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HelpRe: Opinions on naming after someone / something
in reply to a message by Anya Mel’nik or Mel’nyk
I will start by stating that while I have my opinions on names themselves, I think that middle names are a fabulous space for people to honor stuff that matters to them in their children's names.
Characters, pets, and items are a bit hard for me to think about personally:
- I love my animals and remember them fondly, but it feels a bit too much to name a person after them? I don't know. Bluntly, all of my animals have been given names that I dislike. So maybe that's a factor.
- Items... I don't know what item would feel appropriate as a name?
- Characters are a different story. I do know that stories became very important to people. I do think there's something a little hokey about naming a child after, like, Princess Leia, or Spider-Man, or something like that.
There's a caveat to that last part: I'm pretty deeply religious, and I love Biblical names and hope to use those for future children. I suppose it's a bit disingenuous for me to critique someone for using a character from a story that matters as much to them as my religious texts do to me. So. I do think there's some validity in questioning whether it's appropriate to name a daughter Katniss or Chewbacca or something, but I suppose it's not fair for me to criticize the premise when someone could very easily make the same criticism of me.
For honoring places, I do think it sorts of depends on the place. To date, I don't think Chicago, for example, has become appropriate and accepted as a name. But Savannah or Charlotte or Carolina are. I think if there's a meaningful connection to a specific location, then that is valid. But again, if it's not an accepted name, then maybe throw it into a middle name spot.
I do think that naming a child after someone who inspires you is okay, with some caveats for the name and for the person. I don't know how much it's practiced anymore, but there is a longstanding tradition in Catholicism to incorporate names of significant and meaningful saints into children's names. I actually remember for a long time on here, there was a regular user who was an enormous fan of the music of Carole King, and wanted to incorporate Carole into a future child's name. I see nothing wrong with that.
Honoring family - biological, chosen, etc. - is always appropriate. I don't particularly care for my parents' names, but I hope to incorporate them into future children's names - but in a middle name spot. (Katharine Victoria was a combo I've loved, my mom's name is Emma, so I currently think I'd love to name a child Katharine Emma Victoria.) Personally, I would only use names that are based upon relationships that are meaningful. I've heard of people honoring their children's godparents in their middle names, for example.
Anyway, I think it all comes down to personal preference.
I have to hope that it wouldn't be likely for a child to be named after a dog named, like, Spot. Or a character named, like, See Threepio. Or a celebrity named Kanye. Or, God help us, a family member named Adolf. But those are more related to the names themselves, as opposed to the premise of honoring what matters to you.
Andrew
put a smile on your face - make the world a better place (:
Characters, pets, and items are a bit hard for me to think about personally:
- I love my animals and remember them fondly, but it feels a bit too much to name a person after them? I don't know. Bluntly, all of my animals have been given names that I dislike. So maybe that's a factor.
- Items... I don't know what item would feel appropriate as a name?
- Characters are a different story. I do know that stories became very important to people. I do think there's something a little hokey about naming a child after, like, Princess Leia, or Spider-Man, or something like that.
There's a caveat to that last part: I'm pretty deeply religious, and I love Biblical names and hope to use those for future children. I suppose it's a bit disingenuous for me to critique someone for using a character from a story that matters as much to them as my religious texts do to me. So. I do think there's some validity in questioning whether it's appropriate to name a daughter Katniss or Chewbacca or something, but I suppose it's not fair for me to criticize the premise when someone could very easily make the same criticism of me.
For honoring places, I do think it sorts of depends on the place. To date, I don't think Chicago, for example, has become appropriate and accepted as a name. But Savannah or Charlotte or Carolina are. I think if there's a meaningful connection to a specific location, then that is valid. But again, if it's not an accepted name, then maybe throw it into a middle name spot.
I do think that naming a child after someone who inspires you is okay, with some caveats for the name and for the person. I don't know how much it's practiced anymore, but there is a longstanding tradition in Catholicism to incorporate names of significant and meaningful saints into children's names. I actually remember for a long time on here, there was a regular user who was an enormous fan of the music of Carole King, and wanted to incorporate Carole into a future child's name. I see nothing wrong with that.
Honoring family - biological, chosen, etc. - is always appropriate. I don't particularly care for my parents' names, but I hope to incorporate them into future children's names - but in a middle name spot. (Katharine Victoria was a combo I've loved, my mom's name is Emma, so I currently think I'd love to name a child Katharine Emma Victoria.) Personally, I would only use names that are based upon relationships that are meaningful. I've heard of people honoring their children's godparents in their middle names, for example.
Anyway, I think it all comes down to personal preference.
I have to hope that it wouldn't be likely for a child to be named after a dog named, like, Spot. Or a character named, like, See Threepio. Or a celebrity named Kanye. Or, God help us, a family member named Adolf. But those are more related to the names themselves, as opposed to the premise of honoring what matters to you.
put a smile on your face - make the world a better place (:
Replies
I do not like naming people (or usually anything) place name, Mariya that I mentioned is not my home city name. My home city name mean "city of Maria" in Greek.
Though I like Zhytomyr as name, but it used to be name so I feel it is more acceptable. I would not use in modern day because it is city now.
In Slavic culture (at least East Slavic) middle names always honour father.
My is Semenivna, because his name was Semen. Or in Russian Semyonovna from Semyon :)
Though I like Zhytomyr as name, but it used to be name so I feel it is more acceptable. I would not use in modern day because it is city now.
In Slavic culture (at least East Slavic) middle names always honour father.
My is Semenivna, because his name was Semen. Or in Russian Semyonovna from Semyon :)
This message was edited 5/12/2025, 4:21 AM