So lately I’ve really been digging the name [name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m]. I like it’s history and love the sound. After a little digging on the internet, however, I found a post on mumsnet that was quite discouraging. A lot of people seemed to think the name was contrived and posh and “poncey” (not really sure what that means, I’m American lol).
So from an American (or at least non-British) perspective, how do you like the name? I think we care a little less about names sounding pretentious on this side of the pond, so I’d like to hear what you guys have to say.
Thanks,
[name_u]Sky[/name_u]
(P.S. [name_f]Do[/name_f] you think [name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m] goes with a sibset of [name_u]Zephyr[/name_u] and [name_f]Paloma[/name_f]?)
I like [name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m] (and most Latin/Greek names) and I think it goes well with [name_u]Zephyr[/name_u] and [name_f]Paloma[/name_f]. I don’t think it’s a “posh” (upper-class, exclusive) or pretentious name, I just think it’s tasteful.
Not American, but also not British - I actually think [name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m] is cute! I don’t think it sounds poncey, although I guess I can see why some people would think it was. I think [name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m] and [name_f]Paloma[/name_f] sound good together. Not so sure about [name_u]Zephyr[/name_u]…
In the nicest possible way, I do sort of agree with the other post you found. [name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m] is cool, but too much for a real person. I am British, though!
I wouldn’t ever use the word ‘poncey’, though, because it’s quite a rude/offensive thing to say - it’s essentially a slightly more socially acceptable way to call the name ‘gay’ (although not exactly homosexual, more like effeminate).
[name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m] is a GP of mine, but I’m not sure I’d use it as a first although it could have friendly nicknames ([name_m]Tollie[/name_m], [name_u]Ollie[/name_u]). I could see it in the middle, for sure. (I’m American.)
This American does think it’s a little much. I feel the same way about [name_f]Tesla[/name_f], or [name_m]Galileo[/name_m], or super specific literary references like [name_m]Tennyson[/name_m]. They strike me as kind of validation-seeking, even if that’s not what the person intended.
I like the name, however, I would never use it as a first name as many people will pronounce it incorrectly and it’s quite an out there name. Please don’t general one or two off posts to the whole of the UK, we are nice people!
I like it in theory, but I’m afraid it might be too much name for a little boy to carry. [name_f]IMO[/name_f] it does go wonderfully with [name_f]Paloma[/name_f] and [name_u]Zephyr[/name_u]-not in style but sound. Would you be okay with siblings sharing a first letter?
Hey guys, thanks for the feedback! I see a lot of your points, especially regarding pronunciation and perceived-pretentiousness. However I still really love the look and sound of the name. Has anyone actually known or met someone with the name? [name_m]How[/name_m] has it translated to the real world?
And for those of you who HATE the name (lol), what would you suggest as the older brother for [name_u]Zephyr[/name_u] and [name_f]Paloma[/name_f]?
I wouldn’t be brave enough to use [name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m] myself, but would love to meet one! That being said, it wouldn’t work in all circles/communities. If your circle tends to be academic and intellectual, it would work better. It goes well with [name_u]Zephyr[/name_u] but is a bit too similar to [name_f]Paloma[/name_f] for me, with the “lom” and “lem” sounds being similar and the A in [name_f]Paloma[/name_f] flattened to sort of an “uh” sound similar to [name_m]Ptolemy[/name_m]'s “ee.”
Digression- I thought poncy/poncey was a not-as-nice, slangy way to say pretentious, over-the-top, or affected? I wasn’t aware of an effeminate/gay connotation. I’m not British though, I just see the word in British media sometimes.