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HelpIreland and Holland
What do you think of naming babies place names like Ireland and Holland? Do you like people spelling them as Irelynn/Irelyn and Hollynn/Hollyn? I saw someone recently online say they liked either Scotland or Scotlynn, which I thought was strange at first, but people do use the other two.
Edited to say "place" names instead of "country" names because Holland is not a country.
K & A (2012)
Cole (2014)
Elsa (2016)
Edited to say "place" names instead of "country" names because Holland is not a country.
K & A (2012)
Cole (2014)
Elsa (2016)
This message was edited 5/19/2018, 6:11 AM
Archived Thread - replies disabled
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I think it’s cringeworthy, personally. Naming a child after places seems pretentious to me, and naming them after places you’ve never been or have no connection to seems even worse. Plus these names would never be used by anyone actually from Ireland, Holland, or Scotland. They scream “suburb-dwelling American trying so hard (and failing) to seem ‘worldly.’”
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It's interesting, I guess. I always wonder if the place has any special meaning to the parents, and if it's appropriate, I'll ask them. Never met anyone who said 'yes', though, they all just liked the sound of the names they chose. It's not something I would ever do, because it would make me feel like I half-assed the naming process. I often just like the way names sound, but if I were actually naming a child, I would want to put more into it than that. IDK.
I suspect Ireland is probably used by a lot of Americans who think they're like, 95% Irish, or something. Holland is kind of nice. I like it much better than Ireland. Scotland just sounds stupid. I don't like spelling variations like Irelynn or Hollyn, though I guess you could make the argument that they are better, since they're just going with the sounds they like and don't use the actual place name. Okay, I change my mind, they're fine. :P
A couple of place names I really like are Berlin and Vienna. Verona is kind of cool, too. Milan works, but it sounds kind of snotty. I've heard of people named London, of course, but I don't like it.
I suspect Ireland is probably used by a lot of Americans who think they're like, 95% Irish, or something. Holland is kind of nice. I like it much better than Ireland. Scotland just sounds stupid. I don't like spelling variations like Irelynn or Hollyn, though I guess you could make the argument that they are better, since they're just going with the sounds they like and don't use the actual place name. Okay, I change my mind, they're fine. :P
A couple of place names I really like are Berlin and Vienna. Verona is kind of cool, too. Milan works, but it sounds kind of snotty. I've heard of people named London, of course, but I don't like it.
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I like some, such as Caledonia and Vienne. But I think Ireland and Holland are too commonly used (as place names, I mean) to sound name-y to me. Irelynn and Scotlynn look strange, but Hollynn works better since it looks like a variant of Holly. I've read that Icelynn is used as well.
I started to fiddle around with the -land/lynn ending, but I doubt any of these would work. Finlynn, perhaps.
Thailynn
Polynn
Netherlynn
Switzerlynn
Finlynn
Zealynn
Swazilynn
Greenlynn
Newfoundlynn
Falklynn
I started to fiddle around with the -land/lynn ending, but I doubt any of these would work. Finlynn, perhaps.
Thailynn
Polynn
Netherlynn
Switzerlynn
Finlynn
Zealynn
Swazilynn
Greenlynn
Newfoundlynn
Falklynn
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There are some I like the sound and meaning of, like India and America, but I don't like them as names. The vibe I get from countries-as-names makes me uncomfortable: nationalistic, kitschy, and/or disrespectful (if it seems like appropriation). My dislike is also somehow related to the fact that traditionally countries tend to be considered/conceptualized as feminine (objects). I have less of a problem with cities as names, though.
I like the sound of Ireland, and I associate it with green, which is nice.
As other people have said, Holland sounds more like a surname to me; it's okay, but I'd prefer Hollis.
No, I don't really like Irelyn/Hollyn, but I do prefer them (or maybe something like Ira + Linda -> Iralind / Iralinda) to the countries as names.
I like the sound of Ireland, and I associate it with green, which is nice.
