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Patterns and Vibes Recommendations Please
This is going to sound weird, but I am creating a doc that further elaborates on the "vibes" that certain names and trends give off, mostly comparative. Are there any other notable descriptors that come to mind you feel I am missing from this list that you think I should include? thank you! Elegant / Gauche
Whimsical / Grounded
Strong / Gentle
Creative / Unimaginative
Charismatic / Introverted
Regal / Plebeian
Timeless / Age-Specific
Intelligent / Unintelligent
Vintage / Trendy
Classical / Modern
Minimalist / Maximalist
Unique / Ordinary
Regionally Adaptable / Region-Specific
Casual / Formal
Balanced / Visually or Auditorily Lopsided
Straightforward / Overly Elaborate
Too Literal / Nuanced
Harsh / Soft
Pretentious / Humble
Controversial / Undisputed
Basic / Elaborate
Easy / Difficult
Cold / Warm
Charming / Unrefined
Ethereal / Earthly
Versatile / Context-Specific
Inspiring / Unoriginal
Dependable / Unreliable
Polished / Disorganized
Light / Dark
Cheerful / Melancholic
Positive / Negative
Culturally Independent / Pop Culture-Specific
Nostalgic / Unsentimental
Rare / Common
Attractive / Plain
Neutral / Polarized
Uncommon / Overused
Dated / Timeless
Heavy / Light
Emotional / Reserved
Melodic / Monotone
Harmonious / Disjointed
Quirky / Conventional
Sophisticated / Juvenile
Jovial / Somber
Approachable / Aloof
Sunny / Gothic
Wholesome / MacabrePlease rate my "Names I would Use" list & "Backup Favorites" list. Feel free to rate some of my other lists too if you have the time.
https://www.behindthename.com/pnl/223226/138473

This message was edited 11/10/2024, 6:58 PM

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It seems like you've thought of everything.
Oh gosh, this kind of overthinking is such a vice for me. *tucking napkin into collar, wielding knife and fork*
I take some personal responsibility for the weirder ratings categories on this site. Alas, I talked a lot, and Mike listened to me. I have some regrets.I think a lot of the name impressions that I can put into a contrast like you're doing - can be reduced to 3 basic axes:Age (either in the sense of youth/maturity, or old-fashion/new-fashion - ultimately connotes the same thing);
conventional-ness / familiarity (degrees of either/both "classic" and "popular");
and low/high status. (Not to be classist, but let's be honest, humans are sensitive to status and it's part of what we care about perceiving in names. Status isn't character.)And another axis would be positive/negative, a subjective quality - a reflection of my own attitude, how much I like it and why.
The "spin" I put on it, that makes me choose positive or negative, "judging" terms.I like to see if I can zero out my idiosyncratic taste, which sometimes changes - by setting up any contrasts as equally appealing.
For example, I like some names that are elegant, and some names that aren't elegant. So I could contrast "elegant" with a positive term that describes what impression I would say I like, about a name that I think isn't "elegant." A word like "natural" might work. Or "friendly."I could set up contrasts between negatives, or between positives...
Or, I could set them up to describe impressions I like vs dislike. (age words)
bratty / fusty
energetic / sophisticated
juvenile / polished
sweet / stodgy(familiarity)
gimmicky / boring
striking / timeless
flimsy / perennial
stale / stylish(status)
garish / prissy
rustic / august
hokey / elegant
amiable / stuck-up
A nerd's journey through the thesaurus - You're welcome lolNegative age terms:
youthful - juvenile, faddish, babyish, weak, puppyish, childish, naive, emotional, frivolous, giddy, shallow, airheaded, sassy, bratty, callow, dizzy, gawky

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This message was edited 11/11/2024, 2:07 PM

Spunky/Dull - similar to your jovial/somber but a little different Youthful vs. Mature
Good call
I think what you should do first is go through and eliminate categories that are basically duplicates of each other. "Timeless/age-specific" and "dated/timeless" really sticks out in this regard.
Phew! I think you've got it covered. It'll be interesting to see your results - I hope you'll be sharing them, perhaps as a work in progress?