Many parents think their children are God’s gift to the planet, but an increasing number are making sure the world knows it, choosing names that proclaim their kids “King,” “Prince” — and even “Messiah.”
In 2012, there were 762 male babies — and 49 female — named Messiah in the United States.
Jean Twenge, psychologist and co-author of the “Narcissism Epidemic,” notes a remarkable number of people have turned naming their babies into opportunities to show off — a sign of our culture’s increasing vanity.
Reviewing Social Security data, Twenge found that among the top 1,000 names given to baby boys in 2012, some of the most stunning rises in popularity were for monikers that promise more than Junior is likely to deliver.
There were 1,423 boys named King, making it the 256th-most-popular name, rising 133 places from the year before. Among girls, 243 were named Princess; among boys, 588 were named Prince.
Just six boys were named Greatness, but give it time. Fifty-one girls were named Beautiful; 16 were named Beautifull, two “l’s.”
Messiah was ranked the 387th-most-popular name, rising 246 spots from the year before.
“From the research literature we know that people who score high in narcissism also score high in trait called ‘need for uniqueness,’ ” Twenge says. “When you get into these name that proclaims the child’s greatness, that takes it to the next level.”
Some may see this trend and just roll their eyes, but Twenge says these names signify a disturbing change in our culture that could have repercussions for years to come.
“Narcissism is toxic to others and to society,” she says. “Narcissists tend to lack empathy, they tend not to be interested in helping others, they are aggressive when threatened and they take more for themselves and give less for others.
“I think some folks who are moderately high narcissists see their children as extension of themselves, and there’s a lot we don’t know about how narcissists are as parents.”
A judge came down particularly hard on the parents of one Messiah in Tennessee, when she ordered them to change their newborn’s name saying, “Messiah is a title that is held only by Jesus Christ.”
The judge also went on to predict that “labeling this child Messiah places an undue burden on him that as a human being, he cannot fulfill.”
The ruling was overturned. “She overstepped her bounds, but you can kind of see her point,” Twenge says.
And don’t expect the naming trend to change anytime soon.
“My prediction for a name that might enter the top 1,000 based on current trends: Awesome.”