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I am thinking of writing my January 4 column on Conrad (I am planning further ahead these days as it's getting harder to find names with some link to the column date that I haven't written on yet.)
What is your impression of a man or boy with the given name Conrad? What images from pop culture come to mind? What would be your reaction if a friend or family member said they were going to name their new son Conrad?
In a couple of days I will tell you all the cultural reference I found that gave me the idea of possibly writing on this name, but I thought I'd like to get the impressions of some younger people first.
What is your impression of a man or boy with the given name Conrad? What images from pop culture come to mind? What would be your reaction if a friend or family member said they were going to name their new son Conrad?
In a couple of days I will tell you all the cultural reference I found that gave me the idea of possibly writing on this name, but I thought I'd like to get the impressions of some younger people first.
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Thanks to everyone who replied.
The reason I am considering writing on the name is because there is an American TV show called "The Resident" which is having its "midseason premier" on the day the column will be published. The main character in that series is Dr. Conrad Hawkins, played by the actor Matt Czuchry, who previously had regular roles on "Gilmore Girls" and "The Good Wife." I have never seen any of those shows and had no knowledge of Mr. Czuchry, but I'm surprised that none of you young people mentioned "The Resident". It's now in its third season so somebody in the USA must be watching it!
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6483832/
I was surprised to see that a TV series had named a handsome young doctor Conrad, as to my 68 year old mind the associations are to "Bye Bye Birdie" or "elderly German man." It seems that Hollywood writers at least have a different image of the name than I do.
The reason I am considering writing on the name is because there is an American TV show called "The Resident" which is having its "midseason premier" on the day the column will be published. The main character in that series is Dr. Conrad Hawkins, played by the actor Matt Czuchry, who previously had regular roles on "Gilmore Girls" and "The Good Wife." I have never seen any of those shows and had no knowledge of Mr. Czuchry, but I'm surprised that none of you young people mentioned "The Resident". It's now in its third season so somebody in the USA must be watching it!
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6483832/
I was surprised to see that a TV series had named a handsome young doctor Conrad, as to my 68 year old mind the associations are to "Bye Bye Birdie" or "elderly German man." It seems that Hollywood writers at least have a different image of the name than I do.
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I'm surprised nobody has mentioned this yet--my first thought with this name is always Conrad Dalton, the fictional POTUS from the TV series Madam Secretary. Also makes me think of concord grapes sometimes. I didn't notice the similarity to the word "comrade" until seeing this thread.
I personally like this name, it has a strong ending, but avoids the enormous overpopularity of names ending in N. I usually think of it as being for someone in my mother's generation (mid-50s), but I've seen it on a few younger people too, so I wouldn't question it as a kid's name.
I personally like this name, it has a strong ending, but avoids the enormous overpopularity of names ending in N. I usually think of it as being for someone in my mother's generation (mid-50s), but I've seen it on a few younger people too, so I wouldn't question it as a kid's name.
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It makes me think of 'comrade', mostly, and 'camaraderie' by association.
The only pop culture association I have is Conrad Greyson from Revenge, an unethical/criminal rich guy (probably multi-billionaire?) in his 50s.
I picture Conrad as an older man from northern Europe wearing canvas pants. His demeanor's a blend of jolly and staid.
What would be your reaction if a friend or family member said they were going to name their new son Conrad?
Neutral leaning positive. It's not unheard of, the meaning's nice, and the rad part is fun.
The only pop culture association I have is Conrad Greyson from Revenge, an unethical/criminal rich guy (probably multi-billionaire?) in his 50s.
I picture Conrad as an older man from northern Europe wearing canvas pants. His demeanor's a blend of jolly and staid.
What would be your reaction if a friend or family member said they were going to name their new son Conrad?
Neutral leaning positive. It's not unheard of, the meaning's nice, and the rad part is fun.
This message was edited 12/3/2019, 2:29 AM
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I have a good impression of Conrad because I associate it with a character I love; he's a very warm, brotherly type but also a strong and respectable person, so that's also the feeling I get from the name.
I most likely wouldn't use the name for one of my own kids despite having such a high opinion of it because it's a bit too rugged and country for my tastes, but if a family member wanted to use it I would be very happy (while also secretly jealous that they could pull it off haha).
I most likely wouldn't use the name for one of my own kids despite having such a high opinion of it because it's a bit too rugged and country for my tastes, but if a family member wanted to use it I would be very happy (while also secretly jealous that they could pull it off haha).
