Expert reveals ‘controversial’ baby names you should avoid

When it comes to playing the name game, there are some rules you just shouldn’t break, according to the experts.

When it comes to playing the name game, there are some rules you just shouldn’t break, according to the experts.

As reported by the New York Post, baby naming site Nameberry has revealed the controversial monikers that should most be avoided due to negative associations, offensive roots or the fact that they’re awkward when spoken aloud.

Starting with Adonis, a nod to the lover of the Greek goddess Aphrodite, writer Emma Waterhouse warned new parents to stay away from virtue-associated titles, citing the names Grace, Joy and Divine.

While Adonis is associated with the epitome of masculine beauty, it’s “a gamble” to bank on a newborn’s future looks, Waterhouse writes, suggesting that “it could be an awkward name to wear for someone who doesn’t fit the dictionary definition”.

Honey is another “cutesy” but downright “awkward” name for the workplace or school.

Sounding more fit for a pet than a human, other “cute” names flagged by Nameberry include Pip, Teddy, Sonny, Kitty, Goldie and Coco.

When it comes to playing the name game, there are some rules you just shouldn’t break, according to the experts. Picture: iStock

Meanwhile, Blair – of Waldorf or Witch Project fame – is loved for its single-consonant chicness, but others bristle at the snobbish connotations.

Nameberry experts claim that it also carries negative associations due to former UK prime minister Tony Blair, who was called “Tony Bliar” by critics.

Religious monikers should also be avoided, such as Azriel.

While it might sound cool to some, it could seem “strange” to others due to being a version of the name given to “angel of death” figures in Islam, Christianity and Sikhism.

Bodhi has become popular among A-listers – take Bodhi Soleil, daughter of Ian Somerhalder and Nikki Reed, or Bodhi Ransom Green, son of Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green.

But its ties to Buddhism as a term meaning “enlightenment” has sparked debate about its usage by people outside the religion.

Nameberry has revealed the controversial monikers that should most be avoided. Picture: iStock

Similarly, Cohen, meaning “priest”, is a sacred Jewish surname that refers to members of the kohanim, distinguished religious leaders.

As such, its use as a given name and divorced from its religious implications could be considered inappropriate.

“However, Cohen has risen significantly in recent years, boosted by its appealing sound and cool surname style,” according to Waterhouse.

“But its ascent is now starting to slow – perhaps a sign that some parents are thinking twice before choosing such a polarising baby name.”

Other spiritually-associated monikers, such as Messiah, Saint, Bishop, Torah and Veda, are also frowned upon.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West with their children North and Saint – a name frowned upon by experts due to its spiritual connotations. Picture: TheStewartofNY/GC Images

Names that have problematic or violent connotations should be avoided as well, according to Nameberry.

Dixie, for one, carries racist roots – hence the name change of the Dixie Chicks to simply The Chicks.

The word “Dixie” referred to the American states comprising the Confederacy during the Civil War.

Gunner – as well as Caliber, Cannon, Colt, Remington and Wesson, to name a few – might trigger controversy due to the ongoing debate over gun control.

Harvey should also be avoided, thanks to disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein and natural disaster Hurricane Harvey.

Harvey should also be avoided, thanks to disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein. Picture: Etienne Laurent/Getty Images North America/AFP

The baby name experts also argued that geographical names are ill-fated – namely, India, which is more popular overseas due to its “cosmopolitan feel”.

Issues of racism have been raised around geographically-inspired monikers, such as Asia, Kenya or Malaysia, according to Nameberry, or tribal names, such as Dakota, Cree or Cheyenne.

Nameberry also advised against baby names associations with politics, television series and animals, as well as the name Karen, due to its viral use as an insult.

This article originally appeared on the New York Post and was reproduced with permission