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The Dingo's Got My Baby Name!
Categories: Baby Names
After much debate, my husband and I finally found a female name we agree on: Azariah (or Azaria). I like that it is a Hebrew name like my daughter Ariella's and about the same popularity ranking. Most of our friends' children have biblical names as well, so I think she'll fit in fine with them.
However, I put a poll online and got a lot of comments that I shouldn't name my baby that because the baby who was killed by a dingo was named Azaria. Do you think it matters? Will people always mention the connection to her/us or will they just accept her name once they know her?
- Would-be Azaria mom
You found the one and only name of your dreams, then polled the global, anonymous internet for opinions on it? That takes a thick skin. But I presume that you did it for a reason...and I presume that the reason was to see how the name plays to people whose perspectives are different from your own. So now that you have those perspectives, what do you do with them?
First, some background for readers who think "Dingoes Ate My Baby" was just a rock band from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Back in 1980, an infant named Azaria Chamberlain disappeared in the Australian outback. Her parents claimed she was taken by a dingo -- a wild dog -- but authorities initially blamed the parents themselves. Years of media frenzy ensued, so that the name Azaria still means "dingo baby" to most Australians, and a lot of U.K. folks as well.
In the USA, though, the Chamberlain story never reached that fever pitch. To most Americans today, Azaria is a fashionable, mildly exotic name with a biblical spin. (Azariah is actually a male name in the bible, pronounced ah-zah-RYE-uh, but who's counting?)
The question is, which audience are you naming toward? Are you happy knowing that your baby's immediate circle will like her name, or are you looking to position her for a globe-trotting future? In the case of Azaria, you might be able to wiggle out of this place-based dilemma with a helping hand from time. It's been 29 years since Azaria Chamberlain vanished, and it will be 20 more before your Azaria will be grown and ready to take on the world. If you love the name, it's a fair gamble that the dingo case will have faded from global memory by then.
Have you grappled with a name in the news? Share your experiences! And if you have a question to Ask the Name Lady, drop her a line.
However, I put a poll online and got a lot of comments that I shouldn't name my baby that because the baby who was killed by a dingo was named Azaria. Do you think it matters? Will people always mention the connection to her/us or will they just accept her name once they know her?
- Would-be Azaria mom
You found the one and only name of your dreams, then polled the global, anonymous internet for opinions on it? That takes a thick skin. But I presume that you did it for a reason...and I presume that the reason was to see how the name plays to people whose perspectives are different from your own. So now that you have those perspectives, what do you do with them?
First, some background for readers who think "Dingoes Ate My Baby" was just a rock band from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Back in 1980, an infant named Azaria Chamberlain disappeared in the Australian outback. Her parents claimed she was taken by a dingo -- a wild dog -- but authorities initially blamed the parents themselves. Years of media frenzy ensued, so that the name Azaria still means "dingo baby" to most Australians, and a lot of U.K. folks as well.
In the USA, though, the Chamberlain story never reached that fever pitch. To most Americans today, Azaria is a fashionable, mildly exotic name with a biblical spin. (Azariah is actually a male name in the bible, pronounced ah-zah-RYE-uh, but who's counting?)
The question is, which audience are you naming toward? Are you happy knowing that your baby's immediate circle will like her name, or are you looking to position her for a globe-trotting future? In the case of Azaria, you might be able to wiggle out of this place-based dilemma with a helping hand from time. It's been 29 years since Azaria Chamberlain vanished, and it will be 20 more before your Azaria will be grown and ready to take on the world. If you love the name, it's a fair gamble that the dingo case will have faded from global memory by then.
Have you grappled with a name in the news? Share your experiences! And if you have a question to Ask the Name Lady, drop her a line.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
MarMarOhio 7-06-2009 @ 6:35PM
I didn't really have this issue naming my daughter, but as far as "Azaria" goes: First off, I didn't remember the name of the child taken by the dingo until you mentioned it. Secondly, my first thought of the name was actor Hank Azaria. I probably would've thought you were a fan of his work if you told me your child's name. Just FYI.
Reply
Chrysee 7-06-2009 @ 2:31PM
I'm 24. While I knew the basic story surrounding that incident, I had no clue that was the child's name and while I can't speak for everyone, but I'm not sure if that's common knowledge in the US for people born several years after that even happened. I don't think it would really be noticed that much.
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lesley hyde 8-31-2009 @ 8:12AM
Sorry,but as an Australian,there is no way you could ever hear that name without the aassociation of Azaria Chamberlain.Maybe in the States it is not common knowledge but here you could never ever ever give a child that name without it being associated! In a bad bad way! Same as Jaiden.Just cant do it !!!
mike 7-11-2009 @ 2:03PM
You and your husband/partner need to ask yourself whether you picked up this name because you only "like" how it sounds, or that because the biblical story and the personality of Azariah (which by the way is interchangeable with Lazarus) touched you and would hope that your child be inspired/emulate the biblical Anzariah? I think that if this not the case you do not need to worry too much about your friends's cnoices of gaving their children biblical names. Think about your child not about what others think of your choice.
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Alice 7-16-2009 @ 11:04PM
Hi! I actually love this name too. I too did a poll... no one liked it. I was actually well imformed about Azaria Chamberlain. I saw the movie... (which by the way, is fantastic!) but they're right baout the America thing... however everyone thinks its very manly... I personally love it for a little girl. ANd i love the meaning, Gift from God. Its a beutiful name.
Carol 7-20-2009 @ 3:15AM
I read the book, saw the movie, did not remember the girl's name. I immediately thought "People will wonder why they gave her Hank Azaria's last name."...those that know who Hank Azaria is.......
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