ADVERTISEMENT

Naming a child can become quite a headache. Making lists, trying to come up with a name that doesn’t remind you of a certain someone, thinking about all the possible nicknames and diminutives—there’s a lot to take into consideration.

In such situations, some parents-to-be turn to their loved ones asking for suggestions. Others keep their ideas to themselves as every Tom, Dick, and Harry seems to have an opinion, which might make the parents doubt every option there is. Then there are also people who get creative and come up with something that is very unlikely to be heard of before.

We have put some of these unheard-of names on today’s list for you to browse and marvel at. Shared by the ‘That name isn't a tragedeigh, it's a murghdyrr’ Facebook group, they ought to surprise you and show that when it comes to naming children, some parents sure have enough inventiveness not to need anyone’s help (or an outside opinion, for that matter).

In order to delve deeper into the topic of names and the significance they bear, Bored Panda has discussed it with two experts, psychiatrist Jean Kim, MD, and linguist Valerie Fridland, author of Like, Literally, Dude: Arguing for the Good in Bad English. You will find their thoughts in the text below.

#2

Funny Unique Names

Funny Unique Names

Britny Christine Wilson Report

Add photo comments
POST
eyelessonex avatar
Corvus
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Good news, Lenin - you're going to have a baby sister, and her name will be Stalin."

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#3

Funny Unique Names

Funny Unique Names

Emma Sutcliffe , twitter.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
seonagudell avatar
Seonag Udell
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Friend has a daughter born boxing day. Named Ivy. My name is Scottish Gallic and is pronounced Shona but reads Seonag. Honestly it's been a pain in the backside my whole life, because I am English and No one I've met knew how to pronounce it correctly. I have recently had a daughter named Eleanor spelled Eleanor.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Started in June 2021, the ‘That name isn't a tragedeigh, it's a murghdyrr’ Facebook group is dedicated, in their own words, “For when CSI needs to be called. For the poor sad decomposed body of a name”. The private group is home to a collection of some of the most authentic—even if somewhat unusual, in most cases—names people have encountered, which has already amassed over 211k members.

It’s no surprise that the members have plenty to share, considering that naming a child is up to their parents' imagination (as long as it doesn’t cross certain lines of decency, of course). In Sweden—home to roughly 10 million people—for instance, around 186 000 people have unique names or unique spellings of names. It’s arguably safe to assume that in the US—a country of nearly 332 million people—the number of unique names ought to be way higher. (As a matter of fact, there are roughly 6,850 Americans whose name is Unique. As in, that’s their actual name.)

#4

Funny Unique Names

Funny Unique Names

anon Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#5

Funny Unique Names

Funny Unique Names

Megan Gunnells Report

Add photo comments
POST
littletyne72 avatar
Scout Finch
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These can't be real. Please tell me these aren't real.

cordeliatucker avatar
fatharry4 avatar
Fat Harry
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Be fair - both Lucifer and Spartacus are actual names. But Boomquifa? Seriously? She'd be called Queef for short...

eyelessonex avatar
satu-portimojarvi avatar
raven_sheridan14 avatar
Raven Sheridan
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Danger is okay, but only as long as it's their middle name. 😉

tucker_cahooter avatar
Tucker Cahooter
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"What's you name, kid?" "I'm Spartacus" "No, *I'm* Spartacus..."

tduenkel avatar
Tim
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fun game, combine a name from the male column and a name from the female column and you get fun things like Inspektor Boomquifa.

kristiefrench avatar
bearcub2434 avatar
The Bearded Viking
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I thought it sounded more like they were describing a tornado-like fart that could be let rip at any second! But the combination of both your and my thoughts there, would make a rather interesting and largely unwatchable almalgamation eh?!! 🤣

Load More Replies...
veronica-almasry avatar
Charlie
Community Member
10 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cletus and Clitoria lived happily ever after

oceanweis avatar
kittywidgett avatar
Karen Klinck Klinck
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, when I was working, a lot of Moniques were naming their daughters Unique, and the Uniques should be well old enough to have I'munique.

Load More Replies...
ianreynolds avatar
Ian Reynolds
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While I wouldn't name my child Lucifer, I think it is a pretty cool name.

gargarita-mica-08 avatar
Boreddd🇺🇦
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think Chardonnay is also a pretty awesome name, but yeah, I wouldn't name a child that.

