For awhile, I’ve had my heart set on [name]Aeneas[/name] as a boy’s name. It is the one name that both my SO and I love, but when I mention it to anyone, I seem to get the same reaction:
“[name]Don[/name]'t you think that sounds a little too much like …?”
I’ve heard it enough that my love of the name has weakened, but there is no other name that we can agree on. Before I completely throw [name]Aeneas[/name] out or keep it on my list, I just wanted to get some more opinions. What do you all think - is [name]Aeneas[/name] too much? Are you immediately reminded of a biological part?
My first thought when I saw [name]Aeneas[/name] was…you know what! And then I thought, oh, dear, I feel sorry for that boy when he goes to school.
I am sure that all the Nameberryites could help you think of some really wonderful names to put on your list instead of [name]Aeneas[/name]. If you tell us some other names you like, it would help.
To be honest, I didn’t think of that. My first thought was “Ooo, I love [name]Aeneas[/name]!”
I know an Enis and he (as far as I know) never got teased. Plus [name]Aengus[/name] / [name]Aonghus[/name] in [name]Ireland[/name] is prn ‘AY-nis’ (not like the Scottish [name]Angus[/name]). And its quite a popular name in [name]Ireland[/name].
Unfortunately, that was my first thought. I didn’t used to notice that kind of thing but since there were several names with this potential problem that others seemed to notice right away, I began to take notice, too. It seems there will always be someone to bring this to everyone’s attention in a classroom setting.
Yep. Sorry. And if we thought of it, little boys definitely will, and teasing will most likely occur.
Without knowing what you like about it, here are some others that you could like:
[name]Atticus[/name]
Amacus
[name]Apollos[/name]
[name]Augustus[/name]
[name]Aurelius[/name]
[name]Andreas[/name]
[name]Phineas[/name]
[name]Josias[/name]
[name]Thaddeus[/name]
[name]Isaias[/name]
[name]Silas[/name]
[name]Amadeus[/name]
[name]Lucius[/name]
[name]Amadeus[/name]
[name]Maximus[/name]
[name]Quintus[/name]
[name]Felix[/name]
I instantly thought of [name]Aeneas[/name], the Trojan hero, but that’s probably because I’m a diehard Latin student. It sounds classy and acceptable as an adult, I think, but as a kid on a playground and a teenager, I just see the teasing outweighing the charm of the name. I’m sorry, but I’m sure you’ll be able to find another name you agree on and love!
I too thought of [name]Aeneas[/name] the Trojan hero, but agree with the other posters here that for a child this name would prompt teasing. What about other names that have a [name]Greco[/name]-[name]Roman[/name] heritage and/or a similar sound? Some possibilities are:
I’ve always pronounced this name in-NEE-us, which creates no problems in pronunciation what-so-ever because if thats how you say it to people that is all they will know. So I would say if you love this name - go for it. It also gives a great nn ‘Inny’.
My son is [name]Inigo[/name] (i’m in the UK) where it is virtually unheard of, but people are used to it now and I love it and always have. HOWEVER, we never discussed names with friends/relations before our children were born because of any negative reaction we may have had and once thay were born said ‘this is their name’ and that was the end of it.
Good luck with choosing here is another great naming site for you to browse
PS [name]Inigo[/name] may have been [name]Ptolemy[/name] at one point, which is another fabulous Greek name
I am with the last posters and am more classically-historically inclined. When I see the name I only ever think of the Trojan [name]Hero[/name], son of [name]Aphrodite[/name] and [name]Virgil[/name]'s founder of [name]Rome[/name]. It has such wonderful meaning and story behind the name. And I never thought of the biological part because I have only ever pronounced or heard it pronounce the proper way. I guess the problem becomes that it is apparent that many people are going to want to mispronounce it and that would lead to teasing. I personally have always planned on using it, but as a mn. Maybe that is an option for you, but I don’t know that I would necessarily nix it entirely.
Yes, not good. Pretend you are calling him in a crowd…how do you see people’s reactions??
But I do like [name]Atticus[/name] alot. I would get some baby name books, cruise the mall book stores and check out the A’s. Or go through the whole alphabet and say Baenus, Caenus…etc. maybe one will stand out and make you go…oooohhhh…
Good luck.
I didn’t notice it, but I know once other kids learn that word they will make the connection. It’s too bad, [name]Aeneas[/name] is a cool name, just maybe not in an English speaking country. [name]How[/name] about these since they are similar:
[name]Amias[/name]
[name]Atlas[/name]
[name]Artemas[/name]
[name]Aurelius[/name]
[name]Amadeus[/name]
[name]Atticus[/name]
[name]Antonius[/name]
[name]Augustus[/name]
[name]Claudius[/name]
[name]Cornelius[/name]
[name]Magnus[/name]
[name]Maximus[/name]
[name]Octavius[/name]
[name]Quintus[/name]
[name]Tiberius[/name]
[name]Titus[/name]
