Names and Careers

[erose]

@caoimhe oh no! What you say makes sense, absolutely, but one of my favorite names is Ottilie...and I've been worrying about whether or not it will be too difficult for people to pronounce and understand at the first go! So maybe an Ottilie would lose a job to an Olivia...

[shellezbellez]

I meant to get back to thread last week but had a family situation to take care of, so had to put it off. I am enjoying the dialogue generated here.

I think my biggest reason for the OP is that I think the only way to fight stereotyping is to ignore it/not participate in it/foil it. I was also posting specifically about names being underused b/c they are too feminine (or in other instances, overused because of the idea that androgynous names will help women get ahead); the irony for me is that we're mostly women here saying these things, thus perpetuating those stereotypes ourselves.

I am definitely not including kreatif or yooneeque names in my discussion--again, those have issues that are completely unrelated to gender typing. Ash is right--I did originally post based on the discussion in the thread about Primrose, but on second thought, that name may fall between feminine and unique (not in the bad way), and its unfamiliarity may be why people are hesitant about it. A more common or recognizable feminine name like Isabelle wouldn't face the same typing issues because of its familiarity. SO, there is definitely more to be considered here.

I will get back to this in a bit; I'm still playing catch-up from last week! Thanks for all the thoughtful comments and posts.

[thetxbelle]

I could be wrong but I think your original post has been edited so many of us who replied didnt know you were specifically talking about names people deem frilly, maybe I just missed it? If so I apologize.


I think a lot of factors go into choosing or rejecting a name not just "thats too girly to be a presidents name". I have a hard time taking some of those names or similar ones seriously but it's not because they're too feminine, You can give examples all day long of successful women named Candy since there are always exceptions to the norm but I still cant imagine a President Candy or Vice President Taffy Primrose and I dont think that's a big deal.

I think you just have to accept that people and society react certain ways to certain names. It's not necessarily fair, as a generation of Addysyns and McKenzlees are probably going to find out, but there is a perceived image for whatever reason however insignificant or wrong that may seem to some, and not everyone is going to want to volunteer to name their child Effie, Taffy, Alessandra (I think this name should be left out of this argument because as plenty people carry this name) to send a message.

[penguin]

There were a lot of people who told Barack Obama he'd never be president because of his name. It's the substance that matters, not your name.

[thetxbelle]

There were a lot of people who told Barack Obama he'd never be president because of his name. It's the substance that matters, not your name.

I agree with you but isnt Barak/Barack a biblical name that is widely accepted and even popular in some cultures?

[oliviasarah]

AMEN.

It's all I can say.