I gave my son the name [name_m]Arthur[/name_m] (it’s his grandfather’s middle name). My husband wasn’t wild about it, but I loved it. I didn’t notice this before he was born, but a lot of people pronounce his name “author” (including many of my family members, due to their accent). Also, most young children say “author” as well because they have trouble forming “r’s.”
None of this would be a big deal (and maybe it’s not?) but I am an author, and now I feel like a weirdo who named my child after my profession (which I most certainly did not!). I have no idea how I didn’t notice the arthur/author connection before he was born (my mom pointed it out when my son was about 6 weeks old), because now that’s all I think about when I hear his name. I keep telling myself to stop worrying about it, but my frustration is still lingering as [name_m]Arthur[/name_m] approaches his 1st birthday.
His middle name is [name_m]Gregory[/name_m] (his dad’s name), so I’ve considered asking everyone to start calling him that, or [name_u]Ari[/name_u] (we don’t like [name_m]Artie[/name_m] or [name_m]Art[/name_m]). [name_f]Do[/name_f] you think it’s too late to make a change in what people call him (I would not change his name on his birth certificate)? What do you think of [name_u]Ari[/name_u] as a nickname for [name_m]Arthur[/name_m]? Am I crazy for even letting the author thing bother me?
Thanks so much in advance for anyone who responds:-)
I wouldn’t use [name_m]Gregory[/name_m] because it’s a whole different name but [name_u]Ari[/name_u] definitely works as a nn for [name_m]Arthur[/name_m]. As the children get older the will be able to pronounce it correctly, so you can always “go back” to [name_m]Arthur[/name_m]. I would call him both names at home and when around family just use [name_u]Ari[/name_u]
[name_m]Don[/name_m]'t let the author thing bother you. It’s just the accent. I’m sure everyone is perfectly aware that his name is [name_m]Arthur[/name_m].
[name_m]Arthur[/name_m] is a really common name therefore I would also say that most people are aware that his name is [name_m]Arthur[/name_m] although they may pronounce it a bit differently because of an accent, …
It’d be perfectly fine. As children grow they will learn to pronounce it correctly and with the adults it’s just their accent. There is no need to change what name you call him. [name_u]Ari[/name_u] is my favorite nickname for [name_m]Arthur[/name_m].
I guess I’m not you and don’t know what that feels like, but I really wouldn’t worry. [name_m]Arthur[/name_m] is a time-honored name, a family name, and a kingly name. It doesn’t bring up the “[name_m]Author[/name_m]” connotation for me at all.
I love the name [name_m]Arthur[/name_m] and really surprised to hear people would be pronouncing it [name_m]Author[/name_m]? Where do you live that people have such an accent? I think [name_u]Ari[/name_u] is fine as a nn but I also think it’s not necessary. I’d only do it if you really liked [name_u]Ari[/name_u] and wanted to use it. [name_m]Don[/name_m]'t feel pressure b/c certainly people know the name [name_m]Arthur[/name_m]. It’s a very classic name.
Thanks all:-) That helps a lot. I’m from [name_m]New[/name_m] Orleans (no, I’m sorry… “N’Awlins,” where “R’s” aren’t widespread:-)) We don’t live there anymore. I heard relatives pronounce [name_m]Arthur[/name_m]'s name prior to birth, and although I knew they didn’t exactly say it right, I didn’t make the ‘author’ connection (those with a [name_m]New[/name_m] Orleans accent say it more like “autha,” which is exactly how they pronounce ‘someone who wrote a book’) I really should just laugh it off, but I’ve gotten myself worked up about it for some reason.
Agreed. [name_m]Arthur[/name_m] is meaningful, and [name_m]Arthur[/name_m] [name_m]Gregory[/name_m] is delightful. I’m sure your son will appreciate having such a close family tie. While I hope to be a future author, I never would have thought an author would have chosen [name_m]Arthur[/name_m] just to honor her own profession? That seems a bit silly to me, that people would assume that. I think [name_u]Ari[/name_u] is a great alternative–if you love it–and can imagine that little kids saying [name_u]Ari[/name_u] would be adorable! [name_m]Arthur[/name_m] nn [name_u]Ari[/name_u] is great fun.
I have family from the South too and I knew exactly what you meant! I think it’s kind of charming.
I am seconding what everyone else has said: I’m sure your family knows what his name is and how to spell it, I highly doubt anyone thought it was a conceited choice on your part, and that when the little ones grow up, they will probably be able to pronounce it better. [name_m]Even[/name_m] if they can’t, I don’t really see it being a problem, because it’s hardly something you can really tease someone about, as [name_m]Author[/name_m] isn’t really a funny word.
I imagine that if I were introduced to your son by one of your family members and they said “This is Awh-thuh” I would assume it was [name_m]Arthur[/name_m]. In fact, I didn’t make the [name_m]Author[/name_m] connection until your pointed it out! [name_m]Just[/name_m] keep mum on it and it’ll fade away.
I’ve never heard anyone pronounce [name_m]Arthur[/name_m] as [name_m]Author[/name_m] before! The only accent that would that I’ve heard is Irish and that depends on the person (I say that because my CPR instructor said it like “see-pee-OR” instead of “are”)
But I agree I’m positive everyone would know it was [name_m]Arthur[/name_m] regardless how they said it
I would strongly advise against calling your son by his middle name. My husband is known exclusively by his middle name, but obviously his first name is still on all of his documents and stuff. It gets very confusing and he absolutely hates it. (He wants to change his legal name to his middle name, but the process is just too crazy). He has asked his mother before “If you were going to call me X, why not just name me X!”
I think your situation is slightly different than his, but I would still advise against it. I just think it would be too confusing and you (and then your son when he gets older) would have to explain yourself over and over again.
I can see how the [name_m]Arthur[/name_m]/author thing would bother you, but my first instinct is that it must be people with accents pronouncing his name like this. My grandfathers name was [name_m]Arthur[/name_m] and where I live, I never heard anyone call him “author”.
However, I do think [name_u]Ari[/name_u] is a great nickname for [name_m]Arthur[/name_m]! It feels more modern than [name_m]Artie[/name_m], but still fits the name, is really cute and will age well.
My opinion is go with [name_u]Ari[/name_u]. That way you avoid any confusion with “His name is [name_m]Arthur[/name_m] but he goes by [name_m]Gregory[/name_m]” and you can avoid the mispronunciation thing (for the most part).
I wouldn’t change his name to something besides [name_m]Arthur[/name_m]. Maybe [name_m]Art[/name_m] or [name_m]Thor[/name_m] as a nn would work instead.
[name_m]Arthur[/name_m] is a very handsome name and just because some of your family’s accents don’t make the distinction doesn’t mean your son will always live in places where that will be an issue. (Also little kids grow up, so the r problems will eventually be resolved for most).
