Bad Baby Names: The Worst True Names Parents Saddled Their Kids With, and You Can Too! [Paperback]

Michael Sherrod (Author), Matthew Rayback (Author), Joey Gates (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2008

Throughout history, people have named their children truly terrible things, and this book has the proof. Michael Sherrod and Matthew Rayback combed through U.S. federal census records to find the absolute worst names parents have given their children. The result is this hysterical new take on the baby name book.

Here is a small sample of the hilarious names inside:

Fanny Pack (this is just one of the many Fannys in this book)
Fanny Whiffer (we had to throw in one more Fanny!)
Post Office
Warren Peace
Rubella Graves
Nice Carr
Hell Hellickson

And then there are the names we thought Bart Simpson was making up as he prank called Moe's Tavern-- maybe he was really just looking at the census.
Hugh Jass
Al Caholic
Anita Bath
Amanda Hugginkiss
Maya Buttreeks

This book is also filled with original illustrations and great photos that take a stab at what some of these babies may have looked like. Bad Baby Names is truly a one-of-a-kind book that makes a great gift for a friend, family member, or just yourself. Either way, Bad Baby Names is sure to make you laugh.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

Do you like your name? Loathe it? Wish you could have has some say in the matter, because if you had, you would have chosen something stronger, something sexier, something smarter - something more you?

Well, we're here to tell you, you could have done worse.

I've been a Michael so long, I can't imagine being anything else, but do you really think Emmy Royd or Ima Muskrat felt the same way?

When you work for a company that helps people find names in old documents you get sort of preoccupied with names. This book came from that preoccupation. What started as occasional emails passed around on quiet afternoons turned into us scouring records for names that stood out for...well, their unique stropping power. Trust me, when you come across Wild Looney or Cash Favors it gives you a pause. Others make you laugh out loud, titter, shake your head, gape, or otherwise simply boggle the imagination. You can't help but wonder what the Hineys were thinking when Dad suggested, "Hey honey, I know, let's name him Harry..."

Most of the names in this book have come from the United States Censuses, 1970-1930. Some came from other record sources, such as military or birth, marriage, and death records. All of the names, as near as we can tell, are authentic. AS the very least, they are the names people offered on official documents. And why would you lie about something like Maxim D. Wart/Pure Blow/Valentine Bender/Love Lee Couch/Love Youmans/Willie B. Long?

Good reading, and remember: a name is for life...

From the Back Cover

Real People. Real Names. Real Funny. We have the proof.

Here is just a sample: Warren Peace - Born in 1866. Son of Edward and Betsey Peace of Essex, Essex County, New York. Appears in the 1880 United States Federal Census.

Hades Fryher - Born in 1916. Daughter of Louis and Annabell Fryher of East Hampton, Suffolk County, New York. Appears in the 1920 United States Federal Census.

Mars Nix - Born in 1928. Son of Johnie and Tammie Nix of Franklin County, Alabama. Appears in the 1930 United States Federal Census.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 122 pages
• Publisher: Ancestry.com (March 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593313144
• ISBN-13: 978-1593313142
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 7.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #934,248 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #70 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Entertainment > Humor > Parenting & Families

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A hilarious and astounding piece of history, March 6, 2008

By 

Nicholas Sherrod (Ft. Worth, Tx, USA!) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bad Baby Names: The Worst True Names Parents Saddled Their Kids With, and You Can Too! (Paperback)

I've read a number of baby name books, but it never occurred to me that among them would be one dedicated to the WORST names possible.
Some of the names in here defy description. It's amazing to think of people actually being named things like Evil Blessing! And they're all from the U.S. Census!

I had a great time reading this with my kids on a recent roadtrip. Highly recommended to all parents: think of the names you could have saddled your kids with!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is seriously funny!, March 16, 2008

By 

Summer Destiny "Sudybelle" (Fort Worth, Texas United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bad Baby Names: The Worst True Names Parents Saddled Their Kids With, and You Can Too! (Paperback)

I've read books over the years about what to name the baby, but have never seen a book that is factual and reviews some of the worst names in the U.S. Census. I find it difficult to believe that parents could look at their beautiful baby and name them Wrath or Sloth, but it seems they did. Surely the mothers were not awake when these names were bestowed! A great book and one that will make you laugh when you reflect on someone else's misery!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious - and a great gift for a baby shower!, March 11, 2008

By 

Steve in San Francisco "Steve" (San Francisco CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bad Baby Names: The Worst True Names Parents Saddled Their Kids With, and You Can Too! (Paperback)

What a hilarious book! A friend gave it to me, and I was howling not only about the names but over the great pictures in the book, too. And if you think you have a reason to hate your parents, you'll think again after seeing names such as Hunter Fisher, Acne Fountain, Lotta Bull, and Nighten Day.

A perfect baby shower gift!