New Post
Search
HelpThoughts on Wolfgang?
Wolfgang has suddenly snuck up on me as a surprise favourite? I’m not even sure why, but I’m curious to see what you guys think - do you think it’s useable, is the association with Mozart too strong, and what do you think of the aesthetics of the name itself?
Il nous faut de l'audace, et encore de l'audace, et toujours de l'audace !
http://www.behindthename.com/pnl/185597
My PNL!
Il nous faut de l'audace, et encore de l'audace, et toujours de l'audace !
http://www.behindthename.com/pnl/185597
My PNL!
Archived Thread - replies disabled
1
Replies
If you are an actual German (or Austrian or Swisser or whatever), it's fine. But the only Americans I see using it are annoying Seattle hipster types, and they use a very Americanized pronunciation, like it's the English word wolf and the English word gang, which it is not. It's trying way too hard. It also feels strongly ethnic to me, so a Wolfgang O'Leary/Kowalski/Rodriguez/Yamashita would strike me as odd.
1
Because it's awesome! WOLF. GANG. That is a badass name, lol.
I think it's totally usable. Mozart isn't a bad association to have. Also, Wolf/Wolfie is a cool NN.
I think it's totally usable. Mozart isn't a bad association to have. Also, Wolf/Wolfie is a cool NN.
This message was edited 2/14/2019, 9:45 PM
1
I don’t think it’s usable in the English speaking world. The Mozart association isn’t bad, but the -gang part kills it. Wolfram is better.
1
It made my top 10 this month! I definitely think it's usable. As for aesthetics, I'm enchanted by the name's steely gentleness.
1
I'm honestly not a fan. It's not the Mozart part, it's the "gang" part. I would rather just name the child Wolf and put it as a middle name only.
This message was edited 2/14/2019, 1:36 PM
1
Normally I am dead set against names that are English (because that's what I speak) words used as names - Tray, Chip, Moon, Patience
This is an exception. I really like it. I can see it on all eges and all temperaments.
This is an exception. I really like it. I can see it on all eges and all temperaments.
1
I don’t think of it as an English word name though, since the meaning in German is different than the English ‘wolf gang’.
1
It's not technically an English word, but it could function as one.
If I was in the wilderness and asked, "Do you think there's a wolfgang around here?"...whoever was with me would probably think I was weird or joking, but they'd understand my meaning (pack of wolves) without difficulty. Maybe they'd even start looking for tracks (a wolf path) in response; if they found any, they could point at a path and say, "Yes, there's a wolfgang here," and it'd make sense.
If I was in the wilderness and asked, "Do you think there's a wolfgang around here?"...whoever was with me would probably think I was weird or joking, but they'd understand my meaning (pack of wolves) without difficulty. Maybe they'd even start looking for tracks (a wolf path) in response; if they found any, they could point at a path and say, "Yes, there's a wolfgang here," and it'd make sense.
This message was edited 2/15/2019, 2:54 AM
1
But "wolf" is still "wolf" in English, and if your first name is Wolfgang people are probably going to call you Wolf as an inevitable nickname. Wolfgang is technically only two syllables, but there are so many consonants between that it feels like it "needs" to be shortened even though most two-syllable names don't. And it is longer than other two-syllable names. (Try to say 'Wolfgang' in the same amount of time it takes to say 'Benny'-- it's pretty much impossible. They're both two syllables but one is a lot longer).
1
I've always thought it looked like "a gang of wolves". It seems like a fairly dramatic name to me. I like it as a middle name more than a first name. The Mozart association is strong, but not "too" strong to use.
1
I love it. It is definitely usable.
1
I am surprised to find that I don't dislike it in real life, and may even like it. To just think about it it seems too tied to Mozart and otherwise just over the top.
But I know of two boys named Wolfgang, ages 6 and 10. Well, one, technically, but the other--long story short--I always think Wolfgang is his actual name so same thing to me. Ha.
I think it would probably get a lot of comments and Mozart fan questions that could get tiresome, and the aesthetics themselves aren't even great. I really don't know why I find it actually pleasant on an actual kid. Maybe just the sort of edgy but sophisticated-artsy feel. (If one could call Mozart that? lol)
But I know of two boys named Wolfgang, ages 6 and 10. Well, one, technically, but the other--long story short--I always think Wolfgang is his actual name so same thing to me. Ha.
I think it would probably get a lot of comments and Mozart fan questions that could get tiresome, and the aesthetics themselves aren't even great. I really don't know why I find it actually pleasant on an actual kid. Maybe just the sort of edgy but sophisticated-artsy feel. (If one could call Mozart that? lol)
1
Wolfgang always makes me smile. I don’t think the association with Motzart is a problem, nor do I associate the name with violence. :)
1
To me the problem is less Mozart and more that in English it sounds like, well, a gang of wolves. I don't think it's really usable today for a person, it's just a bit much. But I do think it's a strong and interesting name. I don't dislike it as a name. It could probably do pretty well as a middle, actually.
1
Reminds me of gangs, I think Wolf on its own is okay (though I don't like it) but gang wouldn't be a positive association in any name and the name really hasn't been used much in the US so I think the association with Mozart might be too strong in the US.
1
I kind of like it. But then, I have a really great association with it.
I was absolutely in love with a friend when I was younger whose name was Gerhard Wolfgang H(Lastname). Besides being a wonderful person, I thought his name was so different and wonderful.
I was absolutely in love with a friend when I was younger whose name was Gerhard Wolfgang H(Lastname). Besides being a wonderful person, I thought his name was so different and wonderful.
1
I've seen it in BAs on here, so I guess it's usable, but it makes me think of a pack of wolves...a gang of wolves, gang violence, being mauled. Not pleasant associations.
My parents play cards with an old Australian guy named Wolfgang; his wife calls him Wolfie. That's my only real life frame of reference for it.
I'd rank wolf sounding names
1. Wulfric
2. Wolfram
3. Wolfe / Wolf
4. Wolfgang
My parents play cards with an old Australian guy named Wolfgang; his wife calls him Wolfie. That's my only real life frame of reference for it.
I'd rank wolf sounding names
1. Wulfric
2. Wolfram
3. Wolfe / Wolf
4. Wolfgang
This message was edited 2/14/2019, 4:20 AM
1
Hi !!!
I like Wolfgang since I was a child.
It could be strange but I associate Mozart with the name Amadeus rather than Wolfgang.
Wolfgang has a very strong and German vibe that is very far from an artistic one. I can see Wolfgang on a soldier or also on a street guy.
There is a main character in 'Sense8' TV series that fits perfectly my idea about Wolfgang: a street guy involved in organized crime who is a thief, safecracker and skilled street fighter. It has quite a violent upbringing but with an intelligent, serious, diffident personality.
Is Amadeus instead that takes all the artistic vibe of Mozart in my mind.
I like Wolfgang since I was a child.
It could be strange but I associate Mozart with the name Amadeus rather than Wolfgang.
Wolfgang has a very strong and German vibe that is very far from an artistic one. I can see Wolfgang on a soldier or also on a street guy.
There is a main character in 'Sense8' TV series that fits perfectly my idea about Wolfgang: a street guy involved in organized crime who is a thief, safecracker and skilled street fighter. It has quite a violent upbringing but with an intelligent, serious, diffident personality.
Is Amadeus instead that takes all the artistic vibe of Mozart in my mind.
1