Do you think ‘unusual’ names put a child at a disadvantage?

[Nojeansplease]

My name and my partners name are both difficult and we have to spell them constantly
I’m conscious about giving that to a child.

I’ve also read about studies showing people with foreign names are more likely to be rejected for jobs etc.

And there’s snobbishness if you choose a name that is considered ‘chavvy’ by some.

Did you pick an unusual name / do you have an unusual name - is that something you think of?

If you didn’t pick an unusual name were these things a factor?

I just can’t imagine myself with an Oliver/ Olivia or whatever the most popular names are now! (Though I appreciate they are lovely names too!)

What people are essentially saying is that there’s a difference between Hepzibah (suggested on another thread) and Kodi-Leigh.

Anytime someone claims on here that ‘there’s no such thing as class any more’, I point them to these threads.

In my DD's class are 2 Evies, 2 Ellies as well as an Emily, Amelie and an Amelia! It gets very confusing.

So no, an unusual and interesting name is an advantage.

I also think we need to clarify what 'unusual' means. To me it means an interesting classic name that isn't popular/common/usual. So names outside the top 500 or so.

Names like Antonia, Marina, Bruno, Quentin, Xavier etc. are examples of unusual names. I think they're great!

Some posters are mentioning ridiculous made up names - they're not what I consider unusual, they're unique.

Hepzibah, I suspect, is a name that might single a school girl out as different, but that she might carry it off. Some might misspell it. I thought it was Hephzibah but both are correct.

I find it annoying if someone refers to Dave (substitute any other very popular name) and I have no idea if they mean Dave A, B, C or any of the other Daves they sometimes refer to.

Hepzibah, I suspect, is a name that might single a school girl

Isn't that the point of a name? To single out and identify a particular person ?

My poor daughter has a seriously stupid third name. Her dad registered her. We're divorced now and she can't wait to get rid of it. She hides it because she's embarrassed by it and hate it when anyone mentions it. I don't think it'll hold her back but it will haunt her if she doesn't formally ditch it.

Yes, but kids would probably use it to make fun of her. Not an issue if she doesn't rise to the bait.

In the workplace, I doubt that it would harm to stand out. I had a colleague that many of the managers wanted to get her on their project. I think they noticed and remembered her for her stunning looks than her unusual name though. Generally people stand out for being very good at what they do or attractiveness.

IME people will get say Becky Robson and Becky Roberts mixed up and they will mix up Virginia and Victoria.

Many successful people have fairly ordinary names, but their personalities helped brand them.

I'm a penelope, going by Penny, I'm mid 40's I was once at a running event with two other Penny's and it was the first time for all of us we had been in the company of two other Pennys it was a novelty!

DH has a name that is not made up but is VERY unusual. I had never heard the name before I met him but there was 1 famous one and I've since heard of one other friend of a friend. He loves it and it suits him.

@poppydaisies I would call those uncommon names, rather than unusual

@sleeveen I agree with you, I would view those two as different too
But to me that is because the first is unusual/uncommon and the second is trying very hard to be unusual /uncommon but is in fact sounding the same as everyone else. - but without the perceived ‘class’ of a traditional name.

But I don’t think that puts Hepzibahs of the world in a better position as they will still face judgements - maybe more so now that everyone wants ‘unusual’ names
Many will think names like Hepzibah are simply trying to be ‘unique’ in the same way as kodi Leigh
(I know that’s something I find!)
Plus the repeating of a name over and over, spelling it, accepting being called similar names, explaining why you are called that, rudeness, positive (but as pp said, unrelenting) comments any racism/classism etc

At least kodi Leigh can say their name out loud and people will recognise it and can say it back - even if they’re not sure how to spell it!

Yes, but kids would probably use it to make fun of her.

Really? Is Hebzibah really tease worthy? Kids are much more open minded in my experience.

The only names I've ever heard teased are William with Willy and Isaac with I suck.

