Experts at baby essentials company For Your Little One have compiled a list of nine popular baby names that carry unexpected negative meanings, prompting parents to think twice before choosing them for their newborns. The names range from Mallory, which means 'unfortunate', to Portia, which translates as 'pig'.
Popular Names with Surprising Translations
Mallory, typically given to baby girls, derives from the old French maleüré, meaning 'unfortunate'. It reached peak popularity in 1988 and has been steadily declining since. Mara, also a girl's name, translates as 'bitter' in Hebrew. In the Bible, Naomi, the mother-in-law of Ruth, adopted the name Mara to convey her sorrow after the deaths of her husband and sons.
Cameron, a gender-neutral name that remains widely popular, has Gaelic roots — 'cam' and 'sròn' — which translate to 'crooked nose'. Tristan, derived from the French 'triste', means 'sad' or 'melancholy'.
More Names with Unflattering Meanings
Dolores, a charming vintage name, means 'sorrows' in Spanish, deriving from the Latin dolor. It is favoured among Roman Catholic families because of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores ("Our Lady of Sorrows"), also known as the Virgin Mary.
Brónagh or Bróna (Brónach), an Irish name pronounced 'bro-nah' or 'bro-nuh', originates from the Gaelic word brónach, meaning 'sorrow' or 'sadness'. Claudia, the feminine form of Claudius, is connected to the Latin claudus, meaning lame or crippled.
Final Names on the List
Cecilia, a girl's name of Italian origin, stems from the Latin name Caecilia and the Latin caecus, which translates to 'blind' or 'hidden'. Portia, a feminine name with Latin origins, translates to 'pig'. Nevertheless, it has grown in popularity after appearing in several Shakespeare plays such as The Merchant of Venice and Julius Caesar, frequently given to strong female characters.
Parents who adore these names regardless of their meaning are encouraged to go ahead, as there is nothing inherently wrong with them. However, those preferring something more positive might consider avoiding these choices.
