Nine baby names with ‘hidden meanings’ that you might want to ‘rethink’ before you choose

Forbes has put together a list of baby names you might want to rethink – they don’t mean anything bad, but you might not believe what some of them mean

If you’re expecting a little one, then picking out a name is likely at the forefront of your thoughts. New parents aim to give their children the best start in life, and a fantastic name is part of that.

A name that sounds pleasant, fits their baby, and perhaps even carries a deeper significance. However, some popular names carry a deeper meaning – but it might not be as delightful as you’d imagine.

Baby Essentials experts at For Your Little One have compiled a list of baby names you might want to reconsider.

If you adore these names despite their meanings, then by all means, choose them – there’s nothing inherently ‘wrong’ with them.

But, if you fancy something a bit more positive, these might be some options to avoid, reports the Express.

Mallory

Typically used for baby girls, Mallory originates from the old French maleüré which translates to ‘unfortunate. ‘ It reached its peak popularity in 1988 and has been on a decline ever since.

Mara

Also a girl’s name, Mara translates to ‘bitter’ in Hebrew. In the Bible, Naomi, Ruth’s mother-in-law, adopted the name Mara to express her sorrow following the deaths of her husband and sons.

Cameron

This unisex name is quite popular, but few people realise that it has a less than appealing translation. The Gaelic roots of this name ‘cam’ and ‘sròn’ translate to crooked nose.

Tristan

Derived from the French ‘triste’, this name signifies sadness or melancholy.

Dolores

This delightful vintage name, Dolores, translates to ‘sorrows’ in Spanish. It originates from the Latin word dolor, which carries the same meaning.

The name is favoured among Roman Catholic families due to Nuestra Señora de los Dolores (“Our Lady of Sorrows”), also known as the Virgin Mary.

Brónagh / Bróna (Brónach)

This Irish moniker, pronounced ‘bro-nah’ or ‘bro-nuh’, stems from the Gaelic term brónach, signifying “sorrow” or “sadness”.

Claudia

The feminine counterpart of Claudius, Claudia is associated with the Latin term claudus, implying lame or crippled.

Cecilia

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

Portia

This feminine name, Portia, has Latin origins and translates to ‘pig’. Despite its literal meaning, it has gained popularity after being featured in several Shakespeare plays such as the Merchant of Venice and Julius Caesar, often given to strong female characters.