As other people have said, Holland sounds more like a surname to me; it's okay, but I'd prefer Hollis.
No, I don't really like Irelyn/Hollyn, but I do prefer them (or maybe something like Ira + Linda -> Iralind / Iralinda) to the countries as names.
This message was edited 5/19/2018, 7:44 AM
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I always liked Holland for a boy because of the New Holland tractors. Ireland doesn't sound like a name for me.
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I've always wanted to visit those countries. And that's what they are - countries, not names.
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Holland to me seems a little less weird than the others, because it's more 'surname' than 'country'; in my lifetime the country to the right of us has always been the Netherlands. Hollyn looks more like a lynnified version of Holly.
The others just look bizarre to me, not being from the US.
The others just look bizarre to me, not being from the US.
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I think it's kinda silly, even though some country names are quite beautiful. India is lovely I think, but as a GP, not to actually use. Exceptions are Chad and Georgia which are commonly used as names.
Ireland isn't pretty soundwise to me. Holland is odd for meas a name bc I am Dutch. And to me my country's name is The Netherlands. Holland is used as the country's name mostly by foreigners, but were originally only two provinces in The Netherlands (North and South Holland). The only thing I like about people using Holland as a name is that maybe then people will understand that our country isn't called 'Amsterdam' (which happens too often).
If you were to use Ireland or Holland etc. I'd say as a MN only.
Oddly enough I feel less iffy about using city names as FN than country names...
Ireland isn't pretty soundwise to me. Holland is odd for meas a name bc I am Dutch. And to me my country's name is The Netherlands. Holland is used as the country's name mostly by foreigners, but were originally only two provinces in The Netherlands (North and South Holland). The only thing I like about people using Holland as a name is that maybe then people will understand that our country isn't called 'Amsterdam' (which happens too often).
If you were to use Ireland or Holland etc. I'd say as a MN only.
Oddly enough I feel less iffy about using city names as FN than country names...
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I did a short course on Middle Dutch poetry once, which I loved. And we weren't allowed to shorten Nederland to Ned - it had to be Ndl, or we heard all about it!
Then there was the 2010 World Cup, and the Dutch team was based in my home town. They were wonderful: so many, so happy and excited - just the best kind of visitors. But ... all those orange t-shirts! Some of the ladies were very large and well nourished, and across their chests the word Holland appeared, which is fair enough, you can't fit Nederland on a t-shirt, but I had to fight not to giggle: after all, the country might be 'hol', but not those ladies!
Then there was the 2010 World Cup, and the Dutch team was based in my home town. They were wonderful: so many, so happy and excited - just the best kind of visitors. But ... all those orange t-shirts! Some of the ladies were very large and well nourished, and across their chests the word Holland appeared, which is fair enough, you can't fit Nederland on a t-shirt, but I had to fight not to giggle: after all, the country might be 'hol', but not those ladies!
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The exception that proves the rule!
Holland is allowed when playing football!
I take it you mean NLD? :P
I quite like the atmosphere when everyone is dressed in bright orange. I live in Frisia (Friesland / Fryslân) now and I swear the people are about 10 cm on average taller than in the South! I'm 163 cm and here I have to look up to most other women and so does my husband at 170 cm!
Holland is allowed when playing football!
I take it you mean NLD? :P
I quite like the atmosphere when everyone is dressed in bright orange. I live in Frisia (Friesland / Fryslân) now and I swear the people are about 10 cm on average taller than in the South! I'm 163 cm and here I have to look up to most other women and so does my husband at 170 cm!
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Haha That probably is annoying. I am aware that it's The Netherlands and not Holland, I guess I still mix it up. I'll edit it.
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And to me my country's name is The Netherlands. Holland is used as the country's name mostly by foreigners, but were originally only two provinces in The Netherlands (North and South Holland).
