Does anyone else think the meaning of the name is important?

we feel convicted to give our child a name with a good literal meaning, or family meaning, or after a meaningful person. but the literal meaning seems very important to us. just wanted thoughts from others.

Does anyone else think the meaning of the name is important?
I have a stronger attachment to the aesthetics of the name, but there really are so many factors that play into it.
Reply:the meaning is less significant nowadays, but in my opinion, it is very important to know the meaning of the name. i like unusual names (especially the ones which are difficult to pronounce), but the meaning should not be ignored. it would've been interally foolish to name a boy "colleen" or being named "christina" by atheistic parents who are intending their child not to raise with a religion.





my name is kathleen dane villaluz, which means "pure danish lighthouse" and it is kindda internally foolish, but i never feel ashamed about it and i manage to serve it as a punchline. still, i think names should reflect on the parents and the baby.
Reply:Yes too me and my husband meaning of our kids its important.
Reply:Well, i don't think it's extremely important, but i wouldn't want my child's name to mean something awful.
Reply:my firstborn is Spencer, named for his grandpa. It menas "dispencer of provisions", not too exciting, but it means alot to me.





My second born is Samuel, which means "God has heard". It took us a long time to get pregnant and we had almost given up hope. In the Bible, Hannah prayed to God for a child. She promised if she had a baby she would give him to the church when he was of age, so he could seve God. The Lord heard her prayer and gave her a son, who she named Samuel. The story took on a special meaning to me during my struggle with infertility, so we chose to name our son Samuel.
Reply:Nah, I don't really care about the meaning unless it was something bad. My name is LeeAnn which means meadow full of grace. How often does someone ask you what your name means?





I'm naming my son Van and it doesnt really mean anything
Reply:Yes, I think meanings are very important. I like names that have either good literal meanings or names of good historical or literary characters. It lets the child know you put careful thought into her name, gives her something to be proud of, and gives her something to live up to. The meaning of a name isn't everything, though. I wouldn't use one that had a great meaning but an awful sound (e.g., Hephzibah).





Some favorites:





Katherine: pure


Lily: pure


Clara: bright


Alethea: truth


Lucy: light


Artemis: goddess of wisdom, chastity, and the hunt


Thalia: Greek muse of comedy





Caedmon: first English poet


Hadrian: Roman emperor


Kenneth: handsome


Frederick: peaceful ruler


Moses: the man who talked with God "face to face"


Gideon: a brave soldier
Reply:Well, if you are the kind of person that thinks about this sort of thing, then there is a good chance that your child will be like you, due to genetics and/or environmental influences.





For that reason, I would certainly look at the literal meaning of the name and the story behind it, as well as any historical or modern associations. Sooner or later the child will most likely hear the meaning of their own name and internalize it. Go for an all around good name so the child can feel proud. Meaning does matter.
Reply:I kind of agree, but right now I am trying to find something that sounds good with our last name and I'll worry about meaning later!
Reply:meaning is not that important. sound of name and how appropriate and not a wierd name are so much more important
Reply:I think it matters. I didn't really ever know what my name meant. Then we had too look up our names in 5th grade and one of the meanings for mine was bitter!!! It was embarrassing. So yes, I agree with you and your husband or wife.
Reply:I take it into consideration, but it's not the end-all for me. I wouldn't use Tessa unless she was my fourth daughter, because Tessa means 'fourth daughter'. I wouldn't use Thomas unless he was a twin, because it means 'twin'.





On the other hand, I don't expect Daphne to be a bay laurel tree, or James to rise up and supplant my fiance.
Reply:i go more for family names and names that i like how they sound. don't care about the meanings. the child will have their own personality, and by so doing, bring their own meaning to the name.
Reply:I do think that the meaning of the name is nice to know but I don't think that is going to be how the person is. The name Leah means weary. I know a Leah who is not weary at all.

rose