be put away for cruel and unusual punishment to a child. Talk about not fitting in or trying to find any way not to be picked on as a kid. All of these kids will be juvenile delinquents just to get attention away from their names.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Miami,Florida — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:28:27 GMT

I guess I'm part of the fad names, my twins names are Blaze (boy), and Brooklyn (girl). Go ahead with the jokes

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Marie, Boston MA — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:35:19 GMT

Let us not forget about Michael Jackson's children, Blanket and Prince. Blanket is the all time weirdest name.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

The Cookie, West Palm Beach, florida — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:02:56 GMT

Oh come on guys -- sell!
http://lifeisacookie.wordpress.com/2008/07/15/kidman-urban-wont-sell-sunday-rose/

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Rumer, Buffalo, NY — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:19:48 GMT

The horrible, borderline-abusive names celebrities apply to their kids is one (minor) example of how twisted the world of Hollywood is. Hollywood is a parallel dimension, a mirror universe where fame, fortune, and fawning yes-men cause otherwise normal people to lose their ability to know the limits of appropriate behavior (since their power and privilege usually buys them a free pass). They also become disconnected from reality in other ways, for example thinking that names like "Rumer" or "Sunday" or "Apple" or "Knox" make any sense whatsoever.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

cheyenne, chicago, IL — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:45:06 GMT

i have a unique name and have always LOVED being different and never needing my last initial to differentiate myself.
my mom has a classic name and is changing it at 60 because she's always hated it and wants to live the 2nd part of her life with a name she loves.
so let these 'unusually named' kids decide.
also: while the mildreds and ethels and ernests of the 30s listen to their jazz and big band music in the old folks homes...kaitlynn and quintin and urban will be listening to rap and club music in the old folks homes of the future...their names will age just fine and will fit the era they came from just like every generation before.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Sabrina, DC — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:06:16 GMT

I don't see what's wrong with Knox. Certainly it's unusual, but there's just no comparison to Moon Unit, Dweezil, Pilot Inspektor, Denim, Diesel, and Puma for Pete's sake! I think the fact that the Jolie-Pitt family seemed to want to honor their family members who have passed is a beautiful idea and one that more people should respect than seem to be here.

I grew up with an unusual name for my generation (it wasn't until Melissa Joan Hart starred in "Sabrina: The Teenage Witch" that it really became more popular), and I will admit that when I was a child I disliked the name. I was picked on as it was for being a bookworm and a smart child; having an unusual name just seemed to me to be too much for one little girl to bear, but now I love my name. Knox may or may not get picked on by his peers (although I'd imagine most kids might be a little intimidated when confronted with the fact that this kid's dad is one of the most well known people on the planet) but my bet is when he becomes more mature and able to understand, he will absolutely respect his parents' choice of a name for him and love them for it. There is nothing wrong with a slightly unusual name; when my first nephew was born my sister-in-law was agonizing over a nickname for him since he would be the fourth Charles William in the family (great-grandfather was known as Charles, grandfather known as Bill, and father known as Trey (the more unusual way to say "three")). She finally narrowed it down to Chaz or Liam, and picked Liam due to the family's Irish roots. Liam loves his name despite it's unusualness; calling the poor child Charles William might've been worse in this instance, despite the commonality of those two names, simply because it is more common these days to go with a so-called "unusual" name for children versus the more well-used monikers we can pick. I myself have long since decided that, while the names must be agreed upon between me and my significant other, I do not want to name my child something common. I have grown to see the beauty of an uncommon name and will teach my child(ren) to feel the same way, regardless of how other children may try to tease them. Choosing a common name simply because you fear your child will be made fun of is a cop-out, pure and simple.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Debbie, Killingworth, CT — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:31:02 GMT

These crazy names remind me of a story I loved when I was a child:

A farmer went to a fortune teller to find out what he should name his baby. The fortune teller threw some bones, read the answer and whispered into the farmer's hands. "Hold tight onto the baby's name until you get home, then you can name the baby." As the farmer was running home to bring the baby's it's name, he tripped and his hands flung open, releasing the name. The poor farmer was inconsolable at the thought of losing the baby's name and he asked everyone he saw if they could help him find the name of the baby. Finally, one woman heard his story and exclaimed "Why, it's simply ridiculous!" The farmer was so happy he ran right home, the woman had found the baby's name. (Think about it!!)

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Karen, Tampa FL — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:42:07 GMT

Kyla Summers, Autumn Raines and Chandler Ryan are my children's names (first and middle). I personally don't care if anyone else likes them or not. I gave birth - I'll pick their names!

