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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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Original poster

how important is the meaning of a name?

22 replies

pipparoo · 10/05/2011 21:56

I have a bit of a dilemma with one of my shortlisted girls names. I really like the name Claudia but I have concerns over the meaning (lame/disabled). how much emphasis is put on the meaning of a name?? I think I could live with it but my husband thinks it'll continue to trouble me.

My name means 'dark skinned' and I couldn't be any more pale... I can't ever recall a time when the meaning of my name has come up in conversation.

Other names we're considering are Miranda and Mirabel which both have lovely meanings. I'd welcome similar names to add to the list if you have any suggestions!

Tia

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MadamDeathstare · 10/05/2011 21:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RhinestoneCowgirl · 10/05/2011 22:00

I wasn't aware that Claudia meant that, mainly it makes me thing of fringes and Claudia Wrinkleman.

My DD is Verity, which means truth. The meaning was part of the reason that I chose it but not the main one.

tammytoby · 10/05/2011 22:03

Personally, I wouldn't want to burden my child with a very negative meaning. Claudia (lame, disabled), Cecilia (blind) or Hector (bully) are examples of names I'd probably avoid. Perhaps I've studied too much Latin though .

On the other hand, some names have no or neutral meanings (e.g. Octavia meaning eighth) which would not bother me at all. In fact my ds has a name that technically doesn't apply to him (but I love the name anyway).

aStarInStrangeways · 10/05/2011 22:03

I knew this would be about Claudia :) It's top of our list for this baby, and I couldn't care less about the meaning. I very rarely if ever contemplate the meaning of someone's name when I meet them, just register whether it's a name I like or not.

My own name has quite a girly meaning and I'm not particularly a girly girl. It made me chuckle when I found out, but that's out.

rachel234 · 10/05/2011 22:10

It depends. Some names that are derived from Latin or Greek words have very obvious meanings, others have no meaning. I'd probably avoid a name that has a very negative meaning and Claudia (from Latin Claudus) would probably be one. Shame as it has a lovely sound.

usualsuspect · 10/05/2011 22:13

I don't think its important at all ...I've never asked anyone what their name meant ..its a non issue imo

pinkwineandsensations · 10/05/2011 22:41

I couldn't do it. One of my favourite things about choosing a name is thinking about its meaning... Sorry!! And I agree it is a shame, as I do like the sound of Claudia... But no, totally puts me off. Obviously just one small person's opinion though!!

MercurySoccer · 10/05/2011 22:54

I do think it's quite important.

pinkgirlythoughts · 11/05/2011 10:30

To me, it's fairly important to know what the meaning is, but I wouldn't necessarily discount a name just because it had a 'negative' meaning. I think it stems from the fact that my own name doesn't really have a meaning as such (well it does, but it's a rubbish one, and just a 'feminisation' of a male name anyway!), which I always resented a bit when I was younger.

My DP, on the other hand, "literally couldn't care less" what names mean- and couldn't really understand why I wanted to look up the meanings of all the names on our list to make sure they were 'good enough!'

MsChanandlerBong · 11/05/2011 11:08

I think it is all a matter of personal opinion, but I'm really not too worried about what potential names mean whilst choosing. If it has a nice meaning, then that's great, but I won't be ruling anything out due to the meaning.

The only time in real life that it appears to crop up (in my experience) is when looking in gift shops at mugs or keyrings. And they only tend to have really common popular names available anyway... and most of the meanings on those items are made up!

I think Claudia is a lovely name, and all the Claudias I have met have been beautiful.

LeMousquetaireAnonyme · 11/05/2011 11:18

I do think it is important because when you travel a lot you always get asked that question (mainly from african or asian people).
It is true that from within europe there is usually little interest in the meaning.

The only claudia I know is really nice though.

PrettyCandles · 11/05/2011 11:19

For me the meaning of a name is an added extra - the fact that a name means something pleasing enhances the name. Far more important to me are connotations: famous characters who had that name, people I know or knew with the name, and the sound and flow of the name.

