Do you think the meaning of a name matters?

Question

Do you think name meanings matter? I notice that quite popular names have somewhat 'unattractive' meanings. Other times a name is so imaginatively put together it loses its roots. What do you think?

My name means "industrious" though it also can be translated as "rival". Calvin means "bald"and Cameron "hooknosed". Also many names have Biblical or Old Testament roots but have common usage even by Atheist parents.

Answer 1

I always thought it was a big deal, my parents put a lot of thought into it (I am Beth Elaine, "a light in the house of God").  But, I recently had a baby and when I was looking up names I noticed too that so many names have "bad" or boring meanings, and it was hard to find one that meant anything!  Maybe it's not as important as I always thought...

Answer 2

I never give too much thought what the name means and I doubt the majority of people out there care. It seems names' meanings have been replaced with what the name is associated with. For example when you think of the name Damian/Damien think of the movies of the Antichrist. They don't think of the meaning of the name. I think I would worry more about what association the name has. Good luck.

Answer 3

Well, all I can say is I guess it doesn't seem to matter anymore considering Addison is a popular girl's name lately and the meaning is "Son of Adam".

BUT, on the other hand, I'm sure there are still parents out there who actually choose their children's names because of the meaning it has. I just don't know anybody personally that does that.

My daughter's name means "youthful", so as of right now it fits because she is only three. lol

Answer 4

I really love the meaning of names.  I am middle aged and don't think my parents knew anything about the meaning of names.  Or at least I don't think so but my name, first and middle means:

Grace or graceful

To trust

So yes I do think it is important.  I never had children but I always had names pick out if I ever did.  I loved Christian (follower of Christ) Brooks(from the brook) for a boy and Elizabeth (God is my oath) Faith (to trust) for a girl.

We are Christians.

10cc

Answer 5

I think the meaning should matter but at the same time I don't care for it because it's hard to find a good meaning that has a cute name attached or vice versa.

Take Caroline for example it means Little and Womanly, I love the meaning but I hate the name.

Answer 6

I think that it's something to take into consideration, but shouldn't be the end-all reason to pick or discard a name. We're using James for our son. It means 'usurper', but we aren't worried that naming him James will make him rise up and take over our house or anything! We're atheists, and using a name from the bible. We just like the sound of it. That said, I wouldn't use Mallory, because it means 'unfortunate' or 'cursed'. That meaning is too blatantly bad for me to use.  I hate when a name has no meaning at all, like Kaylie or Jazlyn. While it might not be the nicest thing to have a name that means 'laurel tree' (like Daphne), it's infinitely better than having a name that means "a popular American combination of the popular prefix 'Kay' and the popular suffix 'lee'." That's not a meaning at all!

Answer 7

In this day and age, the meaning of a name seems to have as much meaning as your appendix: It's there, but isn't used.

In my opinion, however, the meaning doesn't matter too much.

Answer 8

I honestly don't think it matters what the meanings are. As long as you like the names thats all that matters!!

Answer 9

It doesn't matter that much to me, but I would probably steer clear of a name that meant "hated one" or something like that.

Answer 10

I don't think it means as much as it used to.  My name means "Born into power" and pfft, I surely wasn't.  Most people just go with names because they like them.  There are a few, though, that I can't stand.  Kennedy has a terrible meaning (I think it means brainless or something) and Addison is a disease.  Your examples work as well for bad names.  

Personally, I check meanings of names that I like, even before I name a character in my stories.

I think a lot of people would just rather follow a trend than care about what the name means.  Even if a kid is named Calvin, I don't think that's like cursing him to go bald or something.

Answer 11

um...no. unless it means something bad.

Answer 12

not really no1 judges u by the meaning of ur name.

Answer 13

sometime i think it influences me. if i really love a name, it doesn't really matter. but it is nice to have a nice meaning for the names you like.