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Is My Favorite Baby Name Too Weird?
Filed under: Baby Names
I've been having a love affair with the name Calypso since I was 16 years old! I love the name, I love the sound, I love the Greek mythology and I love the nickname Caly to go with it. My husband also loves the name, but neither of us are sure if we should use it. We aren't sure how our families, or friends -- or anyone else -- will react to this name! Do we take a chance? Or should we be looking elsewhere with these doubts?
- Calypso Lover
You want to know how people will react to the name Calypso? I have two syllables for you: Day-O. Most folks who hear the name will think "Harry Belafonte" sooner than "Greek nymph."
That's not necessarily a bad thing. Calypso music has made the name familiar, so people will be able to pronounce it. That gives Calypso a big leg-up on fellow nymphs such as Clymene or Oenone. Also, the mythological Calypso had that unfortunate habit of seducing married men and holding them captive. It can't hurt to keep a bit of distance from that image.
So, the name you love is familiar, but decidedly unconventional, with a classic girlish nickname. That's a mighty fashionable recipe. The biggest challenge the name poses is the -o ending, which is a tough sell for girls' names. (Think of the nymph Callisto, who is reflected in the girl's name Calista.)
Now I have a question for you. If you're so concerned about how your family and friends will respond to your favorite name, why are you asking me instead of them? My encouragement won't mean a lot compared to wrinkled noses from the people you love.
If you don't want to give away your secret name choice this early, conceal it with red herrings. Give your friends a list of 10 names you're "considering," from the average to the truly outrageous. That will keep them off the scent, and will make them feel more free to give their real opinions on each name.
How did you handle outside opinions on your name choices? Share your experiences here. And if you have your own question to Ask the Name Lady, drop her a line!
- Calypso Lover
You want to know how people will react to the name Calypso? I have two syllables for you: Day-O. Most folks who hear the name will think "Harry Belafonte" sooner than "Greek nymph."
That's not necessarily a bad thing. Calypso music has made the name familiar, so people will be able to pronounce it. That gives Calypso a big leg-up on fellow nymphs such as Clymene or Oenone. Also, the mythological Calypso had that unfortunate habit of seducing married men and holding them captive. It can't hurt to keep a bit of distance from that image.
So, the name you love is familiar, but decidedly unconventional, with a classic girlish nickname. That's a mighty fashionable recipe. The biggest challenge the name poses is the -o ending, which is a tough sell for girls' names. (Think of the nymph Callisto, who is reflected in the girl's name Calista.)
Now I have a question for you. If you're so concerned about how your family and friends will respond to your favorite name, why are you asking me instead of them? My encouragement won't mean a lot compared to wrinkled noses from the people you love.
If you don't want to give away your secret name choice this early, conceal it with red herrings. Give your friends a list of 10 names you're "considering," from the average to the truly outrageous. That will keep them off the scent, and will make them feel more free to give their real opinions on each name.
How did you handle outside opinions on your name choices? Share your experiences here. And if you have your own question to Ask the Name Lady, drop her a line!
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 4)
12-30-2010 @ 3:21PM
Fran said...Go for it! Classical Greek names are fabulous and will be widely recognized - many people enjoy reading ancient mythology. I have a teenage niece named Danae (after one of Zeus's human paramours), and nobody seems to have a problem pronouncing or remembering it. I think it would be cool to be called Calypso!
Reply
12-31-2010 @ 9:53AM
Heidi said...Cute name! Go for it. It's unusual without being freakish or hard to spell. And believe me none of your child's peers will think Harry Belafonte or Day-O. Probably neither will their parents. Namelady was nuts to even mention it.
Reply
1-01-2011 @ 6:26AM
Kaitlin said...I totally agree with Heidi and Fran (and my mum's best friend's daughter is named Danae, and everyone compliments her on her name. Calypso is a beautiful name and I realllly don't think anyone would think of Harry Belafonte (???). That reference is utterly asinine...in fact, it makes me doubt the Name Lady's relevance, a little...
