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HelpTristan...wdyt?
This is one of the names that DH and I both like (I have adored it ever since high school, and I think he likes it too)...another name that I love for the literary / legendary connection, but to me it is ALL BOY. I can't imagine that people could even think of it as a girl's name, but here in the States, some do. Not to mention that in the movies, the two Tristans I think of are Brad Pitt (Legends of the Fall) and James Franco, two very masculine men.
So, is the name Tristan too effeminate, and is it ruined for boys? Wdyt...
So, is the name Tristan too effeminate, and is it ruined for boys? Wdyt...
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Replies
I like it but it is gaining in popularity... which turns me off.
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and even moreso in BC than in the States
It's been really quite high in popularity in BC the whole decade.
It's been really quite high in popularity in BC the whole decade.
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It is all boy to me too. It is very, very bad on a girl. On a boy it's nice though.
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I live in the States too, and it's all boy to me. I've never met a female Tristan (although I may have heard of a girl named Tristen or something...) Anyway, I don't think it's ruined for boys at all! And even if it was becoming more common for girls, I'd see that as even more of a reason to name a son that, because it would help bring it back to the boys side :)
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No. It's all masculine to me. I don't understand how people can put such a masculine, handsome name on a girl, yuck!
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prob'ly cause it sounds girly and not so far from Kristen in sound even if it's far in meaning.
the meaning makes me dislike it in either gender though
the meaning makes me dislike it in either gender though
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Boy only, I agree. It's not effeminate to me, either. Although it's not exactly the most butch name I can think of, it's still masculine.
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I tend to agree with you. I don't think it's a "butch" sounding name, but I wouldn't want "butch" for my son, anyway. It's just a matter of choice ;)
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Tristan is completely masculine to me. I wouldn't worry about it seeming effeminate at all, even if there are a few gals running around with the name.
This message was edited 7/4/2010, 7:49 PM
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I think Kieran would SUIT girls more than boys in sound 'cause it's so close to Karen and sounds girly. Doesn't mean it's a girls' name rather than a boys' name, but it still sounds more like a girls' name than a boys' name imho... not that I'd use it on either. First time I encountered that name, I wondered why the parents had inflicted the boy w/ such a girly sounding name.
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Honestly?
Hate it. First time I heard of a boy named Tristan, it was 1 of those "What were the parents thinking to give their boy such a girly sounding name?!" Why would you want to name a kid "sad"? And yes, it does sound super effeminate... like Kristen w/ a T and an a instead of a K and an e or i... sounds really girly imo. I know it's used more on boys, but it doesn't sound like it belongs on them. Plus, it falls into the really trendy names that suddenly became popular out of nowhere in the past decade or 2.
I realize there are plenty of people out there who like it, but most don't give its meaning much thought.
Sorry if it sounds rough, but you asked and it's better for you to know people's thinking clearly before lumping a kid w/ a name like that than after.
Hate it. First time I heard of a boy named Tristan, it was 1 of those "What were the parents thinking to give their boy such a girly sounding name?!" Why would you want to name a kid "sad"? And yes, it does sound super effeminate... like Kristen w/ a T and an a instead of a K and an e or i... sounds really girly imo. I know it's used more on boys, but it doesn't sound like it belongs on them. Plus, it falls into the really trendy names that suddenly became popular out of nowhere in the past decade or 2.
I realize there are plenty of people out there who like it, but most don't give its meaning much thought.
Sorry if it sounds rough, but you asked and it's better for you to know people's thinking clearly before lumping a kid w/ a name like that than after.
This message was edited 7/4/2010, 7:40 PM
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I hear what people are saying, I guess I just wish it wasn't so - I equate Tristan as just as masculine a name as Gavin (Gawain) or Arthur, because of the connotation... but I see how similar sounds to Trisha, Kristen, etc. can get in the way. And unfortunately most people who I have spoken to have never heard of or read anything to do with Tristan, so I can't judge them for lack of familiarity with the masculinity of the name.
It's just too bad.
It's just too bad.
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There are a # of "boys' names" though that sound fem. regardless of the masculinity of those they're pasted on... Liam and Brendan and Brayden for example. They're all very much boys' names, but that doesn't make them sound any less effeminate. I'm sure there were reasons why Marion became a girls' name and is hardly ever used on boys anymore. Liam has a history, but is still too close to Leanne for my liking. Brendan looks and sounds like Brenda w/ an n and Brayden just sounds girly like it falls in the same category. However, all have become trendy and widely accepted.
My main problem w/ Tristan though is the idea of giving a child a name w/ a rather unfortunate meaning... Same reason things that mean blind, deceiver, lame, weak eyes etc. get thrown out immediately for me. If you wish to lump your kid w/ a name that means sad, that's your perogative. Whether or not the kid's ok w/ that or even cares will depend on the kid, but since I'd only be wishing good things for my children (life gives enough knocks in itself for them to overcome and be strengthened by), I consider the meaning as a major part in my choices of potential names.
My main problem w/ Tristan though is the idea of giving a child a name w/ a rather unfortunate meaning... Same reason things that mean blind, deceiver, lame, weak eyes etc. get thrown out immediately for me. If you wish to lump your kid w/ a name that means sad, that's your perogative. Whether or not the kid's ok w/ that or even cares will depend on the kid, but since I'd only be wishing good things for my children (life gives enough knocks in itself for them to overcome and be strengthened by), I consider the meaning as a major part in my choices of potential names.
This message was edited 7/4/2010, 11:00 PM
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Though people THINK Tristan means "sad", it actually doesn't - it means "riot; tumult". I was glad to discover that - I too was saddened by the name meaning "sad".
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Riot and tumult still don't make it very attractive to me... though maybe a step up, I'm not so sure... riots often lead to violence and that doesn't appeal either.
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For awhile, it was all boy to me...
But now *hides* I think it sounds feminine. I know a girl named Tristan, and I think with it's similarity to Trista, Trish, Trisha etc. it just has a feminine sound.
My neighbours have a son named Tristan and one of my other neighbours said to me, "His name is Tristan...that's a girl's name!"
But now *hides* I think it sounds feminine. I know a girl named Tristan, and I think with it's similarity to Trista, Trish, Trisha etc. it just has a feminine sound.
My neighbours have a son named Tristan and one of my other neighbours said to me, "His name is Tristan...that's a girl's name!"
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I love Tristan!
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I think Tristan is great for boys...
and notsogood for girls. You should totally use it for your boy.
and notsogood for girls. You should totally use it for your boy.
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