I just wanted to hear your thoughts on the name [name]Harlem[/name] for a boy.
I know that New [name]York[/name] themed names like [name]Brooklyn[/name] and [name]Bronx[/name] have been used, so what do you think of [name]Harlem[/name]?
I know a man in his mid 20s named [name]Harlan[/name] and he likes his name. It kind of reminds me of [name]Harlow[/name]. Have you ever been to [name]Harlem[/name]? I worked there for a time and it is a very sad place i wouldnt use that name.
I love [name]Hudson[/name] more than [name]Harlem[/name]. They are both place names in NY, but to me [name]Hudson[/name] sounds happier. [name]Harlem[/name] is kind of cool though. I think of jazz.
[name]Harlem[/name]?! Are you effin’ kidding me? One of the saddest places on earth. What’s next? Staten Island, Bushwick, Hoboken? Sorry, you didn’t say if you were considering this name or just taking people’s opinions on it…ewwww.
Oh no … Not considering anything. I just wanted to see what people think about it!
I think its awful, sorry.
I assume the [name]Harlem[/name] in NYC comes from the Haarlem (sp?) in the Netherlands. But most people in the US will think of NYC before they think of [name]Holland[/name].
I don’t like it for a name due to it being tied to the city, which unfortunately is like the others have said.
I like the other suggestions - [name]Harlan[/name], [name]Harlow[/name], [name]Hudson[/name].
Having been to [name]Harlem[/name]- I would not use it. That being said when [name]Ashlee[/name] [name]Simpson[/name] used [name]Bronx[/name]- I wondered if she had ever stepped off the train there! But to each their own. I will say I have considered the name [name]Memphis[/name] and that town has charm, but is also slightly seedy.
Aside from the unfortunate place association, [name]Harlem[/name] just feels like a girls’ name to me because of the trendiness of [name]Harlow[/name].
What about [name]Holland[/name] instead?
[name]Harlem[/name]…no. No. No,no,no. [name]Just[/name] no.
It’s SUCH a place name that personally I would never use it. But I will say that [name]Harlem[/name], the place, is not nearly as awful as people like to think it is. There’s a long cultural history, and I can see why someone who would want to honor that would use [name]Harlem[/name] as a name. It’s FAR better than [name]Bronx[/name], which is both way seedier a place to be, and just sounds worse.
[name]Harlem[/name] is a place that brings up a lot of associations and connotations to many people, which is a little bit of a burden for a child’s name.
As to it being the race issue of using it or not using it. I would feel that as a white American that I don’t really have a right to a name that is so significant to the [name]African[/name]-American community.
I also find it odd that people use the names of places ([name]Bronx[/name], etc…) that they may have never even been to/have a connection with. If that’s the case, then the name is all style no substance.
I love it. Mostly because I don’t think of [name]Harlem[/name] as a place of unhappiness or pain, but of hopefulness and culture.
Not a name I’d like to see on a human being.
[name]Ryker[/name] all the way!!!
I really like it. For me this name sounds like a jazzy, strong and rebirth challenge. It’s also a bridge between 2 cultures, black’s, yes of course but also the white’s because of Dutch origins. It comes from “Haarlo-Heim” usually past [name]Harlem[/name] in English which means: “place, on sand covered with trees, higher than the others”. So nice, isn’t it ?
So [name]Harlem[/name] sounds a little bit more for a girl for me but suits so well for a guy too. And don’t matter for a white ou a black kid too!
Sorry girls, if you think this place is too sad, you don’t really know [name]Harlem[/name] [name]History[/name]. Why is too sad because, black people rights don’t respect all. There are no another reasons.
i have to admit i had thought of harlem myself and would definately use it for a boy over a girl. we didn’t choose it it because we live in chicago and it is a main street name here. people’s opinions vary, go with if you like it!