Load More Replies...
bb_20 avatar
Clown fish
Community Member
10 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lucifer means Morning star it's not a bad name it's God's son list I checked he was sent to be the gate keeper of evil soles I I And L'Oréal means The halo; Beauty

ervinconn avatar
Ervin Conn
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My wife worked in a children's center at a family court she saw a lot of interesting ones. The one that sticks in my head is pronounced shith-eed. Spelled Shithead.

hmcastilloest2014 avatar
Moezzzz
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a few of these- Burger King manager name Placenta (no joke), l'mongelo and O'rangelo (lemon jello and orange jello) twins, Clymadea (chlamydia). All from Natchez Mississippi

rhodabike6 avatar
Seabeast
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Brandy" used to be a fairly common girl's name. Because what young woman doesn't want to be named after an alcoholic beverage?

suuspuusje avatar
Susie Elle
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I believe Anous is Hebrew? Pronounced Ah-noose. Also Cletus is an existing name, right? The rest are kaka.

chelit26 avatar
Shankshaw Redeemer
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cletus was my brother's nickname. His name was Clint. He was also called his actual name, just with the N removed. I'd write it but it would be censored likely.

Load More Replies...
paulgerrard_1 avatar
Paul Gerrard
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anous pronounced like a**s? Cant be real. No abcde...absedee

teresathomas avatar
Teresa Thomas
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'munique is surprisingly common.... The high school I worked at had like 8 girls with this name

tcrefky avatar
u sure it's thea?
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why does chardonnay actually sound kinda okay- less morbid than the others for sure

holschrk avatar
Bec
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm a godless sinner, and I like poking the Christians as much as anyone, but naming your child Lucifer seems like it is setting them up for a lot of struggles

david2074 avatar
David
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Vejonica. (rolls eyes). "Good afternoon Mrs Smith. How's your little VJ today?"

the_mysterious_lady_analyn avatar
Analyn Lahr
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cletus is a real name though old fashioned. Lucifer is a very nice name if you're not religious. I think it means morning star or something. Champ is a dog's name/something your uncle calls you. All those other names, you'd clearly want your child to get beat up.

kittywidgett avatar
Karen Klinck Klinck
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As I remarked to a colleague about Baby Boy Toy--his first name on the BC--"this kid's going to be the youngest prizefighter in history, with all the practice he gets. Or possibly the youngest kid to hit the principal's office for fighting on the first day of school..."

Load More Replies...
joshuamoore avatar
Joshua Moore
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My old neighbor used to do child care for a boy named Diablo

tduenkel avatar
Tim
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So many of these sound like an airhorn needs to be played after the name is said.

stalders323 avatar
Sarah Stalder
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those are almost all hideous. Lucifer isn't bad-he IS an angel, after all.

maria_ellinor92 avatar
Ellisdogs
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh my god BOOMQUIFA, I'm dying x)) I'll name my next dog Boomquifa, I feel like I need it in my life

michaellargey avatar
Michael Largey
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What's wrong with Maybelline? Chuck Berry wrote a great song about a girl named that. "Oh, Maybelline, why can't you be true ..."

jonconstant avatar
ConstantlyJon
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean, Champ Bailey exists. That one isn't on the same level as BOOMQUIFA I'm sorry.

darkdorkychick1778 avatar
brandyy17
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

well dam. me and my husband want to make our first son have the middle name danger. weve had that planned for 4 years now.

mathieubrouwers_2 avatar
Mathieu Brouwers
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lucifer is an archangel, there's nothing wrong with that. To be big, strong and powerful is the American dream. What's wrong with Lucifer?

rosiered avatar
Rosie Red
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I want to type something but my fingers don't know what to say to this.

kate_51 avatar
SlothyK8
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd like you to meet my daughter, Revlon, and my son Hercules.

oliveharper_1 avatar
Olive Harper
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay, I will argue that Jedi might not be a great given name, but it is a great nickname for Jedidiah.

davidbrandel avatar
David Brandel
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I heard a woman yell out "Jagger!" at a park a couple of years ago when she was trying to get her son's attention and I nearly threw up in my mouth.

janembull avatar
MonsterMum
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lucifer, I believe means 'bringer of light' so possibly the best of that bunch

sauerrene88 avatar
René Sauer
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cletus is at least the only somewhat normal name on that list.

lilcat2 avatar
Lil' Cat2
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Elizabreath is real clever though. Just.. maybe not on an actual human being.

dawelynn98 avatar
Lynn
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cletus is an old name- most memorable Cletus Hogg from Dukes of Hazard. The rest make me question everything. Boomquifa? Really? Sounds nasty

zeldasterling avatar
Zelda Sterling
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybelline is an old name, too. It was a song by Chuck Berry. I betcha at least some of us have a Maybelline in our family trees.

