Sorry this is a lot of reading but opinions are needed!

Girl Names
1

Hello !

So my partner never really states his opinions about names unless I push the topic but recently we were talking and he said he liked the name ‘siren’ as a middle name.

I don’t think he really meant to say siren as in the mythical mermaids that lure people to them with their beautiful songs and then eat them, but he made it into that and started to talk about how he liked it for a girls middle name so she feels empowered as a women. Not that she would be cruel like the actual sirens but that she would take no crap from a man if he were to wrong her in a way. And basically he would use the name siren to describe a bad*** girl.

So I am wondering Is this an appropriate name for a girl? I would love a middle name that could make our daughter feel empowered but is this name too much linked with “evil mermaids” and does his point even make sense?

Thank you for answering me :heart:

Also I am not an expert on sirens and their origins so if I have said anything wrong about them or their character I am sorry !

2

It’s a little out there for my taste. I think ‘siren’ has negative connotations, even if he means to reclaim it and make it empowering. [name_f]My[/name_f] personal preference is also to avoid any names that are especially heavy or prophetic; basically, I would avoid names that would be hard for children who don’t share that trait (or DO share that trait) to wear. Although middle names can be a little more unusual than first names, ‘siren’ is still not a name I would choose.

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3

I’m not very well versed in mythology in general, so I’m sure there is someone here who can weigh in with more expertise. But most people who hear your daughter’s name probably won’t be mythology experts, so I’ll share from that perspective. I’ll be honest, I probably wouldn’t perceive this name as empowering. A quick google search pulls up words like “temptress” and “enchantress.” I would also add that mythical sirens aren’t the first image that comes to my mind when I hear that name; if I’m completely honest, I’d probably think of firetrucks first, lol. If that doesn’t expose my lack of education in mythology I don’t know what does–but beyond the mythology and name nerd communities, I might not be the only one.

Maybe [name_u]Seren[/name_u], which is very visually similar? Or the name of a strong female historical figure? Or a name that means strong? I certainly appreciate the sentiment of wanting something empowering and feminist! I’m just not convinced this particular name is the way. Someone else may be able to share more about the story behind sirens though, which could offer some more perspective!

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4

This is also a name that has a potential to be sexualized.

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5

I think it would be fine as a mn, but I still might shy away from it.

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6

Haha. It could work…

I prefer [name_f]Circe[/name_f] or [name_u]Calypso[/name_u].
[name_f]Lorelei[/name_f] is also basically a siren. Different folklore but the same general principle.

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7

[name_u]Seren[/name_u] or [name_f]Serene[/name_f] could also work!

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8

Yeah, it’s a bit much for me too? I guess I can see the appeal but I just am hearing and seeing police sirens the whole time I read your post.

I’m wondering if [name_u]Seren[/name_u] or even [name_f]Sirena[/name_f]/Serena would appeal? I’ve liked [name_f]Sirena[/name_f] for a while—said just like [name_f]Serena[/name_f] I think—because it reminds me of mermaids and the sea, bit I’ve heard it’s inspired by the Greek mythological sirens. It feels almost otherworldly to me, though, and I wish I had the guts to use [name_f]Sirena[/name_f]. [name_f]My[/name_f] concern is more that nobody would be able to spell it right, honestly, but I do think it’s gorgeous.

Good luck!

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9

I feel like everything you described isn’t something you’re going to be able to share with your daughter and/or her peers until she’s much older… so going through school her name will likely only bring up fire trucks, police cars and ambulances. And then when you do mention the reasoning it may be easy for you and your partner to separate the “this is what we meant” verses “this is what we didn’t mean” in terms of association, and the possibility of being associated with the sexualized connotations, but that doesn’t necessarily mean she will. I’d stay away if possible!

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10

I see what your partner is getting at! It’s the same reason one might name their child [name_f]Delilah[/name_f], or [name_f]Lilith[/name_f]. I mean, people name their sons [name_m]Apollo[/name_m] and think of all the horrific things the god [name_m]Apollo[/name_m] did. :woman_shrugging:

For me personally, the meaning is not inappropriate or off-limits as it refers to the mythological siren, but objectively, the sound/look of the world itself is off-putting. As another poster said, it puts one to mind of sirens that go off in an emergency. Average joes who hear your daughters name and aren’t well-versed in mythology will probably think of that, and honestly - I thought of the scary monster Sirenhead :rofl:

But as for what your partner is getting at, I’m all for it. There are good and bad associations with basically any character in any mythology. Many people name their sons [name_m]David[/name_m], and the Biblical [name_m]David[/name_m] killed [name_f]Bathsheba[/name_f]'s husband because he wanted her for himself. Does that mean [name_m]David[/name_m] is a bad name? Evidently not.

With all that being said, the word siren has evolved over time away from the mermaid association into just “seductress” which might be missing the mark he’s going for.

