Company Charging to Decode Your Baby's Name
Categories: Celeb Parenting, In The News, Weird But True, Baby Names
Today Translations will tell you what your baby's name means in 100 languages - for a price. Credit: BalaGopalanA, Flickr
As an example, the company's chief executive Jurga Zilinskiene points to Tom Cruise/Katie Holmes offspring Suri, according to the New York Daily News. In Greek, the name means "farmer" or "earth worker." But in French, it means "turned sour." And in Farsi? "Red" or "fire." And how about in Italian? That would be "horse mackerels." (We didn't know what that meant, either, so we looked it up and it's a type of fish.)
Today Translations will look up your choice of name in 100 languages, what they call a "name translation audit," according to the News. The cost? 1,000 pounds, or about $1,700. Zilinskiene told the paper that this is not just for celebrities -- "the service will also appeal to ordinary folks who want their child's name to stand out."
Today Translations did not say what "Jurga" means in any language, but perhaps it means huckster. While it can be fun to learn what your child's name means in other languages, the price seems a bit steep. As for having a name that "stands out," consider what a wacky name did for Moon Unit and Audio Science.
Would you use a service like this one? Or is it just a waste of money?
Recent Posts
- Heart-Shaped Valentine's Day Crafts (2/09/2010)
- Study Suggests Link Between Autism and Parents' Ages (2/09/2010)
- Just Chute Me! (Or: Do We REALLY Have to Play with Our Kids?) (2/09/2010)
- Atlanta Billboards Proclaim 'Black Children Are An Endangered Species' (2/09/2010)
- Canadian Hospital Offers Surgery for Obese Children (2/09/2010)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
cannotbelievethis 11-21-2009 @ 6:14PM
I have always looked up the various meanings of my kids names, it's called a BOOK. I always giggle when I hear of kids named "Jamal" (which in Arabic, means "Camel"), or Charmin (really, you named your child after toilet paper?) yes, you should know what your child's name means in other languages, it can make a difference as they mature.
Reply
Merlyn 11-21-2009 @ 3:12PM
I think its fun info is all and the price should be $9.99.
Reply
Paula 11-21-2009 @ 3:38PM
I already know what my kids name means because I gave him a normal name. I also know what my name means because my mother gave me a normal name. Just look at all the money I saved.
I understand the concept of giving your child a name that will stand out but I shudder to think that some poor kid won't be getting that great job because his potential employer can't pronounce his name.
Reply
Suz 11-21-2009 @ 3:49PM
Suri is just the four middle letters in the of Cruise - mixed up.
Reply
Sandy 11-21-2009 @ 4:02PM
Sadly, the "stars" have been choosing names for their babies for many years that sometimes not only sound awful like Buster, Hazel, Seraphina, to name a few, but the meanings and origins of some names are also unattractive. In the baby name book that I have the name Suri does not mean princess as TomKat told the world, it means "girl with pointy face". Bet they didn't research that one very far. Sounds like something you might call a pet parrot. If they have another I hope they go with something more appealing like Connor and Isabella. Good choices for the first two!
Reply
B. Taylor 11-21-2009 @ 4:25PM
'Suri' was the name of the Audubon Park Zoo's beloved white tiger who passed away a few years back. She was probably the only animal at this New Orleans zoo whose name was known by the general public and she was mourned far and wide when she was gone. I did hear it translates into 'princess' in some language. Have to agree with the post stating noone should care what a name translates into Farsi as there are WAY too many foreign names we could poke fun at if for no other reason than just sounding funny. Also have to agree that Hollywood does have a tendancy to give their sprouts odd names that are better suited for family dogs and cats than humans.
Reply
David S. 11-21-2009 @ 5:22PM
Uh, you can buy a baby book that does the same thing, or just look on the internet. I guess Hollywood stars have to do something with their millions. P.T. Barnum was correct -- there really is one born every minute.
Reply
Kristina 11-21-2009 @ 5:33PM
Suri is one of the ugliest, most made-up names I've ever heard. I wouldn't name a goldfish Suri. These blogs are a complete joke, ridiculous. AOL is even more of a joke. I'm embarrassed to be a member of it. And even they have given up .. obviously there's no one home on AOL. Their news stories are over a week old.
Reply
weezee 11-21-2009 @ 5:42PM
Why not just give your kid a decent sounding name and not worry about what it means in a language you're never gonna speak to them in anyway?
Reply
JustinOpinion 11-22-2009 @ 12:29PM
Here's a clue. Name you baby something NORMAL! Don't make up S**T and then label your child with it for life! What is WRONG with people?!?!?!?!
Reply
john foote 11-21-2009 @ 5:51PM
Obama means lier and I didn't have to pay $9.99 to find out !
Reply
lghclrk 11-21-2009 @ 6:23PM
Oh John, That was toooo funny! Dead on the mark. Thank you for the humor on a gloomy day. :)
Chargergrl 11-21-2009 @ 7:22PM
Learn how to spell before you post a comment. I believe the word you were trying to spell is "liar". Next time use your spell check!
Susan 11-21-2009 @ 6:10PM
Joe, I adore you! Every one of your comments crack me up. I personally am a huge fan of the name Apple for a girl. I mean, if you really are hell bent on raising a stripper why not name her after a fruit? But then again, we live in a world where people want everyone else to pay for their problems, mistakes, and messes.... and squander their money on crap like this.
Reply
Mira 11-21-2009 @ 6:24PM
JURGA is a Lithuanian name and is the feminie version of Jurgis, which is a very common name. Ususally when one wants to describe someone as dimm witted or plain... they will call him a Jurgis. Whis a euphemism for Forrest Gump or a Suri- lithuanian farmer. Quite ironic, isn't it? Trust me, I am Lithuanian born.
Reply
drew lampkin III 11-21-2009 @ 6:33PM
good word, joe. my name means "man" (andrew, greek aner / andros). i would name a fish sushi before i'd name it suri, but my betta is azul (spanish, blue). my cat was beaker (the squeeky muppet). i guess the tortoise-shell should have been yertle, but she weighed 29 pounds ... bear. the snake is houdini. guess its favorite hobby? go figure dweezel zappa, chastity bono is chaz now. suri reminds me of the french police and the underground water system. moonbeam, sunshine (LSD?), george in spanish is "hor-hey", and in german is "gay-orc". astrid is a star. if i want to know word meanings,, i look in a book - "word roots & combining forms." for sentences & phrases, i go to "babel fish".
Reply
KITZER 11-21-2009 @ 7:23PM
What can one expect when two self-centered parents decide to pick their childs name by drawing "scrabble tiles"!!!!!
Reply
jewel 11-21-2009 @ 7:59PM
Suri is a nickname for "Sarah" which does mean princess. So in some backwards, somewhat vague kind of way it kind of does mean princess... almost. But in Japanese it means "theif". Nice.
Reply
It means Queen 11-21-2009 @ 7:59PM
Of course I wouldn't pay for that service, especially that ridiculous amount! People have found out the meaning of names for hundreds of years, it's nothing new - buy a book for a few bucks, use the many at the library for free or look online! How foolish they are for trying to turn it into a business! DOH!!
Reply
Shalom! 11-21-2009 @ 8:03PM
i think i'll just take Prince route and sign their names as a symbol. anyone know that the backslash means in Swahili?
Reply