Before joining the [name_u]Berry[/name_u] community, I didn’t realize how many aspects factor into a name: how it looks, it’s sound, the flow, it’s origin, it’s spelling, strong personal/societal associations (celebrities and famous figures both positive and negative), popularity, cultural significance, etc., etc. (we can go on and on). It can all get a bit overwhelming.
But I was thinking about the SOUND of names lately. [name_f]Harlow[/name_f] used to be a favorite of mine, and I’ve noticed that a lot of comments when talking about [name_f]Harlow[/name_f] mention how it’s too close/one letter away from the word harlot. Though I would no longer use [name_f]Harlow[/name_f] (fell out of like with it awhile ago), it got me thinking…isn’t [name_f]Violet[/name_f] just one letter away from the word violent? [name_m]Even[/name_m] more so with [name_m]Killian[/name_m]/[name_m]Cillian[/name_m] (I’m sure there’s more, just can’t think of them at the moment).
So, what’s the difference? Is it because [name_f]Violet[/name_f] has been an established name for longer and is used far more often? Or is it just a pure dislike for the name ([name_f]Harlow[/name_f]) and it’s proximity to harlot is just an observation?
This isn’t an attack on anyone who has these opinions. I just like picking people’s brains. So give me your thoughts!
[name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] also rhymes with Harlot. There’s even a song by very popular rock band which sings [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] the Harlot.
But yes, it’s test of time. [name_f]Harlow[/name_f] is trendy, and some people hate trendy for all the wrong reasons. [name_m]Just[/name_m] ignore these kind of people.
[name_f]Harlow[/name_f] just makes me think of [name_u]Jean[/name_u] [name_f]Harlow[/name_f]. The “harlot” thing would never have occured to me. And anyway, “harlot” is not a commonly used word anymore, so I don’t think it’s an issue. I feel the main reason [name_f]Harlow[/name_f] is disliked by some is because it’s a non-traditional, trendy name.
I’ve never thought of the harlot thing, or understood the [name_f]Violet[/name_f] - Violent thing, though I see that comment often. It’s all down to personal opinion imo. Some people associate sounds and connect them together in certain ways - everyone’s minds work differently.
It’s almost like associations with people and names - I’ve seen many comments saying that [name_f]Sapphire[/name_f] is a “stripper” name, yet to me, it’s a cute, underused gemstone name, because the only Sapphires I’ve encountered are little girls in a kindergarten class.
Hmmm… I’m not really sure. It might just depend on personal associations and how different people view names. I personally don’t like [name_f]Harlow[/name_f], but I don’t see Harlot as a problem, particularly as out loud, the endings and O sounds are different. I do see [name_f]Violet[/name_f]-Violent (and even a similarity to Vile), but that isn’t what puts me off the name.
I think other associations, just general like/love for a name, or existing popularity (with [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] and [name_f]Violet[/name_f] on here) can overshadow if it sounds like a bad word. For example I adore [name_m]Horatio[/name_m], but there have been comments about the first syllable, and how it sounds like a phrase, but I still love it. I think the way it’s stressed/how I say it makes it less obvious anyway, but it’s not something that bothers me, even if it bothers other people.
I’ve seen lots of comments about [name_f]Scarlett[/name_f] having Scar in it. I just see the name and nothing else. I guess, like you said it depends on how well established the name already is. [name_f]Amelia[/name_f] is actually the name of a birth defect yet is one of the most common names.
I think it’s personal opinions about not only the name itself but also aspects of the name that affect whether people notice these. I’ve specifically posted a thread about Violane before and got several comments about it being too close to violent, but I don’t see people say that about [name_f]Violet[/name_f] much, so I think there might be a bias against unusual names and for classic type names going on there.
Bottom line is every comment has to be taken with a grain of salt. These are other people’s opinions, and while it is nice to get an idea of how people really feel about a name, good or bad, you also have to ask yourself whether you agree with that opinion and whether it is something that really matters to you.
There is no difference! It’s simply a matter of taste. People aren’t entirely logical, and neither is their choice in names. Someone may hear “violent” when they hear “violet” and simultaneously love [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f]. As you said, there are many factors that go into a choice of name, and some parents feel that one bad association doesn’t outweigh the other reasons to love their favorite name. The human brain is quite contradictory- as much as we like to believe we think rationally, we rarely do.
My brain tends to see harlot and [name_u]Marlow[/name_u] in [name_f]Harlow[/name_f]. It might be because those are more familiar words/names to me. But I can honestly say that [name_f]Harlow[/name_f] is one of those few names that just has a weird taste/texture in my mouth that I don’t like. So, harlot isn’t really my biggest issue with it.
