Maybe it’s the resurgence of dragon related fantasy, but I’ve begun to take a look at a group of similar names, each of which has its own rich history but seems to have flown under the radar (with the exception of [name_m]Drake[/name_m] of course). They are:
(Nameberry has [name_m]Drago[/name_m] listed as a variation of [name_m]Draco[/name_m], but Behind the Name suggests a different origin with nothing to do with [name_m]Draco[/name_m] or dragons. Regardless of the history, these names have come to be associated with both each other and with dragons, so for the purposes of this discussion, I’m considering them as part of one big happy name family:D)
So what do you think of these names? [name_f]Do[/name_f] you think any of them will follow [name_m]Drake[/name_m] into the mainstream? I personally like [name_m]Draco[/name_m] but can’t get past the HP association. Dragomir is a recent discovery and GP of mine. Also, are there any other similar names to these that I’m missing?
I like [name_m]Drake[/name_m] and [name_m]Draco[/name_m] all right though I think the HP association would prevent me from seriously considering it. [name_m]Drago[/name_m] or Dragomir I don’t like because I just see “drag” in the name. Drogo makes me think of Khal Drogo from Game of Thrones/ASOIAF. Not bad association really, but I probably wouldn’t use it either.
For me the most usable is probably [name_m]Drake[/name_m].
I love the name [name_m]Draco[/name_m] and could see it getting attention with the interest in two syllable, ends-in-o names for boys. If [name_m]Kylo[/name_m] can burst into the top 1000, why not [name_m]Draco[/name_m]?
Khal Drogo association is a turn off but Drogon is there an [name_u]Sam[/name_u] alternative, I think among these dragon names [name_m]Draco[/name_m] is my favorite
I really like [name_m]Drake[/name_m], but the rapper [name_m]Drake[/name_m] is very popular at the moment, and it puts me off slightly. I also really like [name_m]Draco[/name_m], but I think [name_m]Draco[/name_m] Malfoy makes it unusable.
[name_m]Drago[/name_m] and Dragomir are both too close to Dragon for me, and Drogo makes me think of Khal Drogo, who I liked as a character, but wouldn’t want to name my child after.
Wow, the [name_m]Kylo[/name_m] comparison is something I hadn’t thought of! However, I can’t help but feel that Drogo would actually be more likely to benefit from this than [name_m]Draco[/name_m]. [name_f]IMO[/name_f], when parents name their kids after morally questionable characters like [name_m]Kylo[/name_m] [name_u]Ren[/name_u] or even [name_u]Loki[/name_u], they are doing it because there is a certain impressiveness, even likability to the characters. Khal Drogo might be morally problematic, but he was such an impressive character that became surprisingly likable and is still considered a fan favorite and one of the most iconic GOT characters. In fact, that character is largely responsible for turning [name_m]Jason[/name_m] Momoa into the star he is today. So I could definitely see a niche where Drogo is used, a la [name_m]Kylo[/name_m], not despite the character but because of it. For [name_m]Draco[/name_m] however, I see it being a name that has to overcome its association.
Drake - I am a HUGE fan of the hip-hop artist Drake, but I still couldn’t use this name. It would be like using the name Kanye or Beyonce - in my books there’s only one Drake/Kanye/Beyonce!
Draco - This is a type of gun. There’s a song by Future called Draco, which is about the gun.
Drago - Too similar to Draco for me.
Dragomir - Sounds like something off the game Skyrim. Reminds me of a word from the game - Dragonborn - which refers to someone with the soul of a dragon.
Drogo - Reminds me too much of Khal Drogo from Game of Thrones.
I’m with [name_u]Jess[/name_u], when I see [name_m]Draco[/name_m] I think of the gun.
My cousin’s oldest son is [name_m]Drake[/name_m], he was born before the rapper got popular. His parents actually chose his name because of the dragon/mythological reference.
[name_m]Draco[/name_m] Malfoy also has a large fan base within the [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m] fandom, though. [name_m]Reading[/name_m] and watching the series now as an adult, I just see him as a mean kid, not a villain. Unlike Khal Drogo and [name_m]Kylo[/name_m] [name_u]Ren[/name_u], [name_m]Draco[/name_m] is a teenage boy, not an adult. He’s a bully, yes, but to me his actions are more a reflection of his parents and their views than anything inherently wrong with him. And as we see in Half-Blood [name_m]Prince[/name_m] and Deathly Hallows, ultimately [name_m]Draco[/name_m] was never capable of committing evil acts. J.K. Rowling has also stated that [name_m]Draco[/name_m]'s experiences as a Death Eater do a lot to change his worldview, and he does grow into a decent man.
[name_m]Kylo[/name_m] [name_u]Ren[/name_u] on the other hand? He’s very disturbed. He obviously feels betrayed and abandoned by his parents and his uncle, and he inherited far too much of [name_m]Anakin[/name_m] Skywalker’s emotional volatility. But I don’t know. The temper tantrums aren’t particularly impressive coming from a grown man. I guess we’ll see what happens in the final film of the trilogy. (I think [name_m]Kylo[/name_m]'s entrance into the top 1000 has more to do with the trendiness of [name_u]Kai[/name_u], [name_u]Arlo[/name_u], and [name_m]Milo[/name_m] than the character.)
I won’t address Khal Drogo. [name_f]Every[/name_f] character in ASOIAF is morally grey, so it’s hard to condemn one without condemning the rest.
(Who knew Nameberry would present opportunities for character discussions?! My apologies to those who only care about the names.)