Many Venezuelan parents aren’t afraid to take chances with their children’s names, according to a recent NYT article. Baby names in Venezuela have been inspired by politics (Lenin, Mao & Nixon), places (Taj-Mahal & Iroshima), and pure imagination (Yusneidi & Owinch).
Names like these started becoming popular several decades ago, right around the time of Venezuela’s oil boom. The attraction to odd names might be related to class, the author implied. He noted that many government officials now serving under president Hugo Chávez have “colorful” names.
Source: Romero, Simon. “Venezuelan Parents Love a Famous Name.” New York Times 7 Jan. 2007.