Why do names need meaning?

Question

the name doesn't make the child,the child makes the name?

So why do names NEED deep meaning and mean alot to ppl?

Answer 1

It makes for a nice touch. I know that my daughters have always been interested in the meanings of their names, how we chose those names and why some were rejected over others.

The names should have deep meaning to you and not necessarily anyone else. A name is something you keep for your entire life, whether you like it or not and it helps to know that there is a story behind it.

Answer 2

makes the name more personal and special.

Answer 3

Because every word has a meaning. I don't think it's important to consider the meaning when naming a child, because no one else will care that your baby's name means "Heaven", they'll be like "Why in the h**l did you name your child Urania?"

It's always nice to know what your name means, but I don't think it should be a deciding factor, nor should it be used as defense for a butt-ugly name.

Answer 4

it is nice to know what it means

Answer 5

I agree with you.  Its annoying when people say your child will grow up resenting you for not giving them a name with meaning. or that what you name them will decide There future and career, that a law office wont hire your child with a weird name. well There is a lawyer in our town named stormy!

Name your child what YOU like and what fits them best. I have never cared to look up my name to see the meaning.

O and my cousins name is Jett And it suits him perfectly!

Answer 6

Names don't 'need' meaning.  In most cultures they have meaning.  They are just part of the language.  In our case we still use names like Rose.  But most of the words have ceased to be part of our vocabulary or maybe never were in the first place.  Nathan is a Hebrew name, actually sounds more like Natan, but it means 'he gave'.  If you wanted to say he gave in Hebrew you would say 'natan' as part of the sentence.  Daniel is Hebrew for 'God (El) is my judge (Dan)'. Sophia is a Greek word translated 'wisdom'.  The name Shu Feng is Mandarin for 'Pretty Flower'. Many of the names we use are transliterations of names or words from other languages.  Now when you get to Toniqua, or Shawanda, I think it was just a creation for the sound of it.

Answer 7

I'm inclined to agree with you.  If you know a lovely girl called Sarah, you'll like the person - and probably the name - whether or not you read somewhere that it means "princess."

That said, it's tough to separate names from their histories.  There's the name's meaning that you can find in a baby book, the more subtle development of the name over years and then, of course, the best known bearers of the name.  Monica might be a highly regarded fourth century saint, but odds are that if you name your daughter Monica right now, all anyone will think of is the unfortunate Miss Lewinsky.

I wouldn't choose a name because a book says that it means happy or fortunate or bright.  But I also wouldn't choose a name without thinking long and hard about the meaning and derivation, either.  And, of course, I'd keep in mind that many times the simplified explanations in baby books are leaving a lot out - or are just plain wrong.

Answer 8

Because the meaning may give the child something more. My name means pure, and I'm one of the most innocent people my friends know, and it's not because I'm boring, but because I choose to make good decisions while still having opportunities to be an adult. If a baby is named something that means hard worker, maybe she will be a hard worker.

It's sort of inspiration

Answer 9

So you can tell your child that their name meant something inportant, and you didn't just think it would be "cool" to name them something stupid - like Jett.  Unless you're a pilot, this is just an asinine name for your baby.  

I'm all for different names, but there should be thought put into it, maybe an old family name, or some kind of literary reference.

Answer 10

Sometimes I think people give a child a name because they want the child to have a certain trait (ie, grace, faith, honour, hope.) I think also that some times people give them names for religious reasons. Sometimes to honour/emulate a person who has meant a lot to the parents.

I however don't really mind... Apparently my name means 'container of eyeshadow'! Lol:)

Answer 11

I never cared what the meaning of my kids names where, and still don't know. I named them who I felt they were and names that I loved. Meaning doesn't really mean anything, I think you should like the name that your choosing enough to use it. Not oh I want a name that means Heaven, Or Eternity, or something like that.

Answer 12

I believe that you do fall into your name.  When I was twenty I found out what my name meant and it means "Advisor, Counselor" All of my life I have been the shoulder to cry on, the one who everyone asks the opinion of, the one who always tried to give people advice.  I love who I am and so does everyone else.  If I didnt have to do a report in college on names, I would have never known that I was destined to be one who gives advice.  I think its cool to grow up and find out that you are exactly what your names says you are.  So why not give your child a name that means beautiful or patient.  I mean if it doesnt work out it's not like the name police will come to get you.

Answer 13

It doesn't necessarily need meaning, but it's nice to have one. Also if you give them a name with a bad meaning. But still some people don't pay attention to the names meaning, like example.. there are many Cassandras in the world, Cassandra means "She who entangles men". I'm sure people didn't mean that about their daughter when they chose it.  

Answer 14

Sometimes parents want the name to mean something to them.

Like my parents, for example. Because they knew I was going to be really sick when I was born, so they chose my name because it means "gift of strength from God"

Answer 15

good question, i usually dont base whether i like a name or not off of meaning. but my parents did, they gave me Eva (giver of life in Hebrew)

Answer 16

I think meaning is just as important a factor as anything else in the decision making process (like popularity, pronunciation, spelling, lifelong durability, teasing, initials etc.)

I personally shudder in horror when I learn a child has been named something horrid such as Cameron ("crooked nose"), Cecilia ("the blind child"), Kennedy ("misshapen head") or Claude ("disabled"). Do parents not bother to look up meanings when they name their children, or do they simply not care? I think it is the latter; otherwise we wouldn't have millions of girls running around with names that mean "son", either. Oh well, it'd cost a lot of money to jail all of their parents, and I like to keep my tax dollars.