Names: A Warning to Creative Parents

As a student teacher and now a tutor, I've been noticing that parents nowadays name their kids really strange names (Chalyce, Princess, Peaches) or give their child a common name but it is spelled all "fancy" (i.e., Jehreh and Gefreh--my cousins' children's names and I cringe every time I have to write them). I know names like these are unique and unusual and being unique and unusual might be a good thing in some cases because it makes a person stand out from the ordinary, but believe me when I say unique and unusual names usually become "just plain weird."

You're probably thinking all the celebrities are doing it (Kal-El Coppola [Nicolas Cage], Sage Moonblood [Sylvester Stallone], Moxie Crimefighter [Penn Jilette?]) so it's the in thing. Well, most celebrities hire private tutors for their children so they won't suffer from all the questions, awkward compliments, and double takes (probably) until later. Parents, I know you think you're being very creative but do you really want that for your child? Imagine yourself having that name while growing up; would you have liked it? Do your child a favor and give them unique name (if you must) but not that unique.