Thoughts on naming a boy Armistice? I like that it sounds historical and on trend with using a word as a name, but I’m afraid it is too unusual. My husband and I are both [name_m]Army[/name_m] veterans, and I think it would be so cool to have a son with the nickname [name_m]Army[/name_m], and also that the name Armistice means truce. What do you think?
Armistice does not mean peace. It means to stop fighting. So this name to me implies the presence of a (prior or current) conflict.
Okay, yes, but even the word peace implies the presence of a prior conflict. One Merriam-[name_m]Webster[/name_m] definition of peace: “agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war.”
I think it seems a little too weighty for a first name, and I could see it leading to some teasing. However, I think it would be a super cool middle!
I also prefer it as a middle name (which he could still go by!), though with [name_u]Justice[/name_u] being in the top 500 I could see it as a first name. [name_m]Army[/name_m] brings to mind violent images, but since it’s only a nickname and it means something to you then I suppose it’s fine. [name_u]Ari[/name_u] would also be a cute nickname.
I disagree, peace is peace. It’s the absence of conflict. Armistice is something that follows a war. Armi-stice means the standing still (stice) of weapons (arms).
Another concerning connotation is that armistice is often only a temporary ceasing to fight, with the original conflict not being resolved.
And [name_m]Army[/name_m] as a nickname, I wouldn’t want that for myself or my child. Arms = weapons. It’s aggressive and combative and I’m not sure it really succeeds at communicating the positive connection you and your husband have to your past occupations.
I would try to find a different word that carries the same positive connotations for you. I really like [name_u]Justice[/name_u], as suggested.
You’re disagreeing with the dictionary? Wow. Okay, I didn’t realize this forum was so combative. Btw [name_u]Justice[/name_u] is certainly not all rainbows and kittens–[name_u]Justice[/name_u] has negative connotations because it often involves conflict and assigning punishment.
I tried to help you with feedback on your name. I’m not here to argue with you.
You are using improper definitions of peace and armistice. I care about etymology, which is why I was trying to point out the difference to you. [name_u]Peace[/name_u] can precede war, but armistice by definition can’t. The word in itself carries warfare in its name.
The definition you quote for peace is a selection that supports your point, m-w.com has several definitions for it and “state of tranquility” is the main one. m-w.com’s definition for armistice is “temporary stopping of open acts of warfare by agreement between the opponents”. I have even looked up the etymology of the word, since you would be using “[name_m]Army[/name_m]” as a nickname.
[name_u]Peace[/name_u] and war are antonyms, whereas war is an implication of armistice. That’s my feedback for you.
If you ask for feedback on a forum, I would ask you to be open to receive feedback. You can still like and even use Armistice. But I’ve given you my feedback, and I’m respectfully bowing out of this conversation now.
I’m really not a fan. Armistice feels heavy to me, and doesn’t sound like a name. I also agree with PPs that [name_m]Army[/name_m] brings to mind violence, rather than the pride of serving your country (which I think is probably closer to what you’re going for). However, it sort of sounds like you’ve made up your mind about the name.
I certainly don’t want to argue. I came on what I thought was a lighthearted forum to get some feedback on a name. I respect your opinion, and I wish you had left it at that, but I’m going to respond when you say the definition I quoted straight from the dictionary was “improper.” I was straightforward when I said it was “a” definition. The existence of other definitions, which I acknowledged, doesn’t negate the definition I quoted.
Your preference for etymology over a dictionary definition is just fine if that’s what matters more to you when picking names, but it’s almost comical that you’re saying the dictionary definition is wrong. I’m actually sitting here amused that someone on a baby names forum is trying to tell me I’m wrong when quoting from Merriam-[name_m]Webster[/name_m]. In real life, I’m an attorney, and your dismissal of a dictionary definition wouldn’t pass muster outside of internet forums.
It’s also interesting that you think peace can exist in a vacuum without there ever being a prior conflict. I wish that could be true, but until time machines are invented, peace will always and necessarily follow conflict.
This place reminds me of the Knot. The Knot was overrun with Senior Members who liked to throw their weight around. The Knot eventually banned many of them because they made newcomers feel so unwelcome.
Thank you for the feedback. I definitely haven’t already made up my mind. Armistice isn’t even in my top 10.
