What do you think of the surname Astorch?

General Name Discussion
1

See the results of this poll: Is this surname OK?

Respondents: 20 (This poll is closed)

  • Yes I like : 3 (15%)
  • Yes - it is Useable : 5 (25%)
  • No I hate it or think it is unusable: 12 (60%)
2

It honestly sounds English to me.
I don’t really think there’s a surname that I’d find “catholic” though, so the important thing is that there’s a connection and /you/ see it!
It’s alright as a surname. I’ve heard way worse, though it does sound like “ass torch” if you overthink it. Or at least the way I’d pronounce it? A pronunciation guide would be helpful.

3

Wow thanks. Does it sound ugly? Thats interesting your view is so different to my moms! Its the name of a spanish mystic catholic saint that i like

4

Does anyone else have any views?? Please>>

5

I thought “ass torch” immediately so I don’t think it’s usable, sorry! I wouldn’t know what language it came from tbh and I wouldn’t know what a Catholic surname should be (and my family is Catholic so…).

6

It definitely sounds English to me - not necessarily Catholic, but I don’t know what an ‘Catholic’ surname would look like except for being from a stereotypically Catholic country (so some Irish or Hispanic names). The Catholics I know have the surnames [name_m]Thomas[/name_m], Corrigan, Beaumont and [name_m]Donaugh[/name_m], so Astorch could easily fit in there.

I do agree though that Astorch is a bit close to Ass-Torch, which is less than ideal. Ostorch or Attorch could be an easy fix, just getting rid of the ‘ass’ sound.

7

At first I pronounced it Az-torch, but now that I’ve seen Ass-torch, I can’t get that out of my mind, sorry! I would keep looking personally.

8

Am I the only one who thought of ostrich right away?

9

Ass torch here too, sorry!

If it’s Catholic you’re going for, how about traditional Catholic first names used as a surname? Something like [name_f]Lourdes[/name_f], [name_m]Ignatius[/name_m], [name_u]Rosario[/name_u], Stellamaris…?

10

I also thought it was like ostrich. No idea about the people saying it sounds like ass-torch. that did not occur to me.

11

Yeah I did think of that but I hate the sound of first names as last names. It feels unfinished to me. Astorch is the surname of a catholic saint i really liked, not well known though.So I just wanted to run it past you guys to check it didnt sound too strange. [name_f]Glad[/name_f] i did - Ass-torch never occurred to me - guess i wont be teaching in schools ever!

I have to change my surname for complicated reasons

12

My uncle just told me the name sounds ugly and doesn’t go with the other names

13

[name_u]Poll[/name_u] added

14

I just had someone burst out laughing. I cant tell if its a weird name or not. I guess i dont find names like Ramsbottom funny but would you take somone seriously with this name

15

I don’t think it’s terrible, especially as a surname I doubt anyone would really care (except for maybe mean middle schoolers) I will admit my first pronunciation of it was ‘ass-tork’ or ‘ass-torch’ I don’t know if that is the correct pronunciation or not, but that is the only drawback I see however your connection with the name might outweigh the pronunciation problem.

I would put it in the same category of names like ‘athol’ where it almost sounds unfortunate and but not quite…

16

I’ve never heard of this surname before and I wasn’t aware of its origin (I’m not Catholic). At first glance, I would guess it’s pronounced ass-tork but unfortunately “ass torch” did come to mind as well.

17

I think it’s nice! I love the idea of using a saint name. Definitely sounds more catholic to me than any other background. In my head I pronounce it “aztorch” or “Aztorq”, so the “ass” doesn’t pose itself as a problem to me! Go for it :slight_smile:

18

Thanks for your kind post! I think you are right!

19

I think its usable. I’m not familiar with the connection, but I dont see why it wouldn’t be usable as a surname. I dont think it sounds particularly nice, but that’s not really a big issue with a surname, in my opinion

20

Thanks for your kind words

Thanks - I am kind of freaking out because it is a name which is a bit out there

I kind of like that it is unusual and unique but i am very afraid people will laugh or think it is weird because it is just not a normal or common name.