It's the same for me as well! :) Also, I have to say that as a Limburgian, deep down I feel a tinge of annoyance when people refer to our country as Holland, because Holland was historically those two provinces (like you said) and so everyone who lives outside of those provinces doesn't feel connected to Holland at all. Not to mention that life and culture is quite different outside of North and South Holland, which makes it extra weird to have my place of origin be referred to as part of Holland. It's kind of like saying to a Scotsman or a Welshman that their countries are all part of England, heh. ;) So all in all, I much prefer the term The Netherlands, since it is not only neutral, but also correct.
Oh, and bonus annoyance points when fellow countrymen refer to the country as a whole as Holland, since the people that do that are often from North or South Holland and as such tend to come across as having a hollandocentric outlook to me. Extra annoyance points when I see this reflected on TV with shows such as Holland's Next Top Model, Heel Holland Bakt and The Voice of Holland... ughhh! -_- Good thing I barely watch TV anymore these days. :P
It's the same for me as well! :) Also, I have to say that as a Limburgian, deep down I feel a tinge of annoyance when people refer to our country as Holland, because Holland was historically those two provinces (like you said) and so everyone who lives outside of those provinces doesn't feel connected to Holland at all. Not to mention that life and culture is quite different outside of North and South Holland, which makes it extra weird to have my place of origin be referred to as part of Holland. It's kind of like saying to a Scotsman or a Welshman that their countries are all part of England, heh. ;) So all in all, I much prefer the term The Netherlands, since it is not only neutral, but also correct.
Oh, and bonus annoyance points when fellow countrymen refer to the country as a whole as Holland, since the people that do that are often from North or South Holland and as such tend to come across as having a hollandocentric outlook to me. Extra annoyance points when I see this reflected on TV with shows such as Holland's Next Top Model, Heel Holland Bakt and The Voice of Holland... ughhh! -_- Good thing I barely watch TV anymore these days. :P
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Hear, hear!
Bonus annoyance points indeed when fellowcountrymen do this, comming from a Brabantse currently living in Friesland.
Bonus annoyance points indeed when fellowcountrymen do this, comming from a Brabantse currently living in Friesland.
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I don't like Ireland or Scotland as a name, but I do kinda like Holland.
Because, I think, Holland is used as an adjective sometimes, and Ireland and Scotland aren't. Like, Holland lop bunny... but Scottish fold cat, Irish setter dog. So Holland feels more namey to me, since it doesn't always refer to a place literally.
And also because I perceive Holland as more common as a surname, than Ireland or Scotland (I'm not sure those even are surnames).
I don't like Irelynn / Irelyn or Hollyn. Because -lynn is so associated with so many names, that it's become blah to me. Carolyn, Marilyn, Jerilyn, Shaelynn, Braelynn, Jaylynn, Cherilyn, Katelynn, Kaylyn, Madelyn, Adalynn ... etc. It's just blah. Scotlynn doesn't make me think of Scotland, but of a name honoring a dad named Scott. I think Irelind might be more appealing than Irelynn. I'm not into that sound, though. I think it's a little ugly to say aloud repeatedly - the long I with the rl.
Because, I think, Holland is used as an adjective sometimes, and Ireland and Scotland aren't. Like, Holland lop bunny... but Scottish fold cat, Irish setter dog. So Holland feels more namey to me, since it doesn't always refer to a place literally.
And also because I perceive Holland as more common as a surname, than Ireland or Scotland (I'm not sure those even are surnames).
I don't like Irelynn / Irelyn or Hollyn. Because -lynn is so associated with so many names, that it's become blah to me. Carolyn, Marilyn, Jerilyn, Shaelynn, Braelynn, Jaylynn, Cherilyn, Katelynn, Kaylyn, Madelyn, Adalynn ... etc. It's just blah. Scotlynn doesn't make me think of Scotland, but of a name honoring a dad named Scott. I think Irelind might be more appealing than Irelynn. I'm not into that sound, though. I think it's a little ugly to say aloud repeatedly - the long I with the rl.
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