A Brief History
On May 3, 752, the Mayan King Bird Jaguar IV began his reign. Not only do we not know what the heck a bird jaguar is, but there were three of them before this one! On April 23 we told you people used to have goofy names. Well, they still do, coming up with new ones all the time. Here are 10 of our favorites from more modern times. (Honorable mention: Yahoo Seriously.)
Digging Deeper
10. Elton John.
A name he made up for himself, Elton was born Reginald Dwight. Known for a time as The King, successor to Elvis Presley on top of the music world. As with many of the others on this list, the mention of his first name unmistakably leads you to him.
9. Oprah Winfrey.
A name so distinct hundreds of millions (at least) world wide know exactly who she is just by her first name. Possibly the only African-American billionaire, Oprah is known as The Queen of All Media and is capable of delivering a million votes just by her endorsement.
8. Whoopi Goldberg.
Of course entertainers change their name to something more, well, entertaining, but we think Whoopi is more entertaining than most. She was born Caryn Johnson.
7. Suri Cruise.
The daughter of movie stars Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, I would bet you did not know many Suri’s before she surfaced.
6. Stanley Dunham.
Not at all a cracked name until you consider this is the name of President Obama’s mother. (Yes, we mentioned it on a different list on May 1st.) If her parents were so stuck on the name, Stanely, why did they not just give it to her as a middle name? Probably so CrackedHistory would have something to do!
5. Keanu Reeves.
The actor that played Neo in The Matrix and starred in classics like Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure and Speed, did not make up this name for a Hollywood career. Born in Lebanon, raised in Toronto, and boasting a rich ethnic background that includes European, Asian and Hawaiian ancestry. With a background like that, Reeves deserved a name out of the ordinary.
4. Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway.
It is hard to stand out in the NBA with such a rich variety of cracked names, but we think Anfernee takes the top prize. For that matter, how many men are known as Penny? (Sorry Lebron, Kobe, Shaquille and Metta World Peace, Mr. Hardaway wins this one.)
3. Elvis Presley.
Given a name so distinctive that the King of Rock and Roll could go through life known only by his first name, Elvis’s parents were ahead of the times back in 1935 when they named little Elvis. Besides, what else rhymes with pelvis?
2. Kal-el Cage.
Actor Nicholas Cage dived into DC Comics for this one, the birth name of Superman back on planet Krypton.
1. Moon Unit and Dweezil Zappa.
The children of the late great Frank Zappa, their parents obviously did not want them confused with other kids when they were growing up. They were not confused with anyone else.
Question for students (and subscribers): Which ones would you add to the list? Please let us know in the comments section below this article.
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Historical Evidence
For more information, please see…
David, Daniel. The Complete Book of Unusual Names: When You Don’t Want to Sound the Same, Look Here for Names Beyond Joe, Jim and Jane. Sourcebooks, 2003.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="2052 http://www.crackedhistory.com/?p=2052">89 Comments
It is true that people still come up with unusul names. Iam not sure what causes this, but I think some people have more of a need to be diffeent than others, and what else can they miss with without getting flack. A newborn can give flack over the name chosen for him, so they are home free.
I suppose a lot of names we think of as ordinary seemed very wild when they first appeared. Who was the first Roger? The first parents to name their kid “Dick” probably had a mean streak. And many names that are reserved for females today were once male names: Vivian and Evelyn, for example.
interesting article and interesting names :O
I personally like more common names. Some names are so outrageous that you cannot even recognize them as names! — DAVID WARDLE
Having uncommon names makes you unique. However, sometimes they can get a bit crazy
Some of the names on here are unique and interesting.
Hipster names before it was cool.
I had a feeling Frank Zappa’s kids might e the number one choice, but with a father like Frank Zappa how could anyone expect anything less than a strange and unique name for his children. I mean this is the man who gave us songs like “Joe’s Garage” and “Valley Girl”.
It seems to be a sad way for celebrities to garner more attention. To name their child something weird. Either that or they are just a hippie.
It seems to me that celebrities will get more atenton if they name there child something off the wall like apple…. instead of something practical.
attention*****
Celebrities need a way to initially catch the attention of their audiences and making a memorable name is one way of doing it. Very interesting article.