Load More Replies...
carolinaseiders avatar
twilight (he/they)
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m sorry but, Vejonica? Who in the history of ever, has named their child Vejonica?

kittywidgett avatar
Karen Klinck Klinck
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe a cousin of the one who named hers Vagina? (It was a girl's name because it ended in 'a', and she heard it for the first time at the hospital when she gave birth, and liked it.)

Load More Replies...
miriaml avatar
Miriam L
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And somehow, Cletus makes it to the top of the "worst" list. Dang

annafairburn380 avatar
ur_fav_tranny
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lucifer thoooo??? Like I like that, Satan ain't to bad, killed less ppl than the Christian God, that bish "whiped out the entire planet"

susan-robinson42 avatar
Susan Robinson
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don’t even want to guess how Boomquifa *checks spelling* was named…

danmarshctr avatar
The Original Bruno
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cletus? Maybelline? OK, it sucks to share a name with the redneck from the Simpsons, but does it deserve being included with "Lucifer" and "Ebolah"? (St. Cletus was the 2nd Pope of the Catholic Church, after St. Peter.) And outside of the context of "L'Oreal," what's so wrong with Maybelline?

jeanettevose avatar
Zoni J.
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've actually met a couple of Dangers. One was a guy, the other was a girl. They were actually pretty fun people, so maybe it's not as bad as it seems!

marcopielka avatar
Hans Georg
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is bad. Really bad. Where I live, the most stupid names for boys are Justin and Jason. For girls it would be Angelique and Chantal. Yet they might be legit names.

the_true_opifex avatar
Katie Lutesinger
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some folks'll never lose a toe, but then again some folks'll - like Cletus the Slack-Jawed Yokel!

rjjecreek avatar
JoNo
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They can't be the "worst baby names" when they aren't actually names. More like "worst pretending-to-be baby names".

kenbeattie avatar
Ken Beattie
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are these actual names that were used or what people would think are terrible names?

kittywidgett avatar
Karen Klinck Klinck
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They're real enough. While I was a welfare examiner, we needed official birth certificates to add a child to a case. You would not *believe* some of them.

Load More Replies...
lolhall41 avatar
Lolly
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Boomquifa!!!!!! BOOMQUIFA!!!!! is if pronounced quifa or queefa????? I am praying it isn't the later

nathanshipman avatar
Nathan Shipman
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know a guy named Champ and I think it's a pretty cool name. As for Chardonnay, I've never heard of that one but I have known of girls named Brandywine, and some other alcoholic beverage but I can't remember what it is called.

edwierdo_contagious avatar
Edweirdo Contagious
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Boomquifa??? Please don’t, that poor kid is going to be teased so so so much!! Might as well name her loudfarta !!

neromauritzen avatar
Nero Mauritzen
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Ebolah, Ebolah Danger... Hero, detective, and a complete a*****e" *Ebolah Danger theme begins*

shaunlee avatar
SheamusFanFrom1987
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Abaddon and Lucifer... Yup, smart naming your boys after demons. Maybe some like the name Cletus but personally, I wouldn't. Other than that, I don't know what goes through people's minds when naming kids anymore -_-

katya_de_leon avatar
Kate Mothers
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like Ahmiracle. Call her Ahmira. Chardonnay would be a nice middle name. Jason Lee named his kid Pilot Inspektor.

maryhurst_1 avatar
Mary Hurst
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My Ex swears he heard a woman at the hospital tell the nurse they were naming their newborn DelMonte Zucchini.

brucehstrickland avatar
Bruce Strickland
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Comedian Lewis Black has a bit about weird names in NYC. ABCDE was one. The street name for a**s was another.

naomiglick avatar
starsailor (they/he)
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I implore you to read this: https://myfirstname.rocks/baby-names/boomquifa it will send you down a rabbit hole of laughing fits and bad names

bobbrooce avatar
Bob Brooce
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Today's PSA: a girl's name should never include anything, no matter how you spell it, that rhymes with queef. And very, very, very definitely not boomqueefa.

jonrindfleisch avatar
UncleJon_TheMadScientist
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Way back in '57 my mom was in labr at a hospital on a military base (dad was in the Army at the time) she said a girl about 16 just had a baby girl and was discussing baby names with her frinds... they thought "Latrina" sounded pretty...

general0ne avatar
Lester the Space Duck
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This list seems more like the "boys" side could be used as a first moniker, the the "girls" side as a second moniker for 'questionable' professions ... "Hello! I'm Inspektor Vejonica! Nice to meet you! 😜😏

caseymcalister avatar
Casey McAlister
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, Lucifer is actually a pretty-sounding name. Just the connotations make it dubious.

