9 baby names with hidden meanings you should never give your child

If you’re expecting a baby, then choosing a name is probably at the top of your mind. New parents want to give their kids the best start and a great name is part of that.

Something that sounds nice, suits their baby and maybe even has a deeper meaning. However, there are some popular names that have a deeper meaning — but it might not be as lovely as you think. Baby Essentials experts at For Your Little One have now compiled a list of baby names you may wish to rethink.

If you love these names despite their meaning then go for it — there’s nothing inherently ‘wrong’ with them. But, if you prefer something a little more upbeat, these could be some choices to skip.

Mallory

Usually used for baby girls,  Mallory comes from the old French maleüré which means ‘unfortunate.’ It peaked in popularity in 1988 and has been on a downward trend ever since.

Mara 

Also a girl’s name, Mara means ‘bitter’ in Hebrew. In the Bible, Naomi, mother-in-law of Ruth, claimed the name Mara as a way to express her grief after the deaths of her husband and sons.

Cameron

This gender neutral name is a popular one, but few people know that it has a less than charming translation. The Gaelic roots of this name ‘cam’ and ‘sròn’ translate to crooked nose.

Tristan

Derived from the French ‘triste’ this name means sad or melancholy. 

Dolores

This charming vintage name means ‘sorrows’ in Spanish. It stems from the Latin dolor, which has the same meaning. It is a popular name in Roman Catholic families due to Nuestra Señora de los Dolores (“Our Lady of Sorrows”) otherwise known as the Virgin Mary.

Brónagh / Bróna (Brónach) 

This Irish name, pronounced ‘bro-nah’ or ‘bro-nuh’ is derived from the Gaelic word brónach meaning “sorrow” or “sadness”.

Claudia

The feminine version of Claudius, which is linked to the Latin claudus meaning lame or crippled. 

Cecilia 

Cecilia is a girl’s name of Italian origin. It comes from the Latin name  Caecilia and the Latin caecus, which translates to “blind” or “hidden.”

Portia

This feminine name has Latin roots and translates to ‘pig’. However, it has gained popularity after being used in multiple Shakespeare plays such as the Merchant of Venice and Julius Caesar, often bestowed upon strong female characters.