# What do you think of these names? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 26, 2011, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-these-names/607398 "2011-12-26T04:22:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-these-names/607398/61 "2011-12-27T15:57:34Z")
I think the closest English spelling is actually Sauron. That’s what I would go with. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-these-names/607398/62 "2011-12-27T16:09:43Z")
Dino-SAUR! Dino-SAUR! Nyah nyah nyah nyah… Dino-SAUR! Dino-SAUR! This is silly. Every name can be distorted. And it’s not even necessary either. Mockery simply requires the proper inflection and accentuation without even changing the name. Just stay away from absurd names, and follow my advice about parenting. If the worst thing your kids experience is some teasing about their names, they will be very lucky. ---
**Author:** ![Omega\_Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7c8e57/32.png) [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-these-names/607398/63 "2011-12-27T16:37:43Z")
> [@Roland\_Orzabal](#): > > Other than that, the others are fine. Soren is unusual enough to cause notice, but I knew one growing up (brother of a friend) and he never got any flak for it that I saw. I also knew a Soren who seemed to do fine with his name. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-these-names/607398/64 "2011-12-27T16:43:58Z")
I really wanted Soren but wife woke up with a changed mind on the subject so back to the drawing board. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-these-names/607398/65 "2011-12-27T16:45:52Z")
I like names that make me picture a guy in Edwardian dress who turns out to be a poet or an artist. ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-these-names/607398/66 "2011-12-27T17:03:02Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > You’re naming your daughter after a type of wild pig?? [Peccary - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Javelina) Pronounced roughly HAV-uh-Lee-na in US English. > > Greeaaaat. I’ll take “Neurosis-inducing Names” for $200 Alex. > ETA: I agree it \*sounds \* like a very pretty name. Until you learn about the pigs. Damnit. I was born and raised in the Southwest and I’ve never heard that before. I’m glad someone told me. Apparently if I drop the A at the end and turn it into “Aveline” then the name means, “prayed for.” I can live with that. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-these-names/607398/67 "2011-12-27T18:48:37Z")
> [@RandMcnally](#): > > … > Apparently if I drop the A at the end and turn it into “Aveline” then the name means, “prayed for.” > > I can live with that. Much more better. IMO. ---
**Author:** ![araminty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5e925/32.png) [@araminty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/araminty)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-these-names/607398/68 "2011-12-27T22:34:51Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > ETA: I agree it \*sounds \* like a very pretty name. Until you learn about the pigs. They’re not pigs. They are even-toed ungulates (artiodactyl) but they’re not in the Suidae family. ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-these-names/607398/69 "2011-12-27T23:15:29Z")
I know a guy with the middle name Tristram- he likes it (admittedly after a period of not using it or his other middle name in school), and I’ve always thought it was a fairly awesome name too, especially as a middle ‘don’t have to use it if you don’t want to’ name. It probably will be something people mix up with Tristan- but there’s lots of easily mixed names- Joannes get mixed with Joannas, but no-one seems to think that’s a reason not to use either name. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-these-names/607398/70 "2011-12-28T15:53:13Z")
My BIL is Paul and I don’t think he’s had any problems with it. The saint and Paul Revere are the first two historic Pauls who come to mind, and both have a pretty good rep. I know a Tristan but no Tristram. As an Arthurian myth fan, I approve. The only Soren I’ve ever heard of is Kierkegaard. Can’t say I love the name, and there may be kids who’ll tease him for it. I know a nice little kid named Sebastian; dunno if he’s ever been beaten up over it. I have to admit it sounds a little precious to me. FWIW, we named our three sons John, Ethan and Thomas. We’re pretty WASP/traditional. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-these-names/607398/71 "2011-12-28T15:56:42Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > FWIW, we named our three sons John, Ethan and Thomas. We’re pretty WASP/traditional. FTR We like all three of these names. But the first two are taken already by close friends’ kids, and the third is the name of someone my wife despises. ---
