Two nature names - too much?

[Luminen]

Edited for privacy, thanks everyone

[OpheliaFlora]

Does [name_m]Otso[/name_m] mean bear (like Arthur) or is it the word for bear?
In the first case I think it’s totally fine; in the second I probably wouldn’t use them together, because, similar to nature names, using two in a row feels like too little “own” name for a person. Not sure if that makes sense but as they already “mean” something in the world, they don’t feel personal enough for a child?!?

However, I wouldn’t bat an eye at others choosing both names and the combo is quite lovely!

[katinka]

I think it works! [name_u]Robin[/name_u] is a name first (derived from Robert) and a bird second to me, and [name_m]Otso[/name_m] too seems more “name with nature meaning” than “vocabulary word used as name”, so it’s not the same vibe as, e.g. [name_u]Sparrow[/name_u] [name_m]Bear[/name_m] would be. I love both names and the Finnish mythology behind the bear symbol is awesome.

[dejectedpiglet]

I don’t mind it! Especially since they aren’t in the same language, I don’t think it causes any problems.

[Luminen]

@OpheliaFlora

Does Otso mean bear (like Arthur) or is it the word for bear?

It’s in a grey area - it’s no longer the commonly used, modern word for bear (which is karhu) but it is an old fashioned word that most people are still familiar with (actually, historically it started out as a nickname for bears because using karhu, the actual word, was considered to be disrespectful/bad luck). So it’s a lot more obvious than Arthur but nowadays almost exclusively used as a name & hardly ever refers to actual bears. It might still show up in fiction/poetic contexts, though.

@OpheliaFlora

Not sure if that makes sense but as they already “mean” something in the world, they don’t feel personal enough for a child?!?

I get what you mean! Two word names together doesn’t often feel enough like an actual, identifying name.

@katinka

Robin is a name first (derived from Robert) and a bird second to me

This is a really good point and definitely makes me feel a lot less hesitant about this combo. Robin is such a well established name in the English speaking world & the same goes for Otso in Finland (it was in the top 50 last year - it’s been recently revived and it’s kind of a cool old man name now).

@dejectedpiglet

Especially since they aren’t in the same language, I don’t think it causes any problems.

I’m glad to hear that! I was hoping that would be the case.

[OpheliaFlora]

I think in that case it would be totally fine, though.

[shells15]

I don’t think two nature names is too much. The full name is a nice tie between cultures and holds meaning for both of you, so I find no problem with it. While half of your social circle are fluent in English and Finnish and will know his full name meaning right of the bat, how often are they (or you) going to use his full name on a daily basis?

If it were me, I would definitely go ahead and use it. It’s a great name packed full of meaning and connects your son to where he comes from.

ETA

Robin is a diminutive for Robert for me first and bird second. Also, from the English speaking perspective, the name makes me think Robin Otto, but with a much cooler, meaningful middle name.

[Luminen]

@shells15

how often are they (or you) going to use his full name on a daily basis?

Never - this is always a good point to keep in mind.

@shells15

It’s a great name packed full of meaning and connects your son to where he comes from.

Thank you - the cultural connection really is the reason why I love the name so much.

@shells15

Also, from the English speaking perspective, the name makes me think Robin Otto, but with a much cooler, meaningful middle name.

I see what you mean - I feel like the similarity to Otto makes Otso pretty wearable internationally!

[Greyblue]

I think it’s fine. Both seem to be well established names so it works for me

[EllieWilbury]

@Luminen

It’s in a grey area - it’s no longer the commonly used, modern word for bear (which is karhu ) but it is an old fashioned word that most people are still familiar with (actually, historically it started out as a nickname for bears because using karhu , the actual word, was considered to be disrespectful/bad luck). So it’s a lot more obvious than Arthur but nowadays almost exclusively used as a name & hardly ever refers to actual bears. It might still show up in fiction/poetic contexts, though.

knowing this, I think you could pull it off !! not living in Finland or being fluent in Finn I can’t speak for Otso, but Robin is much more “name” than “word” to me !! middle names aren’t used so often that it would be an issue & Otso has meaning both you and your wife !!

[lavenderwitch]

I think [name_u]Robin[/name_u] [name_m]Otso[/name_m] is absolutely fantastic, and definitely not too much nature, especially since they’re in two different languages. Both names hold so much meaning for you and your family, and to me, that’s always paramount!

(I do have to acknowledge that I am biased, however. Many of my favorite combos contain more than one word or nature name.)

[Luminen]

@EllieWilbury

Robin is much more “name” than “word” to me !!

That’s good to hear - I’m glad that this seems to be the consensus here!

@lavenderwitch

I think Robin Otso is absolutely fantastic, and definitely not too much nature, especially since they’re in two different languages. Both names hold so much meaning for you and your family, and to me, that’s always paramount!

Thank you for the reassurance! Also, it is nice to hear that some people actively like multiple word/nature names together - makes it more usable to me, for sure.

[anon25197097]

[name_u]Robin[/name_u] [name_m]Otso[/name_m] or [name_u]Robin[/name_u] [name_m]Bear[/name_m] both work.

[Rosebeth]

When I hear [name_u]Robin[/name_u], I think “diminutive of Robert” rather than the bird. [name_u]Robin[/name_u] is a nature name, of course, but not too obvious. So to me, [name_u]Robin[/name_u] [name_m]Otso[/name_m] seems fine.