I love the name [name_f]Gretchen[/name_f] and I keep coming back to it. However any time it comes up on Nameberry it gets really negative reactions. So I have to ask is [name_f]Gretchen[/name_f] really bad and so is my taste or is it actually alright?
I actually love the name [name_f]Gretchen[/name_f].
As for your signature, I don’t love every single name, but overall I think you have really nice taste
It’s not awful, but there many variants that I’d much more prefer. I think it doesn’t help that the Mean Girl’s character [name_f]Gretchen[/name_f] Weiners exists, so it’s a little bit more negative. There’s no actual problem with it though, and if a bunch of kids grew up hearing the name, I doubt theyd have any problem with it. Your sig does have ups and downs, but I wont give a full explanation unless you want it
I think it’s a nice name. I also like [name_f]Greta[/name_f].
I like it - but I don’t think I have a fashionable taste in names! eg I love [name_f]Bronwen[/name_f], [name_u]Regan[/name_u], [name_f]Greer[/name_f], [name_f]Tamsin[/name_f]/[name_f]Tamasin[/name_f]/[name_f]Thomasin[/name_f], [name_f]Ingrid[/name_f], [name_f]Sigrid[/name_f], [name_f]Bridget[/name_f], which seem to me to have a similar feel but are not often used. Also love [name_f]Greta[/name_f].
I’ve never had a problem with it. I don’t know why it gets such a bad rap sometimes. I think it’s sweet and strong.
I remember hearing “retchin’ [name_f]Gretchen[/name_f].” I can’t remember what it’s from. The sound of the name is a turn-off for me.
I do have to say that [name_f]Gretchen[/name_f] is one name where I just don’t see the appeal at all. People have different styles and preferences! So I don’t think anyone can really judge anyone, it’s not about that. So I wouldn’t call it awful, just not my personal taste and it does leave scratching my head a bit every time.
But, I have a different background: I grew up in Germany, so I’d pronounce the name slightly differently (with a long instead of a short eh, if that makes sense). With that [name_m]German[/name_m] background, it doesn’t feel like a full name to me, as -chen is a diminutive of names like [name_f]Greta[/name_f], [name_f]Grete[/name_f], Annegret, [name_f]Margarete[/name_f]. If I had to pick one of these, I might go with [name_f]Greta[/name_f] and use the nn [name_f]Gretchen[/name_f].
It also feels like a super grandma name to me, and that’s not my style either, though I could see it come back along with names such as [name_f]Anneliese[/name_f], [name_f]Frieda[/name_f], [name_f]Elsa[/name_f].
I love [name_f]Gretchen[/name_f]! I’ve always wondered why it has been given a bad wrap too, but I think it’s just personal preference.
I also agree that it’s an “older” name, which some people don’t like. However, I love old names and making them feel “fresh” again.
I dont mind it but it isn’t my fave. For growing up now it might be ok but anyone my age i think associates it with gretchen wieners. the retchin gretchen sounds familiar too.
To me, [name_f]Gretchen[/name_f] is horrible because it rhymes with and sounds like wretching. I love [name_f]Greta[/name_f] though and [name_f]Gretel[/name_f] is OK.
Ooo I really don’t like it. I don’t like the sound of it. I think it’s the “retch” sound.
[name_f]Greer[/name_f], [name_f]Gretel[/name_f] and [name_f]Greta[/name_f] I like.
[name_f]Gertrude[/name_f], [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] and [name_f]Kathleen[/name_f] are other names I’ll never be on board with.
I personally wouldn’t use it but I can totally see where you are coming from, the more I say it the more I like it. I really like [name_f]Greta[/name_f] and I feel like it carries the same issues as [name_f]Gretchen[/name_f].
I just don’t like how it sounds.
And I also feel that it’s dated. I can’t picture [name_f]Gretchen[/name_f] on a baby or child.
I like [name_f]Gretchen[/name_f], even though I prefer [name_f]Greta[/name_f] or [name_f]Grete[/name_f]. The problem with [name_f]Gretchen[/name_f] for me is that I don’t like the way it’s pronounced in English speaking countries.
I really don’t like it, it sounds to me like an involuntary bodily function or malevolent woodland creature. And I like other similar, serious sounding names - like [name_f]Imogen[/name_f], [name_f]Ingrid[/name_f], [name_f]Anneka[/name_f], [name_f]Greta[/name_f], [name_f]Irene[/name_f] and [name_f]Maeve[/name_f] - so it’s not a matter of only liking soft and whimsical!
I’m really not a fan of how [name_f]Gretchen[/name_f] sounds. It’s that retch in the middle, plus Gre- which I don’t find the nicest sound. I have plenty of names that don’t necessarily have the most beautiful, elegant, graceful sound, but [name_f]Gretchen[/name_f] hasn’t got the best imagery either for me. However, I have seen others really like her, and I don’t think it’s the worst name ever; it could work. Actually saying it aloud a few times, it doesn’t sound as awful as I think it would be.
Your taste in names isn’t my style (mostly), but I think it’s very on trend, and NB isn’t the be all and end all either. I think your choices would transfer well in the real world. [name_u]Fallon[/name_u] and [name_f]Georgia[/name_f] are actually two of my uni friends’ names haha.
I think it’s the sound of the name that’s the issue. It sounds like ‘gross’ + ‘retching’. For some reason names that start with the “Gre” sound are generally unappealing to my ears. Not sure if that’s a personal feeling or a general feeling
whoops I didn’t read the post above me, I guess there is a common dislike for the “Gre” sound. I’m curious why that is.