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HelpRe: What do you think of these names I'd consider naming my (hypothetical) son?
in reply to a message by Tatsugiri
I don't think it's that weird to see it positively. I vaguely associate Briar with "freedom in adversity" or endurance type symbolism because of a kids'/folk story.
This message was edited 11/12/2024, 9:51 AM
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I don't think it's weird either. I think it might be weird of me to see it as negatively as I do. Symbolically a briar seems to always be at least as much a defensive barrier as an obstacle, in literature. I appreciate the positive aspects of the concept! I don't think it is namey, and the sound isn't to my taste.
I don't assume others share my personal negative association. Most people don't call the invasive Himalayan blackberry a "briar" - it's just that I happen to think of it when I think of "briar." That association is probably just idiosyncratic to me and I'm not saying it should put people off the name. It's just a data point.
Hm - if I make an effort to think of it as namey and positive, it seems more appealing as a feminine name to me. Naming a guy Briar would strike me odd in a similar way to how naming a gal Craig would. However, that's about *naming,* and not about how I perceive a *named person* - I would not give it any thought at all if I met a guy Briar. I'm just rambling on about why I personally don't find it appealing to use.
I don't assume others share my personal negative association. Most people don't call the invasive Himalayan blackberry a "briar" - it's just that I happen to think of it when I think of "briar." That association is probably just idiosyncratic to me and I'm not saying it should put people off the name. It's just a data point.
Hm - if I make an effort to think of it as namey and positive, it seems more appealing as a feminine name to me. Naming a guy Briar would strike me odd in a similar way to how naming a gal Craig would. However, that's about *naming,* and not about how I perceive a *named person* - I would not give it any thought at all if I met a guy Briar. I'm just rambling on about why I personally don't find it appealing to use.
This message was edited 11/12/2024, 11:02 AM