[name_f]Patience[/name_f] is on our list for this next baby and I love her she is bright, sunny & warm! But [name_f]Silence[/name_f] was truly my first love. And if [name_f]Patience[/name_f] was the sun, [name_f]Silence[/name_f] would be the moon. [name_f][/name_f]Where [name_f]Patience[/name_f] is bright and warm and inviting, [name_f]Silence[/name_f] is cool, sleek and sparkly. [name_f][/name_f]Plus I love the nickname options of Ila/Isla, [name_f]Lenna[/name_f], [name_f]Lissy[/name_f], [name_f]Senna[/name_f] and even the unisex [name_m]Lenny[/name_m] & [name_m]Enzo[/name_m].
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So what do you think is [name_f]Silence[/name_f] usable?
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And what mn would you pair with her. Iām really loving the alliteration of [name_f]Silence[/name_f] [name_f]Summer[/name_f]. But not sure Iām 100% sold on it yet.
[name_f]Silence[/name_f] is one of my biggest guilty pleasure names, along with [name_f]Modesty[/name_f]. It has such a lovely sound. However, like [name_f]Modesty[/name_f], the name/word is steeped in misogyny and patriarchal undertones and is (in my option) unusable for modern society. Especially in our current political climate, I wouldnāt want to name a girl something that is so far from empowering, and [name_f]Silence[/name_f] feels stifling.
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If I had to choose a middle name for her, Iād likely go with [name_f]Silence[/name_f] [name_f]Eliza[/name_f] or [name_f]Silence[/name_f] [name_f]Annabell[/name_f].
In real life, I think [name_f]Silence[/name_f] would be very hard to wear [name_f][/name_f]- itās so specifically wordy [name_f][/name_f]- and associated with being silent (or silenced) [name_f][/name_f]- that I just find it very heavy.
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Sound-wise, I can totally see the appeal [name_f][/name_f]- and I can see the positive qualities of [name_f]Silence[/name_f] (peace and quiet) [name_f][/name_f]- but Iām not sure Iād want it as a name?
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Maybe one for the middle [name_f][/name_f]- or one to love as a name, but not for the baby list?
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Some middles, because [name_f]Silence[/name_f] is interesting to work with:
I personally think itās fine as long as it isnāt āout thereā in relation to the other sib names. [name_f]Silence[/name_f] [name_f]Summer[/name_f] is lovely.
Personally I view [name_f]Silence[/name_f] as strong, being able to endure under duress, having inner strength when the world around you demands you submitā¦that kind of thing. But I know most people would view it as being oppressed and being robbed of your voice. Which is definitely not it.
I do have to agree with the above postersāthough I do totally see why you like it as well! There is something very poetic about holding your own and having a quiet privacy to yourself as well because a lot of strength lies there (thatās just my take on it!).
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While I donāt necessarily find it usable, I donāt think people in real life will overthink it too much. In middle school I knew a girl named Ablessing, and nobody overthought that. I also know kids named [name_m]Owl[/name_m] and [name_f]Cloudy[/name_f]! But I do think if it was used irl the meaning would need to be explained to the child when theyāre old enough!! So they know that itās empowering and not demeaning.
I love the sound and the idea of it. The concept of silence is multidimensional. I tend to think of inner stillness, listening, freedom, oneness with nature, rest and contemplation.
If I encountered a person named Silence, I would assume the meaning was peaceful or spiritual in nature, and I would expect there was some meaning or story behind the choice.
I can totally see your perspective ā silence as strength and endurance ā though others may not, even after hearing your perspective. Some people may instinctively perceive it in a negative light as already shown in this thread ā but many will simply think itās an unusual choice like other modern word names.
Usability depends on the potential impact to your daughter and you as her parents, and how you would respond and help your daughter to respond if they come up. For instance:
You and your daughter may be frequently asked for the meaning behind the choice.
Some will make judgements about your taste while others may make moral judgements, and a few people may not be silent about it (I feel like thereās a great retort somewhere in there).
Some people will be confused or mishear the name as something else ā as an instruction or similar name like Silas.
I donāt think itās unusable as a name but I would want to have a plan to address potential concerns. I wouldnāt use it if you think youāll feel overly self-conscious and have difficulty setting boundaries with others.
Of course, using nicknames in casual settings would lessen or avoid hassles for the most part.
I wouldnāt use it. It has bad connections and I can see your little one constantly being the butt of silly jokes.
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āSilence, Silence!ā [name_f][/name_f]āSilence in courtā [name_f][/name_f]These are two I can think of, there would be many others Iām sure. [name_f][/name_f]Itās up to you, but I can see similar problems with [name_f]Patience[/name_f] too. Who is patient all the time? [name_f][/name_f]However, virtue names I do like and are much less likely to attract mickey-taking are:
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[name_f]Constance[/name_f] (Connie) [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Faith[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- religious connotations, maybe, but you can have all kinds of faith, faith in love, humanity, peace will prevail etc [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Felicity[/name_f] (Fliss- means happiness and was once a word for it) [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Grace[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- very popular but still lovely. [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Hope[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- we all need this in spades! [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Joy[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- my favourite. There isnāt a more sunnier name!
[name_f]My[/name_f] thoughts are in line with those of @Greyblue[name_f][/name_f] as I find [name_f]Silence[/name_f] (as in being silenced) somewhat negative in real life and it would be hard to wear so itās a No for me. I do like the nickname options that could come from it but would suggest going straight to one of them.
I think everyone else covered the topic quite well. I agree that I see the appeal, but would not use in real life.
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[name_m]Just[/name_m] thought Iād throw out the alternative, [name_m]Solace[/name_m]. Similar meaning and sound in a way. Nicknames [name_m]Sol[/name_m], [name_m]Solly[/name_m], [name_m]Lac[/name_m], [name_f]Lacey[/name_f].
I love the sound but it honestly reminds me of something out of the Handmaidās Tale. [name_f]Love[/name_f] the suggestion of [name_m]Solace[/name_m]!
I like a lot of virtue names and I like [name_f]Silence[/name_f], but I wouldnāt use it. It feels like itās one step down from naming a girl [name_f]Obedience[/name_f].
I love virtue names, [name_f]Patience[/name_f] is one of my favourites. A lot of my guilty pleasure names are the āunusuableā virtue names: [name_f]Obedience[/name_f], Innocence, [name_f]Modesty[/name_f], [name_f]Honesty[/name_f]. I would put [name_f]Silence[/name_f] in the unusable category.
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Middle name options: [name_f]Silence[/name_f] [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f], [name_f]Silence[/name_f] [name_f]Mabel[/name_f], [name_f]Silence[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f]
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But if you love [name_f]Silence[/name_f] it may be better suited as a middle name.