[Opinions] Kent
WDYTO Kent?
My beautiful, beautiful Makkari.
My beautiful, beautiful Makkari.
Replies
As it's my middle name, inherited from my father and grandfather, it's completely normal to me.
Though in English-speaking countries Kent is derived from the surname (or the title, as there's some indication its original use may be connected with "Duke of Kent" characters in Shakespeare), it is listed in my Swedish name dictionary as a short form of Kennet, the Scandinavian form of Kenneth, and also occurs in the list of names officially allowed in Denmark when they still used that list a few decades ago. So it can be interpreted as having an origin other than surname or place name.
Though in English-speaking countries Kent is derived from the surname (or the title, as there's some indication its original use may be connected with "Duke of Kent" characters in Shakespeare), it is listed in my Swedish name dictionary as a short form of Kennet, the Scandinavian form of Kenneth, and also occurs in the list of names officially allowed in Denmark when they still used that list a few decades ago. So it can be interpreted as having an origin other than surname or place name.
My hatred for LN FNs and geographical Fans grows stronger every day. They're just so very dull, and completely foreign to me - you won't see anyone here naming their son Kowalski, or a daughter Warszawa.
Is it legally allowed in Poland to name a child Kowalski? I know that Germany and Sweden actually have laws against turning surnames into given names.
The custom of turning surnames into given names has been established in English-speaking countries for three centuries now so it's not going away. :)
The custom of turning surnames into given names has been established in English-speaking countries for three centuries now so it's not going away. :)
It isn't, which is partially why I dislike it so much in English. I'm aware it's established in English and it's here to stay, but it feels unimaginative to me.
Not normally a fan of "surnames as first names" (especially if they're occupational), but I actually like Kent. It's admittedly a bit preppy, and fits in the same club as Penn & Trent. I also like Kendrick and Kenneth (not Kendall, though: "Ken Doll").
I think I saw Kent somewhere in this site, maybe as someone's surname? I think it's good.