[name_f]My[/name_f] husband is pretty set on [name_u]Axel[/name_u] for a boy, I’m not sure I like it but I don’t want to shut it down because he seems to like it so much. But I keep reading that it sounds like a$$hole in [name_f]English[/name_f] or it’s tacky and sounds like the parents are trying too hard to be cool. We live in the US so it’s not something to overlook.
Aksil is a transcription of the name from his language (not the scandinavian [name_m]Absalom[/name_m], this one means cheetah or something like that). Would that sound better or would it be the same? Would people assume we’re just butchering [name_u]Axel[/name_u]? We live in a very diverse area so names from all over the world are common.
I’ve never thought that [name_u]Axel[/name_u] sounded like that word… even when you point it out, I don’t really hear it and think that’s a stretch.
I would stick with [name_u]Axel[/name_u] for the simple fact that Aksil will never have his name spelled correctly in the US. If you were concerned about the pronunciation, changing the spelling doesn’t skirt that issue either.
Aksil does seem like it has a different vibe - less ‘cool, edgy and sparky’ and more ‘international, rugged and solid’. I think I’d assume it was a different name, similar to Axel but different
I’m from the UK and it doesn’t sound like a-hole when you say [name_u]Axel[/name_u] at all. I know someone who’s names their kid [name_u]Axel[/name_u] and it is a cool name and isn’t tacky at all. I think you should stick with [name_u]Axel[/name_u] as it also looks better than Aksil.
So as a native-speaker of [name_f]English[/name_f], I can maybe see how in a crowded and/or noisy room someone might think “Axel” was that word but it is a common enough name that in normal circumstances I don’t think it would be misheard.
Aksil as a transcription is really cool and I think it’s totally fine!
If you don’t like it that much, though, don’t be afraid to discuss it with him!
I don’t think it sounds like that at all! I was going to say I prefer [name_u]Axel[/name_u], but I think I prefer the look of Aksil! It has a cool, rugged feel about it
I have it noted too! I just figured it was pronounced the same as [name_u]Axel[/name_u] and pondering if the a…hole thing was enough to bar it and if Aksil might sound different in [name_f]English[/name_f]
Oh, I see. Sorry I didn’t read your post super thoroughly! I would instinctively pronounce all three the same way, and none of them remind me of the word a**hole.
I always thought it was weird Americans consider [name_u]Axel[/name_u] “too out there” or that “the parents tried too hard time be cool”. It’s extremely popular here in [name_u]France[/name_u]. We have boys named [name_u]Axel[/name_u], [name_m]Aksel[/name_m] or Aksil (Aksel and Aksil are more used by the turkish and algerian communities)
I think either would work but personally would choose the more common spelling. But if you don’t like Axel, I think you should try to find a different name your husband would agree with rather than change the spelling so both parents are happy with the name. Are there other names popular Scandinavia that you like, or something very international, e.g. Max (no butchering is possible), Victor, Oscar? Felix? Jasper? Adam? Magnus? Nils? Lars? Carl?
I would never think it sounds like @$$hole. I’ve never heard of that before. [name_f]My[/name_f] grandad was [name_m]Danish[/name_m] and his first name was [name_u]Axel[/name_u]. I think it sounds and looks great, its Scandi origins are well known and I’ve never heard of anyone thinking it was tacky. It’s a cool, normal, respectable name - like [name_m]Odin[/name_m], [name_m]Oscar[/name_m] or [name_u]Max[/name_u]. Personally - I wish I had a cool name! What a gift.
But spelling it Aksil looks like you’re trying to be even cooler, like quirky and different. Plus it’ll be so annoying for him to spell all his life. [name_m]Just[/name_m] stick with [name_u]Axel[/name_u], it’s a great name.
I would never connect [name_u]Axel[/name_u] to that word, and like others said, even after you mention that I really don’t hear it. I think [name_u]Axel[/name_u] is probably the better spelling, it’ll be simpler to use in the USA. Another idea is [name_m]Eskil[/name_m], which sounds kinda similar.
