I agree with the PP's who feel that the article isn't having a chop at 'unusual' names, per se, more so the 'kree-atyv' spelling that is becoming popular these days...
I'm sure most of you are already well aware of my stance on names. I like 'em traditional, spelled 'correctly' and I'm not keen on 'cultural' names being used if you're not of that culture. But that's just me.
I'm sure most of us can agree that this 'La-ah' and 'Jaaylen' nonsense is just that - nonsense. And most of us can tell the difference between a 'cultural' name like Sabal (Indian), and a 'creative' name like (to rip off a PP, because I lol'd) Vahnytee, kwim, so I don't think the assumption should be made that those of us who agree with Ms O'Brien's article are automatically 'narrow-minded' or rejecting non-Western values and cultural traditions, at all.

Just my 2c I laughed a few times at the article - funny how the 'Erin' story has caused such a stir! Funny story - everyone was a bit flabbergasted when we named DD1 Emily, because I had had a long-running dispute with a girl named Emily and all our friends knew how much I hated her guts. They were surprised that I could ignore the negative association and still use the name for my own daughter. Once my DD1 was born, that was it - the name was hers and even now when someone mentions the 'other' Emily, I get confused for a second because I assume they're talking about 'my' Emily
The 'other' Emily and I are actually friends again now lol... I can definitely see why a negative association would stop people choosing a particular name for their child (LOL I agree, Mitchells are ratbags, my cousin is one hehehe), but so far I haven't taken it personally when someone's bagged out the names DH and I chose for our babies They're not bagging out on my kids, they're bagging out on whoever that person in their past (or present!) is who they feel isn't a nice person or has wronged them. That's not a name thing, that's a personality thing, and nothing to do with me or my babies!