Question for those naming baby girls

[vickyb61]

Hello,

I'm a pediatric nurse and see many many baby girls. I'm also middle aged so forgive me! I'm very curious about a few things with current baby girl naming trends:

1. why are so many parents giving their baby girls traditional male names or surnames for their first names?

2. why are most so called 'unisex' names previously traditional male names or surnames?

3. if you are also the parent of a boy, why aren't traditional female names ever given to baby boys?

Sometimes I run across a baby girl name and I wonder if the parents really thought through what the name is going to mean for that sweet little girl as she grows. For example, the one that has concerned me the most is Barkley. I feel very sad for her as I think of her in school. Kids are going to bark around her like a dog all the time. I mean, Barkley is the dog's name on Sesame Street. And heaven help her if she's not pretty by her peers standards.

I have to admit I frequently irritate parents unintentionally because I can't always tell if a baby dressed only in a diaper is a boy or girl, and if the name is one I view as traditionally male, I usually call the baby a he. This is also something that will happen for these girls as they grow, although their teachers will all be younger and more 'modern' than I am so maybe not as much as I imagine. But anyone my age or older in the Boomer generation will certainly think "male" first.

Does anyone have any insights for me?

Thanks,
Vicky
vickyb61

Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Mar 08, 2011 12:57 pm

[cuddleme]

i am also eager to know the answer....

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