My partner and I have recently been contemplating adding [name_f]Violet[/name_f] to our short list. (To be clear-- I’m not pregnant, but hope to be eventually). I don’t mind that it is fairly popular. It sounds good with our difficult surname and I like how it feels feminine yet strong. I also associate it with a very spry and eccentric elderly woman I worked for as a teenager-- she worked for the [name_f]CIA[/name_f] in her youth in the 1940s and had all kinds of adventures. A good association!
I also think [name_f]Vi[/name_f] and [name_f]Lettie[/name_f] are both adorable nickname options.
Now, the problem: I worry that others will immediately associate [name_f]Violet[/name_f] with the word “violent”. I mentioned the name to my mother and that was her immediate reaction.
To people named [name_f]Violet[/name_f] or parents of baby Violets-- What are your personal experiences with the name? Does the similarity to “violent” come up a lot? Or, just to anyone in general, do you think this is a big issue or not?
I know some Violets but yes, I’m one of those people that immediately thinks violent. I know other people who think the same. I’ve never said this to the parents because of course, they have already named their child and that just seems mean. I would mention it if I had a friend who was thinking about using the name and they were open to suggestions. But I seem to be the minority on NB. Most people like the name.
Since one person on here made that association I cannot get it out of my head. When I see [name_f]Violet[/name_f] I immediately think Violent. I am polite enough about it (like elo) not to say anything to a parent after they have already named their baby, but if I was younger I would easily tease them about it.
It also just depends on the child in general and the area they are raised in. I have an easily teasable name but I never got bullied persay, just a few friendly jokes from close friends and nothing more. I never took it personally, but in a rougher neighborhood I can see it being more of an issue.
I used to love [name_f]Violet[/name_f] - I fell out of love at some point, idk. I can’t like [name_m]Oliver[/name_m] because of the liver or [name_m]Soren[/name_m] for the sore, but [name_f]Violet[/name_f] - maybe because of the [name_m]French[/name_m] word for purple? feels innocent to me. Dark enough to be interesting and not sickly sweet - hmm. [name_m]Just[/name_m] remembered why I love her. I don’t think it’s too close to violent, is what I’m trying to say.
I really liked the name [name_f]Violet[/name_f] but when I suggested it to my bf he said he could call her Violent and on top of that a [name_m]Brandon[/name_m] (Random) and [name_m]Elvis[/name_m] (Evils) I don’t know if he was joking, I hope he was but now all I think of is Random Violent Evils, a great name that all I hear now is Violent and not [name_f]Violet[/name_f].
Over all I don’t think it is a big issue but there will be a few people who think violent, if my bf personally hadn’t made the above job I probably would still be in love with the name.
I also associate [name_f]Violet[/name_f] with Violent. Would you consider [name_f]Violette[/name_f]/[name_f]Violetta[/name_f]? To me, these variation names lose the violent association.
I love [name_f]Violet[/name_f]! I never, ever think of the connection/similarity to “violent”. I think it’s everything lovely. Maybe this is naive judgment on my part, but it always seems like those who aren’t huge fans of [name_f]Violet[/name_f] always use the “violent” thing as an excuse (or maybe I just have it the wrong way around? Those who see “violent” just can’t get into [name_f]Violet[/name_f]?). I recognize there is a definite similarity there, but it doesn’t bother me; I love [name_f]Violet[/name_f] (and the color!) way too much to let it be so. And with all the pop culture associations to [name_f]Violet[/name_f]–[name_f]Violet[/name_f] from Keeping Up Appearances (granted, a really old association, but still a fun one, haha!), little [name_f]Violet[/name_f] Affleck, Lady [name_f]Violet[/name_f] Crawley (which, admittedly, I am much less familiar with–I don’t watch the show at all)–I would think that [name_f]Violet[/name_f] is safe. I think she’s lovely. Go for it!
I have always thought ‘violent’ when I have seen [name_f]Violet[/name_f] written, and wondered if others did too. I actually think the name is quite delightful, but I can’t get the connotation out of my head. I don’t have any real trouble with the name spoken.
I have a feeling that knowing a baby [name_f]Violet[/name_f] would really overcome the connotation, and I would love to meet one.
I do not associate [name_f]Violet[/name_f] with the word Violent. I think of the colour.
I love the [name_m]French[/name_m] spelling [name_f]Violette[/name_f] (in [name_m]French[/name_m] pronounced as vee-oh-let) and it adds some distance to the word violent, if that is a major concern for you.
I think [name_f]Violet[/name_f] is ok because it is a real word, a colour/flower. My first association is with the flower, then the colour. I never even thought of violent until you mentioned it. I also think [name_f]Violet[/name_f] and Violent have different enough sounds.
I associate it with the color (my favorite color!). I can see how when it’s spelled out, it does look similar to the word violent, but that’s bound to happen with plenty of other words and names because there are only so many letters in our alphabet. They have completely different, unrelated meanings. Also, I pronounce [name_f]Violet[/name_f] like [name_f]Vi[/name_f]-let, not [name_f]Vi[/name_f]-o-let, so the two words don’t really sound as similar when I say them as they might in other accents.
Well I have to admit that I do think of violent if the name is said in a certain way or if I’m not listening closely, but I also don’t think that’s a reason to entirely throw it out.
[name_f]Maddy[/name_f] is Mad. [name_m]Luke[/name_m] is a puke. [name_f]Mary[/name_f] is hairy. Lizard-breath. on and on. If you can get past it, I don’t think it should cause you to give it up.
I see people bring this up all the time as the concern with [name_f]Violet[/name_f] but for me I have never associated the name with the word Violent. [name_m]Even[/name_m] though it is one letter off it just does not pop into my head when I see or hear the name. It is also a very pretty name.
For me [name_f]Violet[/name_f] on its own is not so much a problem. It’s when there is a middle involved. For example [name_f]Violet[/name_f] [name_f]Jane[/name_f] - a beautiful combination but I see and hear “Violent [name_f]Jane[/name_f]”.
I was never a huge fan of [name_f]Violet[/name_f], but more for the [name_m]Willy[/name_m] Wonka association (“You’re, turning violet, [name_f]Violet[/name_f]!”). But when my brother named his daughter [name_f]Violet[/name_f] I was instantly won over. It became a sweet, charming, vintage gem (which complimented sister [name_f]Tessa[/name_f]'s name perfectly.) Now I love [name_f]Violet[/name_f], and I’m kinda bummed I can’t use it! I associate it with the flower then the color.
Kids will find a way to tease no matter what someone’s name is, really.
[name_f]Violet[/name_f] is a beautiful, delicate name. No matter what name you pick there will always be a handful of people whose brain draws some kooky, unflattering connotation. (I can’t stand the name [name_f]Aurora[/name_f] because it reminds me of areolas, natch.)
In this case I think they are likely to be in a very small minority, and I hope you don’t let it keep you from naming your child a truly lovely name.
I think she’s lovely. Go for it!