Would you ever give your baby girl a boy's name?

United States
June 19, 2007 3:13am CST
During my search for the perfect baby name, I did not once consider giving her a boy's name. I'm not sure why, but I didn't. But today for some reason I started thinking about baby names. I've got babies on the brain. And, a thought occurred to me, what would she be like now, if I'd named her Trenton or James? Do you think it's proper to name a baby girl with a boy's name? Do you think it changes their personality or influences their behavior? Would you ever name your baby a boys name even if she were a girl? Did you?
5 people like this
13 responses
@cynddvs (2948)
• United States
19 Jun 07
I've never really thought about it but now that you mention it I don't think I would name her a boys name. I think it would get confusing once she got in school and I would be afraid she would get teased.
1 person likes this
@steney (1418)
• Philippines
19 Jun 07
They say a name has a certain influence on the person to whom it has been given. So if you choose a sweet name, the child becomes sweet. Others choose strong names in the hope that their children will be strong too. As with boy's names, I know there are some that sounds unisex like Alex, Casey, or Dakota. But I couldn't imagine a beautiful girl named James or Trenton. I used to like the idea of giving my daughter a boy's nickname but a girl's full name just to make it sound unique, but I changed my mind and settled for both girl's name and nick. Now her personality turned out to be as sweet as her name. And I'm glad. It's really up to you, parents to decide which one fits your child best. Just put your feet in her shoes for a momemt and imagine if she will appreciate the name you will give her when she grows up. :)
1 person likes this
@Signal20 (2281)
• United States
20 Jun 07
My middle daughter's name is Jordan. I guess that's more of a unisex name now a days, but when I had her, I only had heard of one other little girl with that name. It seemed all the kids named Jordan were boys :) I don't have a problem with it, guess it just depends on what the name is. I don't think a name like Michael is good for a girl lol. I don't know if it would influence their behavior or not, I think their personality would already be developed by the time they go to school, and I'm sure they'd be teased by some rotten kid out there.
• United States
20 Jun 07
We never considered giving our daughters boy names, but, believe it or not, our one daughter is named Samantha, and we call her....you guessed it, Sammy!
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
20 Jun 07
No, I will give the name according to the baby's gender. If a girl called Tom or a boy called Marry, doesn't it sound weird? It's better to think out a good name for the baby. Otherwise I'm afraid when he/she grows up, others will laugh at him/her or make fun for his/her name.
• United States
20 Jun 07
My daughters name Alexi actually came from a boy. The guy is the lead singer from my husband's favorite band who originate out of Finland. Alexi I guess a common name in Finland for boys. :)
• India
19 Jun 07
sounds very interesting ..I am a grand father 75+ expecting another baby to arrive with in 3 months time I would llike to name the baby in such a manner that it could be fitting for a boy or girlany suggestions I llive in India ..we have an array of names that could with impunity used for a boy or a girl either way but to name a girl baby as a boy would be an interstingly arresting idea ..but what would happen eventually ..then what is in aname ? Shakepear thought otherwise and we know there is much substance in a name but pray why name a girl lie the boy what is the catch ? No harm in doing so ..Any suggested names for my grand son/daughter to be born in sept 2007 connoting ambivalent name..names are welcome ...thanks vpsmalhotra@gmail.com
@monalizra (219)
• Romania
20 Jun 07
no way! all the other kids will laugh of that child because of that.
@carlaabt (3504)
• United States
19 Jun 07
I wouldn't name a little girl a boys' name. The names we've picked out for a little girl are pretty girly (Abigail and Emily). I want it to be obvious that they are girls when a person hears their names, instead of wondering whether it's a girl or boy. Our son's name is Elliott, which we absolutely love. But now its starting to pick up popularity as a girl's name because of Scrubs. I still think it sounds much more boyish than girly, but I guess some people don't agree. For my next child, the name will not be so unisex.
@mssnow (9484)
• United States
19 Jun 07
Being the mother of three boys i would say NO, i would not. if i had a girl she would be all girlie. all dressed in pink and a girlie name. I would have spoiled her rotten too. Even though i said i would never spoil my kids lol
@sunshine4 (8703)
• United States
19 Jun 07
Some baby names are for boys and girls. When I had my 3rd child I had the name Taylor picked out whether it was a boy or a girl. I wouldn't have picked a "boy name" like those you mention for a girl. I might have considered Jordin or Ryleigh for either boy or girl also. I don't think that the name changes the personality of the child. My Taylor ended up being a boy. He is very athletic and very popular. He has mentioned to me that he doesn't like having a 'girls name'. Even though he has a friend who is a guy with the same name. Naming him Taylor, which in his mind is a girls name, didn't change his personality or influence him in any way.
@marinarovi (1318)
• Argentina
19 Jun 07
Here in Argentina you can't, by law, give a girl a boy's name. But anyway, why would you do that? I don't think it would alter her behaviour or anything, but by the time she reaches 18 she would be tired of people asuming she's a he when she gives out a resume, a letter, or whatever...
@tredale (1309)
• Australia
19 Jun 07
I love some of the boys names for sure and yes I have a jayme and love it. I also love the name shawn for a girl, I dont mind jason either. Though I plan on not having any more children I think as long as you love the name nine out of ten times the child will grow into the name...