Celebrity culture has been a driving force in society for the last hundred years. Through changing trends and evolving media, pop culture has managed to solidify its role in society and plans to stay there. Due to the rise of cancel culture and constant public scrutiny, celebrities are desperate to remain in the unforgiving spotlight. Many turn to abnormal or attention-grabbing behaviors to maintain their fame, from controversial social media posts and expensive hauls to extravagant public appearances.
One of the more interesting trends in recent years is the use of bizarre and highly unusual baby names. Prominent public figures like Kim Kardashian, Elon Musk and Beyonće have made headlines with names that spark public interest. However, these names are forcing people to wonder if they were chosen for the right reasons and whether celebrities are thinking about their children or simply chasing fame, leaving their kids to deal with the long-term consequences it may have on their future.
There were many mixed feelings when Kim Kardashian named her daughter North West. Some liked it, thinking it was unique and different. In reality, it was really just crossing a line. The real issue behind these names is not the name itself but the purpose it was chosen for and the impact it may have on the child. It’s already awkward enough yelling “here” or “present” in class, but having a weird name like Tau Techno Mechanicus, the name of Elon Musk’s third son, would definitely make you an easier target for bullying and harassment. Who could blame the bullies? Kids are naive and don’t understand the negative effects it could have on their peers which is why adults may be the ones at fault here.
“When you’re trying to name a human, it’s hard,” said Sarah Warsaw, one of Summit’s History teachers. “Parents so badly want their kid to have a unique name, but it becomes more about what the parents want.” Throughout Warsaw’s teaching career she has encountered numerous unusual names, but she finds she loves kids with unique names. She’s discovered that students “always kind of fit their names” and thinks they should “own it.” However, the stakes are often higher for children of celebrities. Unlike most kids, they are constantly under the public eye.
Psychologists have discovered that names can affect how kids are treated socially and their self-perception. This can be magnified for celebrity children, as the media often discusses their names and their identities before they have a chance to define themselves. This could result in celebrity kids feeling trapped in a persona that is not their own, boxed into an image characterized by their parents’ fame and leaving no room for individuality or a path for growth.
Your name is the one thing you are sure of when you are growing up–it’s who you are. Celebrities need to understand that while playful wordplay and publicity are tempting, it’s not worth a child’s future struggles. The article “Star Kids, Family Stress,”expresses how growing up in the spotlight can cause severe negative impacts on the family dynamic. Making your child stand out to the media can be extremely damaging to their childhood as it attracts attention and criticism.
Over the past few years, celebrities still haven’t been able to shake this now ‘normal’ abnormal habit. These baby names often serve more than just a creative choice—they’re a subtle way for celebrities to display their notoriety and power in a world where fame determines influence. Choosing a name that stands out and shocks the public reinforces celebrities’ belief that they are different and above the social norms that apply to everyone else, allowing this perception to perpetuate further.
It’s almost as if these names are declarations proving that they have the power to do anything they want without facing the public scrutiny and hate an average person would.
“Just because they’re famous, doesn’t mean they should curse their child with a name that bad,” said Olivia Swanson, a Summit freshman, as she discussed the absurdity of celebrities’ egos. Celebrities’ inflated egos not only create a toxic environment for their children but also sacrifice their family’s privacy, allowing the public to pry into the fragile world that should be kept closed.
There’s nothing wrong with trying to make your child special. However, finding a balance between uniqueness and reality seems to be complicated for celebrities who don’t want to accept that the only real difference between them and the rest of the world is luck, nepotism, and money. Blinded by their egos, they forget that their power over their child’s name isn’t something they should abuse for their own gain—it’s a decision that will affect their child’s life. While they may view it as a bold statement of their individuality and power, the child is left to bear the consequences of a name chosen for publicity. A celebrity must remember that a name isn’t just a brand—it’s something their child will carry with them forever.
