Names you should never burden your child with

Unless you want to pay for their therapy bills or legal name change...
  1. Adolph
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "noble wolf"
    • Description:

      World War II stamped a permanent verboten on Adolph.
  2. Ambrosia
    • Origin:

      Latin, feminine form of Ambrose
    • Meaning:

      "Immortal"
    • Description:

      Ambrosia combines some of the more whimsical qualities of more popular Aurora and Isabella, with a heavenly meaning.
  3. Andromeda
    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name
    • Meaning:

      "advising like a man"
    • Description:

      One of the stellar unique baby names from mythology, Andromeda was the beautiful daughter of Cassiopeia who, like her mother, literally became a star--the constellation that bears her name.The Bohemian Andromeda makes a dramatic and adventurous choice in a time when four-syllable mythological names are gradually making their way into the mainstream.
  4. Annalie
    • Origin:

      Nordic, German
    • Meaning:

      "grace"
    • Description:

      Melodious and unusual form of a name with an uncountable number of variations. Many will understand it as the more down-to-earth Annalee.
  5. Answer
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      An implied spiritual meaning makes this a plausible new name.
  6. Aphrodite
    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name
    • Meaning:

      "foam or born from the sea"
    • Description:

      The name of the Greek goddess of love has rarely descended to mortal use, though the Roman equivalent Venus, thanks to tennis star Williams, now seems completely possible. But with the new fashion for goddess names, we may see more little Aphrodites in the playground with Jupiter and Juno. Nineteen baby girls received the name in the US last year.
  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. Audio
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      When actress Shannyn Sossamon dubbed her newborn Audio Science, it sent out some definite shock waves. We don't recommend Audio or Video for even the most intrepid baby namer.
  9. Babe
    • Origin:

      Word name or diminutive of Barbara
    • Description:

      You can call your baby "babe," but don't name her that.
  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. Bentley
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "meadow with coarse grass"
    • Description:

      Bentley, a somewhat stuffy British surname, previously associated primarily with an incredibly expensive English car, has had a recent surge in popularity, thanks largely to the reality TV shows 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom, with Bentley being the name of the son of breakout star Maci (another new favorite) Bookout.
  12. Bishop
    • Origin:

      English occupational name
    • Description:

      Reese Witherspoon's Deacon has opened this churchy direction for occupational names. It reentered the US Top 1000 in 2015.
  13. Camera
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "an optical instrument used to capture and store images or videos"
    • Description:

      The late tennis great Arthur Ashe (whose wife was a photographer) pioneered word names when he used this for his daughter. It would make an interesting first or middle name possibility for parents involved with photography.
  14. Chardonnay
    • Origin:

      French, a dry white wine
    • Description:

      If you're actually considering this as a name for your child, you must have had a glass too many. But it's an awesome name for a white cat.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. Cougar
    • Origin:

      Nature name
    • Description:

      Several animal names, from Fox to Wolf and even to Tiger, ccan work, but Cougar should stay in its cage. Even John Mellencamp has dropped it.
  18. 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.
  19. Dimple
    • Description:

      An adorable nickname for a smiley baby, but not suggested as a legal name.
  20. Dior
    • Origin:

      French surname
    • Meaning:

      "golden"
    • Description:

      Dior has joined Chanel and Armani on the fashionista hit parade of names, appealing due to its designer quality, its succinct sound, and contemporary air.