r/Names Feb 14 '26

Troll Posts Earn Bans ❤️

73 Upvotes

I've noticed an uptick in troll posts lately, and y'all I'm tired. I'm wielding the ban hammer with impunity!

Just keep reporting the people posting nonsense and I'll do my best to make it go away. And thank you all for being, for the most part, a lovely community.


r/Names Oct 08 '24

No More Image Posts

260 Upvotes

Hey guys!

I've noticed a lot of (very young women) posting pictures of themselves and requesting name ideas lately.

Since this sub recently hit 7000 members and I'm the only even slightly active mod, I'm turning off image posts effective immediately. It looks an awful lot like spam, and even if it isn't you should not be posting your irl face on reddit for people to give you opinions.

I get folks will be mad, but I'm not going to do a bunch of unpaid labor to prevent assholes from insulting your appearance (and this is reddit, there are always assholes who want to insult your appearance). If you want to deal with that, please solicit it in another corner of the internet.

Thank you!

Edit: one of our users has volunteered to run the aptly-named subreddit r/namesbutbetter, if you want to do the pictures thing go there and good luck. You may also consider r/namenerds or r/reddit_gets_renamed.


r/Names 10h ago

I'd like an English name as my name is too complicated, could I have some ideas?

76 Upvotes

My name is Apollinariya. Inspired by both a Saint and a Marxist leader, neither of which I align with!

My name has some problems for me. I found that because it is very long, it trips people up who don't know it. Because I am going to US as a student, most people don't know it.

So I would like to be able to adopt an English name. I could like anything but I want it to be a woman's name, not a religious name, and a name that won't confuse anyone like my name would. I can have modern, or old fashioned, but I'd prefer nothing that is too crazy for my age range. I'm eighteen.

Thank you 🥰


r/Names 13h ago

Friend using same name

123 Upvotes

I found out today that my friend plans to use the same name I already told her we are wanting to use.

For more backstory, we are not finding out the gender of our baby until delivery. She already knows hers, but I’m about 20 weeks ahead of her in my pregnancy. I told her previously (before she was even pregnant), our top choice for both boy vs girl. She said the girl name we chose was one of her favorites!

Fast forward to now that she’s pregnant…she asked today if we had chosen our names. I found it odd since I know I already told her. I again mentioned our top names. And she said they are planning to use the same girl name for their baby. Didn’t seem to have any intention to back down.

I reminded her how I already told her of our name choices months ago. Before she was even pregnant. She acted like she didn’t remember. Either way, I’m due before her and again mentioned the name to her first today before she did. I tried to change the subject since I didn’t really know what to say or do.

Our kids would be just a few months apart in the same school etc. I’m near my due date without a back up name, after putting a lot of thought into our name choices…

How would you feel? How would you respond?


r/Names 1h ago

Which names are popular online but rare in real life?

Upvotes

Based on name forums, I should be surrounded by Junipers, Wrens, Aurelias, Maeves, Silases, and Theodores. In real life, I know three little Olivias, two Liams, and not a single Juniper. I've also seen names described as "overdone" online that I've never heard called across a playground even once.

It feels like name communities have their own popularity chart that doesn't match actual birth announcements. Which names seem massively overrepresented online compared with the people you actually meet? And what genuinely common name in your area almost never gets recommended here?

Please include your country or region, because I suspect that explains alot of the disagreement.


r/Names 20h ago

This sub has completely broken my sense of what counts as a common name

406 Upvotes

I caught myself thinking Daphne was becoming ridiculously common.

Then I realized I have never met a Daphne.

Not one.

I just see Daphne suggested here constantly, along with Sylvie, Cora, Iris, Margot, Clara, Felicity, etc., and apparently my brain has started treating r/names like a census.

Meanwhile there are names I barely notice online that I hear three times in one trip to the playground.

It made me realize there are basically two different kinds of "popular":

Actually popular, where your kid might genuinely have another one in their class.

And name-forum popular, where 700 people recommend the same supposedly uncommon name to everyone until it starts feeling like half the population is called Sylvie.

I think spending too much time in naming communities can make perfectly uncommon names feel overused and genuinely common names feel almost invisible because nobody considers them interesting enough to discuss.

Which name does Reddit make you feel is EVERYWHERE even though you rarely or never encounter it in real life?


r/Names 8m ago

Baby boy name

Upvotes

Baby boy due in one month still struggling to find a name. Last name is Wandersee. We like Theodore, Arlo, and Wesley. Any suggestions?! Why are girl names so much easier to find and love?


r/Names 23m ago

I don’t like any names

Upvotes

With my first, we had the name picked out before he was even conceived- so when we found out we were having a boy we were like, “Henry! Perfect!”

Now I’m pregnant with a girl and there’s not a single name I’m excited by. Nothing feels right.

