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HelpKelvin
You never see this one around much. I have an uncle by this name who goes by "Kelly" (and it is actually his middle name - Robert Kelvin).
What do you think of Kelvin? Revival-worthy? Too geeky to come back? A good alternative to Kevin?
I myself am more fond of the slightly gentler-looking Calvin, but I was interested in hearing others opinions.
What do you think of Kelvin? Revival-worthy? Too geeky to come back? A good alternative to Kevin?
I myself am more fond of the slightly gentler-looking Calvin, but I was interested in hearing others opinions.
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NERD!
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Star Trek
It makes me think of the starship. I quite like it.
It makes me think of the starship. I quite like it.
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accents
A lot of people I know have an accent that renders Kelvin Calvin and Calvin Kelvin. I think I dislike both names, mainly because of this pronunciation issue!
Same goes for the pronunciation of words like trek (track) and pedal (paddle)... Sadly my dad is one of the biggest perpetrators.
A lot of people I know have an accent that renders Kelvin Calvin and Calvin Kelvin. I think I dislike both names, mainly because of this pronunciation issue!
Same goes for the pronunciation of words like trek (track) and pedal (paddle)... Sadly my dad is one of the biggest perpetrators.
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Kelvin is okay, sight and sound-wise, but I've always preferred Kevin. I have positive associations for both, a good friend Kevin in high school and a good neighbor Kelvin for several years. I think of them and solid, handsome names.
Calvin (a family name for me) is also preferred over Kelvin for sight and sound. In addition to seeming solid and handsome, Calvin also has some spunk and mischievousness in my mind, probably influenced by Calvin & Hobbs.
I definitely don't see Kelvin as "too geeky", though the Kelvin I knew *was* a computer tech. :)
Calvin (a family name for me) is also preferred over Kelvin for sight and sound. In addition to seeming solid and handsome, Calvin also has some spunk and mischievousness in my mind, probably influenced by Calvin & Hobbs.
I definitely don't see Kelvin as "too geeky", though the Kelvin I knew *was* a computer tech. :)
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It's weird. I don't like Kevin and I don't like Kelvin, but I love Calvin, which is so similar to the two.
Also hate Melvin. Why do I love Calvin?
But, yeah...Kelvin is so geeky. Kevin isn't, but Kelvin is.
Also hate Melvin. Why do I love Calvin?
But, yeah...Kelvin is so geeky. Kevin isn't, but Kelvin is.
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It's because of Cal, which is so snappy and sharp.
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The Pocket Protector Set
It's funny to read that everyone thinks "geek" where Kelvin is concerned. I wasn't aware of the name before meeting my neighbor but, with it being so similar to Kevin and Calvin, I can't imagine it would have screamed geek to me since the latter two don't.
The particular Kelvin I knew did work as a computer tech, but he was a big, strong, handsome guy...athletic, a family man with a beautiful wife. Never saw any hint of a pocket protector on his person. Nothing at all about him gave away his inner geek, unless you asked him a computer question. Even then, it was "impressively intelligent geek" rather than "strange socially-backward geek."
It's funny to read that everyone thinks "geek" where Kelvin is concerned. I wasn't aware of the name before meeting my neighbor but, with it being so similar to Kevin and Calvin, I can't imagine it would have screamed geek to me since the latter two don't.
The particular Kelvin I knew did work as a computer tech, but he was a big, strong, handsome guy...athletic, a family man with a beautiful wife. Never saw any hint of a pocket protector on his person. Nothing at all about him gave away his inner geek, unless you asked him a computer question. Even then, it was "impressively intelligent geek" rather than "strange socially-backward geek."
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That's the problem with mental images that are attached to names, though. They aren't really based upon anything logical. That's why real life examples of certain name-bearers that don't correspond to the image rarely will dislodge the image.
For instance, Stanley to me evokes an old man with black socks, black shoes, shorts, a polyester shirt and a pot belly. The only Stanley I've ever known was a young, attractive black man. I've often stated that Charlotte has a very frumpy, dowdy image to me. The only Charlotte I've ever known was young, athletic, very thin and trim, and, while I wouldn't say she was the most beautiful girl I've ever known, she couldn't be described as frumpy or dowdy.
Doesn't matter. Stanley is still old man and Charlotte is still dowdy. And Kelvin...alas...will always be geeky.
Sometimes I know someone who does the fit the image----I think that Franklin is geeky, also, and I had a friend named Franklin, the only Franklin I've ever known, who was indeed geeky.
For instance, Stanley to me evokes an old man with black socks, black shoes, shorts, a polyester shirt and a pot belly. The only Stanley I've ever known was a young, attractive black man. I've often stated that Charlotte has a very frumpy, dowdy image to me. The only Charlotte I've ever known was young, athletic, very thin and trim, and, while I wouldn't say she was the most beautiful girl I've ever known, she couldn't be described as frumpy or dowdy.