You might try these alternatives for Siren which still reference the mythological siren and/or evoke a luminous, deep-sea, man-eating mermaid :yum:

[name_f]Sirene[/name_f] (simply putting an e on the end makes it much more beautiful and name-like, and instantly does away with the wee-ow-wee-ow association)
[name_f]Sirena[/name_f]
[name_f]Serena[/name_f]
[name_u]Seren[/name_u] (meaning ‘star’ in Welsh)
[name_f]Serene[/name_f]
[name_f]Selene[/name_f] (mythological goddess of the moon)
[name_f]Selena[/name_f]
Syrene
[name_f]Syrena[/name_f]

Mermaid/siren names:
[name_f]Sereia[/name_f] (Spanish, meaning ‘mermaid’)
[name_f]Allura[/name_f] (alluring)
Ephyra (‘daughter of [name_m]Oceanus[/name_m]’)
Assana (Irish, meaning ‘waterfall’)
[name_f]Vanora[/name_f] (Irish, ‘white wave’)
[name_f]Lumina[/name_f]
[name_f]Nerine[/name_f]/Nerina (Greek, ‘nymph of the sea’
Aquamarine
Esmerine
[name_f]Meris[/name_f]/Merise/Merissa (Latin American, ‘of the sea’)
[name_f]Morwenna[/name_f] (Welsh, ‘sea wave’)
[name_f]Morgana[/name_f] (Celtic, ‘dweller of the sea’)
[name_f]Ondine[/name_f] ([name_u]French[/name_u], ‘wave of water’)
[name_f]Thalassa[/name_f]
[name_f]Nerissa[/name_f] (Latin American/Greek ‘daughter of the sea/nymph of the sea’
[name_f]Naia[/name_f] (Hawaiian, ‘to flow’)
[name_f]Melusine[/name_f]
[name_f]Marina[/name_f]/Marinella/Marine
[name_f]Lorelai[/name_f]
[name_f]Laguna[/name_f]
[name_f]Nereida[/name_f]/Nerida
[name_f]Cyrene[/name_f]
Odyssea

Word names that evoke the sea, mermaids and myth:
[name_u]Tempest[/name_u]
[name_f]Treasure[/name_f]
[name_u]Storm[/name_u]
[name_f]Cascade[/name_f]
[name_f]Pearl[/name_f]
[name_f]Opal[/name_f]
[name_u]Ocean[/name_u]/Oceane/Oceana
[name_u]Lyric[/name_u]
[name_f]Delta[/name_f]
[name_f]Aura[/name_f]
[name_f]Jewel[/name_f]
[name_f]Lullaby[/name_f]
[name_u]Echo[/name_u]
[name_f]Aqua[/name_f]
[name_u]River[/name_u]
[name_u]Rain[/name_u]
[name_u]Onyx[/name_u]

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11

To me siren has a very sexual connotation. I would steer clear.

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14

Another option could be to throw out the siren connection altogether and find a name that represents the message your trying to get across. I completely understand the desire to send a message. When naming my daughter I told hubby, her mn had to be [name_f]Blessing[/name_f] because I wanted her name to encourage her and show her her value when the world and culture today tried to do the opposite

I’m not sure at the top of my head what those names could be but that could definitely be something to ask the others on here. Good [name_m]Luck[/name_m]!

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15

I definitely agree with @alatari. People use names all the time that might be negatively construed if thought of for too long ([name_f]Lilith[/name_f], etc.).

What really matters is that you like it. I personally think it’s cute, though a bit unusual for my taste. The concerns of other posters don’t bother me and I don’t immediately think of it as a name that is sexual or violent. It feels like a [name_f]Lilith[/name_f] or [name_u]Ariel[/name_u] or [name_f]Cassiopeia[/name_f] to me. It’s a mermaid and mythology name first and for most.

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16

The sexual connotations are what bother me most with this one, so I’d have to say no for me. I get the sentiment though! Maybe a name of a siren from mythology would work?

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17

Exactly what @alatari said perfectly: the sentiment is nice to choose an empowering name, but while the ancient meaning behind the mythological word is less concerning, the modern day connotations of siren are “sultry siren” as in seductress, which is exactly the opposite of empowering and I for one, would never give a child that moniker. shudder Plus, I also get police car vibes, which…eh, not what I’d want for my child either.

Lots of lovely alternatives have been presented for you, so I hope you like some of those!

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18

I think it may be a little out there and there are certainly negative connatations. But perhaps a variation like [name_f]Sirena[/name_f] could work? Although it could be mistaken as a variation of [name_f]Serena[/name_f].

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19

What about something like [name_f]Valkyrie[/name_f]? I’ve heard it mentioned a few times on here and it definitely sounds bad*** but doesn’t have the other connotations that others have mentioned with Siren.

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20

I love this suggestion so much. [name_f]Valkyrie[/name_f] captures the same, powerful energy and also comes from mythology but doesn’t have the unfortunate sexual connotations.

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21

Hmm… this is tough. I like what you and your husband are thinking, but I do think it might be hard for a young girl. Maybe [name_u]Seren[/name_u] or [name_f]Serena[/name_f]? Or just any strong mythological female character such as [name_f]Athena[/name_f]? Or maybe more modern names after strong women such as [name_f]Amelia[/name_f] for [name_f]Amelia[/name_f] [name_f]Earhart[/name_f] or [name_f]Ada[/name_f] for [name_f]Ada[/name_f] [name_u]Lovelace[/name_u]?

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22

I actually love it.

People are out here naming their daughters [name_f]Magdalena[/name_f], [name_f]Lilith[/name_f], [name_f]Delilah[/name_f] etc so what difference does Siren make? Plus it’ll be the middle name, right? So I don’t think it’s going to cause any harm. I really do think people make a big deal out of name meanings.

Siren = sultry, seductress etc. What’s actually bad about this? I mean if were all for female empowerment then we should stop demonising these adjectives and use these names as a means to dismantle negative connotations.

P.S: I also really love [name_f]Sirena[/name_f] as an alternative too. :slight_smile:

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