Is the meaning of a name important?

[carlottawales]

How important is the meaning of a name really?
Lots of websites use prettified and inaccurate meanings which don't ring true and some people actually base their choices on these.
Do meanings matter to you? If so, shouldn't you research first to check the accuracy.

I'm not particularly bothered about the meanings of my DC's names. In fact I couldn't tell you what DD1's means. I like Claudia for impending DC3 if its a girl, and wouldn't be put of by the meaning being 'lame' in the slightest. Wouldn't even enter my head to worry about it TBH.
My mother always went on about the meaning of my name 'bright shining light' I think it is - she was keen on that kind of thing. Personal choice really as with everything!

I rejected Tamar for DD because, although I had the river in mind (family originally from the Tamar valley), I found out that there was a Tamar in the bible who was raped by her brother. It put me right off.

Personally for us, the meaning was very important. For instance, I would never name my child 'Desdemona' (apart from the fact I don't like it very much) because it means 'ill starred'. Obviously we picked names we liked, but did veto some because of their meaning. Our children's names mean 'wisdom', 'life', and 'light'.

I tend to check the meanings of names I might consider but it's whether we both like a name that is more important I think.

My name means 'dark' and my sister's means 'fair' or 'light' - I have dark hair and she has blonde. Our parents didn't know this would be the case when they chose our names (I was a bald baby!) but it turned out to be quite prophetic/coincidental (depending on how you look at it!)

I did find a girls name in the name book which means 'joyful queen of the fairies' which I thought is such a lovely meaning - however the name is Mab (Irish I think), which, to me, doesn't bring fairies to mind, so doesn't seem to fit with the meaning.

For our shortlisted names, the meaning is interesting, but liking the name is more important. And IMO, other people also with that name and their characteristics are more associated with a name than the meaning that few people know.

We chose DD's name because we liked it. It was a happy coincidence that it means 'girl from the farm' and we live on a farm ... but we certainly didn't choose it because of this.
When we had a short list and were finding it hard to pick one we did check the meanings and crossed a couple off (eg Erin because it means 'from Ireland' and neither of us have ever been) but if we had really liked one then we wouldn't have done this anyway.
As it turned out, the name we chose in the end wasn't on that list!
My mum's name means 'stranger' which she hates, but she likes her name.

I agree that current connections with names will influence people more than meanings ... A few years ago I knew someone who named her DD Britney and got quite a few people saying "What, as in Speers?" to which she replied: "No, as in the only name I've ever wanted to call my daughter, since I was about 5!" She still got sideways glances but it's a real shame that famous people can 'tarnish' a name.

well my sisters name is alison which means 'little truthful one' my parents were so very wrong on that name choice.
Both my first and second name both have meanings along the lines of 'warrior maiden' etc...Still have no idea what my mother was thinking. But anyway, I do not think that the meaning should influence your decision in anyway. As long as its not a name that can evoke teasing then pick whatever you fancy.
For example, why do people name their girls Candida and Melena?

I think names tend to acquire their own resonance with time and use, whatever their original meaning. For example, Claudia - discussed in this thread - may mean lame but it has a certain elegance and strength about it; it's quite glamorous really. One for the blonde-highlighted newsreader types. My dad's name is Campbell, which means "crooked nose" but has that tough, sturdy Scottishness that makes it a fine wee name for a lad! I named my DD Virginia, not in the hope that she'll keep her knickers on eternally but in the sense of the untrammelled wilderness, the new frontier, the irrepressible spirit. I want her to retain a bit of wildness and not be too tame.

And yes, AussieLou, I am stunned that Candida is still hanging around as a girl's name. (Would a dab of Canestan get rid of it?) Can't wait to see Chlamydia joining the Top 10 list ... perhaps courtesy of parents who can't decide between Chloe and Lydia so go for a bit of both.

BTW, I'm Alison too but I prefer the theory that it derives from the Old High German "Adalheidis", meaning noble. Truthful? Me? Hah!

sleepycat - what is DS1's name?
(they are all gorgeous btw!)

well i chose my dd name because i loved it and because of its meaning, ds1 because i loved the name and meaning was a bonus, ds2 loved name and one meaning is nice other is not very appropriate and for expectant dc4 both boys and girls names we have chosen for the name but meanings are also nice. i must admit i would be put off my some meanings both good and bad, like Calista meaning the most beautiful ( or words to that effect) is a bit of a pressure on a child!

DD - means "dear child"
DS1 - means "hero of God"
DS2 means "free" or "from France"
DC4 boys name "of christian faith" girls name "light hearted"

sleepycat- I had no idea Isaac meant that- it's lovely.

Isaac is my favourite boys name - ever!

DS is the ancient one! Not sure I read much into this fact. I did look at meaning when choosing, but when it came to the decision, this was not the most important factor. It was a good name, sounds strong and went with our surname.

BBM even more than Michael?

sleepycat well- her name means divine beauty! (but we did NOT pick it for that reason)

EEPM Yep.

I wasn't allowed because DH's dad said it was 'too jewish' . He then went on to suggest Ishmael

Haven't 'seen' you around for ages btw - where have you been lurking?

• been so long I forgot your name! EPPM

dd's name is the hawaiian version of rachel which was my nans name [we went to hawaii and loved it]her middle name is my other nans name.i was sure i was having a boy so stumbled on name by chance desperately looking for girls name.

I have been here- haven't seen you though
Lol at Ishmael- I started a names thread and said no bible names, so got Jacob, Reuben etc etc
I'm having a boy this time btw! (but no names yet)

Congratulations - I'm certain boys names are so much harder to decide on than girls.

definitely! We have NO ideas so far Have until Jan though