Names for naughty girls and boys

A recent poll came out conducted by parenting website bounty.com. They surveyed 3000 teachers to find the most common names for naughty kids and also for the smart and studious types. I don't necessarily agree with the results from the naughty list; here it is:

Boys

1. Callum

2. Connor

3. Jack

4. Daniel

5. Brandon

6. Charlie

7. Kyle

8. Liam

9. Jake

10. Brooklyn

Girls

1. Chelsea

2. Courtney

3. Chardonnay

4. Aleisha

5. Casey

6. Crystal

7. Jessica

8. Brooke

9. Demi

10. Aisha

Now being a teacher I feel it's pretty safe for me to make a thorough comment here. I'm yet to come across a Connor so can't comment there but Callum, I've known a few and they were neither the best or the worst students I've met. Jack is such a common name that I know some jacks with behaviour problems and some without. That is the problem with a list like this. What I can safely say is that at all the schools I have taught at I have had the most problems with boys whose names start with J, Jake and Jack making this list. Add to that Jayden and Josh. I've only ever taught 1 Brandon and he was horrendously studious, which was rather annoying.

As for girls, I laughed when I saw Chardonnay on this list firstly because it's pretty tacky and I'm not sure anyone would actually really name their child this, obviously I'm wrong on that second part. Seriously if my name was Chardonnay I'd act out too! I agree with this list far less than the boys list. Chelsea is a name I've never encountered problems with and probably would have put on the 'smart' list to be honest, the same with Casey and Jessica. Having never met a Demi or Aisha I can't comment there. Again there are names that crop up on lots of badly behaved kids like Emily, but considering Emily has been one of the worlds most popular names and there are at least two Emily's per class the chance of there being 'naughty' Emily's is out there.

Now for the 'smart' names:

Boys

1. Alexander

2. Adam

3. Christopher

4. Benjamin

5. Edward

6. Matthew

7. Daniel

8. James

9. Harry

10. William

Girls

1. Elisabeth

2. Charlotte

3. Emma

4. Hannah

5. Rebecca

6. Abigail

7. Grace

8. Alice

9. Anna

10. Sophie

I need to take the credibility from this list too. Some of the most problematic students I've had were named Benjamin, never had a 'good' one come to think of it. Add Harry to that list too! Last year a William from my class was suspended with despicable behaviour. So like the 'naughty' list I don't really agree with this one either. The only girls names on here that I actually agree with are Alice and Emma. I find it interesting that it is Elisabeth and not Elizabeth, Elisabeth is not hugely common whereas the other names on the girls list are rather popular.

So to round up, as a teacher I myself find this list to be a load of garbage.

Behaviour has more to do with parenting than names.

Baby Name Remorse

Have you ever wanted to change your child's name after they were born? This article has come from the Guardian in the UK and is an interesting read. Check it out here.

What are your thoughts on the issue?

I know! Lets spell it with a Y. Y I can't stand kr8ive spelling

So the most recent example of blatant kr8ive spelling would have to be that of Vanessa Hudgens character in the latest film Band Slam. She is Sa5m, but the 5 is silent. Ok so this is just a movie but things like this happen in real life too.

Most of the people I have come across looking for advice on names really like a name that is currently rather popular like for example Ava, Maddison and don't get me started on all the 'aiden' names out there. They then encounter the problem that their child will inevitably be one of a few in their classes at school. This is probably true however their next move is to try to change the spelling to make the name more unique. this generally involves adding the trendy 'y'.

For example:

Ava = Ayva.

Maddison = Maddyson or Maddysyn.

Aiden = Ayden or Aydyn

Jaiden = Jayden or Jaydyn

Madeline = Madilyne

Jason = Jayson

Miley = Mylee

Have you picked up that the names are still pronounced exactly the same, yes exactly the same. The only difference now is that the child given the name has to spell it for absolutely everyone they meet. Chances are that no matter how may times they spell it they will still end up with the more common spelling.

The bottom line is that alternate spelling do not make a name more unique, they make it more frustrating. Being one of a few is far less frustrating than having to spell your name for everyone. So if you want to use a popular name but are afraid of the popularity why not look for a similar alternative name. Trawling through popularity lists, like those listed in the links of this website, is a great place to find names that you can guarantee aren't hugely common.