A thought about unusual or made up names

[PeggySioux]

When we gave dd1 a highly unusual name, one of the (many) criticisms that were leveled at us by interfering and rude well meaning family members was "she can't ever have a serious job with that name" and "what if she wants to be a lawyer rather than a pole dancer?" and "the bank manager will laugh at her" (I promise I haven't made those up).

Well, arguably the most powerful woman in the world is called Condoleezza Rice. C'mon... Condoleezza? That's not even a name - it's made up from the Italian musical term con dolcezza meaning "with sweetness". And top it off with Rice?

Hmmm... yet I don't notice anyone refusing her a bank account. In fact, like her or loath her, you can't deny that she gets taken pretty seriously and has done okay for herself.

But Abbey, how do you know if it is a made up name?

it became clear on MN that people thought Lidl was a madeup name, in fact is it from south germany.

many people in england may think my childrens names are made up, but in fact they are very old traditional names where ex h is from.

Charvenissia-Speshalle type names are ridiculous. Forrin and unusual ones are fine by me.

but how do you tell the difference?

eg is "Tafara" a made up name or foreign?

(its not one of my children btw!)

I have a mildly unusual pronounced-nothing-like-it's-written name. Growing up, I hated it, as it drew attention to me. I was really shy, and having to explain how to pronounce my name to teachers mortified me. Even recently, when I started my current job, a colleague couldn't work it out, and I had to just sit and repeat it about three times. He then went over to my boss and said something about me being snobby, as I wanted my named pronounced right!!!??? Obviously, that's his problem, but unusual names can cause little bits of embarrasment and discomfort when you least expect it.

I have an unusaul name. I ring up the kids school, or head office at work (I am one of 250 people and we have branches all ove the place) I only ever say; hi its Ten here, I never give my whole name, everyone knows me. It's not always a bonus.

Look of horror? Gosh. I know I said "highly unusual" but we didn't call her Lucifer or Shithead or Chlamydia or anything like that.

where i live my name is considered unusual and so is both my dd's.

but whenever i call school or playgroup they know who i am instantly and my girls are never confused with other girls

NighbyNight - a bit off to pick on another well known MNer's ds' name as your example IMO. I believe you'll find that Tafara is a common name in its country of origin, just not common over here.

I should've called my son Don't Touch That. And his brother No We Can't Afford It.

Can'tsleep - Nighbynight didn't say anything against Tafara, just illustrating the exact same point you did. Don't see what's off about that.

my best friend at school's dad was a bank manager

he read the daily mail

fgs who gives a crap what a bank manager thinks?

(sorry bank managers on here)

Hatrick what luck that people who think like that will never be in a position to employ anybody.

kitty is lovely, btw

I don't think it sounds made up, it sounds old fashioned (in a good way, I have an old fashioned name and I like it)

I met a bank employee called Pebbles Heaven and I did wonder how anyone could take her seriously with such a ridiculous "little girl" name.

Mind you, my name was made up by my mum and I have always loved it - but then it's not of the "Shardinay Kloee" ilk.

What's her name then Peggy?? Let us judge. I bet some will love it, some will hate it.

As with any name, new, old or made up.

So with you on Condoleeeeezzzzza... but what is your DD's name Peggy? Or is she Peggy Sioux?

To go back to the OP, Condoleezza Rice is American. We expect them to have bonkers names, and weird made-up names don't seem to be a barrier to success over there.

Perhaps it's just a question of us getting used to weird names being 'normal', after all, I bet no American parent would assume that someone would be President or pole-dancer material based solely on their name.

When we were in our teens, my brother wanted a girl and a boy, named Scrofula and Embolism. He's got no kids (surprise?), but I was sorely tempted when dd was born

Kitty isn't a made up name, it is an old fashioned name that has come back into use-traditionally short for several names.

cantsleep - I have no idea whose son may be called Tafara. I just picked it at random because (a) it isnt much known in the UK and (b) a girl of the same name was staying with us last week.
thank you buckets - of course I wasnt criticising the name!
my dd also has an african name that is not known at all in europ, so we get this kind of thing a lot.

you've got me worried now. I want to call my daughter (due in 3 weeks) Tallulah and think that she will have problems now if she wants to become a lawyer or a doctor etc!!!

hmm, yes, well.
actually I think they have a point (about the serious job and not the bank manager )
having an inconspicious name, or a name that brings no baggage, is an advantage imo.
having a veryunusual name, or a very "little-girls" name, or a name that makes people go will not (of course) stop the person concerned from becoming a brain surgeon, all other things being equal, but might be an obstacle.
maybe a tiny obstacle, but there it is.
imo