http://babynamerant.blogspot.com/2007/11/thumbs-down-jaci-velasquez.html
It may be interesting to look at the common trend of naming your child after a country or place.
Names of big or well known countries can be plain weird.
Names such as:
Asia
http://www.presstelegram.com/portlet/article/html/imageDisplay.jsp?contentItemRelationshipId=1464890
Ireland
http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2007-04-19-baldwin-voicemail_N.htm
Kenya
http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1808404374/photo/premiere/576883
Can be a bit strange because of the connotations with them. Furthermore, Asia has some of the worst human rights abuses, while Kenya is a third world country where people are starving to death. Why would you want your childs name associated with those things? Its also pretty funny to see a privileged white girl named after a country with black starving people. Kind of a bit ignorant, really.
Things like the location of the place also need to be taken into place. A name such as Maysan might sound really sweet for your little girl, but when its a place in Iraq then thats a bit of a problem.
Some names are worse than others. Think about whether the name you are choosing could have a cute nickname your child could opt for if they don't particularly like being named after a country.
Names such as Alaska, Kileen or Madrid sound a little bad, but could at least by shortened to Allie, Lena or Maddie when the child grows up. Names such as Naivasha or Zamora don't give a lot of leeway for your child to derive a more "normal" nickname if they so choose.
Steer away from names with "Land" in it, it kind of makes it obvious your naming the child after a place which makes it tacky. Watch out for names which are increasingly becoming common, and maybe choose a place with significant meaning such as a place where your ancestors came from.
Lastly, never EVER mis-spell it. That takes away the whole point of naming them after a place.
Case in point:
Chyna for China
http://www.celebritybabies.info/index.php/category/faith-evans/
Dakotah for Dakota
http://gracerbc.sermonaudio.com/gallery_details.asp?image=dt-122705185146-6.jpg
Jeneva for Geneva
http://www.vivmag.com/moments/4835371.html?page=1&pageSize=12
For a list of some NICE country names you could try (and makes sure you do your research on the place and make sure you like it!) :
Girls..
Acadia, an old territory in North America.
Adalia, a Turkish city.
Adana, a place in Turkey.
Adelaide, a city in Australia.
Ailsa, a island off Scotland.
Amara, a town in Romania.
Aspen, a mountain in Colorado.
Aurora, a historical district in Italy.
Avalon, a mythical place in the tales of King Arthur.
Avila, a city in Spain.
Berwyn, a place in Wales.
Bethany, a village near Jerusalem.
Berlin, the capital of Germany.
Brenta, a place in Italy.
Brienne, a medieval county in France.
Brittany, a former province of France.
Brooklyn, a place in America.
Cambria, the latinised form of the Welsh name for Wales.
Caria, a parish in Portugal.
Caledonia, the Latin name given by the Roman Empire to the island of Great Britain.
Catania, a place in Italy.
Cheyenne, a Native America nation.
Dakota, a place in America.
Dallas, a place in America.
Denali, a mountain in Alaska.
Devon, a county in South West England.
Ellora, a site in India.
Geneva, a city in Switzerland.
Georgia, a country, and a state in America.
Germaine, meaning "German" in Old French.
Ilia, a province in Greece.
Indiana, a place in America.
Iona, a small island in Scotland.
Italia, meaning Italy.
Kara, a city in Togo.
Karelia, an area in Northern Europe.
Katmai, a mountain in Alaska.
Kayseri, a city in Turkey.
Kenner, a city in America.
Kileen, an Irish place.
Kirin, an older spelling of a city in China.
Lanai, a Hawaiian Island.
Leith, a district in Edinburgh.
Lena, a place in Norway.
Madrid, the capital of Spain.
Maine, a state in America
Martinique, an island in the Caribbean Sea.
Mayenne, a place is France.
Melrose, a town in Scotland.
Mercia, one of the kingdoms in Anglo-Saxon Heptarchy.
Miami, a place in America.
Milan, a city in Italy.
Montana, a place in America.
Moriah, a mountain range in the book of Genesis.
Nivelles, a city in Belgium.
Sicely, a place in Italy.
Sierra, a place in Peru.
Soria, a city in Spain.
Sydney, a city in Australia
Thessaly, a place in Greece.
Vienna, the capital of Austria.
Vienne, a place in France.
Winona, a place in America.
Boys..
Aldan, a place in Russia.
Altan, a place in Ireland.
Alton, a place in New Zealand.
Austin, a place in America.
Aydin, a place in Turkey.
Brenner, a place in Italy.
Camden, a place in England.
Carlisle, a city in England. (car-lyle)
Cairo, a city in Egypt.
Calgary, a city in Canada.
Cambrai, a French town.
Carrick, a place in Scotland.
Finley, a place in America.
Hudson, a place in Canada.
Ilion, a place in Greece.
Kenner, a city in America.
Kodiak, a city in Alaska.
Leith, a district in Edinburgh.
Leyton, an area in East London.
Sydney, a city in Australia.
Tasman, a place in New Zealand.
Trenton, a place in Canada.
Troy, a legendary city.
Got any suggestions for Annie-Kate? Comments on or requests for the blog? Want some advice naming your child? Email me at anni.ekate@yahoo.com.au
