This name is just too easy to make fun of in an elementary school... Joaquin the Joan of Orleans... Joan of Arcadia... etc.. A boy shouldn't endure such abuse...
Somebody mentioned that Joaquin Phoenix's name used to be Leaf - that's true, but Joaquin is in fact his birth name. He went by Leaf as a child because he wanted a nature/hippie name like his siblings River, Rain, Liberty and Summer. As a teenager, he decided to go back to being called Joaquin. I associate this name primarily with him, and it's an association that's gone downhill a little since his whole staged "breakdown" a few years ago (which turned out to be faked for a pseudo-documentary).
― Anonymous User 9/3/2014
4
First I REALLY liked this name, I always heard it being pronounced as YO-AA-KEEN in my country, Then when I've heard the official pronunciation is hwah-keen I absolutely loathe it.
After reading the comments this name makes so much more sense! I always thought it was a female name, pronounced JO-uh-kwin, because I'd only seen it in movie credits, etc. Where neither the gender or pronunciation are apparent. When I read someone's comment that said that it's pronounced hwah-KEEN, I thought "Wow! So this is how hwah-KEEN is spelled!" I'd only ever heard the name Joaquin, apparently, but had never seen the person's name written.
I adore the spelling of this name and the way it looks, but not so much the sound of it. It is still a favourite name of mine, but I am not sure if I would be naming my child this.
― Anonymous User 2/11/2009
1
I have always liked this name, even before the actor became famous. I have never had a problem with the pronunciation, nor has anyone I know, but I am from California. Spanish names like this are not uncommon here.
This is my son's legal name, but I always call him Jack. My husband says Jack is the American nickname for Joaquin. Not sure if that is true. I have to admit I do not like the name Joaquin and it is very difficult for most people to pronounce. He is always called Joe-Quin or even Jacqueline at doctors offices. Wish we had just named him Jack!
I don't know if it would be a good thing for this name to rise in popularity because of Joaquin Phoenix. His name sounds good because he's got a different surname to go with his first name but would you seriously consider Joaquin Smith or Jones? It sounds a bit daft.
The hype over Joaquin Phoenix has made me dislike this name. Heck, I was never even able to pronounce it properly until Joanquin Phoenix starred in "Walk the Line". It's one of those names I don't like the sound of.
Joaquin Phoenix's name was once Leaf. (?) And besides, I think this is one of those names that will become a lot more frequent as a result of his popularity. How many people knew the name Errol before Errol Flynn became famous?