highbay, you've reminded me of a student I once had named Mikul. I mentioned what an unusual name, and he replied that it was because his parents couldn't spell Michael.

Highbay - my brother-in-law is a pediatrician who worked in a downtown Phila. hospital during his rotations. He swears he has seen a baby named Placenta and one named Chlymdia. I wonder what Chylmdia's dating life will be like?

I agree with Ryan, Paul and Highbay on their recommendation of a more traditional name. As a Human Resources Professional by trade, I am much more comfortable calling a job applicant for an interview when I can pronounce the name correctly, and even more comfortable when I know by the name whether I will be speaking to "him" or "her" before I call.

Ani, I happen to have a niece named Riley, and now that she is in kindergarten, the other kids in her class sing the "O'Riley Auto Parts" jingle to tease her, and it makes her cry. :-(

My father's family is Hungarian and their are 2 names in the archives that I've always thought very pretty, both for girls: Jolan (pronounced Yo-lahn, version of Julia) and Cornel.

Patrick, you're very funny today! Warming up for the GTG?

Patrick-
For some reason, Michael seems to be the most BUTCHERED traditional name. Glad that I had some back-up on that one! LOL.

Keep in mind that the unusual names will probably also be spelled wrong by others the majority of the time. My name is Kristin, which is not that unusual, but it is almost always misspelled- even in my High School yearbook it is spelled Kristen. It drives me nuts!

Not to mention that to avoid this, when stating my name to others for any written purpose, I always have to follow up with a full spelling.

Please keep in mind how annoying that "unique" name may be for your child for the rest of his/her life... good luck!

Many years ago we picked up a mouring in Jost Van Dyke BVI. This darling girl met us at the docks introducing herself as Kayleigh, Kayli, Kali, Kaylee,?????? Well I never had that daughter, but her name would have been Kali.

A friend who was a teacher came across a new girl in her class named "Female" (she pronounced it fe ma lee). Apparently, her mother (who didn't speak English) gave birth and saw "Female" checked off on the birth certificate, so that became her name.

I hated it until I got to college, but now I am very very glad that my first and middle names are Michelena Mia.... seems like people remember it (or at least they remember that it is a beautiful name). My sister is Vincenzia Marie. They were fun to learn to spell - really!

I am also very very glad that I don't have a more common or easy to pronounce name. I'd rather work somewhere where they look past my name and get into who I am.

Agree you need to be careful to keep in the unique side of srange. I went to elementary school with a girl callled Dollyrollythea - apparenty her mom had heard and liked the name Dorothea but didn't get it exactly right. You can imagine what she went through on the playground.

Christie-sorry to hear about your neice! Luckily, we dont have an O'Riley auto parts around here. But you know what? No matter what name you give your child, traditional or no, other kids are going to find SOME way of making fun of it-so don't pull your hair out trying to come up with a name that kids won't make fun of. IMPOSSIBLE. Little sh*ts ;)

This thread reminded me of a funny website on some of the names people come up with for kids....

http://www.notwithoutmyhandbag.com/babynames/8.html

Biblical names have stood the test of time. If you want to name something with an odd, creative name, do your child a favor and lay it on your dog, cat or goldfish.

Everyone in my family has what I would deem 'unusual' names, not so much for the pronunciation, but the spelling. However, more recently, both mine and my brother's names have become exceedingly 'common'. In terms of spelling, etc, I usually find that people are more likely to remember my name, because they ask for the spelling, and then they can mentally 'picture' the name. I used to hate it, but it's totally grown on me, and I wouldn't give it up for anything. The names are Wavne (female) Jules (male - NOT short for Julian) Kira (female) and Jayden (male - frequently shortened to Jay). P.S. If you REALLY want an unusual name, but are worried about teasing, discrimination, etc, why not consider a traditional first name with a 'unique' middle name/names?

When I was in grade school (many years ago) we had a girl in our class named Kona. She was darling and a nice girl and I always loved the mane since then. I also have a friend named Jana and always loved that name. Never had an daughters tho so didn't get to use either name.

Well, it's one thing to spell (intentionally or not) a child's name differently. I knew a girl in high school named Michael. I will never understand her parents reasons for that. It would be annoying to have people think you are a guy or think that your name is really supposed to be Michelle for your entire life.

I have several friends and coworkers who are into naming their kids after places - Dakota, Brooklyn, Madison. I just can't help it, though, every time they mention the kid's name I automatically think (Brooklyn)Bridge, (Madison)Wisconsin, (Dakota) North or South? I really don't like male sounding names for girls - Graham or Riley - ugh! I think it's important to keep in mind what it will be like for the child growing up with a very unusual name or even a more common name that is spelled a little differently!

I am definately of the traditional school of thought. I like "older" sounding names for kids that will sound right when they are adults. My mother always said that you should pick a name that will sound good if your child grows up to be President of the United States. Somehow, I doubt that first woman president of the US will be named Brittany or Tiffany. I also doubt a guy named Elvis or Vegas would make it either. And while no one in my family has been elected President of the US yet, we all have pretty successful careers. Our names were not a barrier to our success.

As far as places as names, it works when the place has been named after a person. A co-worker named his daughter Helena - a beautiful name in and of itself. But when you know that he picked it because that's where he and his wife grew up and fell in love(Montana) its even more special, especially now that they live in the South. But could you image if they met and fell in love in Butte?

Buffalo, that's funny about "Riley" being too masculine (although I realize it originated as a boys name) b/c I've always wanted to use that name for a girl, but DH and I would hear nothing of it for a boy b/c we think it's wayyyy to feminine.

Director Ron Howard named his kids from where they came from (like Ryan wanted to do). I don't think they're named 'Master Bedroom' or 'Back seat of the Car' but that's what I thought of when I first heard about his naming strategy.

I have a 'common' name. Bullies had no trouble finding a way to taunt me. Heck, the bullies got me on my last name too.

As for spelling, I don't think Phydeaux is a cute version of Fido. And I keep thinking of SanDeE* Sarah Jessica Parker played in that Steve Martin from about 10 years ago.