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01-27-2013 at 10:38 PM
Dancer0919
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Does anyone else do the 'life stages' test?

I always see people say something like 'That isn't a strong enough name for a doctor or lawyer' and it made me think about how my DH and I analyze names. We kind of do a 'life stages' test. Here is an example:

I think Betty is a perfectly fine name, but when I go through the test it fits baby, toddler, elementary and middle school ages just fine. But when I get to high school I can't picture a Betty being athletic, in the drama club, student council, orchestra, etc. Its a name I just can't envision on a high school girl at all. And then when I move on to college I get the same feeling. So because of that the name wouldn't be on my list. I've noticed the biggest road block I hit with this is the 'PTA mom' test. I just can't picture a Sophie or Bella being the PTA president, so those names were cut pretty early on.

Does anyone else go through a 'test' like that besides just the doctor/lawyer thing? How else besides meaning, sibsets, family significance, popularity, etc. do you eliminate names?
 
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01-27-2013 at 10:48 PM
Lue94
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It sounds like I do the same test as you. I go through the life stages. I eliminate names if DH doesn't like it or if the name can be labeled by a certain decade. I don't mind popular but classic names, but I wouldn't use a trendy name.

I've also been thinking that 20-30 years from now, we just might see some Dr.Kinleys/Baileys/Mckenzies/Adens/Jaydens etc..... 
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01-27-2013 at 10:57 PM
Dancer0919
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Lue94:
It sounds like I do the same test as you. I go through the life stages. I eliminate names if DH doesn't like it or if the name can be labeled by a certain decade. I don't mind popular but classic names, but I wouldn't use a trendy name.I've also been thinking that 2030 years from now, we just might see some Dr.Kinleys/Baileys/Mckenzies/Adens/Jaydens etc.....nbsp;


I feel the same way about the Kinleys/Baileys/Mackenzies etc. and wonder if sometimes I can't picture a 'PTA mom' as a Sophie because I'm so used to them being Jen/Stephanie/Megan/Ashley which we won't see in a few years anyway.
 
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01-27-2013 at 10:58 PM
w+c3
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Lue94:

It sounds like I do the same test as you. I go through the life stages. I eliminate names if DH doesn't like it or if the name can be labeled by a certain decade. I don't mind popular but classic names, but I wouldn't use a trendy name.

I've also been thinking that 20-30 years from now, we just might see some Dr.Kinleys/Baileys/Mckenzies/Adens/Jaydens etc..... 

I agree. I don't think a person grows up and goes oh my name is "Kinley" I can never be a doctor or a lawyer. Better cross that off my list. The same thing with "John" thinking he has to be a doctor or a lawyer. In fact I just came in contact with a prisoner "John" last week who preferred to be called that along with his very classic middle name. The name won't define a person.
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01-27-2013 at 11:08 PM
Dancer0919
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w+c3:
Lue94:

It sounds like I do the same test as you. I go through the life stages. I eliminate names if DH doesn't like it or if the name can be labeled by a certain decade. I don't mind popular but classic names, but I wouldn't use a trendy name.

I've also been thinking that 20-30 years from now, we just might see some Dr.Kinleys/Baileys/Mckenzies/Adens/Jaydens etc.....&nbsp;

I agree. I don't think a person grows up and goes oh my name is "Kinley" I can never be a doctor or a lawyer. Better cross that off my list. The same thing with "John" thinking he has to be&nbsp;a doctor or a lawyer. In fact I just came in contact with a prisoner "John" last week who preferred to be called that along with his very classic middle name. The name won't define a person.



I so agree about names determining professions which is why I try to avoid professions and stick with specific ages and events during that age. I know both a Kinsley and Mackenzie who are adults with very respectable careers so because of those associations I can picture an adult with either of those names. I completely understand the 'time stamp' thing because they are trendy right now, but trendy doesn't mean perpetual 4 year old.
 
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01-27-2013 at 11:35 PM
KateB1984
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If you can't picture Betty on a high school girl, you clearly didn't read enough Archie comics as a child Wink
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01-27-2013 at 11:52 PM
Dancer0919
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KateB1984:
If you can't picture Betty on a high school girl, you clearly didn't read enough Archie comics as a child [;]


Haha that might be true. I used comics for transferring pictures onto silly putty ;
 
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01-27-2013 at 11:52 PM
Dancer0919
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KateB1984:
If you can't picture Betty on a high school girl, you clearly didn't read enough Archie comics as a child [;]


Haha that might be true. I used comics for transferring pictures onto silly putty!
 
