Did/Does a name's meaning influence your decision?

[KRH]

We have 2 children already and twins on the way. We have chosen our children's names on 2 counts - the fact that we like them and the fact that they have meanings which are important to us. (the meanings are like our hope/prayer for our children later in life.) The meaning of a name is of vital importance to us, although we would never choose a name JUST for the meaning if we didn't actually like it! Having spoken to lots of other people however we seem to be in the minority in being influenced by a name's meaning. SO - did a name's meaning influence your decision? If it did - what kind of meanings did you like/not like?

It is a factor but not a deciding one.

That's hilarious Jamie! I can't imagine many atheists going for Christian!

If you picked that, Jamie, you'd spend the rest of your life saying "This is my son Christian-I-Just-Like-the-Name!" I like Christian too, but I am one, so it might work out a bit more

When I was preg with DS I went through a tremendously horrible depression my last trimester. I mean, awful beyond words. The only thing that helped in the slightest was meditation and prayer (not so much praying as screaming "HELP ME!" from the absolute depths of despair...). It made me feel like someone was with me and listening, so when DS was born I went w/ Samuel (means "God has heard".). Of course I really liked the name Sam, so the meaning was just a bonus. But the meaning was what gave it an edge over William.

I am put off by meanings to an extent, yes. But put off more by previous associations with other people.

Ugh so true thumb! No Alex's or Matthews will number among my children, ever!

when you travel the meaning is very important, africans and asians will always ask you what your name means. so I did chose for the meaning with the sound of course (in different languages) and non religious, which was quite dificult. For example I didn't go for Caroline which I previously liked as it means manly (not good for a DD).

meaning definitely important here
dd1 three names mean worshiper of god the life giver watched over by god she was the result difficult pregnancy and was very ill baby
ds1 names mean very handsome and manly follower of christ
dd2 names mean cultured and beautiful gift of god she followed a mc
ds2 man of the church a gift from god born at easter he was born on good friday
ds3 we chose names we liked but ptrotected and noble longed for
dd3 born in july a beautiful gift from god
ds4 born after 2 mc one at 18 weeks strong man of god a bringer of joy asked for of god
dd4 born post mc a sweet bringer of happiness a beautiful answer to prayer
we liked the names any way but were put of certain names eg mary means living with bitterness