[name_m]Soren[/name_m] is on our “short” list for boy#2, brother to [name_m]Felix[/name_m]. We both like the name. To me it sounds strong, but gentle, and [name_u]Ren[/name_u] is a pretty cool nn option. It is unusual here, but sounds like a name that would fit in a modern classroom. My concern is that the name origin is very Danish, and I wonder how it would be received outside of a Scandinavian country. We live in the Midwest US and would pronounce it Sorr-en/Soar-en, which may be considered incorrect… We also have no Danish heritage to claim (lots of [name_m]German[/name_m]/Swiss ancestry, but that is as close as we come). What are your thoughts on the name and its usability for a baby-boy-man in the US? Am I overthinking it (my wife thinks so 
)? Thanks again
I really like it! I know someone who used it recently.
Cool to see a dad on here! I think [name_m]Soren[/name_m] is a great name. Lately people have been using names from many different cultural backgrounds that are not their own. I don’t think using a Danish name will be an issue at all. There are so many Rowans and Flynns and other Irish/Scottish name bearers lately that are not, in fact, Irish/Scottish. I know Christophers who are Atheists and Natalies who are Hindu, and I know plenty of people whose names are not necessarily “typical” within their ethnic backgrounds. These days I think it’s perfectly fine to just give your baby a name that you like that isn’t totally absurd and could be conceivable within your environmental context.
Speaking as someone in/from the US Northeast region, I agree the name might be a bit unusual in the Midwest. HOWEVER, I think that would be a great thing. He’ll probably be the only [name_m]Soren[/name_m] in his class, and when you tell people his name you’ll probably hear a chorus of: “wow that’s such a cool name! [name_m]How[/name_m] interesting/unique/awesome!” I say 100% go for it :).
(Also, fun nerd fact: there was a character in [name_f]Star[/name_f] Trek: The Next Generation named [name_m]Soren[/name_m] in like one episode. It was a really cool character and a great episode, for the record!)
Yes you’re overthinking it, [name_m]Soren[/name_m] is a perfectly usable name. And yes, it is nice to see a dad on here!
I think it’s a great name, and goes well with brother [name_m]Felix[/name_m], which I bet is also uncommon but not unheard of in your home state. I’m not sure where exactly y’all live in the Midwest, but it was always my understanding that the majority of Scandinavian immigrants to the U.S. ended up in the northern states of the region, and my travels through Michigan, Minnesota, and the Dakotas seem to confirm that, with lots of “blondey-blueys” as my friend from Minneapolis affectionately calls them, with surnames like Amundsen and Dahl and Bergstrom. All that is to say that yeah, I think you are overthinking it, even more so because the name shares its last syllable sound with many many more popular names, which will lend it a little bit of familiarity by association with the Masons, [name_m]Owens[/name_m], and Ethans.
You’re definitely overthinking it - [name_m]Soren[/name_m] is a perfectly acceptable name. I wouldn’t doubtletake it at all, personally. While I’ve never met a [name_m]Soren[/name_m], nor a [name_m]Felix[/name_m] for that matter, I don’t think it’s something to be afraid of using. [name_f]Lovely[/name_f] name, as well. Ages nicely.
I think [name_m]Soren[/name_m] is perfectly usable and very handsome, and the nickname [name_u]Ren[/name_u] is adorable. I’m from the Midwest US and I’ve never met anyone with the name, but the spelling and pronunciation are quite straightforward. It does remind me of the plant sorrel, but I doubt that many people would make that connection unless perhaps you live in a very agricultural community. [name_m]Even[/name_m] then, it’s not a bad connotation.
Definitely acceptable, and I think fairly intuitive to pronounce even for people who aren’t familiar with it. I’m in a Scandinavian-heavy area of the Midwest, and [name_m]Soren[/name_m] would not even raise an eyebrow around here.
[name_u]Love[/name_u] [name_m]Soren[/name_m]! It goes well with [name_m]Felix[/name_m]!
Thanks everyone! [name_m]Soren[/name_m] is looking to be firmly in our top 5. It’s been very difficult to find a name this time around. Hopefully we have 8 or 9 more weeks to figure it out
Isn’t the Midwest the land of the Scandinavians? I know that the northern parts of the Midwest were settled predominantly by Germans and Scandinavians. I think you’ll be fine.
I agree with everyone else, basically. [name_m]Just[/name_m] chiming in to say that [name_m]Soren[/name_m] is a lovely name and I’d be thrilled to see it used. Absolutely [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] [name_m]Felix[/name_m] too - you have wonderful taste 
I really love the name [name_m]Soren[/name_m]! We live in the Midwest US, too, and pronounce it the same as you would. I ran it by my own husband and was saddened when he said “For a girl? That’s a girl’s name.” Needless to say, he is far from a NameNerd… Anyhow, as others have said, I don’t think you have to worry about the origins of the name, although it is less familiar than other names that have become so commonplace that no one questions whether or not you have that background (like [name_u]Riley[/name_u]).
You’re over thinking it. 
I’m originally from the Midwest. I see no issue with [name_m]Soren[/name_m]. You don’t have to be Danish to use it, and the sohr-en pronunciation seems to be a common alternate pronunciation.
I’m not a fan
I agree with the majority of the previous posts - I think [name_m]Soren[/name_m] is totally usable (I know a few baby Sorens), agree that [name_u]Ren[/name_u] is an adorable nickname, and think it goes perfectly with [name_m]Felix[/name_m].
I’m from Ohio and I went to college in [name_u]Indiana[/name_u] with a [name_m]Soren[/name_m]. Never batted an eye. I think it blends in perfectly with Midwest name trends while also having a bit more history and charm.
I love [name_m]Soren[/name_m]! I think it’s unique, without sounding super weird. It flows nicely and (I think) would sound good with just about any middle name.
[name_u]Ren[/name_u] is the coolest nickname, so that’s a bonus as well!
I actually wanted to name my son “[name_u]Wren[/name_u]” but decided not to as it might be perceived as being a bit too feminine…so I adore the name [name_m]Soren[/name_m] with “[name_u]Ren[/name_u]” as a nickname.