Many displeased TikTok viewers referenced cultural superstitions that warn against pregnant women visiting cemeteries
Courtesy of Haley Hodge
Good things are often found in the last place you’d think to look.
As her due date draws near, Haley Hodge has expanded her search for baby names beyond books and websites. This mom of three — soon to be four — decided to look for inspiration among the headstones at local cemeteries, seeking names from past lives and previous generations.
Hodge captured this unique quest in a now-viral TikTok video, which has garnered mixed reactions from its 2.5 million viewers. In the video, Hodge is seen with her family exploring the Old Smithville Burying Ground in Southport, North Carolina, discussing names with her husband Rivers and their children.
Courtesy of Haley Hodge
Many viewers found Hodge’s creativity inspiring, appreciating her use of names that honor those who have passed.
“This is the first ever video I’ve seen like this; never would have thought about it,” commented one person. “But I absolutely love this idea!!! Especially if you research the person.”
“This is honestly beautiful. What a way to honor those that have passed,” another TikTok user wrote.
However, not everyone felt the same way. Some viewers were unsettled by the idea, referencing superstitions that caution against pregnant women visiting cemeteries. Hodge tells PEOPLE she anticipated some backlash due to varying cultural views on death, but she has always felt at peace in cemeteries.
Courtesy of Haley Hodge
“I see it as visiting a place where people’s grandparents, best friends, and loved ones rest. It’s not a place of evil,” Hodge says. “These are people who lived lives — hopefully good lives — and were good people.”
Plus, Hodge isn’t bothered by spending time near the deceased.
“If there were spirits out there, I don’t think they’re confined to cemeteries,” she adds. “Hospitals have morgues, and we have babies born above morgues, so we’re already surrounded by it.”
Hodge also reminisces about her own childhood, when her mother would visit cemeteries during vacations to teach the family about historical aspects of the areas they visited.
Courtesy of Haley Hodge
“She realized we’d be more interested if it was a spooky story rather than just history,” Hodge explains. “Kind of like kids telling scary stories at a bonfire, it just grabs your attention more.”
For her first three kids — Finley, 10, Banks, 1, and Crew, 3 — Hodge had found names through more conventional methods, often jotting down names she heard on TV. She wanted this fourth child to have an interesting story behind her name, something to share when asked about its origin.
Courtesy of Haley Hodge
Hodge also decided to record their cemetery adventure, intending to share it with her daughter one day. Initially, she didn’t plan to post the videos but eventually changed her mind to share the naming journey with the world.
“I wasn’t going to post them at first,” she admits. “But then I thought, ‘This is kind of cool to share.’ I knew it would attract attention for being different.”