**Author:** ![yellowval](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/919ad9/32.png) [@yellowval](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowval)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-these-names/607398/72 "2011-12-28T16:04:38Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > Oh. Whoops. I thought that was going to be the first name. > > Middle name? Go crazy. Middle names are where you stick all the weirdly spelled family-history rando stuff that you can’t convince your spouse to use as the first name. This. In the middle I don’t think Tristram will be a problem. I don’t like it, but in the middle I really don’t care. I like both Paul and Soren and think they are fine names. Soren Sebastian is a little bit much for me with the double “s” and “n” sounds. I really liked the suggestion of Paul Sebastian. I see Soren is off the table now and it’s back to the drawing board. When we were coming up with names for our child (who ended up being a daughter, Jane), our front-runners for boys were Gregory and Dexter. I also really like Lewis. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-these-names/607398/73 "2011-12-28T18:13:11Z")
Tristram is stupid. Sounds like a “hero” in one of them there bodice rippers. “As Tristram took Brydgyd in his arms, she lost herself in his limpid cerulean pools.” Don’t do this, even for a middle name. Regarding weird letters in names: There’s currently a guy on Top Chef who always makes me think that he’s misused the umlaut in his name. Drives me bananas. Don’t do this either. Best of luck on finding a name. I’m partial to Benjamin and Nathan/Nathaniel. Both pretty classic, but I’m not sure of their popularity. I think Benjamin started back up the popularity scale recently-ish. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-these-names/607398/74 "2011-12-28T19:10:12Z")
> [@Snickers](#): > > Regarding weird letters in names: There’s currently a guy on Top Chef who always makes me think that he’s misused the umlaut in his name. Drives me bananas. Don’t do this either. He’s got a umlat \*and \*a dash in his name! Tristram is difficult to pronounce correctly. If you like how it sounds, go with Tristan. I have a cousin named Tristan (he’s British) and that’s a fine name. I like Sebastian. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-these-names/607398/75 "2011-12-29T03:10:31Z")
> [@Frylock](#): > > FTR We like all three of these names. But the first two are taken already by close friends’ kids, and the third is the name of someone my wife despises. For boys I personally think you almost can’t go wrong with the names of any of the Apostles, really, or of the English kings. But to each their own. ETA: OK, don’t choose “Judas.” ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-these-names/607398/76 "2011-12-29T03:24:46Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > For boys I personally think you almost can’t go wrong with the names of any of the Apostles, really, or of the English kings. But to each their own. > > ETA: OK, don’t choose “Judas.” Or Ethelred. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-these-names/607398/77 "2011-12-29T03:47:12Z")
> [@Frylock](#): > > I really wanted Soren but wife woke up with a changed mind on the subject so back to the drawing board. Well, if you’re still making up your minds after all … I hate ‘Sebastian’; I think Ethelred is better. Judas is better. Hell, Timmy is better. I was getting used to ‘Soren’, but, I agree, the “SS” initials would be a bad idea. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-these-names/607398/78 "2011-12-29T05:37:47Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > For boys I personally think you almost can’t go wrong with the names of any of the Apostles, really, or of the English kings… Maybe I should’ve added, “after 1066.” ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-these-names/607398/79 "2011-12-29T18:19:21Z")
It really depends upon the last name. Paul Tristram Kefluffle and Soren Sebastian Dingbat? I am one of the few (if any) who really like Paul Tristram - sounds like an author or a rich kid in a prep school. Soren Sebastian? Not so much - having the initials “SS” if he should ever go to Germany is probably not a good thing. Plus, Soren Sebastian sounds like the name of a guy who was booted from ABBA before they got big (like Pete Best of the the Beatles). ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-these-names/607398/80 "2011-12-29T18:46:39Z")
Let me guess, you and your wife each get to choose one first name and one middle name (with veto power, obviously)? Glad she’s nixed the Soren idea, I don’t like it on its own but I really don’t like it alongside another S name. Imagine if the poor kid has a lisp. Thufferin’ Thuccotash! I’m of the theory that kids should get fairly “normal” names. They can be unique and maybe ranked outside the “Top 100” lists, but not too far. Save the way out-there stuff like Soren and Tristram for your next pet guinea pig. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-these-names/607398.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-these-names/607398.md?page=5)