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HelpBriar (as a feminine name)
Just wondering what people think of Briar as a feminine name. It's a lesser-used botanical name, and one I haven't considered much previously, but I'm liking the impression it's leaving on me.
So far some of the combos I've come up with are:
Briar Genevieve
Briar Lavinia
Briar Winifred
Briar Annabel
But I'm open to more suggestions! (I don't usually double-up botanical names, though. And no Briar Rose, please.)
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www.behindthename.com/pnl/69381/109399
hwww.behindthename.com/pnl/69381/132018
http://greens-end.myminicity.com/
So far some of the combos I've come up with are:
Briar Genevieve
Briar Lavinia
Briar Winifred
Briar Annabel
But I'm open to more suggestions! (I don't usually double-up botanical names, though. And no Briar Rose, please.)
***
Please rate my personal name lists:
www.behindthename.com/pnl/69381
www.behindthename.com/pnl/69381/117507
www.behindthename.com/pnl/69381/109399
hwww.behindthename.com/pnl/69381/132018
http://greens-end.myminicity.com/
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Replies
It's just so ugly sounding. Unless you're speaking with a British accent and don't voice the final R.
I don't think the idea of a briar is appealing at all as a name. It implies something difficult and uncomfortable. Like Thicket or Mire as a name. Briar Rose sort of works, just because a rose is on a briar - even though it's too cheesy to use. But just Briar with some other name, doesn't appeal to me.
I don't think the idea of a briar is appealing at all as a name. It implies something difficult and uncomfortable. Like Thicket or Mire as a name. Briar Rose sort of works, just because a rose is on a briar - even though it's too cheesy to use. But just Briar with some other name, doesn't appeal to me.
This message was edited 4/20/2021, 12:34 PM
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I've liked it for awhile. It has a trendy, short and sweet naturey vibe (obviously). I actually prefer it as a feminine name. From your list I like Briar Genevieve and Briar Winifred (this one is quite stunning).
Briar Juniper (too botanical?)
Briar Jessamine (slightly less obvious)
Briar Olivia (I don't know why I want to pair it with random plant-related names!)
I think I'll just leave the combos to others...
Briar Juniper (too botanical?)
Briar Jessamine (slightly less obvious)
Briar Olivia (I don't know why I want to pair it with random plant-related names!)
I think I'll just leave the combos to others...
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It implies toughness and isn't subtle. It's kind of like Winter in that way.
It makes me think of rabbits, which makes it seem like it could be spritely.
Briar Zelmira
Briar Siofra
Briar Mozelle
Briar Ozella
Briar Odelia
Briar Josephine
Briar Blossom
Briar Chloe
Briar Anthea
Briar Themis
Briar Timothea
Briar Talya
Briar Sheila
Briar Bernadette
Briar Memphis
Briar Nephele
Briar Guillaumette
Briar Velia
Briar Vashti
Briar Eulalia
It makes me think of rabbits, which makes it seem like it could be spritely.
Briar Zelmira
Briar Siofra
Briar Mozelle
Briar Ozella
Briar Odelia
Briar Josephine
Briar Blossom
Briar Chloe
Briar Anthea
Briar Themis
Briar Timothea
Briar Talya
Briar Sheila
Briar Bernadette
Briar Memphis
Briar Nephele
Briar Guillaumette
Briar Velia
Briar Vashti
Briar Eulalia
This message was edited 4/19/2021, 3:57 PM
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I did think about Briar Josephine. I liked the sound, but written out I thought the names were too visually dissimilar.
Briar Bernadette is fun! And you get the nickname BB out of it.
Briar Bernadette is fun! And you get the nickname BB out of it.
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I like it, I think it's spunky. I also like how you've softened it with the MN.
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I think it's kind of cute in sound but well, in meaning it's not exactly the most attractive image, is it? I'd favor Bryony/Briony over Briar.
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I used to like Briony (I know Bryony is the original spelling, but the repeated Ys look weird to me); but after a while it reminded me too much of brine ("brine-y").
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I like Briar as a guilty pleasure. Thorns serve as protection to the plant by keeping animals from eating all their leaves. Thorns are the only thing keeping the deer from totally eliminating my rose bushes. Names like Bracken and Briar sound like characters in a children's fairytale, which is fun. Personally, I would only use it for a a fictional character or a pseudonym.
This message was edited 4/19/2021, 11:29 AM
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I dislike most things about it. First of all, briars aren't nice. Second, I don't like any aspect of the sound. Third, I find it cheesy and unrealistic. ("Briar Rose")
Uhh... yeah.
