7 Dad Naming Mistakes I Made So You Don't Have To
7 Dad Naming Mistakes I Made So You Don't Have To
A Confession
I have three children with names I chose. All three names have at least one problem I didn't foresee. One has a nickname issue that haunts us daily. Another has initials that spell something unfortunate. The third shares a name with a character from a show that became problematic after we named her.
I'm not saying I hate my kids' names. I love their names, actually. But I love them despite the mistakes, not because I made perfect choices. And if I could go back, I'd make different decisions on at least a few details.
This isn't a 'here's what I got right' humble-brag. This is a genuine accounting of naming mistakes I made as a dad—so you can learn from my errors instead of making your own. Because once that birth certificate is signed, you're committed. No backsies. No do-overs. Just years of living with choices made in the hormonal haze of expecting a baby.
Here are my seven mistakes. I hope they save you from yours.
Mistake 1: The Nickname Blindspot
What I Did
We named our first son Richard, after my grandfather. Classic name. Distinguished. Presidential, even. I pictured little Richard in a tiny suit, growing up to be a senator or CEO. Dignified Richard.
What I Missed
Dick. The nickname is Dick. Every Richard in history gets called Dick at some point. My son was 'Dick' before he finished kindergarten, thanks to a classmate whose grandfather was also named Richard and went by Dick.
The Lesson
Check every possible nickname before committing. Not just the cute ones (Ricky!) but the problematic ones. Google 'nicknames for [name]' and see what comes up. Ask friends what they'd shorten it to. Remember that kids are creative and cruel—they'll find the worst option.
Names With Nickname Issues
- Richard → Dick
- William → Willy (anatomical)
- Penelope → Penis (kids find a way)
- Tucker → The rhyme
- Dolores → Dolor (pain)
- Gaylord → Just... don't
Mistake 2: The Initials Disaster
What I Did
Our daughter's name is Ashley Sarah Smith (not our real last name, but same initials). We loved Ashley. We wanted to honor my wife's mother, Sarah. Smith is our surname. Simple enough.
What I Missed
A.S.S. Her initials spell ASS. This did not occur to us until we received her monogrammed baby blanket from my mother-in-law. There it was, in beautiful embroidery: ASS.
The Lesson
Write out the full initials—first, middle, last—before finalizing. Also check first and last only (some forms skip middle names). And check what they spell if you add a second middle name or hyphenate surnames.
Initial Combinations to Avoid
- A.S.S. - obvious
- F.A.T. - cruel
- B.S. - bull****
- P.M.S. - premenstrual jokes
- S.O.B. - son of a...
- D.U.M. - self-explanatory
- S.T.D. - medical terminology
Mistake 3: The 'Unique' Spelling Trap
What I Did
My wife wanted Caitlin. I thought it was too common. I suggested Kaytlynn. Different. Special. Unique. We compromised on Katelynne.
What I Missed
There's no correct way to spell Katelynne. Every form, every teacher, every barista gets it wrong. 'Caitlin?' No. 'Katelyn?' No. 'Kaitlyn?' No. 'Katelynne?' Yes, with two n's and an e. Her entire life is a spelling test.
The Lesson
If you're choosing a common name, use the common spelling. The 'unique' version doesn't make the name more special—it just makes it harder. Your child's uniqueness should come from who they are, not from how their name is misspelled.
Spelling Variations That Cause Problems
- Jaxon vs Jackson (unnecessary x)
- Madisyn vs Madison (why the y?)
- Emmalee vs Emily (extra letters)
- Aiden vs Aidan vs Ayden (pick one)
- Hayleigh vs Hayley vs Hailey (chaos)
Mistake 4: The Family Obligation Fail
What I Did
My father-in-law is Eugene. When our son was born, there was pressure—subtle but real—to honor him with the name. I resisted for months. Then caved. Eugene became our son's middle name.
What I Missed
I didn't actually want to use Eugene, and my resentment leaked out. Every time someone asked about his middle name, I'd say 'Oh, it's Eugene—family thing' with a tone that communicated exactly how I felt. My father-in-law noticed. It damaged our relationship more than not using the name would have.
The Lesson
Only use honor names if you genuinely want to. A half-hearted honor is worse than no honor. If you don't want to use a family name, have that conversation directly: 'We've decided to choose our own names, but we love you and want to honor you in other ways.'
Ways to Honor Without Using the Exact Name
- Use the same first letter (Eugene → Ethan)
- Use a name with the same meaning
- Use the person's maiden name or surname
- Use a name from their heritage
- Honor them in the nursery decor instead
Mistake 5: The Pop Culture Curse
What I Did
In 2010, my wife and I loved a TV show with a strong, intelligent female character named Daenerys. Beautiful name. Powerful associations. We named our daughter after her.
