American sociologist Dalton Conley and his wife had a relatively normal time picking out names for their children, however, the names themselves aren't necessarily normal.
Their daughter, E (who is 12), has the shortest name on record and their son, Yo Xing Heyno Augustus Eisner Alexander Weiser Knuckles (who is 11) has the longest name in New York City. Dalton argued that these names would challenge assumptions about race and social norms and would force people to see them as individuals apart from their odd names. He also stated that in the long run, they would learn better impulse control throughout life by being teased.
My questions are...What do you think of this situation in general; do you think it's morally acceptable to name children such outrageous names? Do you feel as though people with strange names feel obligated for their personality to match their unconventional names or do you think that their names can overshadow who they are?
7 comments:
Although Dalton Conley's intentions may be good (in the sense that the public would have to look past their children's names), naming children culturally uncommon names could be more damaging than helpful. For example, having a strange name could lead to the enormous disaproval of many of the child's peers. This disaproval could be extremley damaging to a child who does not have a completley emotionally stable personality and lead to a low self esteem. Because people strongly associate their name with their identity, the child may also feel overshadowed to match the strangeness or implication of the name. Although it may be considered unique and daring, naming a child an uncommon name may hurt them more than a parent expects. -Natalia Zagula
As Romeo once said, "Would a rose by any other name smell so sweet?" I don't think it matters what your name is. However, my only complaint about parents who decide to give their children uncommon names is that if you are going to do so, don't get mad if and when people pronounce it wrong! At one of the orthodontic offices I work at this is often the case. If you want people to get your children's names right every time, then stick to Alex and Emma. Actually, by picking a common and simple name, I feel people would be LESS judgedmental. By giving your child an abstract name, people will make more rash assumptions about them, in fact. Poor Yo Xing Heyno Augustus Eisner Alexander Weiser Knuckles is just victim to a cruel joke masked by backwards reasoning. This is definitely a cry for attention on his parents' part if you ask me.
-Cristina Theriault
I think that our names do sometimes overshadow our own personality. Some people are named based on their culture or their background, and those names sometimes do overshadow one's personality. Just as this article mentions, these two children are raised by a sociologist, thus their names are equally creative. Even though one name is the shortest name possible and the other is one of the longest in New York City, they will be discriminated against because of their unusual names. If they had such average names such as "Emily" or "Alex" then they wouldn't be discriminated against for their names. Just the fact that their names are so odd is what could cause emotional distress in their future.
-Brett Bishop
I agree with Cristina in the fact that E and Yo Xing Heyno Augustus Eisner Alexander Weiser Knuckles parents are just looking for attention. This shows because they broke records with both names. While I think E is a pretty cool name her brother must have suffered from his name. Can you imagine him being a kindergartener learning to spell his name? And all the teasing he probably goes through. Unique names are very interesting and fun but I believe their sons name just crosses the line. What is the point of it? When anybody talks to him they don’t say the whole thing.
When choosing kids names, parents should think long term about how their name could affect them for the rest of their lives. You're going to be stuck with the same name for the rest of your life and people are going to judge you solely based on your name. I understand that people want to be unique and different and their name helps them to do that. But honestly it's a little ridiculous how parents take naming their kids to the extreme. Having a name such as "E" is an ok name because it allows for the child to be unique but still have that normalcy. On the other hand that little boys name is absolutely unnecessary. Their parents just want their kids to be made fun of and try to stand out. Overall parents should really take into consideration how their decision of their kids names will affect them for their life.
-- Brianna Maylor (: --
I think no name is crazy.every child has been named and it has reasoning . It makes u an individual and diffrent then the rest. Everyone enjoys there name and everyone should be able to. We all have different names that define us as a person and sets us apart. I think parents do choose our names based on how unique or different it is
nick lebron
I do no think it is morally right to name your child with outrageously ridiculous names just because you fell like it. Your child for the majority has to live with their name you perceived for them to have forever. I believe when a child had such a ridiculous name they do not have to live up to their name because there most likely going to be embarrassed and want to change their name or have people call them something else for short. More of something they can tolerate more, and hear. I believe their name can over shadow that they are. Not be able to show their true self and be self conscience, about what people think of their name. Overall names of your child ridiculous or not affects the Childs life throughout many years.
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