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HelpWhy do people name their kid Rebel?
I don't get it. Why would you name your kid Rebel?
Rebellion can be positive, like standing up against an evil dictator. But why for a baby girl?
Rebellion can be positive, like standing up against an evil dictator. But why for a baby girl?
Replies
A very tacky UK import, indeed.
Okay, I'm not conceding the premise: DO they name their kid Rebel?
Yes, I know a handful of parents have named their child this, but not any statistically significant amount. The name is wholly absent from the charts around the world.
I have no idea why an individual parent would choose this name, though as you note the word can have both positive and negative connotations. I'd imagine that parents that do use the name lean towards the positive connotation.
But this isn't exactly some big trend in naming.
Yes, I know a handful of parents have named their child this, but not any statistically significant amount. The name is wholly absent from the charts around the world.
I have no idea why an individual parent would choose this name, though as you note the word can have both positive and negative connotations. I'd imagine that parents that do use the name lean towards the positive connotation.
But this isn't exactly some big trend in naming.
I'm not a fan of the name Rebel for either gender.
Why not?
It's not my style, but that's it. I don't see being a rebel as a bad thing. I was taught to 'rebel' and question the status quo, I'm doing the same for my child. Rebellion is the only way things change.
Rox is right, too- it's edgy and cool.
It's not my style, but that's it. I don't see being a rebel as a bad thing. I was taught to 'rebel' and question the status quo, I'm doing the same for my child. Rebellion is the only way things change.
Rox is right, too- it's edgy and cool.
If they pronounce it like the verb and not the noun, they'd be able to have a daughter known as Bel, Bell or even Bella without having to use Isabel. I've no idea how they actually do pronounce it, but this would be possible at least.
I've only heard it as the noun. I think of it more as a dog name, I've only met dogs named Rebel and for humans I've only heard of Rebel Wilson.
It could be that the parents just want an edgy name, but it could also be that the name has meaning for them. I wouldn't personally use it, but I can understand why someone else would. Perhaps the parents would like to name their daughter something that embodies someone who fights for justice; stands up for their beliefs; pushes for positive change; and is assertive rather than passive. And yes, when they name her, she is a baby girl, but I'd argue that it's better than naming her 'Minnie' because she won't be a baby forever. And then, as others have said, it works fine for a girl, because it's a word/virtue name. You may not consider it pretty, but it doesn't need to be.
They should name their kids Justice or Truth instead.
Why?
Thinking Justice or Truth would be better is fine, but that’s shifting the conversation to personal preference rather than 'why do people name their kid Rebel?' like you asked.
I was saying if they want their kids to have names that talk about for standing up for what's right, those are better options.
My first and only thought is The Confederacy. In my mind it's in the same group as Dixie, Forrest, etc.
Rebellion is definitely positive! Stand up and fight for your beliefs.
Why not for a baby girl?
Rebellion is definitely positive! Stand up and fight for your beliefs.
Why not for a baby girl?
It does have "nostalgic for the Confederacy" vibes to me, but I also associate Rebel Wilson (who is Australian and has a sister called Liberty) and stuff like The Rebel by Camus.
This message was edited 5/7/2025, 6:36 PM
Why couldn't it be for a girl? It's gender neutral. I don't see the problem.
I suppose parents see it as a virtue name, which it technically is.
I suppose parents see it as a virtue name, which it technically is.
Parent is very political, very edgy, or very 'I must give child asthetic name'.
In Soviet Union some very communist people gave their kids made up names. One of these was Buntar, "rebel" in Russian. As in communist revolutionary. But it was male name :)
In Soviet Union some very communist people gave their kids made up names. One of these was Buntar, "rebel" in Russian. As in communist revolutionary. But it was male name :)
Because they are using their kid to make a statement about themselves.
This message was edited 5/7/2025, 9:15 AM
All names do that, though. Even generic ones reflect values.
This message was edited 5/7/2025, 6:40 PM
Yes, and the question is answered simply.
I suppose it sounds like a positive virtue name. I'm personally not a fan of the name, but I understand why the meaning is appealing.
Maybe the girl can go by Reba if she doesn't like it?
Maybe the girl can go by Reba if she doesn't like it?
You answered your own question. It can be seen as a positive thing. The word "rebel" itself is gender neutral. A woman can be a rebel.
You answered your own question: rebellion can be positive.
And anyway, some people just don't care about deep meanings and follow trends or just like sounds.
For tha tmatter, why do a few people name their babies of both sexes things like Riot, Danger, Cash, Velvet or Rain?
And anyway, some people just don't care about deep meanings and follow trends or just like sounds.
For tha tmatter, why do a few people name their babies of both sexes things like Riot, Danger, Cash, Velvet or Rain?
Something... something... smash the patriarchy