What I Missed
The show was Game of Thrones. The character became a genocidal villain in the final season. Our daughter shares a name with a mass murderer. Every time someone recognizes the reference now, the conversation gets awkward.
The Lesson
Pop culture names are risky because you can't predict what the character will do, how the property will age, or what new associations will emerge. Classic names endure because they're not tied to specific cultural moments that can sour.
Pop Culture Names That Aged Poorly
- Daenerys (GoT villain turn)
- Harvey (Weinstein)
- Cosby (enough said)
- Adolf (history)
- Isis (the name predates the terror group, but still)
Mistake 6: The Sibling Sound-Alike
What I Did
Our first child is Emma. Our second is Ella. At the time, they seemed different enough. Emma, Ella—totally distinct names, right?
What I Missed
'Emma!' 'Did you mean me?' 'No, Ella!' 'What?' Every single day. In a loud house, 'Emma' and 'Ella' are indistinguishable. We've accidentally trained them to both respond to 'E-ma-la' which has become our slurred combination of both names.
The Lesson
If you have multiple kids, test how the names sound when yelled. Different starting sounds help. Different syllable patterns help. Similar names seem cute on a birth announcement but chaotic in daily use.
Sibling Names That Clash
- Emma/Ella - too similar
- Jayden/Aiden/Caden - rhyming overload
- Jack/Jake - confusing calls
- Mary/Marie - almost identical
- Brandon/Brendan - hard to distinguish
Mistake 7: The Meaning I Didn't Check
What I Did
We loved the name Cameron for our son. Scottish origin. Sounds strong. Presidents have been named Cameron (sort of). We went for it.
What I Missed
Cameron means 'crooked nose.' That's it. That's the whole meaning. We named our son 'Crooked Nose.' When he learned this in third grade, he was not impressed. 'You named me after a nose deformity?' Fair point, kid.
The Lesson
Look up name meanings before committing. Some beautiful-sounding names have unfortunate meanings. Others have beautiful meanings that add depth. Wouldn't you rather explain 'your name means brave warrior' than 'your name means... uh... crooked nose'?
Names With Unfortunate Meanings
- Cameron - 'crooked nose'
- Kennedy - 'ugly head'
- Mallory - 'unlucky'
- Calvin - 'bald'
- Mary - 'bitter' (though also 'beloved')
- Cecilia - 'blind'
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I change my kid's name later?
Legally? Yes, though it's paperwork-intensive. Practically? It gets harder as they age. A name change at 6 months is manageable. At 6 years, it's their identity. Consider it for serious issues (like truly unfortunate initials), but don't assume you can 'fix it later' for minor regrets.
Q2: How do I know if I'll regret a name?
You won't know for sure—that's the hard truth. But reduce risk by: checking all possible nicknames, writing out initials, googling the name extensively, saying it out loud hundreds of times, using it as their name for a week before the birth to see if it feels right.
Q3: What if I already made these mistakes?
Then you're in good company—most parents have some naming regret. Own it. Laugh about it. Your kid's name is part of their story now, quirks and all. My Richard goes by Rich (not Dick), my A.S.S. daughter prefers her full name on documents, and my Daenerys... well, she's considering going by Dani.
Q4: Is it possible to make no naming mistakes?
Honestly, probably not. Even perfect-seeming names develop issues over time—cultural shifts, new associations, unexpected nicknames from peers. Do your due diligence, make the best choice you can, and accept that some surprise will emerge. That's just parenting.
Q5: What was your biggest mistake?
The Game of Thrones one. Everything else is manageable annoyance. But explaining why your daughter is named after a fictional genocidal dictator requires a level of narrative gymnastics I hadn't anticipated. Choose timeless over trendy, folks.
No Perfect Names, Only Good Enough Ones
Here's the thing: despite all these mistakes, I love my kids' names. Richard is a wonderful kid who goes by Rich. Our ASS-initialed daughter has a sense of humor about it. Even our Daenerys has found ways to make the name her own, separate from the character.
Names are important, but they're not destiny. A problematic name doesn't doom your child, and a perfect name doesn't guarantee success. Do your homework, avoid the obvious pitfalls, but don't paralyze yourself seeking perfection.
Make a choice you feel good about today, knowing that tomorrow might reveal something you missed. That's okay. That's parenting. That's life.
At least now you know which mistakes to avoid. My kids' nominal misfortunes can be your educational gain.
Find names without built-in mistakes on SoulSeed—where due diligence meets inspiration.
