My cousin is pregnant with her first child. Even though she doesn't know if it's a boy or a girl yet (she doesn't want to know until baby makes his or her entrance!) we're still talking names. And talk turned to names that we love but everybody else seems to hate.
I have always had an interest in the arts so names of characters from operatic plays, musicals, ballets etc. is definitely something I would go for - Iolanthe, Odette, Harlequin, Florestan etc. I'm a long way off from being a mom but I do hope that if I name any future child a name such as these that it might inspire them to go into the arts industry. These aren't exactly top of the list for most people and I do realize that people will have difficulty in pronouncing these names so I may have to go for something a little more recognizable.
What names do the rest of you guys love but others aren't so crazy about?
Even though we're not Spanish, my parents chose a Spanish name for me which I love and my own kids have Latin names. I suppose I like French and Italian names. I just love how they sound, so beautiful and poetic. To be honest I don't know anyone who wouldn't like those names.
If anything it's me who doesn't like a lot of those old fashioned names that are starting to make a real comeback. Names like Albert, Edie, Ethel. No offence to anyone who has chosen those sort of names for their kids. But it's not for me.
I'm part Italian and my children's father is from Brazil. So when our kids were born, we chose names that were typical to both countries but were also well known in Britain. It was important that my kids had names that people were familiar with, even though we chose names from our cultural heritage, as we didn't want their names to forever be mispronounced or have them always having to spell them. And luckily, everyone likes their names.
I suppose I like a lot of classic names that aren't old-fashioned but might veer on that side of things. I do quite like the name Beatrice for a girl so if I'd had a daughter I would've considered naming her that even though I know it's not a name everyone's crazy about.
The arts are very important both in my family and with the circles that I move in so those sort of names from musical or literary backgrounds are definitely something I would consider.
We chose rather old-fashioned names for our kids. My daughter's name is still pretty much in use but not my son's! But none of that matters to us. We chose names we liked that we thought would suit our kids and we're very happy with our choices.
I'm with you Trailblazer. The arts are a big deal to my family and I. My parents worked in the industry, and I'm a musician. So I would definitely choose a name from a classic play, opera or musical. The names you've just mentioned are grand. I've always been drawn to Persephone or Hermione but I know a lot of people would have a hard time pronouncing them. For a boy, I like Benedict which I don't think is considered hip or trendy today unfortunately.
First of all congratulations to your cousin. My not-so-little-anymore cousin is also expecting her first child - a daughter who will be called Hazel Rose. Such a beautiful name.
Hmm... Names... well I've always liked Sharon and Karen even though I know those names aren't popular anymore. I think it's a real shame that 'Karen' has been saddled with the label that it's been given because it really is a nice name. But then I grew up in the eighties when names like Karen, Tracy, Sharon etc were very popular.
Oh and I've also always liked Tiger for a girl which no one else has ever been crazy about. I think Paula Yates and Michael Hutchence gave their daughter such a pretty name - Tiger Lilly!