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HelpRe: Are Roman names pretentious?
in reply to a message by queenv
I think pretentious is when names have certain associations that make them seem to strongly reflect certain values - like being classy, rich, hip, creative, educated, worldly, politically correct, etc. Not that the namers are actually trying hard to appear that way, but just that it seems likely that it's important to them that they believe they are that way (or they are gratified by thinking their kid could be).
Of course it's all in the eye of the beholder. But I think sometimes, if people perceive a name as pretentious, there's often something more to the impression than just the beholder's insecurities. Then, sometimes maybe there isn't.
I try to keep from using the word "pretentious" except in cases where the name has such a strong association that it seems to deliberately invoke an image of wealth or social standing or education. Like "name dropping" names. Usually surname names. Spencer, Chase, Astor, Bentley, Whitney, Carrington, Raleigh, Cohen, Callaway, Kennedy, Flannery, Harper, Windsor ... I used it more liberally here because the OP did.
Of course it's all in the eye of the beholder. But I think sometimes, if people perceive a name as pretentious, there's often something more to the impression than just the beholder's insecurities. Then, sometimes maybe there isn't.
I try to keep from using the word "pretentious" except in cases where the name has such a strong association that it seems to deliberately invoke an image of wealth or social standing or education. Like "name dropping" names. Usually surname names. Spencer, Chase, Astor, Bentley, Whitney, Carrington, Raleigh, Cohen, Callaway, Kennedy, Flannery, Harper, Windsor ... I used it more liberally here because the OP did.
This message was edited 6/25/2012, 8:53 PM
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