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Names That Will Curse Your Child

I'm a Banana
By I'm a Banana
Updated Tue May 23 2023
Never use these, ever. (Unless you are trying to curse your child, if you are go ahead.)
  1. Guy

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  2. Lucifer

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  3. Donald

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "proud chief"

    • Description:

      Donald has been used for centuries in Scotland, where the Macdonald clan is one of the most ancient and where there have been six early Scottish kings by that name. Donald was a Top 20 name throughout most of the early twentieth century.
  4. Gertrude

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "strength of a spear"

    • Description:

      Could cute nickname Gertie, remembered as cute five-year-old Drew Barrymore in E.T., revive the long shunned Gertrude?
  5. Dick

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Richard

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  6. Adolf

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "noble wolf"

    • Description:

      Adolf may have been a Swedish royal name but the terrible dictatorship of Adolf Hitler has ruled out this name Adolf for any sensible parent. In the US last year, there were more than 100 boys' given the Spanish variation Adolfo and a handful given the old school Adolphus, but none named Adolf or Adolph....thank goodness.
  7. Apple

    • Origin:

      English nature name

    • Meaning:

      "apple"

    • Description:

      When people talk about unique baby names, Apple is often one of the first examples they mention. Apple made international headlines when Gwyneth Paltrow chose this wholesome fruit name for her daughter. Many have called it ridiculous, but we have to admit, we find it appealing enough to list as one of our top cute baby names. Rocker Bob Geldof named one of his daughters Peaches; Banana Yoshimoto is a hipster writer. Another choice in this genre is the luscious Plum, though for different reasons, neither Prune nor Cherry will fly.
  8. Bunny

    • Origin:

      Animal name or English diminutive of Berenice, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "she who brings victory"

    • Description:

      Bunny may be adorable, but is it really enough of a name for your daughter? Plus if Buffy is fluffy, what would that make Bunny?
  9. Homer

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "security, pledge"

    • Description:

      Homer is a name that has traveled from the ancient Greek scribe of the great classical epics to Bart Simpson's doltish dad, and has also become the surprise hot celebrity pick of such parents as Richard Gere (his father's name), Bill Murray, and Anne Heche. Simpsons creator Matt Groening has both a father and a son named Homer.
  10. Princess

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Meaning:

      "princess"

    • Description:

      Part of the trend for formerly canine royal names; this is one a little girl might love—up till the age of eight.
  11. Maeby

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Mae

    • Description:

      Maeby sprang into the modern consciousness via the cult TV favorite Arrested Development, in which the appealing teen character Maeby's name is a nickname for Mae. It's also a homonym for Maybe, which undercuts its inherent cuteness. Is Maeby prime for a real life baby name? Sorry, but we can't resist: Maybe.
  12. Pebbles

    • Origin:

      English, word name

    • Description:

      As the former stage name of TLC founder Perri Reid and the name of the youngest member of the animated Flintstones clan, it's got some pop culture cache. But it'll be too cutesy by half for most parents.
  13. Kulture

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "the customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or other social group"

    • Description:

      Rappers Cardi B and Offset gave the truly unique word name Kulture to their daughter in 2018. Its message is more inclusive and artistic than such elevated celebrity baby names as Saint, Reign, and Sir. Kulture may refer to a creative culture or a social culture. The baby's middle name is Kiari, which is dad Offset's birth name.

      Kulture is one of the most unique celebrity baby names of recent years.
  14. Messiah

    • Origin:

      Aramaic word name

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  15. Gay

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "joyful"

    • Description:

      The meaning of this word flipped from "cheerful" to "homosexual" during the twentieth century, and it's now almost certainly too loaded to sit comfortably as a baby name. Which is a shame as sound-wise it's very appealing, just a short step away from Faye, May, and Rae.
  16. Line

    • Description:

      Line is a feminine name with multiple origins and pronunciations. In Scandinavian countries, particularly Norway and Denmark, it's pronounced 'LEE-neh' and often serves as a diminutive of names like Caroline, Karoline, or Oline. In French contexts, Line (pronounced 'LEEN') may be a short form of names ending in '-line' like Adeline or Jacqueline. The name is characterized by its simplicity and minimalist charm. Line has a modern, sleek quality while maintaining connections to traditional naming patterns. Though relatively uncommon internationally, it enjoys moderate popularity in Nordic countries. The name's brevity makes it distinctive in an era of longer names, offering a refreshing simplicity with cross-cultural appeal.
  17. Siri

    • Origin:

      Norse, diminutive of Sigrid

    • Meaning:

      "fair victory"

    • Description:

      Siri is a charming and lively Scandinavian name that is no longer on the table given the ubiquity of Apple's digital Siri. Too bad, because Siri -- along with variations Syrie and Cyrie -- is unique, enchanting, and adorable. But now taken.
  18. Fanny

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Frances, English from Latin

    • Meaning:

      "from France; free man"

    • Description:

      As this word is less often used to mean derriere, it becomes more possible to view Fanny as the kind of appealingly quaint nickname name, like Josie and Nellie, that many parents are favoring now.
  19. Edit

    • Description:

      Edit is a feminine name with multiple origins and meanings across different cultures. In Hungarian, it's a form of Edith, pronounced 'EH-deet,' and has been a traditional name for centuries. In Scandinavian countries, particularly Sweden, Edit also appears as a variant of Edith. The name ultimately derives from the Old English 'Eadgyth,' combining 'ead' (wealth, prosperity) and 'gyth' (battle). Despite its simplicity, Edit may cause confusion in English-speaking countries as it's identical to the English verb 'edit.' The name experienced modest popularity in Hungary and parts of Northern Europe throughout the 20th century but remains uncommon in most Western countries. It has a concise, straightforward quality while carrying historical depth.

  20. Truly

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Meaning:

      "in a truthful way"

    • Description:

      A would-be up-and-comer if it wasn't for the spiked seltzer brand.