***
Let me start by saying I do not wish to cause anyone emotional distress (or “offend”) with my thoughts on this matter. You may have a masculine name and either be at peace with it or have your own personal conflict. I don’t want to add to your troubles. [So, if it’s a touchy subject, you have the right to not dive further into my rant.]
But…
What’s the deal with parents giving male names to some of the most beautiful women of this world? And, not just one; they give the beautiful girl a first and second male name. WHYYYY?
Examples?
Musician Taylor Swift, for starters. Taylor?…like the former U.S. President? ‘Not exactly a befitting name for someone so beautiful and graceful. So, I prefer to call her Tay, which has a certain elegance, like May, Fay, Emily or Amy.
Actress Conor Marie Leslie is also quite gorgeous, an exceptional dark-haired beauty. [I only know of her from tiny tips toward her name in association with personal interests; I cannot even recall what made me look her up online. Was it something about DC Comics? Teen Titans? And, I am astounded to see so many pictures for someone I otherwise wouldn’t know…but certainly someone I’d like to know better.] And, while the latter two names are adequate, the first is questionable, to say the least. Conor? That almost sounds like Conan. I suppose you can call her Connie. [I will.] But, why not just name her Connie, then? Or, Constance (like the lovely Constance Wu)?
Actress/Dancer Robia Brett Lamorte (aka Robia Scott), who first swept me off my feet as Jenny Calendar in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV series…is positively stunning and charming…and has TWO masculine-sounding names. Well, technically, just the middle one. The first has been modified from Robert. Robin, as a possible alternative, could go either way, it seems. Robia is certainly feminine but still a bit odd.
Legal correspondant Chanley Painter…is another exceptionally beautiful woman. I’m not even sure how to classify her first name. It sounds like a family name…like Carolyn Chanley…er, Channing. [Some of you might be saying, “Who?”** I only know of her after stumbling across her stunning face when Johnny Depp’s latest trial was being televised in some fashion. And, not long later, I felt prompted to look her up online.]
**This might be another factor. Other than Taylor Swift, the women above are not “household names.” They are not as famous as–say–Deborah Messing, Shania Twain, Whitney Houston or Amy Adams. And, I wonder if it’s not because of their names. Could these names cause such beautiful women to withdraw from the spotlight?…or not get as much credit/attention as women with more elegant/commonly-feminine names? From my awareness/experience, women with unusual/not-very-feminine names tend to take on voice-actor jobs; you’ll find them voicing cartoon characters more often than appearing in front of a camera. And, tragically, some of the prettiest faces and voices don’t live as long as they could (have).
Now, sure, not every pretty face has to be a celebrity and/or have a career in which they are on display. Even the above women could be perfectly content without cameras in their faces and without a page on that IMDB website. But, now that they’ve made themselves “known,” I cannot help being aware of this detail.
I’d just like to understand and warn parents who are quick to name their children…..
If there is any chance your child could turn out as beautiful as any of the above women, why, oh why, in this world, would you dare to give her a name that–in my opinion–does not adequately encompass the beauty she is?
Don’t let your male-dominated roots drive you to make such a crucial decision. You may want a son, but you were given a goddess. Respect her. [Obviously, this is no use to anyone who has already named their goddess and the beauties given the masculine names…unless you legally change names? But, perhaps, parents who have yet to have or name a child could take note for future life-giving.]
If you are reading this and own one of the above names, I apologize if my words rub you the wrong way. You may have made peace with the names you were given. I do my best to respect you as you are. I just feel you deserve better.
[However, if I dared to think of better names, I would risk altering the fabric of reality and warp what nature has provided. Names come with personalities, like genes. How could I be sure the name I pick would improve who you are other than how I address you? But, given enough time and the right circumstances, *we* could probably find more suiting names.]
[It’s no wonder why I struggle to name characters in stories I attempt to write. I want my characters to be as memorable and iconic as some who have already achieved that fame. But, I also want them to be favorable in my own heart, which may not be easy to explain.]
[And, to all you who may object with a “non-binary” perspective, I say get over your trending selves and let me have my opinion. It’s not just about having a gender-suitable name; it’s about having a name that befits the beauty placed in this world. It’s something I just feel in my gut. There are some who have fine names; I can look at them and say the name suits them. There are others who I will encounter and wonder…how did they ever get THAT name?]
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