AIBU to think that parents who give their children "unique" names are setting them up for a lifetime of difficulties?

[Aishlynn]

I have noticed a trend among my friends and acquaintances to give their children very unusual or "unique" names. While I understand the desire to give a child a name that stands out, I worry that this could have negative consequences for the child later in life.

For one thing, a name that is difficult to pronounce or spell could lead to frustration and embarrassment for the child. Additionally, having a very unusual name could make it harder for the child to fit in and make friends. And what about the child's future job prospects? Could a "unique" name be a liability when it comes to getting hired or advancing in a career?

I'm not saying that parents shouldn't be creative when it comes to naming their children, but I think it's important to consider the potential long-term impact of a name. What do you all think? AIBU to be concerned about the trend of giving children "unique" names?

I think you need to get a life tbh.

What do you consider "unique"

The only children it work with are the ones that'll never have to do a days work in their life.

They might think they're unique names, but the chances are that there will be three of them in the classroom by year 3.

Don't forget to make sure you aren't accidentally being racist towards people who spell names in keeping with their child's heritage or conventions, though. That's what usually happens by the 11th post, at any rate.

I don't think it's a trend as such, because it's been around for about the last two-and-a-half or three decades now (possibly longer)

Yes "first impressions" count, and your name is very much part of that first impression. Though of course "unique" doesn't stand out that much in more diverse areas, where all sorts of naming traditions co-exist.

Personally, I dislike kR8tive spellings of names, but others really like it (think of Jilly Cooper character when asked "why do you spell Dayzee that ludicrous way?" explained "because it stands out more on the credits")

But newly coined names can be lovely. Or possibly dreadful, depending on what it is (I'm not a fan of random noun names either)

Depends on the name. You can be unusual without going too out there or using an alternative spelling.

There's a wide range between Olivia and Pryncess Sparkyll Bunnye.

I think some of it is down purely to mono culture/lack of education. My daughter apparently has a "made up" name. Yep, made up by the Romans and used across Europe ever since. She's named after an adored Great Aunt of dh's.

I had relatives called Ocean (as an example) 200 years ago and yet my relative who just chose to include it in her daughter's name has already had several comments even though she picked to reflect her heritage. Judging someone for their name says more about you than them in my opinion.

Depends on the name.

I had an unusual name growing up and always felt special and destined for great things.

I’m somewhat lazy but relatively successful, and I think if I had a big standard name I wouldn’t have felt special.

bog standard

My pet hate is accents and punctuation as part of a name. It is such a PITA for the child.

If unique names are a trend then they won't be so unique by the time that these babies are adults.

Also it depends if you mean an unusual name (for England) or unique spelling like Kayteeeey

Honestly sounds a bit racist to me. Lots of people from abroad have names which Brits mightbl find hard to spell or pronounce. If someone has a problem with an unusual name, that really is their problem.

For one thing, a name that is difficult to pronounce or spell could lead to frustration and embarrassment for the child.

i think this is ridiculous these days. The names I had to learn when my DD started school in London were SO unfamiliar to me in spelling or pronunciation but not because they were 'made up'. Just a real mix of names from across Asian and African cultures. No embarrassment or frustration. Though. Daft thing to say.

My dd has a name traditional to our heritage, but not common out with. I do regret it a bit, as we live elsewhere and it's an absolute arse ache having to spell it and correct people. She loves her name, as do I, bit life would have been easier if she was another Ava, Evie etc.

My children both have names from Greek Mythology. I’m fascinated in mythology and the meanings were very important to me. Do people fail to get it right? Yep, but once they know the child it’s not an issue. Equally, I know plenty of people with big standard names who’s names get mispronounced all the time. So far my eight year old has no issue with it, but both children have simpler names as middle names for if they want them. I think you are being unreasonable and there are more important things to be concerned about. However, we need people to feel differently about different names or we’d all have exactly the same name, so it doesn’t bother me.

I completely agree

I know a kid called Deen

You know, Dean

It’s worse to give them a super popular name like Eve / Grace / Isabel because it’s leads to confusion and there are loads in a class.

I think in some cases you are right. We had a poor sod in my class when I was at school called "Wurlitzer" (first name - his dad was keen on them apparently). I do remember thinking that he would have to write that on a university or law school application form if he chose that way, and feeling a bit sorry for him.

The absolute worst I've seen was a child called 'Princess' as her first name.

She had a very fantastical surname too, so the whole thing just made her sound like a midsummer night's dream extra

Mostly when somebody tells me their name for the first time and it’s a bit unusual l might think to myself “oh, that’s unusual”, but after that it’s just their name.

The “having to tell people how to spell it” is a non-issue. As others have said, plenty of names from other cultures require spelling out, and the same goes for common names like Clair/Claire/Clare, Isabel/Isobel/Isabelle, Leanne/Lee-ann/Leighanne etc.

Isn't Deen the Arabic spelling?

I have a yoooneek name spelling to the point where it is a completely different name. Combined with a ‘trendy’ middle name, I hate it. It’s a huge class identifier that has caused me difficulties. You obviously can say how any judgement is wrong, but that’s by the by. the judgement exists and it’s frustrating to continuously meet it.

so yeah, cr8tive spellings which signal ‘my parents are idiots’ or downright horrible connotations like a little Damian-Lucifer I once met- I get it

I don’t feel the same about a little Otter or Dandelion or Tempest though. Children can really carry those names well once it becomes their own.

Deen is an Arabic name @mackthepony

For one thing, a name that is difficult to pronounce or spell could lead to frustration and embarrassment for the child.

This is such a ridiculous statement. I have a name that is both difficult to pronounce and spell (it’s a very common name is my country of birth and particular to that country only).

I’ve been living in the English-speaking countries since I was 5 and other than a few kids in grade 2/3 who didn’t know any better, no one has ever made me feel embarrassed over my name. The opposite, in fact, I’m proud of my heritage and roots.

Job prospects? I’ve worked as a journalist in 4 countries, including one for of the top newspapers in the US. Hasn’t hurt my prospects at all. In fact, it’s a great ice breaker in the work environment.

You sound like a journalist, but I'll answer anyway.

An interesting memorable classic name is a million times better than a fashionable overused top 10 name. I know sooo many guys called Steve Smith or Harry Jones... it gets very confusing!

People seem to forget why we name people - to identify them easily!