Naming trends

Naming a child can be tricky. While selecting names for their children, many parents simply pick names they like. Others however may be influenced, consciously or not, by popular trends. There is nothing wrong with this. However, being aware of such trends may help parents understand the reasons for their choice better. It may also help them discriminate between names that are creative or expressive, and plain weird.

Some common naming trends include selecting names on the basis of:

• Tradition: Parents today are rediscovering names from earlier times that somehow lost out to more trendy ones. These not only include names that were in vogue until not so long ago, but may even be drawn directly from ancient or historical sources, for instance, biblical names such as Ananiel, Delilah, or Hanamiel.
• Exoticvalue: Many parents increasingly opt for exotic names with foreign ethnic roots for their children. These may include amiliar names in their foreign versions, such as the Greek Georgius for George, or more unfamiliar ones such as Tatyana or Estefania.
• Meaning: There is a trend of naming children with words of positive or personal significance. While overall a good trend, parents need to avoid choosing names that could typecast the child with specific aspirations.
• Novelty: Many parents create new names by combining two or more accepted names. Others convert surnames into names or switch traditional names between genders. However, parents need to understand that, especially in the case of the latter, such names may expose children to unnecessary ridicule.