samplecolby_1 avatar
Haywood Jablome
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All of the boy names are from white dorks, the girl names are from black women

amandagoss avatar
atje
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I once met a guy named Zee. Made him show me his driver's license. He said his parents came up with it while on acid.

ryanwinters avatar
Ryan Winters
Community Member
10 months ago

This comment has been deleted.

zeldasterling avatar
Zelda Sterling
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pilot Inspektor is the name of Jason Lee's son. Penn Jillette named his daughter Moxie Crimefighter. I'm kind of on the side of do whatever you want. Those names are just as legitimate and 10x cooler than Dolores or Bill. If the issue is bullying, I'd much rather square up against Dolores or Bill than a Pilot Inspektor or Moxie Crimefighter any day.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

“It's a very personal decision, so anything really goes," psychiatrist Jean Kim, MD told Bored Panda in a recent interview. “You might worry (like my parents did—they picked my first name which was found in both Korean and English) about whether the name 'fits in' to a particular culture or era, or you might not really need to care about that aspect either, because people should try to respect all names anyway, as long as it isn't something blatantly obscene or hateful. You may even purposely want to honor a different culture or special person with a name. It's totally up to you.”

She added that having a unique name can be both a blessing and a curse. “On the one hand, an unusual name can be memorable and make a person unique or stand out in people's minds. On the other hand, people may treat it as strange or foreign, or even make fun of it if it's not part of the status quo of familiar names.”

#6

You Named Her What???

You Named Her What???

Caitlin Barnes Report

#7

Pls Stop Naming Ur Kids Arson

Pls Stop Naming Ur Kids Arson

anon Report

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

“Names are one of the first things people find out about you—often before they have ever encountered you in person—so they carry a big impact and there are definitely some biases we have developed in terms of how we react to names,” Professor of Linguistics in the English department at University of Nevada, Valerie Fridland, told Bored Panda.

“Most of the feelings we develop about names come from socially or culturally learned associations we have with those names—e.g., if a name doesn’t sound like it is from the same culture or language, it might influence how others react to the person in ways that can affect their future. For instance, research reveals that we find more employment discrimination when employers view CVs with ethnic or foreign-sounding names compared to white-sounding names (similar results in the science/math fields have been found with typically female vs. male names).

“There are also names that might be old-fashioned or that have fallen out of fashion like Marge or Gertrude that might tend to call up unfavorable social associations (such as unfashionable, dowdy, boring) even if someone has not met the so-named person yet. Finally, some names might also sound like something else (e.g., Dick as a nickname for Richard) that listeners can’t help but call up when they hear the name, making those with those monikers have to deal with heckling or jokes (and the negative associations that come with those),” the linguist added.

#9

I Had To Dig Into My High School Yearbook For This One - Poor Kiddo

I Had To Dig Into My High School Yearbook For This One - Poor Kiddo

anon Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#10

The Fact She Has To Put (Jessica) Next To Her Name

The Fact She Has To Put (Jessica) Next To Her Name

anon Report

#11

Anonymous Because This Is A Relative And I Am Paranoid. The Worst Part Is Glycerine's Siblings Are Emily And Jackson

Anonymous Because This Is A Relative And I Am Paranoid. The Worst Part Is Glycerine's Siblings Are Emily And Jackson

anon Report

Jean Kim pointed out that a person’s name is something that others perceive about them, so how others treat them can, for better or worse, be influenced by their name. “Perhaps names that 'fit in the crowd' can make people feel included, and others feel excluded, or be viewed as dated or dowdy if their name is viewed as of an older era.

“Gendering of names may also sometimes happen; for instance, women with boyish names may be viewed (whether true or not) as more assertive or spunky. Sometimes having an unusual name may also inspire someone to feel more creative or unique and individualistic. Names are, of course, one relatively small factor among many that influence a person's overall personality in the end.”

#12

This Name Is Pronounced “Your Highness.” Enjoy The Rest Of Your Day

This Name Is Pronounced “Your Highness.” Enjoy The Rest Of Your Day

anon Report

#14

Funny Unique Names

Funny Unique Names

anon Report

Add photo comments
POST
rjjecreek avatar
JoNo
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The redeeming factor is they are middle names. Except for official purposes, they are rarely used.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

Psychiatrist Jean Kim emphasized that names are often associated with honoring others. “Surnames are handed down as a 'legacy' from generation to generation, but first names can be used to pay homage or honor someone and memorialize them as well. Perhaps even if there is no personal relationship, someone may like an aspect of a person with that name, especially celebrities or popularized fictional characters, and may hope their child fulfills those characteristics.”