I have always hated the fact that celebrities can never just name their child something normal, I think more cliche names are a lot more prettier than half the names these poor innocent children are given
I find it especially funny that Kim and Kanye West named their baby “North West”
Honestly, what kind of name is “Whoopi” anyway? Or Keanu for that matter. Perhaps unique names are more memorable but I doubt they make it more likely one will become a celebrity.
I don’t understand why celebrities feel the need to name their children such “unique” names. But if I had to pick a favorite name on the list it would have to be Moon Unit. That one definitely stands out among all the rest.
While these names are interesting, I remember within the last year or two, a couple named their child hashtag. Twitter was on the rise which would explain it but it is still ridiculous.
Sometimes I wonder if certain celebrities have secretly changed their names once they realized that they were going to become famous. There are certain celebrities that have names that are too recognizable and I wonder if they changed them. Where did the idea of names come from anyways? Doesn’t it seem like such an odd concept that you need to “call” your child something as if they were property? I don’t know, but it seems dehumanizing to an extent to me.
Some of these names really aren’t that surprising for the 21st century. There are children named Facebook, Twitter, and Hashtag out there. Also there are children named La-a, pronounced Ladasha, in the world.
Bird Jaguar is an incredible name in my opinion. It probably is just an amazing bird (or a small jaguar). Some of these celebrities names I believe might have been changed or stage names. I still do not believe Blue Ivy and North West are their real names, just used for the privacy of the kids when the grow up.
I’ll never understand why celebrities name their children such “unique” names. I mean “North West”? that poor child is going to be picked on in school! She will be learning the directions on a compass and when it comes time for north west everyone in the class will point at her!
Celeberties give the weirdest names for there kids. Really? you named your kid Kal-el? Really?! Ya should have just named him Superman!
I’m ok with people having weird names. It brings a little spice to life. But I have a problem with giving their pets human names.
I enjoy diversity in names, keeps life less boring
Different names are unique. Sometimes people make up really different names for example like from above, Kal-el. I know it use to be superman and that’s cool but they should be careful and realize that when their child grows up and if they get into a professional field, everyone they deal with is going to constantly saying their name. The only thing good about this is if it’s so different and weird many will not copy them so there is a chance they could be one in a million.
I personal like different and unique names. Makes the person memorable and stand out from the norm, but there is a fine line between being different/unique and just stupid.
I definitely like more common names but… whatever floats your boat! — DAVID WARDLE
w.y.- I’m not too crazy about some of these odd names but i am curious in the reason why certain names were chosen.
I’ve seen weirder names!
crazy names!
these names aren’t all that weird. I think names now a days are becoming more weird than these ones
If you look at it from a historian’s stand point, all names likely come from some combination of interesting backgrounds, so I don’t necessarily find this weird or taboo.
I like the fact that certain people are either born, or give themselves such distinct names. Especially because those people usually become well known or are important. not to mention that it gives life a little variety, if the same names were always used that would make life boring.
I’ve seen a lot celebrities with weirder names.
I have to say when Prince (a strange name in itself) changed his name to “The artist formerly known as Prince” he had the rest of these people beat.
I always found it interesting looking at musicians/rappers real names. Crazy some of the stuff they come up with!
If I had been named Moon-Unit, I would have sought early emancipation.
What? No orange jello pronounced “Oh-ran-gel Oh
I understand parents wanting their children to have a unique name but often these children are ridiculed for it. It seems that those who are famous changed their names after the fact to try and stand out from the norm.
Caryn Johnson is not a name I expected Whoopie to have.
Some of the names I see and hear now a days are even worse than these ones. I’m not understanding where people come up with some of these interesting names.
I feel like parents give their kids crazy names such as these to draw attention to them and for no other reason. Same with the celebrities that change their own names, they only want the public’s attention.
Some of these names aren’t really that crazy or weird. But some I have never heard of on the other hand.
These names are really distinct and not rare.
I think that it’s always interesting to discover some celebrities real names. If you’re a celebrity, you have to stick out in the crowd. A plain Jane name won’t cut it.
I think most celebs do this on purpose to get the attention and to be “unique” compared to everyone else so this is not muh of a suprise to me honestly.
Dweezil Zappa…. people really do have some strange names
I would like to know where they would place John Wick on the Keanu countdown if it were updated. Also anytime I hear silly names, I am reminded of the Key and Peele east vs west game.