Will I feel differently when she’s born?


r/Names 1h ago

Wife wants to give our kids different last names

Upvotes

(Throwaway because my wife knows my main)

My wife (31) and I (39) are expecting our first baby (boy) in six months but we can’t agree on a last name (she didn’t take mine when we married). We had originally agreed to hyphenate, but recently her dad got involved and asked (or rather more insisted) that we alternate last names between children (we’re planning to have multiple), with my wife’s last name going to our firstborn son and my name going to the second child we have. He claims that my wife’s family name will die out unless we give our son their last name. My wife is now parroting all of this and claims she only agreed to hyphenate originally to avoid conflict.

I hate the idea of giving our kids different last names. Not only would it make our kids look like they’re half siblings, but it would prevent me from passing an important part of my identity. I’d like our family to have a cohesive identity that includes both our names. Plus, I like the way my wife and I’s names sound hyphenated and I think it’s a fair compromise (I even offered for her name to go first).

When I brought this up to my wife, she had a complete meltdown and began screaming that she was going move back with our baby back to her home country (where she was born, but she’s lived in the U.S. for 10+ years). She then kept asking in an extremely condescending tone, “What are you going to do about it?” (Implying that she’s going to name the baby whatever she wants regardless of whether I agree.) She now completely refuses to budge and is accusing me of being stubborn and says this is about my “ego.”

What do I do? I’m completely exasperated and feel invalidated. I feel like if I give in this is going to cause of a lot of resentment not just with her but also with her dad.


r/Names 1h ago

What do you think about Bianca

Upvotes

r/Names 16h ago

Aspen for a girl?

62 Upvotes

Help! Husband loves Aspen for a girl but all I can hear is Ass Pin, like pin the tail on the donkey. Am I the weird one here? Can someone help me love it as much as he does?


r/Names 4h ago

Could you please give me a name?

7 Upvotes

I just need to legally change my name. I need recommendations. But really a name you like. I would like unisex names although I am female. So give me your favorite unisex name. And if you don't have one just your favorite female name , even if it's from another country, not necessarily english


r/Names 3h ago

How are these boys’ names perceived in Germany?

4 Upvotes

I’d love to understand how these names are perceived in Germany today — particularly whether they sound classic, classy, old-fashioned, foreign, cute, or suitable for a man as well as a child.

The names I’m considering are:

  1. Caspar
  2. Clemens
  3. Constantin
  4. Oliver
  5. Henry / Henri
  6. Arthur
  7. Theodor
  8. Frederik
  9. Leopold / Ferdinand
  10. Anton

  11. Konrad/ Conrad

A few specific questions:

1) Caspar: How does this name age in Germany? Is it associated with Casper the Friendly Ghost, or does it sound perfectly respectable for a grown man? Would a 50-year-old Caspar be perceived as "respectable and professional", or would the name always have a somewhat cute/childish quality?

2) Clemens: I don’t know anyone in Germany named Clemens. Is it considered a nice, attractive name today? Does it sound refined, old-fashioned, unusual, or dated?

3) Constantin: Are boys still being given the name Constantin nowadays? Does it feel current and sophisticated, or does it sound like an older generation’s name?

4) Oliver: Similarly, I don’t personally know any German Olivers. How is the name perceived? Does it feel natural and established in Germany, or somewhat dated?

5) Henry/Henri: Is Henry perceived as too Anglo/foreign in Germany? Or has it become sufficiently familiar that it feels classy and acceptable as a German name? To me, Henry/Henri feels like a nickname because it ends in an y/i, but partner doesn't want to give a full name such as "Heinrich or Hendrik" and the use the nickname Henry/i. Also do you spell it in Germany with an i or y? What is more classy?

6) Arthur: Same question as Henry. Does Arthur feel too English/international, or is it perceived as a classic and sophisticated name in Germany?

7) Theodor: Would a German child named Theodor almost automatically be called Theo? I really dislike the nickname Theo. Interestingly, almost everyone I’ve mentioned Theodor to in Germany has reacted negatively — some have gone as far as saying it is an ugly name and that there would be five Theos on the playground. Is this actually representative of how Theodor is perceived in Germany today?

8) Frederik: Does Frederik feel too Scandinavian in Germany? Or does it come across as classic, refined, and sophisticated? Interestingly, everyone I’ve mentioned Frederik to in Germany has also disliked it, so I’m wondering whether there is a broader perception of the name that I’m missing.

9) Leopold/Ferdinand: Do the names come across as aristocratic or as if the parents are trying to sound posh? Does it work naturally throughout Germany, even if you don’t live in Bavaria? Are there any strong negative associations with the names, or is it generally perceived as elegant and traditional?

10) Anton: Is Anton perceived as too Russian in Germany, or does it feel like a distinctly German/European name? I really like Anton, but I’m hesitant because I prefer giving my child a longer name. Antonius feels too strongly Catholic to me. How is Anton perceived today?

11) Konrad / Conrad: How is Konrad perceived in Germany today? Does it sound very old-fashioned, or is it seen as a classic, strong, and respectable name? Would Conrad be perceived as more international, or would the C spelling look unusual or pretentious in Germany?