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01-27-2013 at 11:53 PM
BabyMayinM...
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Hmm,  I have never heard of that before.  Certainly is interesting.  Our boy name Henry seems fine but im not sure of our girl name Aria.
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01-28-2013 at 12:30 AM
Zimger
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I don't go though a ton of scenarios but I do look for names that give of an intelligent and friendly vibe for both genders.I also like names that travel well.

I avoid super frilly girl names and boy names that are really in your face (Diesel/Rebel/ridiculous crap like that).

But it is really about perspective. For example, one of my favorite movies has a character who goes by the name Betty. Due to that character I can see this name on a college educated woman.


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01-28-2013 at 2:18 AM
HBirdie
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I absolutely do this! I think trendy names are plaguing us too much right now. I roll my eyes at every new Kayden/Brayden/Jayden/Kinsley/McKinley/Arianna/Bella/Harmony/Serenity/Stella/Magenta that I hear about. (Please don't be offended if your child is named one of these! I'm sorry!) On the other hand, were people saying this twenty years ago about trendy names like Brittany, Tiffany, and Chelsea? Because I grew up with lots of those and I guess they seem normal now...

I also get a little crazy when I see names like Diesel, Rocklin, Talon, Blaze, Journey, Steel, Donathon, Draven, Dallen... it makes me feel so bad for these kids in a few years. With names like those, you're asking for your kids to be judged for the rest of their lives. Just...why??

I like classic names. I definitely try to imagine my kids in each new phase of their life (through adulthood), with their name and their nickname (I really care about nicknames, haha). Also, is this a name that five other kids in their third grade class will have? Are kids easily able to turn it into a ridiculous, tease-worthy moniker? If so, it's probably out...
 
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01-28-2013 at 6:51 AM
Grace0609
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KateB1984:
If you can't picture Betty on a high school girl, you clearly didn't read enough Archie comics as a child Wink

Totally off subject, but I am excited to see what you name #4! Congrats on your pregnancy!  I love your other kids names!

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01-28-2013 at 7:25 AM
MrsJ723
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w+c3:
Lue94:

It sounds like I do the same test as you. I go through the life stages. I eliminate names if DH doesn't like it or if the name can be labeled by a certain decade. I don't mind popular but classic names, but I wouldn't use a trendy name.

I've also been thinking that 20-30 years from now, we just might see some Dr.Kinleys/Baileys/Mckenzies/Adens/Jaydens etc..... 

I agree. I don't think a person grows up and goes oh my name is "Kinley" I can never be a doctor or a lawyer. Better cross that off my list. The same thing with "John" thinking he has to be a doctor or a lawyer. In fact I just came in contact with a prisoner "John" last week who preferred to be called that along with his very classic middle name. The name won't define a person.

I agree. There are names that we assign roles/stigmas to (i.e. "stripper names"), but it doesn't mean every girl with one of those names is destined to be a stripper.

Personally I try to imagine the name on a child, but focus more on the adult years as they will be an adult more than they will a child.  I remember when we were expecting DS someone said to imagine the name with "the Honorable", "President" or "CEO" in front of it.
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01-28-2013 at 5:33 PM
ChristyML
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I didn't do that test last time, but luckily I picked a strong name (Joseph). I think next time, we will do the test.

I think for Joseph, there are nicknames for every stage of life: I think up to junior high (maybe even a little bit of high school) Joey fits. Later on, Joe fits really well (or Joseph obviously).

I think of police officers when I hear the name Joe. I know a lieutenant named Joe, and my dad went through academy (but was too young to be an actual officer after he graduated) and his middle name was Joseph. The Joe on Family Guy is a police officer as well now that I think of it. I saw a little piggy bank painted as a police officer in Walmart and I wanted to get it SO bad for my Joey, but they were gone by the time I went back. :( 
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01-28-2013 at 10:13 PM
KateB1984
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Grace0609:

KateB1984:
If you can't picture Betty on a high school girl, you clearly didn't read enough Archie comics as a child Wink

Totally off subject, but I am excited to see what you name #4! Congrats on your pregnancy!  I love your other kids names!

Thanks so much! Congrats on yours too!

This one will be Alice Hazel or August Andrew. I'm a bit neurotic and pester DH to pick names before we even TTC - lol.

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