What do native english speakers think of names such as d**k or g*y ?

Question

I am not a native English speaker and each time I hear such a name I cannot help about the other/offensive meaning, I wonder why people named their child that way or don't change their name, do native English speakers think differently ?

Answer 1

d**k is a nickname for Richard. Hardly anyone uses that anymore, because of the slang term. Nor do many people name their children g*y. These names were used predominately before the "other meanings" were so mainstream.

Answer 2

they are good and proper English names or words that have been given a wrong meaning by evil minded persons.

Answer 3

g*y is short for Gaylord.

d**k is short for Richard.

These names were around LONG BEFORE the negative connotations came about.  That's why there are people named d**k, and some people USED to go by g*y (g*y originally meant "happy").  

Answer 4

honestly i would never name i could that. it just makes me laugh when i hear them.  

Answer 5

I think it would be cruel to name a child g*y these days, but I'll bet there's someone out there who's done it recently. They're probably "making a stand" about the hijacking of the English language by modern slang.

I have a friend who goes by the name d**k or Dickie so I'm used to that. At least it's his choice.

Answer 6

No one names their child g*y. d**k is a shorter version of the name Richard.

Answer 7

d**k is derived from Richard and is a very old name that isn't used really anymore. So people don't call their child that?

You're asking WHY they did call their child d**k. Well when they named their child, the name 'd**k' didn't have the other 'offensive' meaning, it was simply a shortened version for Richard, so it wasn't offensive in any way.

It is only now that slang such as 'd**k' has another meaning, and seeing as noone calls their kids that name anymore, I don't see what the problem is lol.

As for g*y... I have lived in England all my life and have never met anyone or knew of anyone called g*y? lol g*y used to mean 'happy' in the past, so again, it wasn't offensive...

Answer 8

yes, there is such tendency

they even managed to spoil such nice name as John

now, on hearing it some silly heads giggle and chuckle

with the only aim to have that temporary feeling "he is lower than me, so i'm higher"

let's imagine that from today on the word "nose" became embarrassing

for no reason

just because

so now it's shameful to say "nose"

and the one who says will be laughed at

this is how it works, from gold to the dirt

poor people, maybe they don't have any other reasons for a laughter and no more achievements than to be proud they are not called d**k or Johny

if i were a guy, i would change my name to g*y just to see what people have in their eyes when they hear it

Answer 9

I think you are carrying the burden.  Look to yourself if you think these names are offensive.  I lived in Bermuda for two years and chuckled everytime a Brit told me they "knocked someone up" when they knocked on their door...Cherish the differences

Answer 10

Actually one of my moms very close female friends is named g*y. Shes in her late 50's so it probably didnt mean then what it does today. And d**k is short for Richard and was very popular before d**k meant p***s.  

Answer 11

g*y is not an uncommon name for a woman. I think most people over the age of 13 just get on with it.