Names That Will Curse Your Child
- Virtue
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"moral excellence"Description:
The mother of all virtue names.
- Remember
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
No one will ever forget it. But Remember as a name came over on the Mayflower, so it has deep history as well as modern potential.
- Kulture
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"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.
- Pebbles
Origin:
English, word nameDescription:
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.
- Marvel
Origin:
English word nameDescription:
Marvel, now a character name in The Hunger Games series, was a miracle name of yesterday, on the girls' Social Security list until 1941 and reaching a high of 487 at the turn of the last century, when Marva was also in style.
- Dickie
Description:
Dickie is traditionally a masculine name functioning primarily as an affectionate diminutive of Richard, which has Germanic origins meaning 'strong ruler' or 'brave power.' While sometimes used as a standalone name, particularly in the early to mid-20th century, Dickie is more commonly encountered as a nickname. The name carries a vintage quality, evoking mid-century Americana and British culture where such familiar forms were more commonly formalized. Notable bearers include various athletes and entertainers who preferred this friendly variation. Though its popularity as a formal name has declined in recent decades due to potential teasing concerns and changing naming trends, Dickie remains part of naming heritage particularly in English-speaking countries, representing an era when casual, approachable name forms were embraced.
- Mercury
Origin:
RomanMeaning:
"messenger of the gods, quicksilver"Description:
It's a car brand, a planet, and the messenger of the gods -- but it's questionable whether it works as a little girl's name.
- Lovey
Origin:
Diminutive of Love, English word nameDescription:
This cutesy nickname made it onto the Top 1000 in 1883.
- Merica
Description:
Merica is a feminine name that can be viewed as a shortened form of "America" or possibly derived from Latin "merica" meaning "a portion." Some may see it as a patriotic reference in American culture, while others might connect it to variants like Marica or Merika found in Eastern European languages. The name has gained some modest attention in recent years as parents seek unique but pronounceable alternatives to more common names. While never reaching mainstream popularity, Merica has an appealing rhythm and contemporary sound. Its pronunciation is typically MEH-ri-ka, making it accessible despite its uniqueness. The name carries connotations of independence and national pride for some families.
- Banana
Origin:
Word name, English from Spanish and PortugueseMeaning:
"banana"Description:
Banana is one fruity name we wouldn't recommend. Pick Plum instead. There is a Japanese novelist whose pen name is Banana Yoshimoto--birth name Mahoko.
- Infinity
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
Infinity is a name that could have a long, bright future ahead of it, with its bold meaning and fashionable sound. It's an awful lot of name to pull off, but if Destiny can do it...
- Earth
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"earth"Description:
An early African-American name, along with variation Eartha.
- Hooker
Origin:
English occupational nameMeaning:
"shepherd's hook"Description:
fuhgeddaboutit.
- Christmas
Origin:
English word nameDescription:
Christmas is a day name long and quietly used as a name for babies born at Christmas. Prettier and more modern than Noel or Noelle.
- Dix
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"tenth"Description:
Once a birth order name, now might work as a cool x-ending nickname. But be warned that it sounds very close to an unfortunate slang term.
- 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.
- Ptarmigan
Origin:
Scots GaelicMeaning:
"name of a bird species"Description:
Ptarmigan is the common English name for the genus Lagopus, in the grouse family of birds. The name is derived from the Scottish word for the bird, tàrmachan (meaning unknown), with the initial P- added by erroneous association with the Greek pteron ("wing").
- Gaylen
Description:
Gaylen is a masculine name with Celtic and Gaelic origins, though some sources also suggest possible Germanic roots. It's believed to be a variation of Galen, which comes from the Greek word meaning "calm" or "tranquil." Alternatively, it may derive from the Gaelic elements meaning "slender" or "foreign." Gaylen gained modest recognition in the United States during the mid-20th century but has remained relatively uncommon. The name has a gentle, melodic quality while still maintaining masculine energy. It offers parents seeking something distinctive yet accessible a perfect balance of uniqueness and familiarity. Notable bearers include musicians and athletes, though it hasn't been widely popularized by celebrity usage. Gaylen can also be spelled Gaylon or Galen, with each variation maintaining similar pronunciation.
- Plenty
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
Wishful thinking.
- Generous
Description:
Generous is an exceptionally rare feminine virtue name derived directly from the English word describing someone who gives freely and abundantly. Unlike more common virtue names like Grace, Faith, or Hope, Generous remains virtually unestablished as a given name in English-speaking countries. The name carries obvious positive connotations of kindness, unselfishness, and magnanimity. As a word-name, it directly communicates the quality parents might wish to inspire in their child. While virtue naming has experienced several revivals throughout history, Generous has never gained traction in mainstream usage. The name might appeal to parents seeking a truly distinctive choice with transparent meaning and positive associations. However, its unusualness presents both uniqueness and potential challenges, as the bearer might frequently need to explain her uncommon name throughout life.
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