adminGIRL baby names have origins in many languages including French, Latin, English and African. Many have the popular prefix of “La” or “Le” ( Latoya, Lashawn, Latrice, etc) and also “Da” and “De” (Denelle, Danisha etc). Names like Tanisha (meaning the name of a day indicating birth on a Monday) originate in Africa from the Hausa language. Other African languages include Zulu, Swahili, Zulu, Igbo, and Yoruba.
Boy Babies
Boy baby names also have origins in many languages including French, Latin, English and various languages in Africa. Many have connections to Greek and Classical literature, the Bible or reflect noble positions such as Earl or Earle. There are also those with the prefix of “La” as is Lamarr or DaJon. There is also a trend to make unusual use of hyphens, capital letters and apostrophes such as D’marreio or D’Sean and Le-Vaughn.
African-American Baby Names
Society is much less formal than it used to be. We use first names more often than surnames now and these have become increasingly important in terms of a person’s identity. Unusual spellings are becoming totally acceptable in our society. The emergence of the Internet and Mobile phones has lead to the creation and total acceptance of new spellings which have given us a whole new modern dictionary. Modern Afro-American names are the leaders in adopting such changes in names.
African-American Genealogy
Our ancestors who originated in Africa had no choice in their lives due to the practice of buying and selling people into slavery. Between the years 1650 and 1900 it is estimated that 28 million Africans were forcibly moved from Africa as slaves. One of the most famous books relating to the forced slavery of one of these forced immigrants in America was “Roots” by Alex Haley. According to research into genealogy compiled by Alex Haley his ancestor was a man called Kunta Kinte who came from the Gambian town of Jufferee. A vital element in the story of Kunta Kinte is that he desperately wanted to keep his own name rather than take on the adopted name of his owner. Name changes obviously make investigations into family genealogy difficult but this is certainly not an impossible task.
African-American Name Origins
Like many of our immigrant ancestors, surnames which originated in Africa were changed to Western ones. Those given were often Biblical ones (conversion to Christianity was of major importance) or classical types such as Plato and Homer (these were given to illustrate classical knowledge). Research indicates, however, that slave owners did not often give slave children their first names so many which originated in Africa were still used.
African-American and Muslim
The interest in tracing family roots and history together with many people converting to Islam, the traditional religion of many of the nations in Africa, has led to many African-American to adopt traditional African or Muslim names.
Dictionary Definition of “Unusual”
Unusual — not usual or common or ordinary — being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird; not commonly encountered
Searching for Unusual Names
The definition “slightly odd or even a bit weird” can be taken as a warning when choosing an unusual name. People searching for unusual baby names are looking for something that is unusual i.e. a name that everyone will like but nobody has!
Reasons why more people are looking for an Unusual Baby Names
There is a definite trend towards people choosing this type of name. The first reason for this is that our surroundings are becoming too similar. No matter where a person lives there are the same chains of stores and fast food outlets — we want to set ourselves and our children apart. We want to be different!
Unusual Names Convey Identity
Society is much less formal than it used to be. We use First names more often than surnames now and these have become increasingly important in terms of a person’s identity. Unusual spellings are becoming totally acceptable in our society — just think about the unusual names that are being by bands and companies! The emergence of the Internet and Mobile phones has lead to the creation and total acceptance of new spellings which have given us a whole new modern dictionary! This very website allows people to search for the most popular and conversely the most Unusual Baby Names.
How to create a really Unusual Baby Name
- Invent something new and completely different by adopting the hybrid approach. Take two existing names and combine the two in a unique fashion. Use of family Surnames would be a good starting point, not forgetting Maiden and Middle names.
- Unusual punctuation — Create an unusual name by making unusual use of punctuation such as the placing of an apostrophe, a hyphen or a middle Capital Letter.
- Unique Spellings — An easy way to create something completely different. A good example is Ryann or Delyia.
- Convert Places — created from the place of birth, for example, Dallas or Brooklyn
- Convert the name of a Colour — created from different colours, for example, Gray or Azure
- Flower name — created from different flowers, for example, Daisy or Columbine
- A Characteristic name — created from different characteristics, for example, Patience
- An Inspirational name — created from inspirational themes, for example, Hope or Glory
The pitfalls of choosing this type of name
Remember that you are taking full responsibility for creating an important factor in your baby’s identity. Selecting a name from the category of “Unusual Baby Names” runs the risk of being faddish and associated with a particular period in time. Such a name must be suitable throughout all of life phases (“A Name isn’t just for a birthday — it’s for life!”). Consider the phases and our life cycle starting with baby — toddler — school child — teenager — young adults — parents — middle age — retirement and old age. Will the unusual baby name that you have chosen suit a pensioner as well as a baby? Will the schoolchild be teased mercilessly? And what will your baby think of your choice? Will they thank you for constantly having to repeat and spell their name to people for the rest of their lives? Remember that although the name is unusual it will be widely used — so other people must be able to say it and spell it easily. The name should not suggest anything undesirable or silly! Studies undertaken by eminent psychologists suggest that people who have highly unusual names, considered odd by those around them, can experience great difficulties in their normal social relationships.
The choice is yours!
We hope that we have provided you with the inspiration with lots of ideas and easy ways to create Unusual Baby Names! And presented a balanced view of the pleasure and the pitfalls of choosing this particular type of name.
If all the above fail then obtain inspiration from the game of Scrabble!
Think of names that you know and make use of the word tiles to add new letters or remove existing letters.
We hope that we have provided you with the inspiration, together with lots of ideas and easy ways, to create Unusual Baby Names!
www.babynames.org.uk
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