First of all we are not naming newborns, but we do need some help with the American naming custom
My friend’s name is Tintin and she was named after the main character from Adventure of Tintin. This name is acceptable and rather common in our culture, but we don’t know if it is OK to be used in [name_u]America[/name_u]. [name_f]Do[/name_f] you like this name or not? Does it remind you too much of the cartoon from Belgium?
[name_m]How[/name_m] about using it as a nickname of a name ends with -tine or -tina? [name_f]Kirstin[/name_f]? [name_f]Martina[/name_f]? [name_f]Christine[/name_f]? Or any other better suggestion?
Thanks!
[name_f]Carmella[/name_f] and Tintin
How about Katina, Justina or Clementina? Do these names sound too old?
Thank you for all the thoughts!
I’ve never heard of the cartoon from Belgium, and I doubt many Americans would have either. I think Tintin is perfectly fine! There really isn’t much in terms of naming custom in the US. It’s basically whatever your parents want and no one questions it.
Where are you from? I’ve never heard of anyone being called Tintin before.
I’m in Australia, where we have many cultures who don’t change their name to an English one; I imagine [name_u]America[/name_u] is much the same.
If your friend likes her name she has every right to keep it that way, whether it is common in [name_u]America[/name_u] or not. If she wishes to choose a name that is more familiar in [name_u]America[/name_u], she could choose any name she likes really.
If you are looking for a similar sounding name, I would suggest [name_f]Kristin[/name_f]
Given that a movie came out recently based on the comics, I think Tintin is pretty well-known here. It’s definitely the first (and only) thing I think of.
This is one of my friend’s nicknames (her real name is [name_f]Christina[/name_f]). I don’t know people actually use Tintin as a stand alone name, I can only think about the cartoon.
I think of both the Belgium TinTin series and also [name_m]Tin[/name_m]-[name_m]Tin[/name_m] from the American puppet TV series Thunderbirds. I honestly don’t think it’s a problem, as I am from Australia too, I have a friends whose name are Cheetthaphong and Pooja. It’s never been an issue If she feels like she needs a longer name, [name_f]Clementine[/name_f]/[name_f]Clementina[/name_f], [name_f]Valentina[/name_f], [name_f]Christiana[/name_f] etc. all work fine.
[name_m]How[/name_m] about [name_f]Katina[/name_f], [name_f]Justina[/name_f] or [name_f]Clementina[/name_f]? [name_f]Do[/name_f] these names sound too old?
Thank you for all the thoughts!
I automatically thought of Belgium since it came up in my high school [name_m]French[/name_m] class. As an American, I’d find it an odd name and immediately think of the character, though how many other Americans would even know about the character I couldn’t say.
[name_f]Justina[/name_f] and [name_f]Clementina[/name_f] do sound a bit old (especially the second one) and I’ve never seen the name [name_f]Katina[/name_f] (I’ve got a friend named [name_f]Katrina[/name_f], but now that name is associated with the hurricane). Of the three, I prefer [name_f]Justina[/name_f].
I’d suggest [name_f]Christina[/name_f] or [name_f]Christine[/name_f], which is relatively common (the second makes me think of The Phantom of the [name_f]Opera[/name_f], which I love) and if she decided she wanted a different nickname she’d have options. I’ve got a cousin and a friend named [name_f]Christina[/name_f]; the both go by [name_f]Chrissie[/name_f]. Or you could just use [name_f]Tina[/name_f].
I am American and definitely thought of the character first. We live in [name_u]Sweden[/name_u] and my children went to preschool with a little Swedish girl named Tintin. I definitely thought it was a bit unique and always wanted to ask about their name choice but never felt close enough to the parents to do so.
But as far as it working as a name in the US… it will stand out the first time someone meets her, but once someone knows her I don’t think it will be an issue at all- that is her name.
I am American and thought of the cartoon. But if your friend travels or moves here, her name would be fine. I have many immigrant friends, a few with names that are almost swear words in English, and everyone accepts that the names come from their original cultures. The only people who may be teased for non-English names are children. But most kids I know don’t know Tintin!
Now, if she likes the idea of using a new name, [name_f]Justina[/name_f], [name_f]Clementina[/name_f] and [name_f]Katina[/name_f] are all lovely. None was ever too popular here. [name_f]Justina[/name_f] might fit in best because [name_f]Justine[/name_f] had some use a while ago, but they’re all usable.
I’m an American and I immediately thought of the comics/cartoon. Then again, I spent a semester studying abroad in Belgium, so I’m probably not representative of the American population as a whole on this one.
Tintin would definitely stand out as a give name in the US, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use it. I think it would be a cute nickname option for any of the names you just suggested. [name_f]Clementina[/name_f] is my favorite.
There’s a professional table tennis player called Tintin here in [name_f]England[/name_f]. She’s really good. I don’t know if people comment on her name but it seems to be working for her.
I do think of the cartoon but it’s not a negative association.
I’d suggest just [name_f]Tina[/name_f]. Though I like [name_f]Catriona[/name_f] (katrina) and [name_f]Valentina[/name_f] too.
I actually immediately thought of the cartoon when I saw the name and I’m American. I wouldn’t name a human child Tintin, but if that’s already your friend’s name then she should rock it!
I am an American and I too thought of the cartoon character when I saw the question. I think as a given name of an American, it might seem silly. But we definitely have different standards when the name is from another culture and in my experience people respect those names as being from a different culture and think they are nice. If you wanted a longer name that could have the nickname Tintin, I think [name_f]Kirstin[/name_f] is a great option! [name_f]Katina[/name_f], [name_f]Justina[/name_f] or [name_f]Clementina[/name_f] do not sound too “old” to me. They are not very common, but they are very beautiful so I think any would be a good choice.