Doesn't matter. Stanley is still old man and Charlotte is still dowdy. And Kelvin...alas...will always be geeky.
Sometimes I know someone who does the fit the image----I think that Franklin is geeky, also, and I had a friend named Franklin, the only Franklin I've ever known, who was indeed geeky.
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Oh, I didn't mean to impugn anyone's opinion here, or even to suggest that a definitively right or wrong opinion exists. I was merely commenting on the trend, noticing I'm not a part of it, and offering description of a flesh and blood example I met who, doesn't fit the common stereotype, for general interest purposes.
Stanley - yes, my impression of this isn't all that much different from yours, though I did know a bright and dashing Stan in school. I'm guessing he was probably a Stanley, but he never went by that. :)
Stanley - yes, my impression of this isn't all that much different from yours, though I did know a bright and dashing Stan in school. I'm guessing he was probably a Stanley, but he never went by that. :)
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Maybe it's because Calvin has more of an old-fashioned, down-to-earth feel. I have a hard time picutring a petty or mean-spirited Calvin; it's such a good guy name.
Kevin is too common, and Melvin and Kelvin are geeky, so maybe that's why you don't like them. Or, it could be because you prefer the A sound over the E sound.
Okay, I think I've analyzed this enough. :P
Kevin is too common, and Melvin and Kelvin are geeky, so maybe that's why you don't like them. Or, it could be because you prefer the A sound over the E sound.
Okay, I think I've analyzed this enough. :P
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Ditto
That's the first thing I thought too :P
That's the first thing I thought too :P
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Lol ... that completely did not cross my mind!
I'm glad you mentioned the temperature thing :o)
I'm glad you mentioned the temperature thing :o)
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that's why it's used in Scotland. Lord Kelvin was Scottish, Glaswegian I believe.
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So.... was the Kelvin invented / discovered by Kelvin?? (*edited*)
I'm confused. I read it was William Thomson :o/
Edit - Nevermind! lol figured it out :oP
I'm confused. I read it was William Thomson :o/
Edit - Nevermind! lol figured it out :oP
This message was edited 8/27/2010, 11:26 AM
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William Thomson was 1st Baron Lord Kelvin.
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Yeah, :o) That's what I got .... after I kept reading lol ;o)
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My cousin's son is actually named Kelvin :o) He's almost 7, I think.
It has grown on me, for sure. It's not one I'd personally use, but I do think it's nice. And it seems to work well for the Kelvin I know. I definitely prefer Kelvin to Kevin, but I'm with you... I prefer Calvin to Kelvin.
It has grown on me, for sure. It's not one I'd personally use, but I do think it's nice. And it seems to work well for the Kelvin I know. I definitely prefer Kelvin to Kevin, but I'm with you... I prefer Calvin to Kelvin.
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Yeah, I agree with Calvin. But the focus is on Kelvin. I love the nickname Kelly for Kelvin. It makes Kelvin fun but I don't think he's quite ready for a comeback. A great alternative to Kevin but still too geeky looking and sounding to make it cool (even emo cool). Just my opinion, though ;o)
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You see it in Scotland occassionally and it's ok. It's a bit of a posh name. I prefer Calvin but you can't really use that in Scotland.
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Why can't you use Calvin in Scotland?
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just my opinion really, I guess.
John Calvin and his religion doctrine tore the country apart and are partially responsible for the dour, stingy, 'thou shalt not have fun' attitude of some of its people.
Whenever I think of Calvin I can't help but see the sratue of him overlooking Glasgow shaking his finger in reproach.
John Calvin and his religion doctrine tore the country apart and are partially responsible for the dour, stingy, 'thou shalt not have fun' attitude of some of its people.
Whenever I think of Calvin I can't help but see the sratue of him overlooking Glasgow shaking his finger in reproach.
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sorry the statue in Glasgow is John Knox, a Calvinist who brought the teachings to Scotland. 4 months away and I can't think straight anymore.
and here endeth the lesson. ;D
and here endeth the lesson. ;D
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I've not tried researching it (I'm still working on ancestors much closer to me in my line) but supposedly I am descended from a BROWNING way back in Scotland who was a priest imprisoned (and later beheaded) for refusing to take the Jacobite Oath. After his death, his children and grand children ended up in America.
Does this have anything to do with what you are talking about?
Does this have anything to do with what you are talking about?
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No, that was later I believe. the Jacobites were the Stuart/Stewart kings who were unthroned and sent packing. Bonnie Prince Charlie (Charles Edward Stewart) tried to get the throne back for the family and this was the Jacobite Rebellion 1745. Just checked good old Wikipedia and the Oath was against the Jacobite in support of William and Mary of Orange who had been put on the throne in place of the Stewarts.
so your ancestor was a good Scot and a supporter of the Stewarts.
Calvin was 1509-1564.
so your ancestor was a good Scot and a supporter of the Stewarts.
Calvin was 1509-1564.
This message was edited 8/27/2010, 12:09 PM
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Good to know! Thank you! :)
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