Point 1 -- yeah, what IS it about 5th-generation Irish-German-Danish-French-Americans needing to find a Gaelic name for their children? I've noticed this too. Also have you noticed that only the unpronounceable, "fresh" Gaelic names will do for moms whose grandfathers moved here from Dublin in 1841? You never meet any baby Maureens, Colleens and Shannons. Also, where is the Danish love?

Point 2 -- Laura, Nora ... where do we come down on Maura?

hate, HATE Sophie, Sofie, Sophia, Sofia. I'm so, so, so, sick of these names. There's a class in our preschool where out of 12 kids total, there are 4 Sophias.

I bet it's "Gora".

Anonymous wrote:I dislike names with punctuation. Are the hypens and apostrophes really necessary?

Really like some of the names dissed. And, I think some of you would dislike my name, and the names of my children. Hopefully all of our children will like/love the names we gave them.

That would be an interesting thread - "What's your name and do you like it?"

Anonymous wrote:Sadly, it appears that many people do not like my cat's name. I'll try hard not to be offended.

Ok, I'll bite. What's your cat's name???

Sadly, it appears that many people do not like my cat's name. I'll try hard not to be offended.

The Laura/Nora thing got me thinking - I don't like girls' names that start with a hard 'G' sound - Gwyneth, Greta, Gretchen...all perfectly fine names, but they sound very hard to me. Nora also sounds "harder" than Laura (but not as hard as "Gora" would sound).

Anonymous wrote:Why are people of Irish descent so interested in naming their kids Irish names? (And by Irish descent, I'm guessing they're at least a few generations removed from being the immigrants from Ireland...forgive me if I am wrong.)

I am of German descent and did not feel the need to name my children Helga, Hannelore, Gunther or Jan.

I think the Irish hold onto their culture and their pride in Ireland more so than many other immigrant groups. Germans don't, specifically, because of WWI and WWII, during which it was considered un-American to show affection for German heritage. There was a lot of pressure from the larger community to shed their cultural heritage as well as internal desire to show what good Americans they were. That's why so few families of German heritage still have German-speakers or cook German food in their home. My family background is from three different European countries, and the German heritage is the only one that is completely culturally lost.

Anonymous wrote:Why are people of Irish descent so interested in naming their kids Irish names? (And by Irish descent, I'm guessing they're at least a few generations removed from being the immigrants from Ireland...forgive me if I am wrong.)

I am of German descent and did not feel the need to name my children Helga, Hannelore, Gunther or Jan.

I kinda like Hannelore, and maybe Jan, too.

I dislike names with punctuation. Are the hypens and apostrophes really necessary?

Really like some of the names dissed. And, I think some of you would dislike my name, and the names of my children. Hopefully all of our children will like/love the names we gave them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Bearing the surname indicates that one's patrilineal ancestors were priests in the Temple of Jerusalem"

How do you know? Did you run a bunch of DNA tests?

New poster -- Point one: It's just Jewish tradition and, in fact, in Judaism you are either a Cohen or a Levite. The reason being descent from priests or followers. Yes, there have been some DNA studies done but I have no idea what the result was.

Point two: I thought that the name Cohen came from a character in a tv show.

On The OC, they called Seth Cohen "Cohen". It was never meant to be his first name.

Also, not all Jews are Cohens or Levites, the majority are members of the general population known as "yisroel"s.

I believe the National Genographic project said that all Jews can be traced back to 2 or 4 (can't remember which) women in ancient Israel. Also, the Djembe tribe in Africa (not sure which country), always had their tribal lore stating that they were one of the lost tribes of Israel. After the project did the testing, that is where they originated from...and I *think* may have been related to the Kohanim (sp?). Fascinating stuff.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are people of Irish descent so interested in naming their kids Irish names? (And by Irish descent, I'm guessing they're at least a few generations removed from being the immigrants from Ireland...forgive me if I am wrong.)

I am of German descent and did not feel the need to name my children Helga, Hannelore, Gunther or Jan.

Now that's what I want to see. A kid in preschool named Helga. LOVE IT.

I've met two Ottos.

Anonymous wrote:Why are people of Irish descent so interested in naming their kids Irish names? (And by Irish descent, I'm guessing they're at least a few generations removed from being the immigrants from Ireland...forgive me if I am wrong.)

I am of German descent and did not feel the need to name my children Helga, Hannelore, Gunther or Jan.

Now that's what I want to see. A kid in preschool named Helga. LOVE IT.

Why are people of Irish descent so interested in naming their kids Irish names? (And by Irish descent, I'm guessing they're at least a few generations removed from being the immigrants from Ireland...forgive me if I am wrong.)

I am of German descent and did not feel the need to name my children Helga, Hannelore, Gunther or Jan.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wyatt. Why is this name making a comeback?

It's part of the faux coyboy trend -- Jackson, Wyatt, et all are just in from riding the trails.

lol

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Names I dislike for no particular reason: Nora, Oliver, Clara, Hudson and Jordan for a girl

My mother hates Nora and loves Laura. Uh, Mom? One consonant is killing it for you?

I totally agree with your mom. That consonant makes a huge difference (but perhaps I'm biased since I'm a Laura)!