In my opinion Kal El cage is probably the weirdest one despite being taken from Superman
I like seeing uncommon names. That’s what makes someone unique. By far the weirdest name off this list is Kal-el Cage.
These names aren’t as weird as a lot of people’s names nowadays. My mom works at a doctors office and has told me crazier names.
I’m going to have to say that in my opinion, whoopi goldberg has the weirdest name on this list.
there are some weird names on this list. the names now a days are just getting worse and uncommon. some people may say they are unique but, whoopi is not unique. thats just weird.
Very interesting names but most of them from the past
Frank Zappa did not surprise me at all.. I mean listen to some of his songs.
Some odd names people nowadays are trying to be inventing and customizing to suit them.
Kal-el Cage?
Working at a tanning salon I’ve come across a lot weirder names like Tirzan and Rainbow, however Whoopi is high on the list.
I like unique names but some of them are too crazy!
If I have another boy I will name him Lebron James.
I am familiar with penny hardaway he is one of my favorite basketball players and he makes a good amount on the nike shoes he sell.
I think another name that could be added to this list is the Cleveland Indians former shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera.
Growing up I always wondered by famous celebrates could never name their children something simply, but most famous celebrates have strange names themselves. Its almost like if you have a weird name you must go far in life and become famous. S.S
Keanu Reeves is actually one of my favorite actors, so it was interesting to learn a little more about his heritage.
The Elvis Presley was one of my dads favorite musicians and that brought back some memories of him listing to it
It’s always nice to listen to Elvis Presley music. Hound dog is one of my favorite Elvis Presley songs.
The song “Blue Suede Shoes” from Elvis Presley was one of my first dance recital songs as a kid.
Anfernee…. He’s lucky he was good at basketball because he would’ve gotten made fun of for that one.
I found it quite interesting Barack Obama’s mother was named Stanley Dunham. I’ve never heard of Stanley being used as a females name.
I had no idea that “Whoopie Goldberg” got her name because of a whoopie cusion.
This is definately an interesting part of history. So many stage names out there it is hard to know which are from birth or not. I am a fan of Keanu Reeves and glad to see his came from birth and heritage.
I guess if people want to change their own names that is their decision. Sometimes I feel like there should be someone that screens children’s names before they’re stuck with a crazy name until they have the money to change it!
How do celebrities make these names up? Like how do you get Whoopi from Caryn?
I found it interesting that Whoopi Goldberg named herself after a whoopi cushion. It’s interesting that Oprah is possibly the only African-American billionaire.
Some of these names are goofy like Moon Unit and Dweezil Zappa. They were from my parent’s time, when I heard these names I asked my parents “why would their parents give them such awful names?” My parents said, “There is a chance that their father was probably on something when he named his kids.”
I’ve always personaly thought Whoopie Goldberg’s name was funny.
These are actually a bit more normal that the previous. I think Keanu Reeves had the most interesting as it related to his heritage.
I found it interesting that their names made their fame more distinct for each other. J.K.
I love the weird names it makes people unique and un forgettable.
I find it truly amazing that some parents are creative enough to come up with names like these. And I also find it interesting that some of them named themselves.
I’ve thought about the escalating progressions of unique children names, I feel like its only going to increase over time. Pretty soon the sci-fi movies we watch will be actuality and children will have names like Xenon or R2-D2. I’m not complaining! Humans now a days are attempting to break from conformity. I see it as a good thing. However, laws should be created for proper name changes because you know not every parent is going to have a home run unique name. (Michael Jackon’s child is named “Blanket”, let that sink in)
I feel bad for Frank Zappa’s children. Also, I don’t think Elvis seems to be a weird name since Elvis himself was an icon.
Whoopi Goldberg while talented would have never been as popular as she is now if she kept her real name.
Keanu Reeves, he is an amazing actor. I just can’t help but wonder if he was given such a unique name in hopes that he would be the only star with that name…
It just gave them something to make them stand out more and seem more unique.
I did not know that that many famous people had such odd names such as Nicholas Cage and Elton John
Whoopi is my favorite unique/weird celebrity name.
Not sure what this has to do with the History Course that brought me here…but Suri Cruise is probably a little screwed up from having the reincarnated messiah of Scientology as her father.
Do ya think?