The Energon Pub

CelticDragon wrote:After reading through the comments and thinking about this for awhile, I have to say I don't believe it matters what your name is. I have an unusual name and was often teased and picked on, sometimes because of my name and sometimes because of my clothes, my interests, my grades, my parents.... The thing is, if someone is going to bully you, it's not because you have an unusual name, your name is only another weapon they'll use.

I personally wouldn't name my child Megatron (or several other odd things) but I do realize that names in other cultures are going to sound odd to me just as some names I consider common are unusual in other places. And let's face it, a bully can take a common, ordinary name and rhyme it with all kinds of vulgar phrases.

What I found odd about this whole thing was that parents would use facebook and the general public to decide what they should name their child. I think names are a little more important than that. Of course, this is probably all a hoax but it makes for interesting discussion.

My 2 cents (all I have left after the bullies took my purse)

I must disagree with this. I do not think parents should be naming their baby anything.
When I was a child, I didn't understand people were being negative towards the name, not me. It contributed to low self esteem. Now that I'm older and I understand it's the name, I just find it a hassle to get called something hurtful in place of my name on a regular basis.

Whether being named Megatron will result in the same sort of negative experiences I had, I just don't know which is why I remain neutral on the issue.

Since people get curious when the issue usually comes up when I mention my background, I'll share what happens to me. Instead of my name, I get called burka.
A burka is a garment in sexist cultures meant to cover people of certain genders causing discomfort and limiting their life choices. When these people do not cover up and wear their burkas, they may be subject to violence. Actually due to the sexist cultures, they are subject to violence anyway, so I should say more violence.

Then there's me, who believes in gender equality and am horrified to be called something that I am morally opposed to. I mean if someone really wants to go wear a burka or become a sex slave, that is their choice.
So I dropped the first letter of my name and went under Erica. It's confusing sometimes, but so nice to avoid the "sex slave" issue.

Just how much do I hate being called a "sex slave"?...
I started the process of legally changing my name before, paid the fees and set the court date.
My family made me so miserable that I decided to wait until I was further away because I didn't need more family fighting hassles in my life then I already had.
I wish it wasn't such a hassle and expense for a person to change their name, they make it so easy for wives who decide to take their husbands' name.

Autobot032 wrote:

well finally we agree on something

Cyber Bishop wrote:No... Just no..

Yeeeeeeees.

While I think the idea is cute, I don't think it's particularly good.
For one thing I think the parents have gotten caught up in the 'My child is special and unique, so he must have a special and unique name" hyper-individualism fad going on in society.
I also see this as nothing more then parental narcissism, a fast and easy way to get noticed and to be commented on. It's more a reflection of the parents then it will be on the child, but the child will end up paying for it.

Eclipsica wrote:

CelticDragon wrote:After reading through the comments and thinking about this for awhile, I have to say I don't believe it matters what your name is.

I must disagree with this. I do not think parents should be naming their baby anything.
When I was a child, I didn't understand people were being negative towards the name, not me. It contributed to low self esteem. Now that I'm older and I understand it's the name, I just find it a hassle to get called something hurtful in place of my name on a regular basis.

Whether being named Megatron will result in the same sort of negative experiences I had, I just don't know which is why I remain neutral on the issue.

Since people get curious when the issue usually comes up when I mention my background, I'll share what happens to me. Instead of my name, I get called burka.
A burka is a garment in sexist cultures meant to cover people of certain genders causing discomfort and limiting their life choices. When these people do not cover up and wear their burkas, they may be subject to violence. Actually due to the sexist cultures, they are subject to violence anyway, so I should say more violence.

Then there's me, who believes in gender equality and am horrified to be called something that I am morally opposed to. I mean if someone really wants to go wear a burka or become a sex slave, that is their choice.
So I dropped the first letter of my name and went under Erica. It's confusing sometimes, but so nice to avoid the "sex slave" issue.

Just how much do I hate being called a "sex slave"?...
I started the process of legally changing my name before, paid the fees and set the court date.
My family made me so miserable that I decided to wait until I was further away because I didn't need more family fighting hassles in my life then I already had.
I wish it wasn't such a hassle and expense for a person to change their name, they make it so easy for wives who decide to take their husbands' name.

I kind of misspoke above. Rather than saying "I don't think it matters what your name is", I meant, "I don't think it matters what your name is in regard to bullying".

Are you saying the only issue other people have with you is with your name?

If you are that unhappy with your name, in my opinion (for whatever that's worth), you should change it. Or at least continue to introduce yourself with a name you'd prefer to be called. You used past tense when explaining about using Erica so I'm assuming you don't still go by this.

More than a little off topic perhaps but I am curious as to what you think would work in regards to a child getting a name. You say:

"I do not think parents should be naming their baby anything."

I'm just curious as to what you do propose. The child choose a name as it reaches a certain age or maturity level or what?

Please don't think I'm picking, I am genuinely interested in what you are thinking. Having an unusual name myself, I can somewhat relate. Altho my name is not synonymous with a cultural symbol so I don't have that issue to deal with.

intersting will she go through with it if he reaches his goal should be intersting when baby is born

I kind of misspoke above. Rather than saying "I don't think it matters what your name is", I meant, "I don't think it matters what your name is in regard to bullying".

Are you saying the only issue other people have with you is with your name?

If you are that unhappy with your name, in my opinion (for whatever that's worth), you should change it. Or at least continue to introduce yourself with a name you'd prefer to be called. You used past tense when explaining about using Erica so I'm assuming you don't still go by this.

More than a little off topic perhaps but I am curious as to what you think would work in regards to a child getting a name. You say:

"I do not think parents should be naming their baby anything."

I'm just curious as to what you do propose. The child choose a name as it reaches a certain age or maturity level or what?

Please don't think I'm picking, I am genuinely interested in what you are thinking. Having an unusual name myself, I can somewhat relate. Altho my name is not synonymous with a cultural symbol so I don't have that issue to deal with.[/quote]

OK, I did misunderstand you then. I do think if there's a bully, the name itself won't cause the bullying behavior. Bullies seek out people who can become victims, mostly people who are easier targets for their aggression for whatever reason. The name issue will just be an additional source for teasing as some others have said.

I was also bullied as a child and don't think my name would have mattered. My friend fought back, I did not so the bully came to me. So being non aggressive got me bullied far more then my name did.

I'm using Erica almost everywhere.
Hopefully a parent will not name their child something vulgar and or offensive. Yes, I know this is subjective.
Under our current system, I propose that name changing be easier.
Since so many people decide to take their spouse's last names without a legal hassle, this shouldn't be an issue either.

Eclipsica wrote:Under our current system, I propose that name changing be easier.
Since so many people decide to take their spouse's last names without a legal hassle, this shouldn't be an issue either.

Thanks for the explanation. I, too, see an advantage to allowing easier name changing. Ironically, I've talked to 3 people in the last month who either have changed their names or want to. Here's hoping "Baby Megatron's" parents think carefully before deciding on a name.