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Cheryl, Michigan City, IN — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:31:52 GMT

My name is Cheryl and I was lucky as there were two of us in my class when I was in school. (I was originially supposed to be called Elizabeth Anne but my dad didn't like it.) My husband's name is Christopher Robin(first and middle names)and I think that that's pretty cool. I like to see people branch out from the name tree but not too far out. My family and his have WAY overused James.

I went to school with a girl named Crystal Dawn(I always liked that name) and a girl named Stardust. We didn't have too many crazy names but goodness! We had a LOT of people named Amy, Tammy, Christy, Michelle, Jennifer, Brian, Jeff, Chris, Sherry, David, Michael(Mike)and Johns in my school. I was in school in the mid-80s so that must explain everything.

Names come and go. I like mine just because I'm the only one in the family with it and I only share my middle name with one of my cousins. I have four cousins who share the middle name Michael.

All these comments have cracked me up.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Katie, MO — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:36:25 GMT

My parents almost named me Fawn. I am so glad they didn't. I just cringe at the thought of having to live life with that name. They used a very traditional and common name for me--Katherine. I go by Katie.

I use Katherine for business purposes, and it irks me to no end when people assume a nickname for me. I constantly get replies that address me as Kathy, Kathleen, and even Kat! Who are these people that think it is ok to call me by a name other than what I have given them? I never shorten a "Michael" to "Mike" or "Andrew" to "Andy" unless I know for a fact that is what they prefer to be called. If they wanted to be called something different than their given name they would have made that clear. I always ask if "Debra" is in fact "Deborah" if I am spelling it, and if Teresa or Sara is spelled with an "h." Anything else is just inconsiderate. I named my child a name that is not found too much anymore, but is not unusual. It is elegant and will not haunt her when she gets older. I have received so many compliments on it by people of all different ages.

I like the suggestion that parents-to-be try introducing themselves by the prospective name in a bar or other social seeting to see how people respond. Then they may think twice about naming their kid something odd. It's a child, not a contest for creativity!

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

jennie, london, england — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:59:47 GMT

in the Uk we call our traditional sunday lunch (which basically every single family eats every single week) a 'sunday roast'. therefore nicole kidman's baby's name has the whole of the uk in fits of laughter as it sounds exactly like our favourite meal!

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Wrona, Little Rock, Arkansas — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 22:30:10 GMT

I love my name, as it is special to my family - it has been in my family for over 400 years. But as a child, it did get tiring to have to constantly pronounce it for teachers, doctors, etc (I still don't know how people are getting Rhonda, Ramona, etc from Wrona since there are no D's or M's in it). I also got tired of telling people how to spell it. I loved it when I got to law school and we went by last names. All the people that for years had gotten off easy while I was having my named mangled were suddenly in the spotlight.

I will say that as an adult there are some advantages to a hard to spell/pronounce name. When I get annoying phone calls, I can honestly say there is no one by that name at this number. And it has worked well in job interviews as a conversation starter, but who knows how many interviews I didn't get simply because they couldn't pronounce the name.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Miranda,Key West,FL — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:52:57 GMT

I was glad when i was going to school in Key west fl, i was the only miranda renee in the entire school and i was got called amanda or they spelled my name wrong, like MARANDA. UGH! Meanwhile, I was surrounded by Jennifers,Jessicas , Amys, Holly's or katies. So when my sister was born, my mother named her Kayleigh Georgeanna and my other sister,Eugenia Consuelo (after my deceased grandmother). My sister Kayleigh was surrounded by names that started with Kay-mostly Kayla, . My other sister was like me, the only person with that first name in school, my parents Rachelle and Marty, were also rare for their time. They call my mom Rachel and not Ra-Chelle, so she just goes by Shelli. But I think you should consider your poor child when you name it these off the wall names. I'm happy as an adult being a Miranda Renee.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Rosie Blanco — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 01:03:11 GMT

Please folks-I've been a teacher for almost 30 years and here's just a partial list of some of the names I've come across- Lasagna, Lavoris, Maple, Wes Virginia, Egyptshean, Weddingbelle, Symphony, Sparkle, Crystal Glass, Champagne, Prayer,Queeno, and Today, who had two sisters named Yesterday and Tuesday.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Natalie, Washington — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 01:56:51 GMT

I don't get why people name their kids weird names or spell them strangely. And it's not just celebrities. I met a kid once who was named Brady. Not so bad, but his last name was Bunch. Seriously. Brady Bunch.

And a very dear friend of mine named her baby Alexander, except she felt for some strange reason that she needed to add a 'z' to the name - Alexzander. I thought that's what the 'x' was for. All I can think about is the poor kid a few years from now (and the rest of his life)..."No, it's AlexZander...A l e x - Z - a n...."

