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Can we talk about Preferences versus Problems?
I often come across questions on Reddit and other forums that read something like this: my loved one is about to give their child a horrible name. I feel like I need to speak up.
Nine times out of ten, if the name is shared, I will disagree. While the original poster (OP) might not like the name, and it might indeed be a little different, chances are that it’s not a problem. In fact, often the choice is pretty mainstream for a 2020s kid, and the OP is just stuck in another naming moment.
Sometimes, though? There’s a legit issue. It might be worth a mention, even if it changes nothing.
So how do you know the difference?
Preferences are unexamined. We don’t consult popularity data or other info. It’s based on our own, personal gut reaction. Or if we do any kind of a search, we’re out to validate our own opinion and find that one Reddit thread that trashes the name.
Problems carry nuance. We’ve thought about it, checked our gut reaction against data and information. Maybe our parents are Chinese, and while our children probably won’t speak Mandarin, the fact that Dylan can be translated as “low IQ” – maybe that’s worth a mention. Or maybe our sister can mentioned that she disliked being one of three Jessicas in her class, and she plans to name her daughter something very different: Elianna. She might actually appreciate you mentioning that Eliana just entered the US Top Ten – whether it changes her mind or not.
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Yes to Lennon and Bowie and Hendrix, but what about Rocker? That’s the name country music’s Parker McCollum and wife Hallie Ray named their new son. Rocker Tommy Light McCollum joins big brother Major Yancey Tyler McCollum. It strikes me as surprising, but very wearable in our Rocky/Carter moment.
Ooh, I really like these sister names: Tate Colette and Blair Collins. Parents are reality television couple Kacie Adkinson and Cole McBee. Their family appears on the Bravo show The McBee Dynasty about the family’s ranch in Missouri. I’m not up on all the drama, of which I’m sure there is plenty …
Nancy’s analysis of rising names from the new England & Wales data is fascinating. Mabel tops the girl’s list, but how about Evara? And everybody loves Luca, but will American parents embrace Ronnie? That whole two-countries-divided-by-a-common-language thing holds true in names, too.
UPDATING & THINKING ABOUT
Truett blends virtue vibes with surname style, for a winning combination.
Zelda feels effortlessly offbeat but also sweetly vintage.
Delphine is just plain overlooked, the obvious alternative to Top Ten Charlotte.
That’s all for now. As always, thank you for reading and have a great week!
