Normally I wouldn't slag someone (to their face) for choosing a really dumb name for their baby. The one exception being "Moroccon Scott." Still can't get over that one! But the author of What Yo Nayme Iz? says you're setting your kids up for a host of problems by saddling them with an undesirable name.
Rodney Kellum told CNN that his research shows that unique names are not the way to go. You may think your baby looks like a Trixie when she arrives, but her resume is going to get the shaft when she tries to make a living. You're basically making your children unemployable, people, so stop before you go for the name you think will make the biggest splash.
Some other crazy names Kellum came across in his research will really make you laugh, and never, ever hire this person to be responsible for anything.
- Dae 'Moni
- Pornwadee (really???)
- ESPN (someone needs to put down the remote)
- Congratulashayla (I see where you were going with this, but you shouldn't have.)
- Ish (a Dr. Seuss fan?)
While we're used to celebrities tossing out wacky monikers like they're valet tickets, I'm just not as worried about Pilot Inspektor or Zuma, as everyone knows who they are and they have rich and famous parents. They'll be fine. Or in therapy. But at least it will be paid for.
It's the babies who will grow up to be regular people without the benefit of professional connections that lose, as shown in Kellum's resume experiment. More "normal" named applicants were contacted than the weird ones. Even with the same qualifications. So think about that, Mom and Dad, when you're staring down at your beautiful new baby. And lean more towards Vivienne than Vavavoom.
Did you give your child an unusual name?
Image via paprutzi/Flickr
This Hot Dad Wants to Do Your Ironing
This Hot Dad Wants to Cook You Dinner
This Hot Dad Cooks AND Does the Dishes
Kanye West is Gay?! 
Comments 59
i totally agree Mellissa 04287! It doesnt matter if my daughter has a traditonal name. She is unique on her own too. People try to hard with names sometimes. it can be obvious. She is going to be raised with strong morals and principals from a family that loves her and that will always have to time to play with her. Some can be pleasnt sounding unique and others are just plain weird.
For a girl it was a lot harder. I wanted something different but a good spanish name as well. I thought about Rosio, Alianna, and a few other. Nothing crazy. But I did consider switching the spelling and decided it would be a pain for my kids to have to correct everryone who spelt their names wrong.
My name is Ashley, I wanted a less common name, or at least had it spelt different. But I would name my child the top baby names in the US.
Christina Rihanna is weird or madonna isnt . "Rihanna isnt even her real name . just a little 411. and Harrison is unique but its a strong name but it can only go with certain last names. Selma is mexican and isnt weird anyway. Ryder is the only strange one though. I dont know why you were even trying to compare their names when they arent horrible except for the "ryder one. its saying what someone is.
Christina Rihanna Is Not a weird name, its just something you dont hear all the time.
"cyra" I like that name. You can use it proffessionaly and when you are young too.
"ooSamantha I've always liked the name "isabella too . IT was way before the twighlight movies. ITs femine and can be used on an aplication and someone not being embarrassed. But my hubby said no to that one so when we found out we were having a girl we both liked Katelyn the second we heard it. Ive maybe met one katelyn in my life. So it definitly had to be traditonal yet not so common. Congrats! im prego with #2 and if its a she i like "Savanna" MY hubby use to like it too but he changed his mind. : ( If its a boy he will have hubbys middle name "Taylor". Ive always liked the name anyway too. Thankfully we both have normal names to name our kids.
The ones listed aren't unique. They're stupid, silly attention getters for the parents. That's all.
i have a very irregular name and i have never met anyone else with my name. well there was that six year old back in 1998 but i didn't actually meet her. jolisa is a different name. but its not way out there. my daugher is morrigan. not way out there but different. i think its names like rolexus that won't get called back as opposed to kerrigan or kerrilynn. people need to use common sense. and stop naming their kids names that look liek they were decided upon by pulling letters out of a scrabble bag. jmo.