What you are called and what you decide to call your kids is an interesting phenomenon. If you have been burdened with three or more lengthy, traditional family names, you might retaliate by deciding to give your baby a short, unique name. In the name popularity game, there is no rigid rules or exact science. As the world population grows and changes, new names and flavors come and go accordingly.
People are influenced by different factors when deciding what to call their baby. Some are inspired by the sound or symbolic meaning of a specific name, while for others it is simply a matter of tradition to pass on family names. In certain cultures, especially boys are expected to carry the full names of their fathers and forefathers for generations to come.
In the earliest times, people named themselves and their mythical gods after nature and natural phenomena as their reference field was limited. Isis, Thor, Venus, Apollo and other mythical gods had super powers and many common names originated from these in different variations. The Bible was probably the single most popular inspiration for names. Even today, most families still have quite a few Johns, Lukes, Abrahams, Pauls, Elizabeths, Marias or Marthas in their ranks.
In previous centuries, two or three traditional family names were a common occurrence and generally accepted. Kids were not mocked about their names as long as it was a common, well-known version such as Tom, Dick or Harry.
The psychological science behind name giving is interesting. Most parents want to believe their newborn is special and thus want to give the kid a name worthy of that perceived greatness. Millions of kids have been named after a celebrity or famous person - almost as though the parents want to bless their kid with the talents and characteristics of their hero. Should the hero fall into disgrace or become forgotten, the kid is stuck with the name of a fallen, forgotten superstar who has no meaning to the kid.
In modern times, name giving has become even more difficult. Most of the traditionally popular ones have become boring, over-used and old-fashioned. It's a constant competition to find a new flavor of the month that has a relatively long expiry date. In a way, what you call your kid becomes a lifelong trade mark.
Modern day parents are also more aware of the psychological effect that a name can have on a kid's life - especially in a multiple-cultural society. No kid wants to have a freaky or funny name that makes him the clown of the class. The latest trend is shorter, simple names derived from a combination of traditional family names that can be easily spelled and pronounced by all cultures.
However, the more things change, the more they stay the same. In this regard, names follow the same trends as fashionable commodities and the age old favorites never completely disappear. They may temporarily lie low for a couple of decades before they spike all over again on the global popularity charts.
People are influenced by different factors when deciding what to call their baby. Some are inspired by the sound or symbolic meaning of a specific name, while for others it is simply a matter of tradition to pass on family names. In certain cultures, especially boys are expected to carry the full names of their fathers and forefathers for generations to come.
In the earliest times, people named themselves and their mythical gods after nature and natural phenomena as their reference field was limited. Isis, Thor, Venus, Apollo and other mythical gods had super powers and many common names originated from these in different variations. The Bible was probably the single most popular inspiration for names. Even today, most families still have quite a few Johns, Lukes, Abrahams, Pauls, Elizabeths, Marias or Marthas in their ranks.
In previous centuries, two or three traditional family names were a common occurrence and generally accepted. Kids were not mocked about their names as long as it was a common, well-known version such as Tom, Dick or Harry.
The psychological science behind name giving is interesting. Most parents want to believe their newborn is special and thus want to give the kid a name worthy of that perceived greatness. Millions of kids have been named after a celebrity or famous person - almost as though the parents want to bless their kid with the talents and characteristics of their hero. Should the hero fall into disgrace or become forgotten, the kid is stuck with the name of a fallen, forgotten superstar who has no meaning to the kid.
In modern times, name giving has become even more difficult. Most of the traditionally popular ones have become boring, over-used and old-fashioned. It's a constant competition to find a new flavor of the month that has a relatively long expiry date. In a way, what you call your kid becomes a lifelong trade mark.
Modern day parents are also more aware of the psychological effect that a name can have on a kid's life - especially in a multiple-cultural society. No kid wants to have a freaky or funny name that makes him the clown of the class. The latest trend is shorter, simple names derived from a combination of traditional family names that can be easily spelled and pronounced by all cultures.
However, the more things change, the more they stay the same. In this regard, names follow the same trends as fashionable commodities and the age old favorites never completely disappear. They may temporarily lie low for a couple of decades before they spike all over again on the global popularity charts.
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