[Opinions] Re: Zaelyn Journey
in reply to a message by mirfak
I love the name Payton/Peyton. I think that's the best part of her name. I also find it interesting that all of her names sound unisex. Parents are going for unisex names for girls more often than they use to. According to an article, its to create a more welcoming environment for all kids, so they don't feel as if they're forced to be anything they're not.
I believe the article, but I also think that some parents just want to be different, and are not really considering the hostile environment.
https://www.behindthename.com/polls/356294
https://www.behindthename.com/polls/356351
https://www.behindthename.com/polls/member/181370
I believe the article, but I also think that some parents just want to be different, and are not really considering the hostile environment.
https://www.behindthename.com/polls/356294
https://www.behindthename.com/polls/356351
https://www.behindthename.com/polls/member/181370
Replies
Hmm. I wanna hear more about the welcoming environment thing. Because I honestly don’t think it does really anything besides... giving a child a name and pretty much going along with trend. Not that’s there’s anything wrong with that, but it sounds kinda funny.
I hadn't seen the article in years, until you asked about it. The "welcoming environment" thing was how my memory interpreted the point of the article. I'm not really sure if unisex names will pave the way for acceptance, but I do like the idea of creative parents being apart of that, if they are indeed, trying to. Even then..
It takes more than naming trends to do it. All trends stop at some point. So any "equality" that might've come from the names will, too. And unisex names are switching to the girl's side, not to the guy's. So, technically, the daughters are benefitting from having Cool names because people think they've got an edge, but I'm not so sure about the sons. There are some middle-aged men with "girl names" that can't reverse their modern gender usage. (Whitney, Courtney, Carroll, etc.) There's an article about that on BTN.
I think that trendiness would only play a small role in that, if it even played a roll at all. I don't think the goal here is to gloss over sex, but to take away bad perceptions of having a particular sex. Gender would not need to be glossed over if we were talking about science, as men and women are biologically made to suit each other, but not be identical. It would also be cool to acknowledge the first woman who won an award that had regularly been given to men. But unless there's history or science going on, I don't see the point in putting emphasis on sex. Aside from gender, people have almost everything else in common. Having flaws, hopes and dreams, and all that sappy stuff about wanting to be loved (lol). So, I personally wouldn't give my kids unisex names to send them the message that ignoring gender would stop people from getting hurt, since it isn't true. But, I do think that it might teach kids to see themselves on even ground with their peers, and not judge them for being unlike them in some way. It might be ineffective, but that's all that I could hope for, if that was my goal, anyway.
It takes more than naming trends to do it. All trends stop at some point. So any "equality" that might've come from the names will, too. And unisex names are switching to the girl's side, not to the guy's. So, technically, the daughters are benefitting from having Cool names because people think they've got an edge, but I'm not so sure about the sons. There are some middle-aged men with "girl names" that can't reverse their modern gender usage. (Whitney, Courtney, Carroll, etc.) There's an article about that on BTN.
I think that trendiness would only play a small role in that, if it even played a roll at all. I don't think the goal here is to gloss over sex, but to take away bad perceptions of having a particular sex. Gender would not need to be glossed over if we were talking about science, as men and women are biologically made to suit each other, but not be identical. It would also be cool to acknowledge the first woman who won an award that had regularly been given to men. But unless there's history or science going on, I don't see the point in putting emphasis on sex. Aside from gender, people have almost everything else in common. Having flaws, hopes and dreams, and all that sappy stuff about wanting to be loved (lol). So, I personally wouldn't give my kids unisex names to send them the message that ignoring gender would stop people from getting hurt, since it isn't true. But, I do think that it might teach kids to see themselves on even ground with their peers, and not judge them for being unlike them in some way. It might be ineffective, but that's all that I could hope for, if that was my goal, anyway.
oh...
Nevermind, I was mistaken. Payton is actually the surname. Her mother's surname.
What article are you referring to?
I think people give all sorts of reasons that they truly believe they have, for doing things, but I might or might not agree that they are describing themselves honestly or correctly.
I mean, if they give unisex names to girls in order to create a welcoming environment, would that mean that, in the environment they wish to create, girls are unwelcome? Or that gendered kids in general are unwelcome? Or they personally feel girls are unwelcome and so they mean to make them feel more welcome by glossing over their gender/sex? It doesn't make perfect sense to me.
Random addendum: I'm amused to read that the parents say Zaelyn means "gift of God." I wonder how that was derived.
I guess it means whatever they say it means, since it's basically made up as far as I can tell.
Nevermind, I was mistaken. Payton is actually the surname. Her mother's surname.
What article are you referring to?
I think people give all sorts of reasons that they truly believe they have, for doing things, but I might or might not agree that they are describing themselves honestly or correctly.
I mean, if they give unisex names to girls in order to create a welcoming environment, would that mean that, in the environment they wish to create, girls are unwelcome? Or that gendered kids in general are unwelcome? Or they personally feel girls are unwelcome and so they mean to make them feel more welcome by glossing over their gender/sex? It doesn't make perfect sense to me.
Random addendum: I'm amused to read that the parents say Zaelyn means "gift of God." I wonder how that was derived.
I guess it means whatever they say it means, since it's basically made up as far as I can tell.
This message was edited 11/16/2021, 3:30 PM
It'd have been neat if they used Godiva for that meaning.
Godiva's Journey across the town naked.
Sorry, but the legend is all that I can think about now. XD
That combo would be good for a mythological character.
Sorry, but the legend is all that I can think about now. XD
That combo would be good for a mythological character.
The legendary Godiva's admirable. I'd be more miffed by the chocolate brand (I bet I'd hear "is your life like a box of chocolates" from someone), but whatever, my name's common yet I still got teased about it being associated with an underwear store.
This message was edited 11/19/2021, 10:44 AM
I get what you mean. People can pick apart any name.