Uhh... yeah.
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Off-topic, but seeing that with your picture of the little praying mantis I just imagine him saying this and being like "I hate briars they hurt my little feets!" Hahaha!
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Lol! :D
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I thoroughly dislike this name. This must be a regional thing, but in my area, the name would almost certainly get the bearer teased and/or outright bullied. A briar hopper, or briar for short, is used as an insult against Appalachians. Presumably because briars are prickly thorns. I can never hear Briar as a name and not automatically think of that. The appeal just escapes me completely.
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This reminds me that one of my associations with "briar" is "briar patch" ... from an American folk tale book that I read (or had read to me?) when I was a small child.
Here's one version
https://americanfolklore.net/folklore/2010/07/brer_rabbit_meets_a_tar_baby.html
Here's one version
https://americanfolklore.net/folklore/2010/07/brer_rabbit_meets_a_tar_baby.html
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Searching briarhopper resulted in information about a radio show from 1935.
https://www.historysouth.org/briarhoppers/
Eventually, I did find an entry in https://www.daredictionary.com/view/dare/ID_00005809 1966 that references the slang term. "Brier hoppers. Poor hill folk (hillbillies) who come into Ohio from Kentucky and West Virginia to make money. Usually live on credit." It sounds like it is Ohio slang rather than broadly Appalachian.
https://www.historysouth.org/briarhoppers/
Eventually, I did find an entry in https://www.daredictionary.com/view/dare/ID_00005809 1966 that references the slang term. "Brier hoppers. Poor hill folk (hillbillies) who come into Ohio from Kentucky and West Virginia to make money. Usually live on credit." It sounds like it is Ohio slang rather than broadly Appalachian.
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No, I don't think Appalachians themselves use the term. It's definitely a term heard mostly in Ohio, maybe parts of Indiana, referring TO transplanted Appalachians. A slang term, I guess. But kind of an ethnic slur. It's not meant affectionately. I did not know about the radio show. That's interesting.
This message was edited 4/19/2021, 3:41 PM
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Learn something new every day.
I've never heard of this taunt / insult; then again I don't live anywhere near Appalachia. I suppose this is something to consider.
I've never heard of this taunt / insult; then again I don't live anywhere near Appalachia. I suppose this is something to consider.
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It might be a very regional thing, because I grew up in the Appalachians, and I don't remember hearing it.
This message was edited 4/19/2021, 11:42 AM
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Ohio...
I'm in southwestern Ohio, where a lot of Appalachians relocated for jobs and whatnot back in the day. Apparently they were not always well received. Much like immigrants from another country, I suppose. If you say, "he's a briar", it's like calling someone a dumb hillbilly. It's pretty universal in these parts. It's really kind of unfortunate. I have Appalachian roots, too. But I wouldn't want my child to deal with that.
I'm in southwestern Ohio, where a lot of Appalachians relocated for jobs and whatnot back in the day. Apparently they were not always well received. Much like immigrants from another country, I suppose. If you say, "he's a briar", it's like calling someone a dumb hillbilly. It's pretty universal in these parts. It's really kind of unfortunate. I have Appalachian roots, too. But I wouldn't want my child to deal with that.
This message was edited 4/19/2021, 1:17 PM
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Normally my stance on Em- names is that they all need to take a nice loooooong break, but I actually really like Briar Emmeline!
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I like it when it is the first half of Briar Rose but if the Rose is absent then I am conflicted. I still like it okay just not nearly as much. To me Briar Rose is everything and when it's just Briar it doesn't seem as appealing and feels more coarse and thorny. Would you have the same aversion if it was a longer varient of Rose?
This message was edited 4/19/2021, 7:11 AM
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Reasons for saying "no" to Briar Rose
My reasons for rejecting Briar Rose (as both a combo and a double-name) are basically:
1. I don't like the ending -r and beginning R- running into each other;
2. Using the exact name from the fairy tale feels really cliche / overdone.
Rose is my own middle name, and I don't dislike Rose as a name at all (though I'd more likely use Rosalie); but that's why I say no to Briar Rose. I don't know if Briar Rosalie is better or worse.
My reasons for rejecting Briar Rose (as both a combo and a double-name) are basically:
1. I don't like the ending -r and beginning R- running into each other;
2. Using the exact name from the fairy tale feels really cliche / overdone.
Rose is my own middle name, and I don't dislike Rose as a name at all (though I'd more likely use Rosalie); but that's why I say no to Briar Rose. I don't know if Briar Rosalie is better or worse.
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