Message: "Ivan?" - Behind the Name

[Opinions] Ivan?

by Lea M (lcgirl20)

6/20/2009, 5:14 PM

I've always loved the name Ivan, but is the association with Ivan the Terrible too much? Or is it so common (in Russia) that it doesn't really matter as much? I like all the diminutives Ivan has, like Vanya, Vanyechka, Ivanushka, etc. Ivanushka is just so fun to say and is a great excuse to start doing a fake Russian accent: "Ohhh, Ivanushka, vhat did Natasha ever do to you?" LOL. Anyway... WDYTO the MN Radoslav with it?

Finally, WDYTO the sibset Dmitri Modest and Ivan Radoslav? I think it's the best I've been able to do with a sibset ever since my Slavic phase started.

#Ivan

Replies

- Callie

6/21/2009, 9:39 PM

I don't associate it with Ivan the Terrible. I know a 16 year old Ivan and I think of him. I also met a 12 year old Ivan. I think his parents were from Russia though. I've been thinking about it lately and I kinda like it.

- Sofia

6/21/2009, 2:14 PM

I love Ivan even though it's super common here (as are all it's forms: Ivo, Ivica, Iva, Ivana, Ivona, Ivanka, Vanja....).

I'm not a fan of Radoslav, but Ivan Radoslav makes a nice combo. The only Ivan with a middle name I know (we don't use them in Croatia) is Ivan Augustin.

- jennifer

6/21/2009, 6:31 AM

Ivan is the Russian form of John. There were 5 other rulers named Ivan, including The Terrible's grandfather Ivan the Great. It's common.

- Chanel

6/21/2009, 6:28 AM

I love Ivan! It makes me so happy! I don't associate it with Ivan the terrible, though that would be a cute joke if little Ivan acted up.

Ivan Radoslav is a teeny bit much, but it's also really handsome. I LOOOOVE Dmitri Modest. Like seriously love it. Ivan and Dmitri are like my dream brother-set name!

- brilliantblue

6/20/2009, 6:22 PM

DBF *just* asked me about Ivan.

And my response was "Ivan the Terrible." The association is too much for me, but that's only my personal opinion. He probably won't get too much teasing in school because, face it, kids don't always have their European history straight. =P

The sibset works great, and Ivan Radoslav drips Moscow for me. They go very well together.

- blaaarg

6/20/2009, 5:38 PM

I looove Ivan. It's not too strong with The Terrible. I believe it's super-common in Russia.

Radoslav is good. The sibset is good. I have a weird time with Russian names with Russian MNs but I think you have done well.

Add Alexei and you've got the brothers Karamazof. Go for it!

- tiktokism

6/20/2009, 5:27 PM

I'm a big fan of Ivan. I don't automatically associate it with Ivan the Terrible, so I don't think it's that big a deal.

Ivan Radoslav is a bit much for me, but I do think Ivan is an all-or-nothing sort of name. Dmitri and Ivan go very well together.

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