[Opinions] Re: Finley
in reply to a message by lusia
For me, Finley feels entirely masculine and I'm not at all a fan of putting masculine names on girls. I've no idea whether Finley is noted here at BtN as both masculine and feminine because it was historically used for both genders in Ireland or because, outside of Ireland, it became commonly-enough used for females that said usage over time can't be ignored. Perhaps someone more studied can speak to that.
My own English ears often hear unfamiliar foreign names as the "wrong gender" because, in English, certain sounds are more commonly associated with feminine names where, in other cultures, those same sounds may indicate masculinity. I can understand why you, and many others, might hear the sound of Finley as more feminine than masculine but I cannot get on board with the idea that it's in any way fresh/progressive/inspiring/feminist to choose a "girlier-sounding" name from the "boy's list" for a daughter. Call me crazy but, to my way of thinking, doing so indicates that there's actually something inherently "wrong" or "weak" or "undesirable" about being female/feminine, or at the very least, about being perceived as female/feminine. To me, it seems a highly sexist style of naming. YMMV, of course; just my honest opinion. :)
I am aware of an Australian celebrity couple, musicians, who named their daughter Finley.
I don't see any problem with non-Irish folks using Irish names on principal. I do think it would be difficult to grow up in an English culture with any foreign name that is difficult to understand/read/pronounce or that, because of cultural differences, would be easy fodder for teasing, but Finley certainly doesn't fall into that category.
My own English ears often hear unfamiliar foreign names as the "wrong gender" because, in English, certain sounds are more commonly associated with feminine names where, in other cultures, those same sounds may indicate masculinity. I can understand why you, and many others, might hear the sound of Finley as more feminine than masculine but I cannot get on board with the idea that it's in any way fresh/progressive/inspiring/feminist to choose a "girlier-sounding" name from the "boy's list" for a daughter. Call me crazy but, to my way of thinking, doing so indicates that there's actually something inherently "wrong" or "weak" or "undesirable" about being female/feminine, or at the very least, about being perceived as female/feminine. To me, it seems a highly sexist style of naming. YMMV, of course; just my honest opinion. :)
I am aware of an Australian celebrity couple, musicians, who named their daughter Finley.
I don't see any problem with non-Irish folks using Irish names on principal. I do think it would be difficult to grow up in an English culture with any foreign name that is difficult to understand/read/pronounce or that, because of cultural differences, would be easy fodder for teasing, but Finley certainly doesn't fall into that category.
Replies
I agree that there's nothing about Finley's meaning that can't easily fit either gender and it would be nice if there were more feminine names with "warrior" meanings (there are quite a few for "battle").
"My own English ears often hear unfamiliar foreign names as the "wrong gender" because, in English, certain sounds are more commonly associated with feminine names where, in other cultures, those same sounds may indicate masculinity. I can understand why you, and many others, might hear the sound of Finley as more feminine than masculine but I cannot get on board with the idea that it's in any way fresh/progressive/inspiring/feminist to choose a "girlier-sounding" name from the "boy's list" for a daughter. Call me crazy but, to my way of thinking, doing so indicates that there's actually something inherently "wrong" or "weak" or "undesirable" about being female/feminine, or at the very least, about being perceived as female/feminine. To me, it seems a highly sexist style of naming. YMMV, of course; just my honest opinion. :)"
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