1-02-2011 @ 3:55PM
Holly said...I'm 63 and certainly old enough to remember Harry Belafonte but he was really more of a personality from my parent's generation. Calypso music wasn't that big of a music genre in the US anyway but more of a novelty thing in the 1950's. I doubt if few people under 60 could even tell you what Calypso is. Even though I know who Harry Belafonte is, when I read the name, I didn't associate it with him but with mythology. I think it's a cute name---unusual but not weird.
1-03-2011 @ 7:18AM
Bonbon said...I love that name. And I didn't think of Harry Bellafonte at all. My first thought was Jacques Cousteau's boat. It was the Calypso. But I wonder why she wants to name her Calypso but then call her Cali. If that's what you want to call her, name her that.
1-02-2011 @ 2:13PM
Meanstr said...For a start someone would hear the name Calypso and automatically expect to meet a flake head. Very wise mom,you like the name go to Court and have your name changed just do not curse a kid by giving her a name like that.Sounds like a name a Hooker would give Herself.
Reply
1-03-2011 @ 2:25PM
kendra said...rotflao nice
1-02-2011 @ 7:17PM
Carolyn said...You're a big fat meany :(
1-02-2011 @ 2:19PM
Terry said...I think Calypso is a lot better then some of these absurd names people come up with these days. At least it's pronouncable and familiar. And, I agree...even though people 40 and above know who Harry Belafonte is even I wouldn't have connected the name with him if the Name Lady hadn't said anything. Your daughters counterparts and probably even their parents wouldn't haven any clue about him, so if you like the name go for it.
Reply
1-02-2011 @ 2:38PM
Val said...She's your baby. Name her what you want. However remember she will have to live with it, too. So I would work with that other than what the family and friends would say.
Reply
1-02-2011 @ 2:45PM
Robeon said...I'd say name your kid "Calypso" only if you want everyone to think your kid is Black.
Reply
1-02-2011 @ 7:17PM
Carolyn said...Maybe she is black. What of it?
1-02-2011 @ 2:43PM
jim said...don't call her life saver call her shit head (steve martin THE JERK)
Reply
1-04-2011 @ 9:23PM
reg said...I really think you should go for it! Calypso is a really pretty name! I stayed at this beautiful house in the Caribbean and it was named Calypso. All of my family's friends and myself thought it was a very interesting and pretty name. Your daughter would love it - it is very special to have a name that very few people have. She will also be remembered because of her name. That is a definite advantage! Don't worry about what everyone thinks - if you like it then go for it!
Reply
1-02-2011 @ 2:45PM
kelly said...stupid name, good name to name a boat or a dog though....nah, i wouldn't do that to a dog...i think someone makes up these stupid parentdish articles.
Reply
1-02-2011 @ 2:48PM
lois said...I feel sorry for children who have oddor weird names ! The other kids will make fun of them when they start school. If the Mother likes the name Calypso so much, give her daughter a decent name and nickname her "Calypso"
Reply
1-02-2011 @ 5:41PM
Barry S. said...I agree with you 100%. I can't understand why parents give their children such strange names. What is the upside for the kid? NOTHING! As for the names that African Americans parents give their children, it is just beyond comprehension. My favorite is the pro football player who's name is Debrickashaw (Ferguson, I think). WHY??
1-02-2011 @ 7:09PM
Judy said...The strangest name I ever heard of was this african-american that worked as a checker at wal-mart whose name tag said "God". I asked him if he named himself and he said no, that was the name his parents gave him.
1-02-2011 @ 2:47PM
Pam said...Don't name your child that! The other children will make fun of her at school. As a retired teacher, I know how this name will play out.
Reply
1-02-2011 @ 6:44PM
adgirl said...The parents have the right to name their child whatever they want—everyone else's opinion be damned!
All they have to do is raise the child to have pride in her name and to realize that if anyone make fun of it, it's because they're stuck with a boring name and are just jealous.