How You Hear Baby Names Vs. How Kids Hear Them

The perfect name... might not be.

Emma

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What you hear: A timeless name that always seems to belong to super cool women like Emma Thompson/Watson/Stone.

What kids hear: "Emma-sturbates" and "Flemma."

Owen

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What you hear: A traditional Welsh name that implies both sophistication and fun.

What kids hear: It rhymes with "blowin'" (as in "Who you blowin', Owen?"). It's also fun to pretend that someone named Owen hit you, then yell, "Ow-en!"

Nora

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What you hear: A pretty name that makes you think of incredible women like Nora Ephron and Norah Jones.

What kids hear: "Ig-nora" and "Snore-ah."

Andrew

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What you hear: A biblical name that connotes strength and courage; the name of President Andrew Jackson.

What kids hear: It easily turns into "Andoo-doo" or "Handy Andy" to mock awkward junior high schoolers going through puberty.

Elizabeth

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What you hear: A versatile biblical name that draws to mind strong women like Queen Elizabeth and Elizabeth Taylor.

What kids hear: “Liz-ard" and "Jizz-abeth."

Jackson

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What you hear: A charming twist on “Jack” that brings to mind great Americans like artist Jackson Pollock.

What kids hear: "Jack-off," "Jack-ass," and “I’m sorry, Ms. Jackson” taunts.

Penelope

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What you hear: Another versatile name, this time of Greek origin.

What kids hear: It can be turned into "Penelope-pee" or "Penelope'd her pants." It's also easy to annoy/tease a Penelope by repeating, "Penny for your thoughts?"

Benjamin

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What you hear: A meaningful biblical name often given to a youngest son.

What kids hear: It's funny to say, "Uncle Ben! How's the rice?" Also, you can drive someone nuts by saying it with Jamaican accent, like “Ben-jamon!”

Olivia

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What you hear: A biblical name that rolls off the tongue and was first popularized by Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.

What kids hear: "Olivia the pig" thanks to the Olivia book series. You can also say "Show us your 'O' face."

Noah

Paramount

What you hear: A strong sounding name that is appealing to readers of the Bible... and The Notebook.

What kids hear: It presents the hilarious opportunity to say "Where’s your ark?” You can also say, “No, Noah! No!”

Abigail

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What you hear: A biblical name that is often thought of as connoting intelligence and beauty.

What kids hear: "Abi-Fail" or “Drab-igail."

Carter

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What you hear: A great sounding moniker that is increasingly used as a given name.

What kids hear: "Farter" and "Car-turd."

Riley

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What you hear: A cool sounding name meaning "valiant" that is popular but not too popular.

What kids hear: It can be twisted into “Ril-leave us alone.” Also, you can say, "Hey, Riley, how is Sadness today? How about Joy? Disgust? Fear?"

Lucas

20th Century Fox

What you hear: A biblical name with the lovely meaning of “one who brings light.”

What kids hear: “Luc-ass” and “Puke-as.” It's also fun to say, “Use the Force, Luke!”

Charlotte

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What you hear: A classic name belonging to Jane Eyre author Charlotte Brontë that is also a favorite of royalty.

What kids hear: “Harlot.” Also, you can tease, "Where's your web?"

Liam

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What you hear: A name that projects strength and is perfect for anyone with Irish lineage.

What kids hear: "Lame" and “Lick him.”