We are book lovers, no doubt about it. Our children’s names contain at least one literary reference from a book or story special to us. Papa Owlett’s favorite series ever is C.S. [name]Lewis[/name]'s Prelandra. The protagonist is one [name]Elwin[/name] [name]Ransom[/name].
If this babe is a boy DH would love to use [name]Ransom[/name] (he prefers it over [name]Elwin[/name]). I would probably love it (it gained no little popularity in the same time period as our daughters’ names, references a favorite character, not too common) but I just can’t get past the criminal connotations. It doesn’t seem to bother him one bit.
I donno. Can you guys either help me love it or give us straight reason to lay it to rest?
I do think that kidnapping comes to mind when I hear the name. I’m sure that you can talk with your husband about other stories that have moved you, or what parts of Prelandra meant something to you. [name]Lewis[/name] itself is very nice. Maybe each take a sheet of paper and write out images that stuck with you most from the story. Maybe you will find a name somewhere in that?
I also knew a [name]Ransom[/name], who was a professor and such a nice man. I’m partial to the name, and agree with the previous poster that it’s not nearly as bad as some others I see here. Use it as a middle if you can’t do first. The [name]Ransom[/name] I knew went by [name]Ram[/name].
[name]Ransom[/name] is on par with [name]Maverick[/name]. [name]Both[/name] are names that try too hard to be cool and just end up sounding ridiculous. I don’t like it for another reason: it has much macho swagger which is a big turnoff. If you must placate your husband, use it for the middle spot.
I think some evangelical Christians like to use [name]Ransom[/name] as it has theological overtones, rather than criminal ones. But CS [name]Lewis[/name]’ fiction was always quasi-allegorical. I don’t think it’s a realistic name either.
I love the name [name]Ransom[/name]. It’s in my Top Five on my dream list for boys. I love it because of the [name]Christian[/name] overtones enhanced by [name]Lewis[/name]'s Space Trilogy. As far as it being a “realistic name,” it does have a history of usage, though small. (And has anybody seen “The [name]Man[/name] Who Shot [name]Liberty[/name] Valance”? [name]Jimmy[/name] [name]Stewart[/name]'s character’s name is [name]Ransom[/name], nn [name]Rance[/name]. I like the idea of [name]Ram[/name], btw.) Besides being a word name, it’s a patronymic surname meaning “Ranulf’s son,” so its historic use is probably because of that fact.
I might want to ask around a bit [name]IRL[/name] before using it, to see how many people automatically think of “being held for ransom” first off. I don’t feel it’s as over-the-top macho as [name]Maverick[/name], [name]Rex[/name] or [name]Chance[/name], but it does give off a bit of a swaggering, pirate vibe. It is difficult to find a good middle name, because it usually sounds like you’re saying “we need to ransom [name]George[/name],” etc. My favorite mn with [name]Ransom[/name] so far is [name]Horatio[/name].
You’re welcome. It is a great film. I recently saw it for the first time, and for me it became another reason to love the name [name]Ransom[/name]. I’d also think it would give the name another popular association.
I like [name]Ransom[/name], if you feel bad try liking [name]Bandit[/name] as a name [which I do!]…now can’t get worse then that …lol I love it a lot, but it does make me hesitate [[name]Bandit[/name] i mean].
So, from what I’ve garnered from the replies so far (thanks everyone), you guys are just as conflicted about [name]Ransom[/name] as I am! LOL
DH and I are hardly in a battle of wills over this name, but it’s one of the few I know he likes. Since he was so unconcerned about the kidnapping reference I couldn’t tell if I was being extra sensitive. To be honest, I’m still not sure!
I don’t think [name]Ransom[/name] is the winner this round, but it can chill on the “considerables” list for now. Thanks for your input, everyone.