names that have stopped you in your tracks

[bitsybutter]

The other day I read about a girl called Nerys and it was the first time I saw this name thought it was so beautiful.

I also worked with children and one was called Keziah, I just remember writing it down because I thought it was so pretty.

Has anyone else got any names that when they heard them for the first time they made a note to remember them?

Friend of my late parents. We knew him as Uncle Fred. Actual name was Ethelred.

I went to school with a family of very herbal Catholic (?) parents who changed their last name from something generic to Tree. The parents were (unfortunately)very active in our school community and played their awful hymns that they had composed themselves on instruments that they had also made at home until other parents complained. The kids were Leafy, Peachy and Blossom Tree. In an act of rebellion, they all grew up, changed their last names to the original, generic one, and their first names to Alan, Tom and Janet, became rabid atheists and even worse!!! - a lawyer, dentist and an accountant.

@startswithanL

Someone I work with has a daughter named Sancha not exactly sure how she spells it but that's how it's said, partner is South American. I thinks it's gorgeous!

I couldn't help but giggle a little bit at Sancha. In my part of Latin America (Mexico), Sancha, is what you call a mistress or "second lady"!

Attila stopped me in my tracks when I first heard it years ago. I love it!

@ILovemyCatsSoSoMuch

Blessing, and Comfort.

I can imagine parents looking at their baby and choosing a name like that. How wonderful to go through life with that initial love and joy still part of your identity.

These are quite popular in parts of Africa, I think? I once met a lady called Comfort, she was SO lovely and happy and smiley! She was “traditionally built” (if you know, you know) and very colourful, the sort of person you just want to hug (but it was a professional context so we just shook hands). Definitely lived up to her name.

As a teacher, you generally get one child a year whose name stands out.
I knew of a Jaimz once (James).

I also still know a child whose name is the exact same as a MASSIVE film star and I wonder how many times he will go through life saying “No, my name IS Brad Pitt. Honest.” (It’s not Brad Pitt but it’s that level of famous).

But very few names make me go “wow” because I love them! I have a hard to pronounce/spell Christian name and I think that’s why I always feel a bit for kids with unusual names.

@blackpoolsneighbour

Atticus

My friend’s grandson is called Atticus. I think he’s 3, maybe 4. His mum heard it on Downton Abbey and stored it until she needed it!

I met two men called Happy and Lucky.

They weren't related, but from a country where it's quite normal to be called something like that. (I forget which country)

Neon

@viques

I once met a baby called Beowulf. To be fair it was in a sandpit in Islington.

I worked with someone whose son is called Boris. She called him it “for a joke”, she has no cultural links to anywhere it’s popular, like Russia, for example. She doesn’t like it at all any more (nor does he) and he’s now widely known as Bo.

The reason I comment is because I remember her telling me she overheard someone calling their child Boris when she was pregnant and at a play park with her daughter, and said to her three year old, let’s call the baby Boris.
Ten seconds later it turns out the Boris being called was actually a dog, but the little girl kept saying “my baby is called Boris” and it stuck.

In my daughters class we have Armani, Ariyana, Tatum, Zeeshana and Shanaya. Also have a boy called Atlas

Boneface. That stopped me i my tracks.

I heard a parent should, "Jubilee" so I think I know when they were born.

In my own family tree there is a 'Squire', I don't know much about him, but my grandparents used to whisper about him and not in a good way.

I went for an interview once, one of the other candidates was called 'Brilliant'.

I've taught a Romany, lovely name and lovely girl.

|I know a Keziah too.

@TammyTwoSawnson

I met two men called Happy and Lucky.

They weren't related, but from a country where it's quite normal to be called something like that. (I forget which country)

That’ll be India and they’ll be nicknames. It’s very common there to have a birth name but always being called by your nickname. Happy, lucky, sweetie, cookie, sunny etc.

This was years ago now but a woman calling her toddler over called her “jean” and I just really liked it! I had a boy but if I had a girl I think I would probably use Jean.

Nerys makes me think of Nervous Nerys in an Only Fools and Horses episode. We have a pet that is nicknamed Nerys after the OFaH character.

I fell in love with the name Rasmus when watching The Rain on Netflix. Rasmus. Such a wonderful name.

Heatherly - it just sounds so beautiful!

Also Solstice and Knightley are 2 of my favourites.

I really like Damaris but it's probably one of those names that everyone pronounces a bit differently (I have one of those names and correcting people is a lifelong inconvenience)

Lyra, from when I read His Dark Materials as a kid. I remember just falling in love with that name - probably because the character is so great!

Also Lorna, lovely name

Oh and one more - Nerissa

My eldest dc has had their name mentioned. In my defense I assumed it would be more popular than it is, I didn't want him to be that unique!

You do get to a point where you don't hear of anyone else calling their child that, and start to wonder if that's because it's an awful name.

Boneface. That stopped me i my tracks

@sashh I think it’s Boniface, which is an Anglo Saxon name, I think it means good future. There was a famous saint of this name.

@CORA

Thanks for the correct spelling, yes it was after the saint, it's still an unusual choice. it's pronounced Bonnie Fass.

On a soap years ago there was a character called fancy. It really grew on me at the time but of course she was super beautiful to pull it off

I love Ludo for a boy. Would never have used it and some may say the game, but still love it.

@Pktjrsmoi

Met a woman named Delta. Honestly I really love it , but would never be brave enough to use it.

Why thank you @Pktjrsmoi Only kidding. It's not me.