h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Some names I *really* can't get my head around. Why would parents be so cruel and stupid? I know of a man named Earl Gray. ?

Then there are those daft parents who go for "John Johnson" etc. Were they *that* unimaginative??

And I know exactly how those kids feel who share their name with half their class. Happened to me at school. While I don't agree with calling your kids Lulu, Fifi, Orange, etc, please try and think of something different, but normal.

Some names may sound kind of cute on a baby like Fifi, Trixie etc but also more like a pet poodle

My daughter's name isn't that unusual but she was the only one in her year at school. Whereas there were dozens of Kayleys about at that time.

yeah, I suppose Fifi or something could be cute for a baby, but it's not so cute when you're 15 and trying to be cool, or when you're 30 at a job interview. If it's a great poodle name, steer clear.

For your perusal;

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6937327.stm

That's a really lovely baby. Pity about his parents

Oh dear help that child!!!!! Are the parents insane?

One of the babies in the maternity ward with me was named Bartholomäus Taferzafer.

Also, take into account how the name will be abbreviated! We have a Jennifer Tahl at Uni...

And the trend around here to give names that even the *parents* can't pronounce is horrible. Usually American names - the same ones they mis-pronounce in dubbed movies.

Anything with a "th", for example. They've even started *spelling* "Catherine" as "Kessryn"! And "Justin" becomes "Tschuss-TEEN" while "Jaqueline" is "Tschackelineh"

Oh! And another strange one...

I know a guy named Mario. His sister's name is Annette.

This would be perfectly normal if their parents didn't run one of the biggest puppet theatres in Germany, specialising in marionettes

Ok, now you've got me looking up babies names

Under 'S' I've found Silence and Shep but my favourite is Sixsipita meaning black eagle

Silliest combination one I saw on a baby name website recently was Mohammed-Attila

Oh, I once knew a child called Matrix.

Help! Those poor kids. It's just so cruel.

Heard of one family that called their three kids Simon, Simeon and Simone. Or people called John Johnson, Adam McAdams or something. Talk about lack of imagination!!

This one isn't too bad actually as far as celeb babies go

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/pressass/20080707/ten-baby-girl-called-sunday-for-kidman-5f8abb3.html

Naming a kid born on Monday "Sunday"?

Well, I have come across a family (sons, daughters, neices and nephews) that were all named after the members of the Fellowship of the Ring.

But I think celebs top the idiocy meter for child naming. Bob Geldof needs a good spanking.

I hadn't even noticed that Mal!

I've got a feeling it wasn't Bob who chose those names as the theme continued with Tiger Lily

yeah, there was Tiger Lily and Peaches and can't remember the rest, but all equally random.

And Michael Jackson's poor kids too.....

oh, there's some names that you just feel for them.

A little lad starting school with my daughter recently, from an asian background I believe, has the name of -

asfuc

Pity the poor little beggar.

Could be quite a popular name where his family is from, but unfortunate here.