One of my [name_m]Army[/name_m] friends named her son [name_m]Cannon[/name_m]. I’m guessing that name wouldn’t be well received on this forum either, though it’s #549. I guess quite a few people don’t mind the violent connotations of [name_m]Cannon[/name_m], even though apparently a name signaling the end of a conflict (Armistice) is so negative.
I definitely like the meaning it has for you and your husband, but I’m not entirely sure it works as a first name. It just seems a little much. I like how a pp described it as ‘weighty’ (perhaps that’s closer to what I’m trying to say!)
I do, however, like it as a middle. I think maybe a first name that also has meaning to you, and then Armistice would be great. I also think you could still call him [name_m]Army[/name_m]!
I’d also like to suggest [name_m]Armand[/name_m], which probably isnt your style, but could lead to nn [name_m]Army[/name_m] as well (the actor Armie Hammer comes to mind!) While I’m not personally a fan of [name_m]Army[/name_m] (I’m unsure how I feel about it), I think the sound of it is super cute and I like how meaningful it is for you.
Good luck!!
It’s too long and difficult for others to spell, in my opinion. If you’re to pick a long name, I think it should be a really standardized spelling like [name_m]Alexander[/name_m] is. Still, it’s an interesting virtue name. And it sounds like a name. I would keep it as a middle name.
I wouldn’t expect this to be a “light-hearted” forum. A forum implies diverging opinions and the poster’s ability to tolerate that. It is hardly a microagression to find the name Armistice inappropriate. If folks can’t stand the heat, perhaps they should get out of the kitchen.
I like it. It’s interesting. I come from an [name_m]Army[/name_m] family and was in the service myself. I’ve seen boys and girls named [name_u]Hunter[/name_u]. [name_m]Ryder[/name_m], [name_m]Archer[/name_m], and [name_m]Gunnar[/name_m]/[name_m]Gunner[/name_m] are also well-known names so I don’t see how Armistice could be worse than those, when they evoke more of a violent imagery.
Yes, I definitely expected diverging opinions on a forum, and I also expected some people to have negative opinions of the name Armistice. That was the whole reason I posted about it because I know it is rarely used as a name, and I wanted to hear reasons why. I just didn’t expect such strong disagreement on the accuracy of a definition from an authoritative dictionary and being told I was being “improper” quoting from the dictionary. I never said anything was a microaggression.
Thanks everyone for the feedback! Armistice hasn’t even been in our top 10, and I don’t expect that to change. I really like the idea of it in theory, but clearly there are reasons it’s such a rarely used name. We’ve been much more traditional in picking names for our other children, and I expect we will pick a traditional name with this next one, too.
[name_m]Just[/name_m] wanted to hop on and say that, though I’m probably in the minority, I quite like it! I think it’s a strong name with a powerful history, and I think [name_m]Army[/name_m] is a cute nickname! Honestly, I like it a lot!!
I also think that definitions and words take a very different meaning to people based on past experience…
As a military wife/family, Armistice and [name_m]Army[/name_m] are not “violent”, “dangerous” things to me. Rather, they are quite the opposite. They conjure images of strength, unity, peace, and protection.
I can understand how other people may have other perspectives on it, and there is no right or wrong perspective. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether or not other peoples opinions or perspectives are enough of a detriment to affect your name choice! I definitely wouldn’t scratch it from your list just yet! 
Good luck!
I do see Armistice as being “heavy”, but it’s no worse than the widely accepted [name_u]Hunter[/name_u] so I don’t really see the problem, I think it’s quite handsome. However, especially considering you usually go for more traditional names I would put it in the middle (if you do middles). [name_u]James[/name_u] Armistice, [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] Armistice, [name_m]Alexander[/name_m] Armistice, [name_m]Felix[/name_m] Armistice, [name_m]Julian[/name_m] Armistice, [name_m]Ambrose[/name_m] Armistice ect. are very nice [name_f]IMO[/name_f]. I liked PP’s suggestion of [name_m]Armand[/name_m], maybe you would like [name_u]Armel[/name_u] or Armas?
I think it’s okay, I think Armie/[name_m]Army[/name_m] is a cool nickname! I do prefer [name_m]Armin[/name_m]/[name_m]Armand[/name_m] or [name_m]Armistead[/name_m], because I’m not as much of a fan of the “is-tis” sound, personally. I think it’s usable though.