So for Claudia what immediately jumps to mind is the Claudia I knew at school: a quiet, intelligent girl, not one of the Set and couldn't have cared less, with a wicked sense if humour.

The next thought that 'Claudia' triggers is the first famous Claudius, the Roman Emperor who was lame and had a speech impediment, but was also a highly intelligent and creative man with a very strong personality. Whether or not he was a good man I don't recall, but I know that he succeeded against all odds when his impediments were considered a guarantee of failure.

To my mind a positive name.

Psammead · 11/05/2011 12:37

Bad or unsuitable meanings put me off a name. It's crazy, really because no-one in their right mind is going to actually care about the meaning of a person's name. I think it's a vanity thing, really.

For example I wouldn't use the name Melanie because it means dark, and DH and I are both fair skinned and blond(e).

I also wouldn't use a name that had a religious meaning because we are not religious.

DD's name was chosen carefully, and one of the factors was its meaning. It's not important to everyone - each to their own and all that.

Prinpo · 11/05/2011 19:07

It wouldn't put me off. In fact, we've chosen Cecilia (meaning blind) for DD3 due in July. I admit that I'd have preferred a different meaning but I reasoned a) there's nothing wrong with being blind and b) the meaning of a name is not something that I think crops up all that much. I can't even remember what DD2's name means and it's just not something that I think most people will think about. The exceptions, perhaps, are the virtue names where the meanings are self-evident.

I think Claudia's a fabulous name, there's nothing wrong with being disabled and most people won't give a second thought to the meaning. I wouldn't be put off using it if it's one you love.

squeak2392 · 11/05/2011 22:15

I don't think meanings matter unless it's obvious, eg a pale Ebony might be a bit silly.
Bad meanings are like derogatory nicknames - they're not commonly used unless there's something real about them, eg if Claudia was actually disabled, it probably wouldn't be a good idea to use that name, and Luna wouldn't be called Looney unless she was a little bit loopy.
I think Claudia and Cecelia are both such lovely names it doesn't matter.
A lot of Faith's aren't religious, a lot of Harmony's are rebellious - you can't judge a name on its meaning.

cece · 11/05/2011 22:20

Personally I wouldn't use a name where I was not happy with the meaning. To me it is important enough to put me off of a name.

However, I am always very surprised by how many people/children do not know the meaning of their name.

My DC all know what their names mean and why that helped me to choose it for them.

hellojude · 11/05/2011 22:28

I love the name Claudia and it's still on our list is we have another DD, however i can't get my head round the meaning..! It's the same with Hector.

Yet I can't drop the names either.

rachel234 · 11/05/2011 22:35

Hector has such a negative meaning and the verb 'to hector' is so frequently used that I cannot dis-associate this from the name, I'm afraid.

EricNorthmansMistress · 11/05/2011 22:50

I think meanings are important. My DH is muslim and all muslim names have meanings and it's important to know it. I was surprised to find that tansy was an abortion herb as I used to know one! I wouldn't name a child something with a negative meaning.

cory · 11/05/2011 22:55

Meaning is only one part of it though: associations is another. Like being named after somebody else, a relative or a famous person who made the name known etc. Hector in the Iliad is a lovely person, caring and responsible and family-minded, not like the general run of mindless hero.

Original poster

pipparoo · 16/05/2011 14:04

Thanks all.

Looks live opinions are divided... the niggle is still there but I really do love the name. Wish this wasn't so difficult!

OP posts:

mich54321 · 19/05/2011 22:25

The meaning of a name wouldn't cross my mind when meeting someone. Name association, on the other hand, would eg if someone was called Jemima, I would think puddle duck. If you like the name, and it flows well with your surname, then I wouldn't let it put you off. It's more important to think of how the name sounds and whether it will stand the test of time. It is nice for a child and adult so will not date - it is a pretty name without being cutesy and sounding ridiculous for a 50 year old ! I certainly don't think it would be met with a negative reaction just because of the meaning.

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