What makes a name officially ‘made up’

[ikeakia]

And why can’t you have a ‘made up’ name without Judgement?

Surely all names were made up at some point, even those with a very long history. Someone had to be the first one to use it and why are we so against that now? When does it become a ‘name’ in it’s own right?

Btw, I’m not talking about ‘yoo-nique’ spellings or presentations of established names.

I mean more ones you’ve conjured out of the air yourself or perhaps combination names from one or more other names to create something unheard of.

I’ve noticed there seems to be a real thing on here about declaring that names are or sound made up (even if they aren’t, just very uncommon) which often goes with the poster not liking the name. Just wondered other posters thoughts?

For what it’s worth, I have one child who goes by an unusual animal name, not bear/fox/wolf but a feminine one. And one with a combination name that is mostly easy to say/pronounce and sounds like a proper name anyway.

I’m sorry Dracob sounds so daft, I did laugh 🙄🤣

Sometimes, but he has trouble with speech so he usually signs and has someone translate.

I just say ‘He’s Dracob, D R A C O B’ over the phone as that’s the only time it’s ever been misheard.

But anyway, I meant this as more of a discussion as to why made up names are considered bad names just because they’re made up.

Made up names are daft because it makes you look very ‘try hard’, I have to be so different and give my kids stupid names for attention either that or you dreamt them up when you were 12. Always remember that they have to be adults, why name her Octavia then call her Butterfly? I can guarantee lots of ppl eye roll at the names.

I didn’t actually call her Butterfly as it happens, her sister did, it stuck and now she refers to herself as Butterfly. I picked Octavia with every intention of calling her it but everyone around us called her Butterfly when her sister did.

I’m definitely not ‘try hard’. I picked names I liked, same as everyone, I just didn’t want anything that there were a lot, if any, of. They’re all easily prounounced, and spelled. With other ‘established’ names to fall back on if they want. No difficulties and lots of compliments.

I don’t doubt there’s been ‘eye rolling’ but who cares about that? Not me or the kids.

Drake and Jacob are both lovely IMO, but I would have gone for Jake rather than Dracob as the blend.

For me, what makes a made-up name 'bad' is if the pronunciation doesn't match the spelling. I came across it fairly often when I was teaching. For instance, if it's spelt 'Dorrie' but pronounced 'doo-rye' (not a real example, but close to one). I'm not talking about existing names from languages with different letter/sound correspondences to English, just names that people have made up. Especially if they then get annoyed when you don't pronounce it right the first time - because nobody will.

I think Octavia with the nickname Butterfly is lovely. She may choose to be known as Butterfly for her whole life, but if she decides differently when she's older, she has a choice.

Dracob looks like Draco + Jacob to me, and I'd assume it was a fan thing.

@ikeakia I’ll pm you with my daughters name as I think you’ll like it. She was 1 of 4 born with her name in 2018 🙂

I'd also add that as much as most professionals would not wish to be called butterfly most eight year old girls would. So saying she would never wish to be known as Octavia is I think quite closed minded.

As said for drakob though I'd assume a real name just with an Eastern eu spelling and not question it at all.

I think a name could be considered made-up if either it has never been used as a name before, or the parents believed it had never been used as a name before when they chose it. In other words I think there has to be the intention to make it up.

Octavia is lovely, she’ll probably use it when she’s older- I can’t see Butterfly being her chosen moniker when she’s an adult anyway.

Dracob sounds Eastern European. I think the worst thing would be constantly having to correct people when they ask.

Made up names are usually a couple of words or sounds mixed together or even an actual word backwards like Nevaeh.

People who roll their eyes at unusual sounding or made up names like to think that everyone else does too. There is an element of confirmation bias.
All names start somewhere, I have a very rare name (my dad heard it on the radio and then made up a spelling) it’s a simple enough name with self explanatory spelling. I know of three children who have been given my name as a direct result of their parents hearing it used.

I think it comes across as try-hard and 'yoo-nique'.

There are thousands of perfectly lovely, often quite rare, names out there. Thinking your PFB is just too amazingly special for any of them is just a bit eye-roll inducing.

I also think it's a bit selfish because ultimately it's not you who will have to live with the consequences of your "unusual" choice.

I suppose I was just wondering at what point we can safely say a ‘made up’ name is a name? Or will they always be ‘made up’ to a person no matter how many times they hear it?

I mean, I know Neveah is heaven backwards and is ‘made up’ but I would class it as a name now because it’s been used enough times.

Not closed minded at all, it’s the name I chose for her, great if she wants to use it finally. I just know her and I’m 99% certain that she’ll choose to stay Butterfly as an adult. To her it’s her identity. That may change, it’s not my choice, but I can still state my opinion that I don’t think she will change to Octavia without being close minded.

I would assume Dracob was a typo for Draco tbh.
Octavia is lovely.

I'd never express my judgement towards a name because that would be rude, but I do secretly think that's it's not fair on the children who have 'made up' names. They might get bullied and teased over their name at school and when they are adults.

My child has a name that isn't very common but is definitely a 'normal name' and doesn't sound like anything else. My child will have no issues whatsoever with his name.

If people want to call their children 'Reyn' that's their choice but it's synonymous with the weather that lots of people don't like and it's the child who will have to deal with that potentially for life (e.g. at school kids could sing 'Reyn Reyn, go away, come again another day')

Dracob is unique. Kind of sounds like a toddler who can't say Jacob.

Octavia is beautiful.

I have had people ask about the Draco/Harry Potter connection but we all like Harry Potter anyway so that doesn’t matter.

I’ll always love it, he was rather unwell when he was born and it was just the only name I thought was his, no other name was right. Even though it was made up.

I can honestly say that neither child has reported that anyone has ever said anything negative so while it may happen, it hasn’t yet.

Dracob ,surely your joking? If not, poor kid

Octavia is beautiful.

I like Dracob and Octavia. Both good memorable names!

Not joking, I love it, so does he. I probably hate your child’s name, but I’d never be so rude as to say. Manners and all that!

He likes it now, maybe not so much when he gets older?
Also I didn’t say I hate it, if I’m honest it just makes me cringe, as do other names.
This is an Internet forum you will get people’s opinions...

Do you work op? In a professional environment in a skilled role? I do, my daughter does, both Male dominated, no woman would wish to be known as butterfly in a serous skilled role that I know of. It's little girlie, or hippyish.

What's her identify at eight, will not likely be her identity as an adult if she's in a role where she wishes to be taken seriously. I'm not saying she wouldn't be taken seriously if she introduced herself as butterfly, but likely she would hesitate to. Particularly when she then has to explain her name is actually Octavia.

We’ll all have to agree to disagree.

I know my children right now, and right now their names are right. What they choose to called in the future is totally their choice. I’m as certain as I can be that they like and will keep what they’ll called now in adulthood, regardless of profession.

However, that wasn’t what I started this thread for....

I have a yoo-nique name!
It's a regular boring old name from the 60's with a random consonant inserted to jazz it up and make it sound unlike the original!
However no one calls me it and I go by the regular nickname of the original name!
Always having to spell it out on the phone though 🤦🏼‍♀️