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Conrad sounds rather snobbish and unpleasant to me, but it has many positive associations as a Polish person - the novelist Joseph Conrad (whose real name was Józef Konrad Korzeniowski) and Konrad, a character, in one of Poland's most famous romantic works, Dziady by Adam Mickiewicz. I have a few relatives named Konrad, and while I'd choose a name with a sound I like, the positive associations outweigh the ugly (in my opinion) sound.
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As a South African, I'm very used to Conrad, mostly used by Afrikaans speakers of course, but it's a name I've always liked, and it has pleasantly athletic, outdoor vibes for me and also an intellectual vibe: both based on people I've known and Conrad people in the media. And I enjoy Germanic names in general. I often see it with a K - Konrad - which isn't as good: seems heavy and clunky, though the sound is the same. And I really can't warm up to Coenraad. It's authentically Afrikaans, but putting in the -e- changes the sound (oe in Afrikaans has the u sound in push and pull) and the extra -a- lengthens the second syllable slightly, which just spoils the whole effect for me. Given enough sons, I'd have seriously considered Conrad as a middle name.
I realise that this tells you precisely zilch about American opinions, and I'm not exactly a younger person either! But it might interest you. I hope so, anyway.
I realise that this tells you precisely zilch about American opinions, and I'm not exactly a younger person either! But it might interest you. I hope so, anyway.
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German older man
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The name consists of two harsh sounds; con- and -rad. I hate both of these sounds.
It sounds like a cartoon villain so I'd be a little concerned the kid would be teased about it. Its that type of name that does not have to sound /like/ anything in particular like a dirty word, but its the silly sounding name as a whole, especially the ending. I can just imagine some kids putting an emphasis on the name and subtly making it clear they think it sounds stupid without actually saying anything (except snickering)
If my friend/relative wanted to use it and I'd ask (nicely) why they want that name and hope its not a personal connection so I can go ahead and be like "oh if you like Conrad you might like X, Y, Z"
As for the child himself, I cannot see a little (or big) Conrad actually being naughty. In high school, he sounds like he might just end up being shoved in the lower-middle popularity crowed (not geeky or weird enough to be at the bottom, and enough spunk to stop him from fully getting there) and naturally find a somewhat similar friend group, while being on friendly terms with the kid who picks his nose in class. In primary school there's less of this kind of stuff, and there may actually be a general acceptance of the name Conrad with the kids he's known since the age of 3. It's high school onwards that'd be a problem
That is, if he ends up working in a toxic environment (like how I was unlucky with my own first job) which is very possible for kids fresh out of school/college/university. As an adult he'd have less of the torment, but I'd expect some raised eyebrows at the unusual name
It sounds like a cartoon villain so I'd be a little concerned the kid would be teased about it. Its that type of name that does not have to sound /like/ anything in particular like a dirty word, but its the silly sounding name as a whole, especially the ending. I can just imagine some kids putting an emphasis on the name and subtly making it clear they think it sounds stupid without actually saying anything (except snickering)
If my friend/relative wanted to use it and I'd ask (nicely) why they want that name and hope its not a personal connection so I can go ahead and be like "oh if you like Conrad you might like X, Y, Z"
As for the child himself, I cannot see a little (or big) Conrad actually being naughty. In high school, he sounds like he might just end up being shoved in the lower-middle popularity crowed (not geeky or weird enough to be at the bottom, and enough spunk to stop him from fully getting there) and naturally find a somewhat similar friend group, while being on friendly terms with the kid who picks his nose in class. In primary school there's less of this kind of stuff, and there may actually be a general acceptance of the name Conrad with the kids he's known since the age of 3. It's high school onwards that'd be a problem
That is, if he ends up working in a toxic environment (like how I was unlucky with my own first job) which is very possible for kids fresh out of school/college/university. As an adult he'd have less of the torment, but I'd expect some raised eyebrows at the unusual name
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The only association I can think of offhand for a first name is Conrad Bain, who played the father on "Diff'rent Strokes."
When I was young and see movies or TV shows where Soviets were talking to each other and calling each other Comrade, I thought they were saying Conrad.
When I was young and see movies or TV shows where Soviets were talking to each other and calling each other Comrade, I thought they were saying Conrad.
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I quite like Conrad, though I have no associations with the name. Maybe that's why I like it? It does sound a little bit like "comrade," which might dissuade some people from using it, but that doesn't bother me.
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German descent, dark hair and eyes, not black though, average color skin, classy clothing. Would weird denim, but a dark color of denim. And he would be sort of wealthy in birth but have a job like a newspaper columnist. He would be engaged to a woman and have a child with her, be expecting another one.
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