Still hesitating between two names for our baby, [name_m]Sol[/name_m] Victor’s little brother:
[name_m]Frej[/name_m] (Frey) — a solid option, since we’ve liked it for a long time. It has a mythological reference (the Nordic god of love and fertility), is familiar but rare, and is an old traditional name that still sounds modern (just like Sol). We’d keep the Swedish spelling, so he’d probably have to spell his name out where we live and get used to people mispronouncing it, though. I’m from a Nordic country, so at least my side of the family would know how to pronounce it.
[name_m]Sirius[/name_m] — we love the meaning, the star reference, and the way the name sounds in both our languages. I’m just afraid it might still be too tied to the [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m] fandom! (husband doesn’t care since he hasn’t read the books, but I used to be a big fan as a teenager )
We were set on [name_m]Frej[/name_m] since it was the only name we both liked enough, until my partner told me he actually likes [name_m]Sirius[/name_m], which had kind of been a guilty-pleasure name for me. But the fact that he likes it made me reconsider it… siriusly.
[name_f]Any[/name_f] thoughts on these names in general?
I much prefer [name_m]Sirius[/name_m], especially with [name_m]Sol[/name_m], however, I do think the connection to [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m] (being a hardcore [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m] fan) is a lot. Plus the similarities to the word ‘serious’. As much as I’d love to know there’s a little sibset called [name_m]Sol[/name_m] and [name_m]Sirius[/name_m] running around somewhere, I think [name_m]Frej[/name_m] is the safer option.
Definitely [name_m]Frej[/name_m]! It’s cool, simple and striking, just like [name_m]Sol[/name_m]
[name_m]Sirius[/name_m] has a nice sound and vibe but is a) strongly associated with HP; b) a bit matchy with [name_m]Sol[/name_m] - both S star names; and c) a bit close to “serious”.
Unsure where you live but if you live in a majority English-speaking country I would probably go with [name_m]Sirius[/name_m]. Could you do [name_m]Sirius[/name_m] [name_m]Frej[/name_m] as the full name? I think it’s a cool combo
I prefer [name_m]Frej[/name_m] for Sol’s brother but feel like it could be a hassle if you aren’t living in a Nordic country. Since HBO is remaking HP I wouldn’t expect that connection to go away any time soon with [name_m]Sirius[/name_m]. [name_m]The[/name_m] only other cultural association I can think of is XM radio.
Personally, I favor [name_m]Frej[/name_m] – I love his short but impactful sound & the mythological connections. [name_m]Frej[/name_m] & [name_m]Sol[/name_m] would make the coolest brothers!
[name_m]Sirius[/name_m] is a guilty pleasure name for me, but I would be over the moon to meet a little [name_m]Sirius[/name_m] irl. I love the alliteration of [name_m]Sol[/name_m] & [name_m]Sirius[/name_m], and though the [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m] connection is certainly prominent, it’s not necessarily a negative connection… so I wouldn’t worry too much about it.
Have you chosen a middle name yet? [name_m]You[/name_m] could always go for [name_m]Frej[/name_m] [name_m]Sirius[/name_m] or [name_m]Sirius[/name_m] [name_m]Frej[/name_m]!
I like [name_m]Frej[/name_m] better with [name_m]Sol[/name_m]. Yes, it will be mispronounced, but it is an easy correction. Same goes for the spelling, since it is only four letters. I can never get over [name_m]Sirius[/name_m] sounding the same as the word “serious” (at least in my accent.) Best of luck!
Whilst [name_m]Sol[/name_m] and [name_m]Sirius[/name_m] sound perfectly storybook together, I’d agree with the above that the new HP series means that connection isn’t going anywhere any time soon. Which is a shame, because the star existed before and it’s a lovely name, but - worth taking into account how much you want the fandom connection hovering over the name. Also, there is the drawback of sounding like ‘serious’.
[name_m]Sol[/name_m] and [name_m]Frej[/name_m] are so cool together and whilst the spelling might be a stumbling block I’d say it’s comparable with the fandom/‘serious’ problem of [name_m]Sirius[/name_m] so doesn’t really create a disadvantage for [name_m]Frej[/name_m] between the two options. [name_m]You[/name_m] get the distinct initials, and two international, magical names. I’m team [name_m]Frej[/name_m]!
I think you could choose either name and be happy either way. I would try to weigh up which downsides would bother you the most and what you would prefer to deal with – mispronunciation and spelling verses assumptions about HP fandom. Both are likely to encounter some questions or need clarification because they are not common names.
[name_m]You[/name_m] can counter the downsides by having an easy explanation ready, for instance “it’s a male version of [name_f]Freya[/name_f], we spell it with a j the Swedish way instead of a y”. [name_m]Sirius[/name_m] could go by a nickname like [name_f]Siri[/name_f] or [name_m]Rus[/name_m] in casual settings. “We actually just love the name and astronomy” could counter any HP comments.
I’m don’t have a strong favourite. I initially was drawn to [name_m]Frej[/name_m] because it feels more accessible as a name and has gentle sound like [name_m]Sol[/name_m]. However, I really enjoy names ending in ‘s’ and I like the different cadence and length [name_m]Sirius[/name_m] offers. [name_m]Sol[/name_m] and [name_m]Frej[/name_m], on the other hand, are a slightly matchy as short one syllable names.
Lastly, with [name_m]Frej[/name_m] being the only option you both liked enough on until recently, it almost seems like choosing by default. So in that sense, [name_m]Sirius[/name_m] is the more romantic or impulsive name story verses the steady, reliable love.
So, both names sound like they could be right for your family. All the best with your decision!
[name_m]Frej[/name_m], [name_m]Frej[/name_m], [name_m]Frej[/name_m]! [name_m]Sirius[/name_m] is lovely but I hesitate for the same reasons as others have mentioned. I was never into HP, but it’s still too tied to it for me. I adore [name_m]Frej[/name_m] though and he pairs perfectly with [name_m]Sol[/name_m]!
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