Alabama

[EllenDegenerate]

I really like it.
DP is unsure.

Opinions?

Yes I take that on board Penguin, I really do.

Although the name Georgia will always remind me of the state being that they share a name, rather than the King which it is a feminine derivative of.

I imagine it's the same for a fair proportion of people.

Names are imbued with different meanings and connotations for different people.

I suppose this goes some way to explaining why we have different tastes (socioeconomic snd other cultural factors notwithstanding)

I think it's okay but sounds a bit crap with a British accent.

Not kind at all; it was mostly knowledge I already had and I have a rooted dislike of seeing bollocks posted as fact. Keeps me busy.

Wow, how impressive that you have such knowledge of the origin of those names.
Historical namesakes included.

That must come in really useful!

Good for you

Here's the difference between Georgia and Alabama for me. It's about my impression of the parents.

A kid called Georgia - I can't tell much about the parents. They don't mind names that are quite popular. That's about it really. I imagine most people know at least one Georgia and will have their own ideas about what Georgias are like, but it's hard to know much about the kid's background from the name.

A kid called Alabama, my immediate reaction is to wonder whether the kid's parents are trying to send some kind of coded message to like-minded people. It's unfortunate but I think that's the connotation the name of the state carries in this country (and in my own home country), whatever the inherent beauty or otherwise of the word.

Like minded people?

I'm not being obtuse but are you alluding to racists or Tarantino fans?

Trying to imply something, dear? It's my niece's name. I'd already read up on it.

But yes, I'm quite well read. And I do try to check my facts before making statements on the internet that might make me look a bit silly.

The Carolina's, Virginia (and obv west Virginia), Louisiana, and Maryland are all named for Royals too. Not that anyone asked, but i think it interesting.

Ha my niece is also named Georgia but obviously I hadn't bothered to read around the history of it, lazy of me really if anything.

Imply what? What's with the dear?

I asked what you alluded to by Alabama being a signal to 'like minded people'?

All I can hear is Forrest Gump saying he wants to go home to Greenbow, Alabama when I read it! Sorry, OP, I don't think it's particularly pretty and I think others will just say it in a southern accent and mock your DC.

Isn't half of the US basically named for British towns/figures Penguin?

Our posts crossed.

Others have mentioned that the first thing they thought of was Alabama's civil rights record. Given that, and its continuing role as a centre for white supremacy movements, that's where my mind went. Obviously that's not your intent but if I met a British kid called Alabama I'd probably wonder.

Just the seven states, Ellen. More towns and cities as well though of course.

Sorry, misread. Yes, lots of new England for example.

Yes and that's unfortunate, certainly.

However I still don't see it as markedly different from Georgia, in fact I always supposed that my brother and SIL had named DN after visiting the US, although admittedly I haven't actually asked them.

In any case I doubt my daughter would be thought a racist if named Alabama by sheer virtue of the likely colour of her skin.

So whilst I thank you for your input it's not really an applicable concern for me (her)

Just realised I've completely outed myself on this thread and will probably have to name change.

Oh well waves to all who recognise me

Here is some info on the etymology of the name Alabama.

I think if I was going for a place name for a baby name, my two conditions would be that I'd been there, and that I knew the etymology (in case it meant something not so nice in some other language). Alabama apparently derives from the Choctaw words for "thicket clearer" or "vegetation gatherer", which is pretty neutral.

And apologies on my part, I should have said white British kid in my previous comment. That was stupid of me, sorry.

That's fine Jassy, no offence taken.
I knew what you meant.

I think you are just teasing us OP 😈

I wouldn't name a white kid Alabama in case anyone thought I was making a statement endorsing its history in slavery/civil war/civil rights

I wouldn't name a black kid Alabama for exactly the same reason.

I wouldn't name a child after a state in the US (excepting Carolina/Georgia/ Mary/Virginia etc which were all names before they were states) unless I had a strong connection to that state (although I agree Tennessee is a great name. Dakota too - actually maybe that one has jumped into mainstream?)

I do think it has a very pleasing sound though. Pity it isn't a name.

Lots of words sound nice but that doesn't mean you should use them as a name.

How about
Surreptitious
Mississippi
Banana
Picalilli
Efflorescence

Etc

Oh God no!!

"Ironic in a Tarantino homage kind of way"

Christ, can you not just get a pet to do that to instead rather than inflicting that sort of hipster crap on an actual person who has to live with it forever?

Other DC are Eden Sylvie Reuben and Delilah.

Alabama would really jar with your other kids' names I think. All the above names are gorgeous so you do have good taste, it's just currently gone walkabout!