#17

Funny Unique Names

Funny Unique Names

Ash Sknab Report

Linguist and author Valerie Fridland seconded the idea that knowing someone with a certain name can alter the way a person views it. “Certainly, past experience with a name, like whether you had a girl named Sagel in 3rd grade that was super nasty to you or if you have met several Mikes who excelled in sports, can influence how you name your child since you will have been conditioned to have a negative reaction to names associated with negative experiences.”

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#19

Funny Unique Names

Funny Unique Names

anon Report

#20

I Just Posted And Then Came Across This.. It Just Has To Be A Mistake, Right???

I Just Posted And Then Came Across This.. It Just Has To Be A Mistake, Right???

anon Report

Add photo comments
POST
sonikasingh avatar
Regulus Black
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When the mother said that she wanted to give her baby a short name to keep it simple, this is not what she meant

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

“While a lot of times we want to give our child a unique name, some research shows that people with more common (or popular) names tend to have better social, self-esteem and employment outcomes,” Dr. Fridland told Bored Panda. “Some interesting German research found that, in online dating forums, having an unpopular name limited how many people viewed one’s profile and earlier research found that having a desirable name helped with social popularity in elementary school. 

“There is also research that suggests that those who like their names (regardless of how popular their names are) score higher on adjustment scales that measure self-esteem and social desirability; and if one encounters social rejection it may lead to them not liking their name. As a study carried out by Jean M. Twenge and Melvin Manis puts it, ‘What you think of your name has something to do with what you think of yourself.’” 

#22

Oof

Oof

anon Report

#23

I Adore This Sweet, Precious Mama… But Her 8 Babies’ Names Are Random, Rare, And Radically Right?! Fun Too: There’s 4 Boys And 4 Girls

I Adore This Sweet, Precious Mama… But Her 8 Babies’ Names Are Random, Rare, And Radically Right?! Fun Too: There’s 4 Boys And 4 Girls

anon Report

Add photo comments
POST
danmarshctr avatar
The Original Bruno
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm only hating the first two, tbh. Even "Van Halen" can simply be "Van." I just feel bad for when Panty hits grade school.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

According to Valerie Fridland, “It is important to help your child come to see their name in a positive light (by either choosing one that is popular and therefore socially well accepted and known) or by providing positive associations with their name for them as they grow up (strong models of people with those names, a positive history of that name in their family, etc.).

“A key seems to be that children need to like their own names and that helps with self-esteem (which then helps with how they are perceived by others), though the thing that is hard to control is how others treat your child because of their name and, if negative, this may in turn affect how your child views themselves. Parents need to balance these different factors when considering whether to choose a more popular name or one that is not strongly marked or unique,” the linguist added.

#24

I'm Fairly New Here, So Forgive Me If This Has Been Shared Before. But Omg This List Broke Me

I'm Fairly New Here, So Forgive Me If This Has Been Shared Before. But Omg This List Broke Me

Yabina Stabina Report

#25

Y'all This Can't Be Real

Y'all This Can't Be Real

Cee Michele Report

#26

Funny Unique Names

Funny Unique Names

Mary Virginia Muñoz Report

Add photo comments
POST
marion-delarbre2 avatar
RedPepper
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Indica means "Indian" in Latin. Very normal sounding compared to the other names of this list.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

“Name-signaling—where names give off messages about the ‘type’ of person someone is—does seem to have an effect on how people interact with others, and it does seem that more familiar and common names (which signal in-group identity) are more positively responded to. So, it is nothing about a name itself that intrinsically means anything, but instead the social associations it carries based on our experience,” Valerie Fridland explained.

#27

I'm Really Hoping This Is A Nickname

I'm Really Hoping This Is A Nickname

Katie Allen Report

Add photo comments
POST
eyelessonex avatar
Corvus
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, we should match... and if it doesn't work out, I'll just (puts sunglasses on) shave him off.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#28

This Is Interesting To Say The Least

This Is Interesting To Say The Least

anon Report

See Also on Bored Panda
#29

Kakarot Why

Kakarot Why

Kate Lewis Report

Even though unique names can sound like music to one’s ears (or nails on a whiteboard), they are understandably less common. According to the Social Security Administration, the most popular names in the US over the last century have been James, Robert, John for boys and Mary, Patricia, Jennifer for girls respectively. None of the names shared on the ‘That name isn't a tragedeigh, it's a murghdyrr’ Facebook group seemed to have made the cut among the top ones.

#30

I've Heard Some Wild Names But I'll Admit I Never Would've Thought Of Mapylynne

I've Heard Some Wild Names But I'll Admit I Never Would've Thought Of Mapylynne

Amberina Powell Report

Note: this post originally had 140 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.