Humiliating names
- Indica
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"of India"Description:
The calming variety of marijuana, used as a baby name every year since 1992.
- 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.
- Dieter
Origin:
German, diminutive of DietrichDescription:
Dieter is a classic German name that got lots of satiric exposure via Mike Myers on "Saturday Night Live" a few years back. If mispronounced, it could conceivably be read as someone on a diet.
- 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.
- Gaylord
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"brisk, high-spirited"Description:
Best left on the old southern plantation, sipping his mint julep.
- Adolph
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"noble wolf"Description:
World War II stamped a permanent verboten on Adolph.
- Bart
Origin:
Diminutive of Bartholomew, HebrewMeaning:
"son of the earth"Description:
Permanent property of that devilish little Simpson kid.
- Gypsy
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"wanderer"Description:
Gypsy, long associated with the intellectual stripper Gypsy Rose Lee and the musical that was made about her life, was used by Drea de Matteo and Shooter Jennings as the middle name of their daughter Alabama. Be aware, however, that the word gypsy is now considered an ethnic slur when used for the Romani, or Roma, people.
- Freek
Description:
Freek is a masculine name with Dutch origins, functioning as a diminutive form of names containing the Germanic element "fred" or "frid," meaning "peace" or "ruler." Common in the Netherlands and occasionally found in Flemish-speaking regions of Belgium, Freek is typically pronounced "frayk" rather than how it might appear in English. The name remains uncommon outside Dutch-speaking countries. Within the Netherlands, it has maintained modest popularity as a straightforward, unpretentious choice with historical roots. Freek conveys a friendly, approachable quality while still carrying traditional masculine energy. The name's simplicity and connection to the widely valued concept of peace give it enduring appeal, though its pronunciation in English contexts may present challenges due to its spelling.
- Cookie
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"cookie"Description:
Cookie is most often used as a dog name, and it should stay that way.
- Alias
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"pseudonym"Description:
We think, probably, most parents who name their sons Alias are using it as a variation of Elias.
- Sextus
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"sixth born"Description:
Just think about those inescapable "sexy" nicknames. The related Sixtus is not a huge improvement.
- Bob
Origin:
English, diminutive of RobertMeaning:
"bright fame"Description:
Kids love Bob the Builder, but do they want to be Bob the Builder? Bob and Bobby have been out of style since the 1960s, but as vintage nickname-names -- Fred, Archie -- come back into vogue, Bob may tag along. Charlie Sheen used it for one of his twin sons.
- Girlie
Origin:
English, FilipinoMeaning:
"girl-like, girlish, little girl"Description:
While Girlie might feel a bit juvenile and impersonal in the US, it is more notably used as a given name in the Philippines where it would be pronounced GEER-lee rather than like girly. Notable bearers have included politician and journalist Girlie Balaba and hockey player Girlie Hodges.
- Flash
Origin:
Word and comic book nameDescription:
Flash Gordon makes this a superhero name, but Flash might just appeal to modern parents looking for one of the new active boys' names, ala Ace and Breaker and Ranger. We'd recommend something more pulled-together as a proper name with Flash as a nickname or middle name.
- Pansy
Origin:
English flower name from FrenchMeaning:
"thought"Description:
Pansy is an early floral name that lost credibility when it became a derogatory slang term for gay people. Better these days: Posy or Poppy.
- Sativa
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
If you live in a state where marijuana is legal (or maybe even if you don't), you might know that Sativa is one of the major strains of weed.
- Vanity
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"excessive pride or self-admiration"Description:
You might view this one as an anti-virtue name, associated with conceit, pride, and a shallow obsession with one's own appearance. Add to that its second meaning, which connects it to futility and uselessness (as in, to try in vain), Vanity is probably not what most would want for their child.
- Balzac
Origin:
French surnameDescription:
Dashing middle name choice for admirers of the French author.
- Billion
Origin:
English word nameDescription:
The second most common numerical -illion name, after Million. Probably because of the outdated nickname Bill.
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