How do people choose their children's names?
By NJ Chicaa
@NJChicaa (128016)
United States
October 10, 2026 1:46am CST
I'm not a parent so this has never been an issue for me. Sure I have named my cats but those names are obviously more lighthearted than what you would name a baby. For awhile my sister and I were naming our cats after alcohol (Jameson, Gin, SoCo, Cosmo). Currently 2 of my 3 are named after Outlander characters. (Adso and Claire)
After 25 years of teaching I've seen loads of different names. It is always interesting to me and I wonder why parents choose certain ones. Clearly there are connections to backgrounds/ethnicities in many cases. Other times they are just creative.
I don't know what my parents were thinking when they named me. I know that the choice was between what my legal first name is and Stephanie. They went with the other one. Yeah well that's all well and good but they literally have never called me by that name. They've always used my middle name. Always. I tell everyone that the only people who call me by my legal name are telemarketers and strangers.
Like why name me one thing and then never use that name?
5 people like this
5 responses
@Juliaacv (57611)
• Canada
2h
My mother wanted a 'popular' girl's name for me.
She wanted to name me Laurie Anne, but my Dad, who was more traditional told her that I would be called Julia Ann.
There was always a JA in every generation. He did give in and add the 'e' on the end of Anne, and he let her put Clarissa as my middle name, which was her mother's name.
My brother just ahead of me is Micheal John, both names generational in our family. My Dad's name was John, so there is that.
My brother after me is Stephen Robert. Stephen, was a popular name that she liked, and Robert is the name of one of her brothers. He was accurately named because my Uncle Robert is a hothead and has a terribly anger issues and a very hot temper, so des Steve.
And then there is the baby, Vincent Patrick. Vincent is generational, Patrick......not sure, maybe just what they considered to be a good Irish name.
For Ron and I it was easy. We discussed and agreed to name our baby, if it was a boy, after my Dad. I wanted Ian, as it is a form of the name of John, and Allan for the middle name after Ron, since I would never name a kid with a rhyming name-John Ron. 
He got nailed with Jonathon Allan, and if that isn't long enough our last name is 10 letters long. He goes and signs Jon. It works.
He got nailed with Jonathon Allan, and if that isn't long enough our last name is 10 letters long. He goes and signs Jon. It works.2 people like this
@dodo19 (48610)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
3h
It is certainly interesting. Not sure why name a person something and only use their middle name. Unless the person themselves prefer their middle name. But for the parents, let's say, just use the middle name from the beginning. Not too sure why some parents would do this, but it's something to find out.
2 people like this
@crossbones27 (53971)
• Mojave, California
5h
That is interesting, I would imagine first sight is a thing. Did not know till saw you. Those must be the coolest names.
2 people like this
