Most Embarrassing Names on Nameberry
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Nameberry has a lot of clunky names like Bertha and Norma that will get your kid made fun of, but that at least have a prayer of someday being cool again.
And then there's these.
- Moon
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
The original oddball celebrity baby name, via Frank Zappa's daughter Moon Unit, who claims she's always liked it.
- Rip
Origin:
DutchMeaning:
"strength, might"Description:
The name of Rip Van Winkle – and Rip (born Elmore) Torn – will probably never be ready for further consumption, if only because of the implications of R. I. P. The only thing that could save it is Rip Wheeler, the handsome ranch foreman on the soapy Western Yellowstone.
- Dick
Origin:
Diminutive of RichardMeaning:
"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.
- Fanny
Origin:
Diminutive of Frances, English from LatinMeaning:
"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.
- Dorcas
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"doe, gazelle"Description:
Classic name used by the Romans, the Puritans, and the Bard, but pretty much taboo today due to the objectionable connotations of both its front and back ends.
- Hella
Description:
Hella is a feminine name with multiple origins. In Germanic languages, it functions as a diminutive of names containing the element 'heil' meaning 'healthy' or 'whole.' It's also associated with Hel, the Norse goddess who ruled the underworld. In modern times, the name gained additional recognition from its use as slang in Northern California meaning 'very' or 'extremely.' Hella has a bright, punchy sound that feels simultaneously vintage and contemporary. Though not widely used in English-speaking countries, it enjoys moderate popularity in Scandinavian and German-speaking regions, where its brevity and distinctive sound are appealing qualities for parents seeking something simple yet distinctive.
- Hyman
Origin:
Anglicized variation of ChaimMeaning:
"life"Description:
Hyman was commonly used by first-generation Jewish immigrants to Anglicize Chaim, but similarities to terms like heinie and hymen have taken it out of the realm of modern possibility. The original Chaim would be preferable to Hyman.
- Hortense
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"of the garden"Description:
Hortense is actually the French feminine form of Hortensia, the name of a strong, politically active early Roman woman. Hortense began to be used in the English-speaking world in the nineteenth century. Napoleon had a stepdaughter named Hortense, it was the name of one of the main characters in the film Secrets and Lies and is also associated with novelist Hortense Calisher. As unappealing as it might be to most American parents, Hortense is now Number 155 in France (as of 2021).
- Zero
Origin:
Italian from Arabic and SanskritMeaning:
"void"Description:
Zero has been documented as a given name before, but it's largely familiar as a stage name (such as Zero Mostel, born Samuel Joel Mostel) and comic book and anime characters. Seven boys were called Zero is a recent year.
- Oral
Origin:
Variation of Aurelius or Oriol, or English word nameMeaning:
"golden; spoken"Description:
Possibly inspired by golden names, Oriol and Aurelius, or by the word oral, meaning "spoken", Oral is not one that would work in a modern English-speaking context. Too medical and too sexual, it did however see some popularity back in the early 20th century, likely owing to Evangelist Oral Roberts.
- Dink
Description:
Dink is an uncommon masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may have originated as a nickname for names like Dominic or as a short form of Dinkins. In some contexts, it has been used as a term of endearment for the youngest or smallest child in a family, derived from the notion of something small or 'dinky.' The name has occasional usage in Southern United States communities and has historical presence as a nickname or informal name rather than a formal given name. Dink has a short, punchy quality that gives it a casual, friendly character. While not widely used, its simplicity and distinctive sound offer a unique option for parents seeking an unconventional, brief name with a somewhat playful quality.
- Gaylord
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"brisk, high-spirited"Description:
Best left on the old southern plantation, sipping his mint julep.
- Corny
Origin:
English diminutive of Cornelia, LatinMeaning:
"horn"Description:
Cornelia is the feminine form of the Ancient Roman Cornelius. Both names were popular in the US in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but have dropped off the Top 1000. In the most recent year counted, there were about 40 baby girls named Cornelia and 80 boys named Cornelius. But we doubt many of those would be nicknamed Corny.
- Gay
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"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 Gray, Gale and Guy.
- Dodo
Origin:
English diminutive of Dorothy, GreekMeaning:
"gift of God"Description:
Dodo is one of the few names of the cute repeating-sounds genre that is not alas so cute, being a slang word for someone brainless as well as the name of the infamous extinct bird. Dot, Dottie, Dory, or Thea are all preferable.
- Ham
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"hot, warm"Description:
Along with Shem and Japheth, a son of Noah with a name that's almost never used -- for more obvious reasons than those of his brothers.
- Munch
Description:
Munch is an uncommon masculine name with Scandinavian and Germanic origins, functioning primarily as a surname before occasional adoption as a given name. It likely derived from an Old Norse nickname meaning 'monk' or possibly from the German 'München' (Munich). The name gained cultural recognition through Norwegian expressionist painter Edvard Munch, creator of the iconic artwork 'The Scream.' As a first name, Munch remains extremely rare, projecting an artistic, unconventional character. Its short, punchy sound gives it a distinctive quality, though some might associate it with the English word 'munch' (to eat). Parents choosing this name likely appreciate its artistic connections, brevity, and uniqueness, though they should be prepared for occasional pronunciation clarifications and references to either the painter or eating.
- Nappy
Description:
Nappy is an uncommon masculine name that may have multiple origins. It could be a diminutive of Napoleon, the name of the famous French emperor, or possibly a nickname derived from other names beginning with 'N'. In some contexts, the name might relate to the Italian name Napoleone or be a variation of Napier, an old Scottish surname. The name has a friendly, approachable quality with its short, cheerful sound. While rare in formal usage, it has an informal charm that might appeal to parents seeking a distinctive nickname-style name. Cultural sensitivities should be noted as the word has different meanings in various English dialects, including some potentially negative connotations in American English.
- Latrina
Description:
Latrina is a feminine name that emerged in American naming patterns in the mid-20th century. The name may have developed as a variation of names like Katrina (a form of Katherine, meaning 'pure') with the 'La-' prefix that became popular in many modern names. Alternatively, it could represent a feminine form of Latrell or be inspired by the Latin word 'latrina.' Despite having phonetic similarity to the English word for a type of toilet (derived from Latin), the name's usage suggests it developed independently as a melodic feminine name. Usage patterns show Latrina appearing in records from the 1950s onward, with peak popularity in the 1970s. The name has a rhythmic quality with its three syllables and flowing sound, characteristic of many feminine names ending in '-a' that have been popular throughout various periods.
- Pervis
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"passage"Description:
The perv connection crosses this name off the list.
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