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Do you think certain names only sound good on kids (or even just babies)?

I wrote an article on this topic recently -- Baby Names that Age Well. I find it really interesting how adamant some people get about this topic.

What do you think: do names like "Blaze" and "Shaylee" sound good on both adults and kids, on only children, or on no one at all?

I loved the article!

I've heard some of these comments about baby names:

"Oh, that's a good, strong name"

"What a sturdy sounding name"

I'm not sure what makes a strong or sturdy name, lol!

I knew someone that did not reveal the name of her child until after the child was born, just so she didn't have the stress of people trying to change her mind, or offer 'helpful' suggestions.

I think that people should give more thought to naming their children. These are names that they will have to live with, not some cutesy name the parent comes up with in a snap. Or worse, yet a name you would expect for a pet. There have been manhy name studies that show that naming your child is important not only for them but for how society will view them.

Brandii,

Thanks!

I hear comments like that as well.

My personal interpretation of "strong" is that it denotes a male name that will probably never turn into a female name.

It's sort of a sexist definition, I know -- but I think issues of masculinity and femininity have become important recently, as so many names (e.g., Peyton, Avery, Cameron) have become dual-gender or even "girl" names so quickly.

So when I hear someone say a name is "strong," I always interpret that as: "Now there's a name that won't turn into a girl name overnight."

I would call names like Gordon, Frank, Bruno, Garrett and Roger "strong" names in this sense.

P.S. - Here's an article I wrote on unisex names a while back.

Nancy,

Many, many parents agree with exactly what you said -- that's one side of it.

And then the parents on the other side of the issue tend to want their kids to have unique, one-of-a-kind names.

People really do have strong views about baby naming.