Advice

photo courtesy of  jelene

B. writes:

"Charles is nice... But as much as I love the name Charles I could never use it. (Charlie [is an ex-boyfriend]... Ew.) I can't get past people I don't like having a similar name. How do you suggest people get past that? By looking at the meaning of the names??"

Here's the deal, B.

When someone names their child after someone else, it's known as "honoring" them. It's usually a good thing, right?

People in your past (or present) who are less than honorable don't deserve that homage. You may have moved on, but the name will probably always be tainted and unsavory in your mind. When you see your child, do you want to remind yourself of a bad spot in your life?

So, when it comes to the names of exes, old bosses you greatly disliked, or family members that didn't send a fiver in your birthday cards...DTMFA. There are plenty of other nice names in the sea. Sorry, Charlie!