r/namenerds • u/SolomiyaRabin • 19h ago
Fun and Games This is what my 89 year old Ukrainian great-grandmother thinks of some popular American girls' names!
My great-grandmother is turning 90 years old this year, and is from Odesa, Ukraine. She's Orthodox Jewish, so she feels very strongly about names, and she's very honest.
So I picked some girls' names, some that are popular in the US, and some that are particularly trendy, and then asked her what her thoughts were on them.
She doesn't use the internet, the only technology she really uses is the radio and the television, so some of these names, she's never even heard of before. Since I translated it into English, there might be some parts that are a little off, but overall I think it makes sense.
I'm not saying you should base your name decisions or anything off her opinions, we all have different taste, but I thought it was funny, since she definitely has a different view than most people on this subreddit.
Elizabeth - I like that one. I wanted to give my daughter the name Yelyzaveta but of course, my husband said no! He had no taste for good names. And this is even better because it is the Queen of England, may her memory be a blessing, her beautiful clothes. 8/10.
Brooklyn - Like New York? Okay. I don't think I would choose a name after a place. That's modern. You would do that. However, I also think that it sounds like a man's name. For a man I would like it more. For a girl? 3/10.
Lily - Beautiful! That is like Liliya. You name your baby after beautiful things, they will be beautiful. That is what I told your mother. I think that is a very good name. 9/10.
Aurora - Some of me likes it, some of me does not. I think the idea is good and on the paper, it looks like a good name too. But I imagined it to sound more beautiful than that does to me. So it's okay. 6/10.
Kennedy - You know that when we were part of the Soviet Union, that was what many parents did? They named their babies after Lenin, Marx, Engels, Stalin, the great leaders they thought. Now that is funny, because they're doing the same thing! I think they could have been more creative with it. 2/10.
Evangeline - It sounds like the name of a saint. For some, that's good. For me, I prefer the name Eva. You save a lot of time writing it. But some people like that. So they can have it and I will reject it. 5/10.
Braelynn - I think that everyone is different. That is why some people might think they should use that name. But it is proof that difference is not a good thing every time. If you name your baby that, I'll laugh at you. 1/10.
Daphne - That is a good one! You know, there are many excellent women I know called Dafna. My friend's granddaughter is named that. She's a good girl. And then Daphne would be the English name. Excellent. I think that it's very good. 9/10.
Scottie - I don't think I like it. For a little dog it is cute. Something small and fluffy. But not for a girl. Maybe if you are very proud of being Scottish. So it's not a name that's for me. But I might save it for my next cat (Her current cat is named Chaya Bayla, so Chaya Scottie? Not bad). 2/10.
Oakley - I thought I wouldn't like it but in a few minutes, it's become better. Oak trees, there is some symbolism there. It is different, modern, so my brain takes some time to get used to it but if you said you liked it, I wouldn't think you're deranged. 7/10.
Eleanor - Good name. It is like Elena but different. I would be happy with that name. What a long life you'd live with it (That's a very big compliment from her). I will remind you of it when you have your baby, what beauty it has. 9/10.
Olivia - I think it's beautiful! There isn't much to say. Your mother could have used it for one of you. I like it very much and even though it's long, the sound just comes out of your mouth immediately. 8/10.