Humiliating names
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This is a list of names that are simply not good [at least in the English speaking world]. They may work for characters or pets, but for human children these are names that might be a bit much, though some have potential. These tend to be names that are: misspelled words, contain double-entendre or inescapable connotations, have an insulting or degrading meaning, impossible pronunciation, or hideous sound symbolism.
- Guy
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"wood"Description:
The patron saint of comedians and dancers (also known as St Vitus) has a name that is both the ultimate everyman, and has a hint of British aristocracy. In the States, Guy was most popular in the 1950s. Now he hovers steadily below the Top 1000, in the sweet spot of familiar but not overused. With the meteoric rise of Kai, Guy may have potential with parents looking for a more classic name with a similar sound.
- Danger
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"exposure to injury, pain, harm, or loss"Description:
Prime example of the aggressive word names that are an off-the-grid branch of the new macho names. Makes Cannon, Maverick, and Ranger feel almost soft and sensitive by comparison.
- Rafe
Origin:
Variation of Ralph, EnglishMeaning:
"wolf-counsel"Description:
A top ranking choice in England and Wales, making frequent appearances on the Telegraph Announcments, Rafe feels equal parts rugged, amiable, and posh. Traditionally seen used a variant of Ralph (itself from the Old Norse Ráðúlfr), it came into use in the 17th century to reflect this particular pronunciation.
- Lucifer
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"light-bearer"Description:
Lucifer is the name of the archangel cast into hell and while theologians disagree on whether he and Satan are separate beings, it long been on the list of forbidden names for religious and non-religious parents alike. With connotations of hell and devilry so strongly attached to it, the name is officially banned in some places, including New Zealand.
- Jezebel
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"not exalted"Description:
Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab in the Hebrew Book of Kings, has long had a bad girl reputation. But in the modern secular world, this is somewhat mitigated by the feminist perspective of her as a strong woman, the power behind the throne. Previously avoided as a baby name, Jezebel is now, along with the also previously avoided Delilah and Desiree, coming into use, helped by its relation to other 'bel' name such as Isabel and Bella.
- Makaveli
Origin:
American variation of Machiavelli, ItalianMeaning:
"bad nail; king of light"Description:
Makaveli was an alias of Tupac Shakur — his posthumous album, The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, was released under the pseudonym. The album was released in 1996, following his death, and the next year Makaveli debuted on the baby name charts after being given to 11 baby boys.
- Woody
Origin:
Word name or diminutive of Woodrow, EnglishMeaning:
"row of houses by a wood"Description:
While Woodrow is too forbidding, its nickname Woody is a bit cartoonish, as in Woody Woodpecker and the animated cowboy character in Toy Story. Woody also has a slang meaning that no teenage boy will thank you for. Woody Allen was born Allen.
- Amillion
Origin:
Invented nameMeaning:
"a million"Description:
A meeting of two trends — compound names a la Myking and Alegend and money-related -illion names such as Million and Billion.
- Spurgeon
Origin:
NorseMeaning:
"little branch"Description:
Spurgeon entered the mainstream name lexicon when it was chosen for their son by Ben Seward and wife Jessa Duggar, from the US reality show 19 Kids and Counting starring their large family.
- Stalin
Origin:
RussianMeaning:
"steel"Description:
Stalin is a name to immediately strike from your list. The connections to the former leader of the Soviet Union, under the rule of whom many suffered and died, make it a choice in poor taste for an American baby.
- Dick
Origin:
Diminutive of RichardMeaning:
"dominant ruler"Description:
Dick was a once-common short form of Richard; replaced by Rick or Richie, and finally by the full name itself. Rude meaning -- make that two rude meanings -- pretty much knocks this one out of consideration.
- Peaches
Origin:
English fruit nameDescription:
Unlike the other fruit names that are just coming onto the baby name menu, Peaches is an old-timey nickname previously reserved for spangled showgirls, and now would be considered an outrageous -- verging on hip -- choice. Or perhaps it was, until 2023, when it entered the UK Top 1000, not sounding too out of place beside other 2023 favorites, Honey, Blossom, Sage, Halo, and Dolly.
- Lawless
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"unruly; without law"Description:
Don't come crying to us when your son is breaking all the rules.
- Isis
Origin:
EgyptianMeaning:
"throne"Description:
Isis has gone from magical, feminist name on the rise to the forbidden list because of the extremist terror group called ISIS, an acronym for Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Unsurprisingly, Isis was one of the fastest-falling names in 2014, dropping 130 ranks to reach #706. Interestingly, however, since 2020, it has begun to see increased use again, and 2023 saw it given to 151 girls.
- Jenner
Origin:
English occupational nameMeaning:
"engineer"Description:
Surname known as the last name of the other side of the Kardashian clan.
- Lettice
Origin:
English variation of LetitiaMeaning:
"joy, gladness"Description:
Lettice is still occasionally heard in upper-class British families, but we fear it would cause too much salad-green teasing to be considered in the U.S. Calling your little Lettice Lettie could help make the name more user-friendly, or go all the way to the original Letitia.
- Messiah
Origin:
Aramaic word nameMeaning:
"expected savior or deliverer"Description:
A handful of years ago, a judge in Tennessee ruled that parents could not name their son Messiah, "because there's only one." That decision has since been overturned and the name no longer looks out of place besides the growing number of Saints and Chosens.
- Clotilda
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"famous in battle"Description:
Old and aristocratic European name that would be tough for an American kid to pull off.
- Candida
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"white"Description:
Attractive ancient name borne by several saints but sullied by association with yeast infection.
- Hyman
Origin:
Anglicized variation of ChaimMeaning:
"life"Description:
Hyman was commonly used by first-generation Jewish immigrants to Anglicize Chaim, but similarities to terms like heinie and hymen have taken it out of the realm of modern possibility. The original Chaim would be preferable to Hyman.
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