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ArchivesWhy are military/weapon themed names trending?
Some of the names rising quickly on the lists are military/gun themed: Navy, Remington, Gunner, Cannon, ect. Why do parents choose violence associated names? Nothing against honoring the millitary, but why with your baby name?
Please keep politics out.
Please keep politics out.
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Many of these names are primarily used in the United States, and gun culture is a big thing in the United States, especially in the red states. I think it might also be rooted in American machismo since some parents insist on giving boys "manly" names. Politics probably plays a big factor in it too since most of these names are more common in red states. There's a good chance that a little Gunner, Remington, or Beretta might have Trump supporters for parents.
This message was edited 5/1/2025, 1:48 PM
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Ive never heard of berreta! To me, if you want your son to be manly choose a strong name like Daniel or Alexander. It's just like if you want your daughter to be graceful and pretty, name her Emily or Isabella, not Lovely or Ballerina. I frankly surprised those names arnt trending (take that back, royalty is) poor kids.
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Trying to give a larger picture: Naming babies after weapons is not unusual both over time and across cultures. Many of the Germanic name elements relate to war and fight, e.g, ag, bald, brand, hadu, helm, hiltja, ger, gund, lind, and kuon. In Arabic, we find names like Saif al-Islam or Saif al-Din. So I think it is no surprise that modern parents use the names of modern weapons. I have heard that Javalin and Bayraktar were used as given names in Ukraine, Alizee is now popular in France (originally the name of a wind, than a weapon).
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I believe millitary gun names are trending in America as people want their kids to be strong and be willing to defend their families, or honor the millitary, which is a positive thing to do, but guns and millitary are still associated with death and violence which may seem strange for a name. I'd suggest those who want to honor the millitary should name kids after famous soldiers and generals instead, such as Douglas. For a strong male name, chose a religious hero name or historical figure.
This message was edited 5/1/2025, 6:58 AM
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I don't know about politics, I think it's just a part of the big thing on giving children "unique" names no matter what, like there are weird spellings
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Politics, unfortunately, has got to be in. All over the world, with a few honourable exceptions, there is a movement among the voting public to support right-wing, authoritarian parties, opinions, charismatic leaders ... and while it may well not be deliberately done, giving one's children names like the ones you've listed is surely part of the same spontaneous trend. Like all trends, it will pass.
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I’m going to keep it 100 with you. Most parents don’t think that deeply about names. I see newborns every day at work and they just. Don’t. Think.
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