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Awful but loved

FractalShadow
By FractalShadow
Updated Wed Mar 29 2023
Guilty pleasure names: I love these names, but they seem silly, outdated, have horrible connotations, or otherwise don't seem appropriate for the first name slot.
  1. Butterfly

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Description:

      Fluttery and flighty. But there are a couple of names that mean butterfly you might consider, such as Yara and Farasha.
  2. Christmas

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Description:

      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.
  3. Cinderella

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "little ash-girl"

    • Description:

      One familiar name never used for real people, for obvious reasons. Read more about Cinderella and other Disney Princess Names in our featured blog.
  4. Columbine

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "dove"

    • Description:

      A beautiful flower name deriving from the Latin word for dove. Sadly, in America this name is now forever linked with a tragic terrorist attack on a Colorado high school.
  5. Hershel

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "deer"

    • Description:

      Gentle meaning and bona fide Hebrew history, but feels old-mannish, like Herman and Menashe.
  6. Honey

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      Honey entered the US Top 1000 for the first time ever in 2024, following the lead of parents in England, who've elevated this nickname-name to the Top 300 girls' names in the UK. Honey's popularity in the UK can be credited to its status as a cute British celebrity baby name, used by actress Kate Winslet, chef Jamie Oliver, and TV presenter Fearne Cotton, among others.
  7. Jinx

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Meaning:

      "spell, curse, bringer of bad luck"

    • Description:

      Jinx, a James Bond heroine name has an ominous meaning but kinetic energy. In the film "Die Another Day," the actual first name of the character played by Halle Berry is Giacinta. It could therefore be a playful nickname to Ginevra, Jessica, Genevieve, Gianna, Josephine, or Georgina, or a bold choice for those wanting some sparky and witchy.
  8. Kermit

    • Origin:

      Irish, variant of Diarmaid/Dermot

    • Meaning:

      "without injunction, without envy"

    • Description:

      Kermit was a Top 500 name until the 1960s, not coincidentally the decade in which Kermit the Frog made it a one-person (well, one-frog) name.
  9. Mystery

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      Pretty sound, provocative meaning, but a little over-the-top.
  10. Sesame

    • Origin:

      Food name and word name

    • Description:

      Poppy is the most widely-used seed name, opening the door for Sesame. While Sesame has a pretty sound, it is not often used as a name -- fewer than five baby girls were given the name in the US in 2021. In kids' minds, this might be overly associated with Sesame Street.
  11. Shadow

    • Description:

      Shadow as a masculine name falls into the category of modern word names, drawing from the natural phenomenon rather than traditional naming conventions. This unconventional choice emerged primarily in English-speaking countries during the late 20th century, reflecting growing interests in distinctive, nature-inspired naming. The name evokes imagery of mystery, protection, and constant companionship. As a given name, Shadow remains quite rare, appealing to parents seeking something dramatically unique with a touch of intrigue or gothic sensibility. The name carries associations with depth, complexity, and a certain enigmatic quality. While uncommon in official records, Shadow occasionally appears as a nickname or middle name, particularly in communities embracing alternative naming traditions.

  12. Silence

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      The Puritans used it as a virtue name -- but today it would just be considered weird: silence is no longer golden.
  13. Snowdrop

    • Description:

      Snowdrop is a delicate nature-inspired feminine name derived from the early-blooming white flower that often emerges while snow still covers the ground. This botanical name symbolizes hope, purity, and resilience as snowdrops are among the first flowers to bloom at winter's end. Though uncommon as a given name, Snowdrop belongs to the category of modern flower and nature names that have gained popularity in recent decades. The name carries a whimsical, ethereal quality that appeals to parents drawn to nature-themed names. Snowdrop combines the purity associations of snow with the gentle beauty of a small flower, creating a name that's both distinctive and meaningful.
  14. Valentine

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "strength, health"

    • Description:

      Valentine is an attractive Shakespearean name with romantic associations, but those very ties to the saint and the sentimental holiday have sent it into a decline, one which we think may be about to turn around.
  15. Vanilla