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From Romeo to Juliet

The Power of the Name

By Mark Stackpole

Rosenkrantz does point out that we are evolving in our approach to naming and in our attitudes toward names once thought unusual or even strange. "Naming has become for many parents a highly-pressured, competitive and sometimes secretive process," she says. "Many expectant parents become obsessed with the popularity of names, and it can become a thorny issue between spouses. The national naming climate has changed so much that a sizable minority everywhere now will have unusual, unique or oddly-spelled names."

According to Rosenkrantz, while traditional names provide safety and a connection to previous generations, they also can be seen as colorless and overly common. Currently, even the use of traditional names has taken several twists. Names like Avery, Noah, Mason and Spencer are not just for boys anymore. Irish and Russian names like Finn, Connor and Colin, or Sascha and Mischa, are growing in popularity, even for folks who do not belong to either of those heritages. For girls, spiritual names or color names are in vogue – a kindergarten class might have Destiny sitting in front of Scarlett and Blue but behind Miracle and Charity.

Leanne Hanson of Cedar Park, Texas, does not think her name is unusual, but she has decided to give her daughter an uncommon one: Melida. "I just think as long as the name isn't too weird, rare names sound confident and inspire curiosity," she says. "I don't think that changes the course of a person's life, but I think it gives a small social help. It can add a little more impact and ice-breaking in making first impressions."

Want to see more?

• What's in a Name? The Methods Some Use to Name Their Babies
• The Name Game: How to Pick a Name That You and Your Baby Will Like
• "You're Naming Her What?" 9 Rules for Discussing Names
• Talk about it!

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