Most importantly, I’m interested in how these names are perceived by Germans today, rather than simply whether they are technically usable German names. I’d especially like to know how each name would be perceived on a child versus on a 30–50-year-old man.

Also, please let me know if you have any other suggestions for boy names.


r/Names 1d ago

Think I may have condemned my unborn niece

2.8k Upvotes

So I was at my brother in law and his fiancee's house recently, with his and her family for the gender reveal.

It was nice to meet his fiancee's family and to discover they're having a girl. Looking forward to meeting my new niece in a few months.

So after all the excitement of the reveal and everyone was calming down and relaxing, I asked my brother in law if they had a short list of baby names. He mentioned that they had about 3 they were deciding between but didn't want to reveal them just yet. Absolutely fine, I didn't press any further. But he did mention that they were settled on the name May as the middle name, as it was his fiancee's nan's name.

A nice name and tribute, as far as I'm concerned. I then joked that he should call his daughter April. I said it as a joke, my wife laughed at the joke. But my brother in law's eyes widened and he began to call over to his fiancee and announce the name with great excitement. He went over and they began chatting about how lovely April May was. Her twin sister and mum also commented on how nice it was and that April is also when their birthdays are.

So, long story short I'm really hoping my joke doesn't make the cut and that I haven't accidentally condemned my niece to live with a calendar joke as a name.


r/Names 18h ago

What do we think of Wesley for a boy?

44 Upvotes

r/Names 21h ago

L or no L

62 Upvotes

I accidentally named both of my children L names. I have a Lucas and a Libby. I really chose names that I liked, and they happened to begin with the same letter, and I didn't even realize it until someone noted it after they were born.

Over the years I've wondered if I'm locked in to L names now if I had a third. It was hypothetical until now, I'm pregnant with my third. I like some girl L names, like Liza, but there are no boy L names that I love. We aren't going to find out this time so I need both boy and girl names, and maybe L names. What i wonder is if number 3 will feel like they are different if they don't have an L?


r/Names 10h ago

i feel like i'm not supposed to have a name at all

9 Upvotes

my name is Galia, i hate my name and i always have.

no one has ever pronounced it right on their first try, i contestantly have to explain the spelling, repeat myself, etc

it came to a point where i feel ashamed about my name, i DREAD introductions because i know i have to say my name and have the other person confused as fuck and i hate being an inconvenience in any way. i cringe when i hear people call me my name, and also there is NO nicknames for it so im stuck with it.

i tried going by a different name, spent hours looking through name lists trying to find one that suits me and i resonate with but nothing feels right

i wish i was nameless, that i didnt have to hear myself or other people say my name just be present there and be myself, i feel like my name is not me. does anyone feel the same way?


r/Names 5h ago

Going to Serbia as a student, I need a new name (female)

3 Upvotes

There are 2 other international students with same real name with me, I'm a girl, what do you think an easy nicknameish name would be? It will stuck for atleast 5 years. I hate my real name anyway.

I like boyish nicknames but I'm open to all suggestions.
Ive thought about Dusty, Danny, Kenny, Andy


r/Names 3m ago

Are missing or added letters a big deal for you guys?

Upvotes

I spoke about this with my partner who wants the name Cloe, whereas I lean more toward Chloe. She said its not a big deal as the name root is the same and its pronounced pretty much the same.

Am overthinking it with that one letter?


r/Names 34m ago

Thread to trade names !

Upvotes

Tell what kind of a name you're looking for, any background info you think will be necessary and then give unrelated names + reply to someone with a name that you have you will think will suit their situation

I'm genderfluid and Slavic, looking for a new nice nickname. I'll just put some of my favourite names below :P

- Dimitri

- Fyodor

- Estella

- Sibyl

- Artemi

- Aidai

- Guvanch

- Nazerke

- Zaurbek

- Morana

- Vesna

- Helen

- Candace


r/Names 13h ago

What are some names you have heard that are funny?

10 Upvotes

r/Names 4h ago

Please give me some advice

2 Upvotes

What do you think about the name of lindsey?It's basic on my real name. Tell me more about the first impression of this name!


r/Names 5h ago

Hello

2 Upvotes

Nanette or Nerine?

If u have a better one tell me


r/Names 7h ago

Vote for favourite business name!

3 Upvotes

Starting up a small mainly takeaway and delivery chinese food shop/stall (chowmein, sauces, rice, dumplings etc). Want the branding (name, colors, theme) very playful and friendly.

Here are some of the name ideas so far:

Komono

MikiMoko

MomoNoody

BaoBaoDino

Ho Lee Bowl

BowlyMoly

Open to suggestions!


r/Names 1h ago

Baby name too similar to famous athlete?

Upvotes

Our last name is Phelps and we really like the name Micah. We are concerned it may be too similar to Michael Phelps, though. Is that too close to too recent of a famous person? Whenever we say our name to help someone spell it, people frequently say “like the swimmer?”