December 8, 2016

  • Looking for Names

    Last Friday, while dining with saintvi and Sparky at Olive Garden, I overheard the couple seated behind me discussing baby names. They asked the server which name he preferred for a boy, Nolan or Hayden. The server indicated Nolan as his choice. The wife informed him that that was her choice too. They proceeded to debate baby names for the entire time we were seated. I was highly amused as I caught bits and pieces of their conversation.

    The names the husband proposed ranged from ordinary to extraordinary: Justin, Cyprian, Ronald, Tygen, Constantine, Roman, Greg, Tyrell, Dallas, and the last one I over heard - Polan. His wife had comments about all of these suggestions. When the name Justin was shot down, the husband suggested that since it was "too common" that they spell it with a Y. The wife was not amused. Cyprian was squashed with a comment about saints and martyrs. Ronald was dismissed as ugly. Tygen was denounced as a made up name that was plain strange. Constantine was pooh-poohed as was Roman since they sounded like leftover names from ancient times. Greg was too short and Tyrell was too girly. Dallas was sneered at because "I'm not naming my baby after a really bad TV show!"

    When the husband said "Poland" his wife nearly shouted that that was the name of a country not a child. The husband countered that it was without the D. She was not convinced and mentioned the difficulty of a misspelled name. I wanted badly to tell her that it would all work itself out and more than likely she would name her son Nolan. I mean, it worked out for me! Sparky kept saying that son#2 would be named Kermit. I shuddered. He is not named Kermit! It's not easy being green but it is probably easier than being named Kermit!

Comments (12)

  • I like the name Nolan. Hayden jumps out quite a bit though, some of the other names I cannot say I am crazy about to be honest.

    • Nolan is a much better boy's name than Hayden which sounds gender ambiguous to me. I don't know what their last name was but if it was a very common name then maybe the less popular names might make sense... John Smith just doesn't stand out in a crowd.

  • LOL!

  • If her only issue with Greg is that it is too short, than they should choose Gregory.

    • That's good in theory but you know it would get shortened to Greg in a heartbeat! That is why my sons both have names that can't be shortened!!

  • Haha! My great nephews, with an Italian last name, are Marcus and Rocco! Those names somehow fit their character, though as they grow up I can imagine a good bit of teasing!

    • My oldest went to school with a little boy named Nicola - a good Italian name. He took a lot of teasing (Nikki, Nichole, etc.). It would have been nice if he could have gone by Nick but his Dad and older brother were both Nicholas, and his sister was Nichole! He lives 2 doors down from us with his wife and kids - on the fire dept. I guess he managed to survive the name trauma!!

  • What ever happened to Ben, Tom, Dick, Harry, Jim, Jack and Joe...and their longer versions?

    • I'm sure they are still around - just they've taken a backseat to the more trendy names. I predict that in 30 years the Tygen Benjamins will be signing their names T. Benjamin and going by Ben...

  • Once when I was helping in the church nursery with 2 other ladies, we were discussing the strange names people give their babies these days. It was only after I got home that I realized the 3 of us were named Melva, Clelda, and Gracia. Haha.

    • Haha! Yes, each generation has names that are less than common. I think a unique name can be wonderful - if it is well thought out and doesn't lend itself to unmerciful teasing!! My best friend in elementary school was Anita and her mother was Cleta.

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