Hubby really loves the name Algernon for a boy. (Al-jer-non...stress is on the first syllable)
I see nothing wrong with it and it works well with us because it is a literary reference - from 'The Importance of Being Earnest" and a poet we both like called Algernon Swinburne. I am ambivalent about the name...I like it but don't mind if we come up with something else. However hubby is totally enamored with Algernon and it just so happens that we cannot agree on any other boys name.
The girls name we have chosen is a big literary reference as well and never actually existed as a name before the particular author used it. Same with Algernon...it was never a name before being used in literature.
My mum HATES Algernon because nicknames for Algernon include 'Al', 'Ally' and 'Algie'...she says we cannot call the baby Algernon if it is a boy because when my sister was 3 years old she had one of those tank cleaning fish and called it 'Algie'.
However
My mum said I should call my kid Zebedee (sp? a biblical name) if it is a boy. I mentioned that Zebedee was the name of the grumpy, snarly, snappy terrier dog she had before her current one. Yeah mum, that makes sense.
LOL I thought so. As I said, I am not 100% stuck on it, but hubby really is. I really like Mitchell but hubby hates it :-(
I also adore Hebrew versions and variants of Michael - Mikel, Michel, Mikayel etc etc...but again. Hubby hates them. He is so totally and utterly stuck on Algernon and just will not budge. I can see both pros and cons to Algernon...so am a bit of a fence sitter. I like the name but when it actually comes to giving it to my child I am not 100% yet...
Maybe I tell him "if it's a girl I name it, if it's a boy, you name it" and just grin and put up with it???
Angela, in the end it is up to you and your partner. Personally, I don't really like it and can't imagine calling a boy that. However, diversity makes the world go around... we can't call all boys Peter or Zebedee LOL.
I am not a fan. I would worry that he would get teased. Kids can be cruel and I would worry if it was my child. He would have to have a certain type of personality to carry it off and its hard to tell when they are born.
If your partner likes it so much and you arent 100% keen on it then you shouldnt have it as your child's first name. Maybe a middle name???
It is both of your decisions so make sure you agree. He needs to compromise as well not just you.
I think girls can get away with more unusual names then boys. Oh and another thing to tell your DP is ppl will almost ALWAYS shorten other peoples names, esp boys! Think of when he is in high scchool...running on a footy field or playing cricket, they all shorten each others names.
hey there
As a huge Oscar Wilde fan, I understand the reference, but as you sure you wnt your child named after Algernon? - he was not the sharpest tool in the shed, iykwim...
It is of course your decision, but if you are not 100% with it yourself, find something else - I would hate tot think that in 3 years time when youare sick of it that you dont like your sons name!
Also, the name Algernon was around long before it was used by Oscar Wilde. It is French (Norman) in origin and means "wearing a moustache" It was first used as a nicname for Wiliiam de Percy, companion of William the Conquerer in the 11th century as he uncharacteristically for the time wore facial hair.
Just for your information! I love etymology! lol *geek*
Good luck with your name search and the rest of pregnancy, I am sure when you meeet your little person their name will be obvious
Children aren't that into teasing about names these day I have found being a teacher. Honestly loads of people go for very unusual names these days, just look here on BB for example, and people just get used to them.
At the end of the day some people will think OMG what a terrible name about anything that is not what THEY would use so I wouldn't be too stressed about what people think.
Whilst I may not be a big fan of Algernon you might hate the name Riley so who am I to advise you?
i think there is nothing wrong with it.....
and on the kids being cruel they are to any kid no matter what there name is...even something plain and boring like peter will get paid out.
you still have 20 weeks to get your head around it or not..
Yeah I knew Algernon was the French term for 'wearing a mustache" but I meant that that is technically terminology, and not a 'name' as such LOL. Please excuse the literature nerd in me! Good to see someone else who is familiar with the name!
I guess Algie in the book wasn't too bright but I love that when he leaves the city to pretend to be Earnest, he shaves off his mustache. Therefore he is not technically Algernon anymore! Yay to the brains and bizarre humour of Wilde!Hahaha...
Okay. We're total nerds in this house. I admit it.
The girls name is "Wendy" which JM Barrie used in Peter Pan. It didn't not exist as a technical name before that - except probably as a nickname to Gwendolyn. JM Barrie used Wendy because he had a young relative (cousin? sister? niece? not sure...) who could not pronounce the word "friend" properly and instead said "you're my fwend". Fwend became Fwendy so they started calling the young lady fwendy as a pet name all because she could not pronounce "friend".
And so the name Wendy was born. Or so the story goes.
I also like the girl's name Florence (Florry), Veerle (veer-la...dutch for "feather" apparently), Phyllida, Violet, Caofhlynn (Cree-lin or kee-lin...an old celtic name).
I agree that kids just don't pick on names much any more. At least not the kids I know. Our kids go to an independent school - the names are sometimes unusual... Our kids have very very ordinary names in comparison!
I already have Algie firmly in my mind as your babies name - and it seems ordinary already. I have heard some very different names that really really grow on me - as the kids that have been given those names are so beautiful! So, it's not really an issue.
I have a friend who is Wendy - and she is magical and wise and oh so gorgeous. So Wendy reminds me of those things...
I really liked Daphne & Mabel - the very few I shared that with really laughed and asked if I was serious! I wish I hadn't said anything as it really stopped me using the name. I was so sick & Imogen was so sick that I didn't have energy for tisk tisking over names.
I love Imogen's name - just that Daph was a favourite!
Anyway - I suggest using the next 20 weeks give or take to see how it fits - good luck again!
Sorry, I dont like it at all, but as others have said, its your child and you should call it whatever you like. No matter what name you choose there will be someone that doesnt like it, so long as you and DH like it and think its appropriate, thats all that matters.
Personally, I think it's a horrible name. However it's your child, not mine.
As for kids, they will tease no matter what. Be it a name, glasses, lisp, the way you walk, the way you dress.... I don't think a name will make a difference really. I mean if you were to go name your kid something like Ben Dover then you would be asking for it but ykwim.
I work in education and see a lot of old fashioned and just strange names....all boys...Vivien, James Bond, Jimmy Hendrix, Rabbit Warren (yes seriously)
I actually quite like Algernon. I love The Importance of Being Earnest, and 'Algie' is a great nickname at any age. The only reason not to go for it, is if you aren't really keen on it. See if maybe you can find some of the older European names that both of you like?
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Is this really so bad?
It's unusual, it means something to you both and I actually really like the shortened versions as well.
Our kids have very very ordinary names in comparison!
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