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Embarrassing Names

April Ludgate
By April Ludgate
Updated Sat May 20 2023
Please only use on of these if your child is 6+ and is a horrible person.
  1. Unique

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Meaning:

      "one of a kind"

    • Description:

      Finding a really distinctive name is probably a better way to make sure your child stands out, but then again, is choosing Unique really any different to parents choosing Saint, Messiah, Chosen, Dream, Miracle, or Blessing?
  2. 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.
  3. Butch

    • Origin:

      Nickname name

    • Description:

      Old-school nickname ala Spike and Babe that's favored by some hipster parents.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. New

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      New is a middle name name with meaning: Your baby, after all, is new to the world and you may hope will continue to approach life and experience as if everything is new and exciting.
  8. Gaylord

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "brisk, high-spirited"

    • Description:

      Best left on the old southern plantation, sipping his mint julep.
  9. Sixten

    • Origin:

      Norse

    • Meaning:

      "stone of victory"

    • Description:

      Nope, not a misspelling of Sexton or a number name. This Old Norse name is actually a name denoting victory and in the Swedish Top 100..
  10. Banana

    • Origin:

      Nature name

    • 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.
  11. 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.
  12. Add

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Adam or Adolph

    • Description:

      Abstract painter Ad Reinhardt, né Adolph, gave his short name a lot of artistic cred, but it remained securely a nickname. The extra "d" in this version helps it stand on its own, for better or worse.
  13. Infinity

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      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...
  14. Boss

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Description:

      If you like the idea of King and Prince but find them too regal, too royalist, this might be the name for you. Eight boys were called Boss in a recent year, and while it may feel like a totally modern choice, it has been appearing in the US stats since the late 19th century.
  15. Dix

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  16. 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.
  17. Calm

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      A modern virtue name, particularly desirable in this pressure-cooker world.
  18. Barber

    • Origin:

      French occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "beard"

    • Description:

      This name's all-male occupational roots help it break the Barbara bonds, but still not the most inspiring surname choice.
  19. Deal

    • Description:

      Deal as a feminine given name is exceptionally rare. It originates primarily as an English surname derived from the Old English 'del' or 'dale,' referring to a valley or hollow. As a first name, Deal has occasionally appeared in historical records but never gained significant popularity. The name's brevity gives it a modern, minimalist quality despite its ancient origins. Deal shares qualities with other short, direct names that have crossed from surnames to first names. The simplicity of Deal makes it distinctive as a feminine name, appealing potentially to parents looking for something unconventional, straightforward, and gender-neutral with historical roots.

  20. Hooker

    • Origin:

      English occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "shepherd's hook"

    • Description:

      fuhgeddaboutit.