Should You Give Your Baby An Unusual Name?

Apart from life itself, perhaps the most important gift you will give your baby is a name. So take time to choose one which he or she will be proud of in later life. The first question you need to consider is whether to choose a traditional name, or maybe a ‘normal’ name but with different spelling; or do you go overboard and opt for a made up, unique name?

There are advantages in choosing an unusual baby name: people with such names stand out from the crowd; at school they won’t have to use an initial after their name because someone else in the class has the same name; and they won’t get confused with anyone else. However, nobody will know how to spell their name; it may be mis-pronounced; and other kids can be very cruel. There’s nothing worse than being teased and kids will quickly pounce on a weird name as a reason for teasing or bullying.

Several studies have revealed that people experience a negative reaction to those with unusual names. Dr Albert Mehrabian, author of The Baby Report Card and The Name Game, suggests that people react badly to anything unusual or different, and that includes names.

In a study conducted during the last 10 years, Dr Mehrabian looked at how a person’s name affects their life. He found that those with unusual names suffered low ratings in all categories: such as success in life, cheerfulness, and morality.

Dr Mehrabian found that the ones in his survey who experienced the most ridicule from co-workers were the ones with the most unusual names.

Johnny Cash’s song ‘A Boy Named Sue’ may have been amusing at the time, but the theory that naming a boy Sue would toughen him up is a fallacy. I knew a man whose middle name was Mary. His parents wanted him to have a saint’s name and for some reason chose Mary. He was ashamed of his name and tried to keep it very quiet.

Celebs can get away with giving their children most unusual names. Frank Zappa named his two children Moon Unit and Dweezil; one is a boy and the other a girl, although I have no idea which is which! But kids like that aren’t going to be bullied in the school playground. However, if you give your children names like they will be.

Your baby is already unique, he or she doesn’t need a unique name to be special. Bear in mind that your baby will grow into an adult, so make sure the name you choose will suit your child in later life. Too many cute baby names sound silly when baby grows into an adult.

However, if you still decide to go ahead with an unusual baby name and need a personalised gift for a baby, we can help; visit our store.