"Harsh" Names

Name Advice
1

When I think of “harsh” names, I think of two names. Brazien and [name_m]Riven[/name_m], which technically may not be names, and have less than pleasant meanings.

Brazien, pronounced just like the word brazen. It’s a rare surname, but not really recognized as a first name. I couldn’t find it in Nameberry’s database. As a surname, it’s linked to metalworking, but I’m certain that people’s minds would automatically go to brazen, as in to be bold, or without shame. That can technically be a good thing, but I think it’s largely considered a negative trait. Would that be okay as a first name?

[name_m]Riven[/name_m], is actually in the database, as both a girl and boy name. As a girls name, it describes it as ‘a successor to River’ and as a boys name, as ‘an ancient name’ and an ‘intriguing alternative to River’. [name_m]Riven[/name_m] as a word, means to split, or tear apart violently. I honestly think that’s less of a name appropriate word than Brazien, so I think it’s interesting that it’s in the database, while Brazien is not. Would this be alright as a first name?

I’d use both as boys names, and I’m curious what you’d name a sibling, brother or sister, to Brazien and [name_m]Riven[/name_m], and what you’d use as middle names?

Please answer kindly. Thanks in advance.

2

I think they work for fiction if that’s what you wear thinking. [name_m]Not[/name_m] sure on real people. [name_m]Riven[/name_m] seems doable, but sure, the meaning of the word makes it a little awkward. If it helps, I’ve never heard this does being used in this context and I doubt anyone else has.

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These are technically characters of mine, but I am curious about real like usability.

4

I actually think both are usable, especially in today’s naming landscape. A lot of modern names are chosen more for their sound and vibe than their literal meaning, and most people don’t automatically think of dictionary definitions unless they’re really obvious.

With Brazien, I agree people might connect it to “brazen,” but that isn’t entirely negative, it can also read as bold, confident, and unapologetic, which some people see as strengths. It also has that surname-style feel that’s pretty popular right now.

As for Riven, even though the literal meaning is “split” or “torn,” I don’t think that’s something most people will immediately think of in everyday use. It fits in well with names like River, Rowan, or even Raven, so it feels familiar enough to work.

They also kind of give me that American South / surname-style vibe. There are already quite a few accepted names with very obvious or “harsh” meanings, like Gunner, Hunter, Trapper, Slade or Jagger. Compared to those, Brazien and Riven don’t feel any more extreme, if anything they feel more usable and less intense.

Additionally there are already plenty of lovely accepted names with harsher or darker meanings that people don’t really question (like Mallory meaning “unfortunate” or Mara meaning “bitter”), so I don’t think either of your choices is out of place.

For siblings, I’d probably stick with names that have a similar modern, slightly edgy feel.

  • Brothers: Caspian, Orion, Atlas, Knox, Zayden, Kaison
  • Sisters: Vesper, Lyra, Nova, Arden, Teagan, Ember, Sutton

Middle names could balance things out with something more classic, like:

  • Brazien James / Brazien Alexander
  • Riven Thomas / Riven Elijah

Hope this helps!

2 Likes
5

[name_m]Other[/name_m] names I would consider harsh names

[name_m]Gage[/name_m]
[name_m]Brutus[/name_m]
[name_m]Axel[/name_m]
[name_m]Rogue[/name_m]
[name_m]Warren[/name_m]
[name_m]Riot[/name_m]
[name_m]Rebel[/name_m]
[name_m]Ryker[/name_m] / [name_m]Striker[/name_m]
[name_f]Salem[/name_f]
[name_m]Blaise[/name_m]
[name_m]Luther[/name_m]
[name_m]Haze[/name_m]

[name_f]Andromeda[/name_f]
[name_f]Lilith[/name_f]
[name_f]Ophelia[/name_f]
[name_f]Wendy[/name_f]
[name_f]Jezebel[/name_f]
[name_f]Pandora[/name_f]
[name_f]Bertha[/name_f]
[name_f]Dolores[/name_f]
[name_f]Portia[/name_f]
[name_m]Lexus[/name_m]

6

To me they feel less harsh than [name_m]Gunner[/name_m] and [name_m]Buster[/name_m] :woman_shrugging:

I prefer softish names myself. But also Brazien and [name_m]Riven[/name_m] don’t SOUND harsh. I don’t see ‘brazen’ as a bad thing, sometimes it’s the kind if courage that is needed. And [name_m]Riven[/name_m] does sound like river.

2 Likes
7

Hmm, [name_m]Riven[/name_m] I think feels doable even on a real baby (I know they’re for characters) because it does basically sound like a variant on [name_m]River[/name_m]. Honestly with my [name_m]Tolkien[/name_m] hat on I might think of Rivendell (which means ‘cleft valley’) which is kind of a nice thing to be named after?! [name_m]The[/name_m] meaning of being cleft/torn is pretty archaic and it’s likely most would not know it who aren’t etymology and/or literature nuts like many berries are. This seems like the kind of word that if it was used for a brooding anti-hero in a fantasy book, it would very quickly appear in the irl charts!

Brazien I am less sure on. It looks like it ought to be pronounced bray-zhun, like a brazier of fire? To me it reads as a smoosh between brazier and brazen. Also going against the consensus here but I do not think brazen is a positive descriptor at all; it implies a rude or shameless boldness rather than courage or confidence. In fantasy fiction, I can see it working as a character name, but probably not in any other context.