Salka is a name that I have long loved but has never really been on my list. It is to a large extent a literary name in Iceland. Although I don’t think that Halldór Laxness (Nobel Prize winner and giant of Icelandic literature) invented it, I also don’t think anyone was really using it as a name before his novel Salka [name_f]Valka[/name_f], which came out of the 30s I think. In the novel, Salka [name_f]Valka[/name_f] is short for Salvör Valgerður, so it’s a nickname name in origin. It’s a proto-feminist, political (socialist I guess) novel and Salka is a strong, independent character although she has a pretty tough life. Honestly, reading this novel is what made me love the name, so if I used it, it would kind of be a tribute to Laxness for me. Laxness is an important author in my life, and one of the reasons I decided to learn Icelandic and move to Iceland in the first place. It’s not the only reference for the name in Iceland, but it’s a pretty big association. It’s not at all a common name here, only about 100 people named Salka.
It was never on my list before though, because I thought the sound realistically wouldn’t be appealing outside of Iceland. I thought that English-speaking people would probably react negatively to it, because it has quite a harsh sound. To me it sounds strong and spirited, but I thought it wouldn’t come off like that for people outside Iceland. But then my boyfriend put it on his list and I started thinking more seriously about it and it feels like it might be the one… I’m not sure but it might be.
Sooo… especially you native English speakers, what do you think of it? [name_m]How[/name_m] does it strike you? [name_f]Do[/name_f] be honest - if you think it’s ugly/harsh/weird you can say so. I know it’s not as ‘pretty’ as some of the other names on my list. It won’t affect my feelings on the name, but it might affect how much I want to use it
I like the look of it, and I really want to like it, though I automatically thought of the words ‘sulk’ and ‘salt’, and now I can’t shake those associations… It’s a little odd for me, but I don’t mind it.
I like Salka. For me it has quite an exotic sound, and brings to mind the rusalka, a kind of water nymph in Slavic mythology. I’d never heard of the book Salka [name_f]Valka[/name_f] before, but it sounds interesting and I might check it out.
I live in the US and have never traveled abroad. English is my only language. I’m sorry but I don’t like Salka at all. I agree that it looks and sounds like ‘sulk’ and/or ‘salt’.
I have had such an ardent love for all things Icelandic since traveling to Reykjavik a few years back. Salka is a beautiful name & I can see it on a woman of rare beauty (much like the rare beauty of Iceland itself).
[name_m]Even[/name_m] if it is tied solely to the book character and is uncommon in your country, just think about whether it is truly a good namesake to you.
I wanted to reply to your previous post but didn’t get the chance to. Congratulations on your little girl
It’s beautiful. And such a good, strong meaning or association behind it.
Listening to the pronunciation, it’s not that different from the name [name_u]Sasha[/name_u], which is a Russian and English diminutive for [name_m]Alexander[/name_m] or [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f]. Think [name_u]Sasha[/name_u] [name_m]Obama[/name_m].
So it’s a little weird for English speakers that Salka is pronounced [name_m]Sashka[/name_m]. But it’s definitely a beautiful and not too out-there name.
I live in [name_u]America[/name_u] and have no experience with Icelandic but I still think’s is a striking, stunning name. I do not get the sulk or salt impressions.
I think of selkie more than anything…which is an awesome association. I think Salka is alluring, mysterious, and spunky all at the same time. I think it will age very well, too. It’s beautiful and unique.
Thank you for providing the link the the pronunciation. It sounds much prettier than I had originally thought. It is an important name to you, so I think its wonderful.
I love it. I am American and I don’t think it sounds unappealing at all. It certainly sounds exotic, but I think it works beautifully in English. I also really love naming a child after a piece of literature that was so important to your life. I did this with my son and I’ve never regretted it.
As an English speaker, it does remind me of the word sulk, which isn’t really a good association. But I listened to your pronunciation and it sounds pretty. It also reminds me of [name_m]Jonas[/name_m] Salk, one of the creators of the polio vaccine.
Thankyou everyone, including the honest negative feedback. I get what you mean about sulk and salt - that was exactly what I was concerned about!
However, I am heartened to see that most people don’t seem to think it’s so bad, and there are some fans. Selkie and rusalka together gives it quite a watery, mythological vibe - thanks for pointing those out @lumen and @trina! I quite like that
@lumen - I don’t think you will be able to get Salka [name_f]Valka[/name_f] in English. It’s been out of print for a long time, and the translation is pretty dodgy from what I’ve seen of it so I don’t think it will be getting reprinted until it’s been retranslated. That’s actually one of my highest professional ambitions, and I have translated extracts, but I doubt they’d let me loose on it just yet… Definitely check out some Laxness, though! Independent People is one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read and it’s a stunning translation (in my opinion)!
@daisychain - It’s not really pronounced [name_m]Sashka[/name_m], it is Salka with an l. It’s just that Icelanders tend to put more ‘breath’ into l in certain positions, so it becomes softer.
Oh, interesting! It really sounded like an sh on that link you provided. But an interesting voiced sh. Sort of like between an aspirated l and a voiced sh somehow.
[name_m]Even[/name_m] if it gets pronounced straight-up [name_u]Sal[/name_u]-kah here, I think it’s lovely.
