Monday, January 01, 2007

A Survey on Naming

A Survey:

When naming children, what do you think about giving them obscure ethnic names? A name that people are guaranteed to misspell and mispronounce all their lives, like Daithi. It is Irish for David. It is pronounced "DAH-hee".

Doesn't look like that, eh? I know. Not that that name in particular is on our list, but when I'm mulling, I'm just wondering what people think about that. Do you think it is a curse to the poor kid, to always have to be correcting people, or responding to "uuuh.... Day thee? ? Da-eye-the? Is Daythee here??" when roll is called or it is his turn at the doctor's office, etc. Or is it interesting, meaningful? I was able to talk to one lady with a 'different' name who said, no, the burden wasn't too much, she was so glad she didn't have a common name. But that is just one opinion. I'm looking for more.

2 comments:

katherine said...

I named my third daughter Xela, after a place in Guatemala (which also happens to be a popular name in Guatemala). My husband served a church mission there and has always loved that name. Funny thing is that two of my nurses attending us after I had her specifically told me that they knew someone who had the exact same name. So I guess, while it is annoying when I go to the doctor's office or sign her into playtime and they mispronounce her name, it's still worth it to know she has a name that is a reminder for the special experience my husband had and happy when other people recognize it and are excited to tell you that.

katherine said...

by the way it is pronounced shayla--not zela