I completely agree with a PP on here who said that unusual names can be very forgettable and just become a noise. I see what you mean when you say people say to you “oh wow what an unusual name”... and then totally forget the name and call you a different name next time

I know a few little girls called Isla and I never ever forget their names. Similarly with the love island cast- I never forget the 2 boys called Connor and Luke but I forget everyone else’s name. There’s a girl near me called Sasha which is really unusual but in my head I ALWAYS forget her name and assume she’s called Scarlett as that’s a name I’m more familiar with. I actually think having a mainstream name can be more memorable sometimes

I know people say “a name is meant to identify you” but often if that person is the only person I know with that name I just totally forget the name 🙈

I'm the opposite. If I'm introduced to another Steve, Andy, Sarah or Kate, I struggle to remember their names. On the other hand, I recently met a lovely lady called Jacintha and easily remember her name.

This thread is funny for me because I read lots of threads on this topic before naming my DD and then thought 'ah I love the name it's who she is'.

And her name is Hepzibah

“I completely agree with a PP on here who said that unusual names can be very forgettable and just become a noise.”

Yep, there’s unusual as in not many people are named them, but people recognise them because they’re in the bible or from something fairly well known, hepzibah, or Persephone for example.

Then there are names that occur as frequently , but people don’t register them as names - because they’re not coming across them in other things, much more minor Greek goddesses for instance...

Personally, I’d far rather be an Emily, a Jessica or a Rebecca than a beautiful yet obscure name.

However, I am disappointed by the teacher who ‘makes assumptions’ about the children.

For one thing, you aren’t making an assumption about the child, but about their parents.

For another, people can have a taste in names that differs to yours and still be an adequate, caring parent who brings their child up well. I’ve known Bobbi-Jos who might not go to oxbridge but they aren’t delinquents either.

Personally, I’d far rather be an Emily, a Jessica or a Rebecca than a beautiful yet obscure name.

Confirming my theory above. I’d much rather the latter.

There's a huge range of names though between Oliver and Emily at one end of the spectrum and Unicorn-Pryncesse or Kitranaddy at the other.

There were 4 people called Karen in my class at school. I wouldn't have wanted to be "one of the Karens". But on the other hand I wouldn't have wanted something SO unusual that you're constantly spelling it out or explaining it. Or a name badly spelled so you have to say "It's Sharrone, with two Rs and a E on the end" for your entire life.

I would say that an unusual but "proper" name which everyone is familiar with is a great choice. DD's friend is called Fiona which isn't weird and wacky, but unusual in her age group. Or names like Wendy, Bridget, Coralie, Roberta... great choices. Whether you could buy plastic tat with their names on it or not never factored into the decision.

This is an interesting thread. In terms of judging people on their names, I've worked with so many international companies and have worked with people with all sorts of unusual and 'creative' names, that I think I really did stop judging in names a long time ago. People are just people in the end.

My name is unusual..there are a few around..the odd princess and once on Crackerjack yonks ago. What I find odd is the need people have to comment...I am now 50..and get comments such as ..'oh that's an unusual name' through to ,' how posh'(that was in a meeting!).Even though it is not hard to spell people seem to think it is and I usually get called something shortened..Luckily I am not precious about it and answer to most things

DD2’s BFF is called Karen. She’s 18. Her other close friends are Margaret and Gwendoline. Not whacky, but not used much today.

I would say that an unusual but "proper" name which everyone is familiar with is a great choice. DD's friend is called Fiona which isn't weird and wacky, but unusual in her age group

I agree.

Without coming across classist or snobby, it depends on what makes the name unique.

I think if the name is a 'normal' name just rarely used and spelt correctly then no.

If it's K'Lee-Mae or Ralph Lauren (yes I know someone with a son with this name) then yes, I think it's a disadvantage.

Ralph Lauren as a full first name?
I'm imagining this in school registration, not good.

I know a Paisley (boy) and from a family that pronounce it harshly, PAYYYsly. Awful!

I’m a teacher too and I love unusual names.

I once had four Joes in a class. Yawn. Joseph is a beautiful name, but dull nowadays. Same with Jessica, Laura etc. I taught a Storm once. Much cooler.