Is Denis usable?

I’m not having a baby anytime soon but I’m currently loving the name Denis and was wondering whether this name is usable. It has european roots, which I love cause I’m european myself, however it rhymes with a private part (p…) and I’m afraid about the teasing potentional. Which is such a pity because rewriting the name to Dennis ruins the connection to me (and Denis just looks more sleek). What do you think? Could I use the name Denis in the future? Or should I cross it off from my name list because of the unfortunate connection?

I think [name_u]Denis[/name_u] is totally useable, and especially if you love the connection, I say go for it! The only thing is, I have seen [name_u]Denis[/name_u] (and Deniz) be used as girl names (pn Denise), so make sure that doesn’t bother you!!

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I wouldn’t say that it rhymes with penis, just that it looks similar when written down. I wouldn’t have noticed it had you not pointed it out. [name_f]My[/name_f] only association is [name_m]Dennis[/name_m] the Menace. I do think it’s usable, just a bit out of style right now.

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[name_u]Denis[/name_u] and penis do not rhyme in [name_f]English[/name_f].

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I know what you mean. I personally would lean more toward the double-n spelling for that reason, but I agree that the look and feel would change. I have to imagine that the connection may come up at some point during his childhood. [name_m]Just[/name_m] make sure he can write his D’s very clearly. :wink:

I’d pronounce this Denn-is/deh-nis rather than Dee-nis? So I don’t think it would be a big issue, but maybe, if you know any teenage boys, run it past them, see if they pick up on it, or if they’d point it out?

[name_f]My[/name_f] main association with the name in general is [name_m]Dennis[/name_m] the Menace, but that’s kinda fun. I think it could work :person_shrugging:

I just met a grown [name_u]Denis[/name_u] spelled this way and I don’t think he’s had any problems with it. I certainly didn’t make the connection you’re pointing out here.

[name_u]Denis[/name_u] and penis don’t rhyme in [name_f]English[/name_f] (unless you mean they rhyme in your native language?). I never noticed the similarity in spelling before reading this thread. I think [name_u]Denis[/name_u] is usable.

As others have said, they don’t rhyme, but tbh I still wouldn’t put it past preteen kids to pick up on the similar spelling anyway… That said there is always teasing potential with any name, really.

[name_f]My[/name_f] only other niggle is that in my head [name_u]Denis[/name_u] reads as the [name_u]French[/name_u] pn dah-nee / duh-nee rather than deh-niss.