My list of babies names included [name_f]Hannah[/name_f], [name_f]Daniella[/name_f], kirsty and [name_u]Kelly[/name_u], but the top of my list is the name February or Feb for short.
I have been surprised by the negative reaction to this name, even people whose children have made up names seem quite negative.
So I thought I open it up to you experts and see what you all say
[name_f]April[/name_f] was on my list too early.
February sounds very harsh. Not a fan.
It’s not my favourite month name but I can see the appeal. I don’t really like Feb as a nickname.
I would have to say it is tied with [name_f]October[/name_f] for worst month name in my opinion. I would prefer literally every other month over those two. [name_m]Even[/name_m] [name_u]March[/name_u] is better, but that may only be because of [name_m]Little[/name_m] Women.
[name_f]Kirsten[/name_f] nn [name_f]Kirsty[/name_f] is one of my longtime favorites though, so happy to see it on your list!
I think it’s very silly. The only month names that work as people names for me are [name_f]April[/name_f], [name_f]May[/name_f] and [name_u]June[/name_u] (for girls) and [name_u]August[/name_u] (for boys).
OK while I heard the above a lot no one explains to me why it is so harsh and what is so wrong with the month name?
The month name February comes from Februa, the feast of purification. Doesn’t seem like a good namesake to me. While I’m not a fan of month names, there certainly are better ones, [name_f]IMO[/name_f].
I can see the appeal…
…however, I think a big part of people’s dislike may be because it is one of the hardest months to pronounce. The “brew-air-ee” in particular is a bit of a tongue twister. Adults often mangle its pronunciation, let alone children. Also, being the shortest month on the calendar (time wise) it is often thought of as a rushed, short and abrupt month, which is another possible cause for people to feel it is a bit abrasive.
If it has special significance for you for some reason though, it is usable.
If you decide to use it, Airy would be a prettier nn than Feb. I think this is one of those names that many won’t be able to imagine until it is actually on the birth certificate.
February is one of my guilty pleasure names that I’d love to use (most likely as a middle) but would never dare to do it. To me, February is snowy and glistening, a beautiful shade of amethyst (the birthstone.)
It’s just too off the beaten track to use in real life.
What don’t you understand about the name sounding harsh? The sounds are just ugly and choppy. I beg of you, do not use this.
I agree with this. It’s the most difficult month to pronounce and to spell.
I agree- the harshness is in the Brew-air-ee. One BR- cluster is normal in a name - think [name_f]Bridget[/name_f], [name_f]Brenna[/name_f], [name_u]Brooke[/name_u]. But followed shortly by another r, it can be hard for many people to articulate. I call this the “rural juror” effect. This is even more pronounced in children, many of whom have trouble with Rs.
As a result, there’s not even a clear consensus on how February is pronounced - there are two dictionary-correct pronunciations. Some say Feb-rew-air-ee, but I know many others who say Feb-yoo-air-y. Because of this second pronunciation, a lot of people have trouble spelling the month, leaving out the first “r.”
I’m not saying you shouldn’t use it - if February has meaning for you, I do sort of like it, and I agree that Airie would be a cute NN. [name_m]Just[/name_m] explaining why people have told you they think it’s harsh!