Knox

Name Advice
1

For a friend:

[name_f]My[/name_f] favourite boys name is [name_m]Knox[/name_m]. However, it is the name of a well known school in my city and everyone heavily associates it with the school.

Would that stop you from using it?

Thanks!

2

Probably. I love [name_m]Thayer[/name_m] but itā€™s the name of a school near me so I crossed it off.

3

It would probably depend on the reputation of the school. Is it an ivy-covered prestigious private college, or a regular suburban high school? Has it been or is it likely to be the subject of any scandal? Are you likely to send your son to that school (in which case he could be up for some teasing for his name)?

The benefit of [name_m]Knox[/name_m] is that itā€™s known as a first name (thanks, [name_f]Angelina[/name_f] [name_f]Jolie[/name_f] and [name_m]Brad[/name_m] [name_m]Pitt[/name_m] - at least, thatā€™s my association with Knox!). It may be seen as a direct homage to the school, especially if the family has some connection to it, but more likely it wonā€™t be.

4

Tricky! Iā€™d consider:

  • do you think you and your son will always live in that city?
  • is [name_m]Knox[/name_m] used as a name at all in your area? like, would it be exclusively associated with the school?
  • could you try it out, ask a few people, to see if they say ā€˜like the school?ā€™
  • do you have a connection to the school at all?

Personally, I think it should be fine, since [name_m]Knox[/name_m] is known as a name, but Iā€™d consider alternatives if the idea is making you uncomfortable

5

If Iā€™m in the right country to begin with, I live in the city and know the school well.

Unless it was (a) fave name choice by some margin and (b) the person isnā€™t going to send the kid to that school or one of their ā€œbrotherā€ or ā€œsisterā€ schools, I donā€™t think Iā€™d use it, just because (some) kids can be mean about dumb stuff like that.

Having said that, itā€™s definitely now also associated with Angelina and Bradā€™s kid and also the rise of US style names outside the US and names that include an X - so it would be less intense now than it would have been 15-20 years ago. Also, it is likely that comments would just be on first mention for most people, maybe first few mentions, but itā€™d fade into the background. I knew a Sterling growing up - not a school, just that the name was first so tied to the concept of Brit money, silver, and excellence. Over time, it meant the person to whom it was attached - without the other meanings. But overall, I agree Knox is very much tied up with the school - for better or worse - and people think and talk a lot about schools!

1 Like
6

There was a little boy at my school when I was close to graduating that had the same name as the school and aside from maybe the initial thought of blank goes to blank, no one really thought much of it so I think it would be fine

7

unless there are bad associations with the school, and you really love the name, i think itā€™s fine. a school isnā€™t a bad connection, i donā€™t think that would stop me using it.

however, this is also coming from someone who has moved away from my home city, so whatever i say, i suppose thereā€™s always a tinge of ā€œbut you might not live there foreverā€

a trial run could be beneficial? if people are constantly having big reactions to the name, it might put you off the name. depends on how many times you think you can hear ā€œlike the school?ā€ until you lose it.

8

Yes that would stop me from using the name. Sorry!

9

Yes, I pressume I know that school and I probably wouldnā€™t use it. I do love the name [name_m]Knox[/name_m] though!

10

yes (also in Sydney!)

particularly since itā€™s a prestigious private boyā€™s school

11

I love the name [name_m]Knox[/name_m]!

It would give me pause but not a deal breakerā€¦ you might not live there forever either!