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Original poster

What do *you* consider to be "horrible" names?

270 replies

HappyWifeandMum · 27/04/2011 05:34

I was reading another thread here, where many people referred to a particular name as being "horrible". So it got me to thinking... What constitutes a "horrible" name, and how does that perception change from region to region?

Please... This is NOT to offend ANYONE... I just truly want to get a feel for what you think are truly awful names. Opinions vary greatly across the globe, and I would love to be able to compare them.

Here's the deal... I would be very grateful if each poster would post (as nicely as possible) the names they dislike the very most, and why, without taking merciless jabs. Also, if you are comfortable with it, would you please list the continent or country you are from as well. I am hoping this will be fun and informative!

Here goes... My uncontested, most disliked name of all time is "Nevaeh". Why? Because I think it is beyond senseless to reverse the spelling of a common word and call it a name. (North America)

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Giselle99 · 02/05/2011 20:27

Girls: Poppy, Donna, Chardonnay, Destiny, Chelsea/Chelsey, Persepone, Paris

Boys: Wayne, Dwayne, Barry, Shane, Tarquin, Kayden, Kai

Loads more, but thought I'd list the first 7 of either sex that sprung to mind.

severalyearsdowntheline · 03/05/2011 11:42

The name Chava is pronounced Huva with a gutteral H and sounds nothing like Chav at all.

Galena · 03/05/2011 20:44

whew made it this far through the thread and DD's name (Skye) isn't here! Grin

Of course, it is a place name so whilst it hasn't been mentioned as such, the type of name has. However, there is a reason we used it and I love it, so ner! Grin

smother · 04/05/2011 08:28

I know a few lovely Fleurs - young and old - but I have to admit that I find the name very ugly, despite the meaning.

LadyClariceCannockMonty · 04/05/2011 08:58

Galena, Skye is lovely! I particularly like it for a boy.

Fimbo · 04/05/2011 11:21

Christening in our local parish mag - Jade Madonna.

Fimbo · 04/05/2011 11:22

Try saying Amelie in a very strong Glasgow accent. I am still shuddering for the poor child I met last year on holiday (and I am Scottish!)>

noddyholder · 04/05/2011 11:22

None really there are just some I don't like but not really horrible Its a matter of personal taste. Don't really like things that sound made up iykwim otherwise anything goes!

MamaLazarou · 04/05/2011 12:10

I agree, smother - Fleur just sounds like 'bleurgh'.

youngjoly · 04/05/2011 14:12

I'm suprised to see my DD2s name on here, usually it is DD1s name that gets put on this list!

My dislikes in names are:

  • Nicknames as full names - so charlie, alfie etc. Just give them the full name and a nickname.
  • Plain / unfeminine female names. I like pretty girls names. So not keen on names like Jane, Gwendolen etc...
  • However, I also dislike twee names, so anything that ends in a -ie/ee/y ending. Daisy names like Lily, daisy, poppy etc. Cute on a little girl. Twee on an adult. I also dislike all flower names. But Flower names with an -ie/ee ending. Just no. Double Twee.
  • Whilst I quite like a fair few 'posh' names, I'm really not keen on those names that are a bit too try hard - like Ptolemy, Persephone, StJohn etc...
  • Not keen on all the modern -EN names for boys. Kayden etc. When pregnant, I did love Haydn for a boy, and indeed knew a few very nice middle class Haydns at uni. But the name has been ruined for me now, I'm afraid.
  • Anything in the top 10 - just so boring.
  • Naff / Middle aged names like Geoffrey.
  • I also dislike the old lady names that are not very pretty. Never got the fashion for Ruby, Violet, Iris, Enid, Edith etc. They're just not pretty names at all.
  • I also dislike the usual MN hitlist - creative spellings, surnames as first names, made up names, places as names and so on...

I'm actually quite hard to please aren't I? No wonder naming our children caused so many rows!

HengshanRoad · 04/05/2011 18:17

Kinga.

strandedbear · 04/05/2011 22:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

blushingm · 04/05/2011 22:39

hilary - it's my middle name and i have always been ashamed of it. cunjures up visions of slightly larger 50 something year olds in twin sets and pearls

also hate finn, kevin, wayne, nigel, colin and the mn list

freyamalaya · 05/05/2011 19:15

emily, jack, oliver, olivia, henry, harry - I don't hate the names but there's just soooooo many babies all called the same thing it is a shame...

glitterballmama · 05/05/2011 19:23

Can't stand Celtic sounding names (and I am Scottish)
Eilidh, Morag, Islay,Efric.
Aoife, Aoibheann.
Just so unfeminine and horrible.

ilovesprouts · 05/05/2011 19:23

ooh only my and dh names are on here so far Grin

cellini · 05/05/2011 19:41

well, it's all relative isn't it? i "suffered" a childhood with a v unusual (for where we lived) and difficult to spell name that related to my genetic roots. it turned into quite a cool adult name. however, most people assum(ed) wrongly about it's orgins - I even had one teacher correct the spelling of it in red pen on my workbook at secondary school! cheeky bastard!

now i've given my son a name to link to his roots; phonetically it's easy to say, albeit probably one that most MN would assume is a)made up and/or b)spelt incorrectly (i can live with that, i expect he won't give a monkeys). however, we've just moved from the UK and i'm just grateful if anyone can make a vaquely correct attempt at pronouncing it!

how about we all judge people a bit less on their names though?

LongWayRound · 05/05/2011 20:06

Also made-up names starting with Le or La. Presumably people think this makes them sound French.
And how could I have forgotten Cherie? Imagine French parents calling their child Darling...

LongWayRound · 05/05/2011 20:10

Surnames used as girl's names.
Meredith, with stress on first syllable, as a girl's name. It's a boy's name, for heaven's sake, with the stress on the second syllable.
No prejudices otherwise, really :)

meadowlarks · 05/05/2011 23:33

Paige. Just no.

jade80 · 05/05/2011 23:34

'Tayla-May'

shudder

kangers · 05/05/2011 23:54

I think people are putting down the names of their 'friends' kids or their enemies.....

ohnoshedittant · 06/05/2011 00:48

Sonny - just so lazy. We've had a son, what shall we call him...? (Don't mind Sunny for a girl though)

Names that are days/months/fruit/places/flowers/objects etc

Lottie - I don't know why, Charlotte is fine, but Lottie makes me itch.

Creative spelling.

Boys named after their fathers.

Initial names e.g. T.J where the letters don't stand for anything...it's just T.J

cory · 06/05/2011 09:59

All the names I have thought of as cruel and unacceptable because the child is bound to be teased have become really popular lately. All those old grannie names. I just have to accept that my judgment is out of synch.

spiderlight · 06/05/2011 11:03

I dislike the name Fleur as well. Also have a rather irrational dislike of 'Mel' names, which stems from a very, very smelly little girl dalled Melanie in my class at infants' school (whom I feel desperately sorry for in retrospect :( ) who was known as Smelly Melly. I don't like Oliver or Olivia either, and can't understand their huge popularity at the moment.