Yikes. I prefer the boring old traditional names. I figure if I want my kids to 'stand out' in a crowd, I'll help them to succeed as great human beings. I won't name them something weird.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Fawn Rose Dallas Texas — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 04:37:51 GMT

I myself have a nature name that I love.
But once met a girl named Direty Bich Pronounced (Dierety Bike.) But you can see why she was teased.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Jo, Yakima, WA — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 07:01:25 GMT

One of my close friends has four kids and I love all their names:

Asher, Gianna, Xavier and Kieran. I don't remember all the middle names, but I know they were all more common.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Berlin — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:48:18 GMT

I went to high school with a guy named Tim Burr. Always made me laugh.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Amanda C*, Henderson, KY — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:43:59 GMT

My PERSONAL favorite celebrity baby name is Moxie Crimefighter--Penn Gillette's little girl's name. Moxie is cute... he could have done without the Crimefighter! She'll have so much to live up to!!!!

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

linda sagevick ny — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:20:57 GMT

Don't forget Ingo Rademacher (Jax) from General hospital the soap he just had a little boy and named him Peanut Kai Rademacher

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Robin, Lexington, SC — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:05:47 GMT

First of all, I disagree with Robin - that's my name, too, and I never thought it didn't age well. I like it, because there aren't that many of us out there.

My neighbor when I lived in NC was named Aphrodite - talk about a lot to live up to!!

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Carol — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:25:59 GMT

I went to school with a girl named Crystal Glass...which to me sounds pretty, not weird. As far as the first name, she is still the only person named Crystal that I've ever known.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Generosa, Gainesville, FL — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 02:06:43 GMT

I have an unusual name, and although I love it now, it took quite a bit of growing into. My first name is Generosa--I know of only 1 other person with this first name, and that's the great-grandmother after whom I was named. This is a tough name to be saddled with in kindergarden; I went through many permutations of the spellings of 'Jenny' (I settled on Genni in middle school--the -i was a hold-over from growing up in the '80s & '90s). When in high school, I opted for the more chic 'Gen' (which was also easier at places like Starbucks). But now that I'm in graduate school and married (to a William David, who goes by Dave) I revel in my given name. I feel it is beautiful and distinctive, traits which any woman loves feeling.

So, my advice to parents to be: name your child something from the heart, experiment with nicknames if you're picking something unusual, and be proud of the day your child finds satisfaction in their entire identity.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

sharon, grant, al — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:19:28 GMT

ok, I knew there would come a time when I could tell my weird names stories to people other than family and friends! I worked in workforce development for years and we heard lots of strange monikers.

I know it is an urban legend of sorts but I actually saw the application where a woman wrote that her boys were named Limejello and Orangejello. There was also the older man who was named King Solomon. Finally there was the client who kept saying "Just call me Gina.." when I checked her documentation, her name was actually Vagina (Can you imagine what she had to go through on a daily basis)! What was her mother thinking???? I went to school with a brother and a sister who were named Zenas and Delight and another brother and sister pair who were named Pride and Joy. A girl in my cousin's high school class was named Desta and she dated her friend's brother for a time. What was his last name??? Nation! Luckily they broke up before it got really serious!

I guess I am no better, I named my daughter Rhiannon after the Fleetwood Mac song. She is very proud of her name and always makes sure everyone can pronounce it correctly!

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Irving, Texas — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:33:53 GMT

wow AMY...... I never thought of it that way... about the nursing homes but that is so True..... I have Jaxon and Ella Jo. But I thought I was pushing it with mis-spelling Jaxon but I wanted him to be differnt and I didn't wan to call him Jack. So its JAX..... I went a little old time with ELLA... but at least she will fit in in 80 years when shes in the nursing home.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

irving — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:36:42 GMT

Jaxon and Ella Jo....... Those names aren't hidious are they????

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Kelsey, Evanston, IL — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:28:45 GMT

My first name is Kelsey. (I am female). I get junk mail all the time for MR. Kelsey. I was the only one in my school with this name, although it is more common now. I didn't like it when I was a kid, but I appreciate it now.

Just my 2 cents here - enough with the Aiden, Caden, Jayden, Brayden, Treytons, etc.

Sunday, Honor, Knox...baby names gone wild

Priscilla Brinker, Claremont, CA — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 20:03:00 GMT

We night shift nurses would try to guess the ages of the patients who were coming to us from the ER based on their names. Men's names have remained pretty consistent throughout the past thirty years, the "J" names- Justin, Jason, and Joshua will always say "seventies baby" to me. But we're remarkably on target with the girl's names. I've always liked Elizabeth (popular throughout the 20th century) because there are so many derivatives to choose from.