To hate when people say in response to a name that they can't imagine Judge/CEO/Accountant having that name.

[squoosh]

These days names are chosen from such a wide and wacky pool that it's inevitable that in 50 years time when we're old and doddery and looking to draw up a will, speak to a financial adviser or surgeon that many of them will have names that seem silly to us. I'm thinking Lexie-Rae, Poppy, Spike, Jayden etc.

I hate lots of names and have very rudely said so on a number of occasions but this is my most hated reason. Are people basically saying that the name isn't middle class enough? I don't make a judgement on a person based purely on their name, I may make a judgement on the person who bestowed that name on them.

Do people honestly think that if someone is called Daisy-Boo she will be unable to study hard, get into a good university, gain a good degree and become a doctor/scientist whatever. Will her name physically prevent this? No it bloody won't.

there have been studies that show that people are likely to live up to their name.

So, Pinky-Popsicle is far more likely to become a pole dancer than a brain surgeon.

My opinion is this. Life is difficult enough without saddling a child with a daft name. But what constitutes a daft name is a matter of opinion I suppose. I favour nice safe traditional names. But that's me. If I was a film star it would be different. But I'm not.

Names do make a difference-why give your DC a handicap?

i have come across plenty of name judgeyness outside MN.

it appears on comedy shows too (Kevin the teenager? Wayne and Waynette slob? etc etc ..)

Studies are only so much statistics, which generally fail to take account of things like family wealth. Doesn't really matter on an individual level

Unless you're name is Adolf Hitler

Wayne was a popular name when I was at school,so was Kevin.They were just of there time names. I think most of them went on to have fairly normal lives.

The names that make me cringe now are the Cuthberts and Herberts loved by the MC who think they are oh so cool.

forgotten the baby naming sketch from Harry Enfield?

'i'll call it Spud-u-lika. It's exotic!'

Just popping in to mention that there was a very well respected judge called Christmas Humphreys. Just goes to show. But you may need real strength of character to overcome a strange name.

I missed something as I thought Kyle seems quite normal (mine aren't called Kyle BTW).

I understand what you are saying as it is hard to take people seriously with odd names. I don't believe it has any reflection on what they will become but I guess people connect it with a certain type of upbringing which of course isn't always the case.

Saddling a kid with an Crazy name is character building. Calling your son Sue for example.

When I was referred to an Indian rheumatologist for my painful spinal condition, I completely forgot to whip out my trusty book of Arabic Baby Names to confirm that he really was entitled to be treating me.

Suppose I got lucky. Heaven knows what might have happened to me had his name been a bit "chavvy" back in his native land!

My mum's family all said this about my name nearly 30 years ago. And here I stand, scientist and all

Names change, that's how it is.

Takingiteasy - True, but Sue himself said he wouldn't do that to his son.

Isn't there a judge called Cupcake?

What a load of nonsense. Anyone with half a brain cell knows to judge someone by their name is clearly ridiculous.

And Kyle is a well-used and normal name in the USA, I don't get the problem with it.

there is a difference between a name that's regarded as 'naff' like kevin, Dennis, Bernard, Brian etc and one that's made up or named after an alcopop

Made up, as opposed to those names created in the big bang, Nancy

Mrsdv I am pmsl at a couple of velour tracksuits away from Kerry katona. I need to see a picture of you because the way you describe yourself puts confusing images into ky brain which pop up every time I see your name!
I am also wiping away a tear at your 4yo wanting to be something I can barely spell at the age of 32.

The only Lexie I know is from a very posh family.

Completely crazy to judge potential on a name though, do YANBU. But unless I have misunderstood the OP why is it okay to be 'very rude' about someone's name otherwise?

Ok I lie I am wiping away many tears and coming up with a "something in my eye" story for colleagues

Of couse we judge on names whether it be Cuthbert or Raven-Star

It is human nature to judge and even the most right on pc hug a tree types are doing it. The only difference is they are not honest about it.

I would guess that a kid with enough about them to make it in any profession should be able to do it despite their parent's naming foibles. I rather like that Zowie Bowie decided he'd prefer to be Duncan Jones (about as solid and stolid a name as I can imagine) and prospered under that name.

the flip side of the coin: hippies called Humphrey. Dreadlocked Davids, drop-out Johns and strippers named Sarah.

There is no doubt we judge on names. In fact I just remembered. If anybody watches Eggheads there was a question tonight about a singer. Was Jimmy somebody or other an opera singer Reggae or some other one. Judith said he certainly won't be an opera singer called Jimmy. But she would say that.

most Jimmys I know (adults anyway) are also James and would probably use James for an opera career (unless doing the kewel opera in doc martins thing - yawn! then they'ld prob use Jim or Jimmy!)

its nice to have options

I'm glad that I have a name that can sound serious if I want to make complaints etc
and DH uses the nickname his parents gave him most of the time but for work uses his long version, he likes having that option too, so we gave DS options to make his name do what he wants it to do too, and will have same criteria for DC2

Of course you are right about shortened versions. But I just thought it was an example of a name being a kind of label.