I really love names like [name_m]Alistair[/name_m], [name_m]Sebastian[/name_m], [name_u]Jasper[/name_u] and [name_m]Tobias[/name_m]. They sound elegant if pronounced by an [name_f]English[/name_f] person. They sound crass if pronounced by an American (American: Sebbaash-chee-an, British: Suh-bazz-ti-an).
There are just too many classy, dignified and elegant British names that I can’t use. I want my baby boy to have a REAL NAME but I live in [name_u]America[/name_u]. The standard American [name_f]English[/name_f] accent is only appropriate for names like [name_m]Kaden[/name_m], [name_u]Landon[/name_u], [name_m]Kaleb[/name_m], [name_m]Kayson[/name_m], [name_u]Kameron[/name_u], [name_m]Titus[/name_m], [name_u]Conner[/name_u], [name_u]Kyle[/name_u], [name_m]Kayleb[/name_m], [name_m]Cole[/name_m], [name_u]Carter[/name_u], [name_u]Hunter[/name_u], [name_m]Buck[/name_m] and [name_m]Dick[/name_m]
[name_m]Sebastian[/name_m], [name_u]Jasper[/name_u], and [name_m]Tobias[/name_m] all rank fairly high in the US. I don’t think using a British style name here would be weird at all, I think it would be perfectly fine. Also, I’ve only ever heard [name_m]Sebastian[/name_m] pronounced as suh-bash-chin - 3 syllables, not 4 (by American [name_f]English[/name_f] speakers). I do agree that some names certainly sound better in [name_f]English[/name_f] accents, but I don’t think all of the names in this style sound “crass” in American accents. You can absolutely use this style here, many other people do.
I agree with what others have said! I live in the U.S. and have known Alistairs, Sebastians and Jaspers so don’t think it would be weird at all. I think if you love a name you should name your child that!
I think you’re being a tad unfair on the enormous and diverse nation that is [name_u]America[/name_u] there! There are plenty of Americans who don’t pronounce [name_m]Sebastian[/name_m] the way you’ve written it (and I, a [name_u]Brit[/name_u], pronounce it “suh-BASS-tee-un”, no Z sound).
I disagree that the American accent only suits the names you’ve listed (which are also “real names”, surely?) [name_m]Sebastian[/name_m] actually ranks higher in the US than the UK, it’s a perfect cross-cultural choice. And [name_m]Alistair[/name_m], [name_u]Jasper[/name_u] and [name_m]Tobias[/name_m] are all increasingly fashionable in both countries too. I don’t see any glaring potential pronunciation issues there.
I think you use the names you love, and embrace the diversity of the [name_f]English[/name_f] language and the flexibility of modern [name_f]English[/name_f]/American naming conventions, which basically let everyone go in whatever direction they choose for their child’s name.
I agree with previous posters! Given the popularity of the names, I don’t think you’ll have many problem pronouncing them.
If you love the names then use them!
As someone who’s British and has an accent that definitely doesn’t add elegance to any name, I don’t think there’s a problem. As @katinka has put so well, use what you love!
I totally get it! There are so many names that I love that sound a thousand times better in a British accent. But I don’t think that should stop you from using what you love!
Fwiw, [name_m]Tobias[/name_m] sounds the least different between the accents. [name_m]Sebastian[/name_m] I actually prefer the American way. Interestingly enough, those are the two I don’t see as peculiarly British.
Lol I think the only one that would sound more harsh in the US is [name_m]Alistair[/name_m] because it would end in a hard r but it’d still be a nice name and usable for sure just sound a little different. The rest are totally adorable in US accents and [name_f]English[/name_f] ones! Not a sin at all to use them.
I mean, I think everything sounds better in an [name_f]English[/name_f] accent but I can appreciate some of the ways Americans pronounce names. [name_m]Sebastian[/name_m] is seh-BASS-chin to me but I could be corrected to seh-BASS-tee-an. Tbh, the only way I think you can get people to pronounce your son’s name with an [name_f]English[/name_f] accent is to move to [name_f]England[/name_f] though…
Yeah, Americans kind of ruin the name by saying it (I’m American too, btw). I think the [name_f]English[/name_f] accent is SOO cool and since I want an accent, I think I’ll move to another country so I have one. Anyway, I do think that they are wonderful names, yet we would completely BUTCHER the pronunciation, so I will sadly say that it’d probably be a no go.
I totally get this feeling. Like the names [name_m]Bernard[/name_m] and [name_m]Martin[/name_m] sound so much nicer with an [name_f]English[/name_f] accent. I think you can still have an elegant boy name that sounds good in American accent though. I know of a young [name_m]Alastair[/name_m] and it doesn’t sound odd to me, but maybe it’s also about where you live. Like if you’re in the Midwest with a [name_f]Chicago[/name_f] accent, any names with an ‘ah’ sound will sound a little harsh. I think maybe avoid r and a sounds?
I live in the US. I know soooo many little Sebastians and several Jaspers! I don’t see them as british names at all. I say [name_m]Sebastian[/name_m] as seh-BAS-tyan or maybe seh-BAS-chyan and I’m from the east coast US. I honestly know more little kids named [name_m]Sebastian[/name_m], [name_m]Oliver[/name_m], [name_m]Leo[/name_m], [name_m]Theodore[/name_m], etc. than I do the Kaydens and Landons and all those names you listed
[name_m]Sebastian[/name_m] actually ranks higher in the US than the UK, it’s a perfect cross-cultural choice. And [name_m]Alistair[/name_m], [name_u]Jasper[/name_u] and [name_m]Tobias[/name_m] are all increasingly fashionable in both countries too. I don’t see any glaring potential pronunciation issues there.
I totally get it! There are so many names that I love that sound a thousand times better in a British accent. But I don’t think that should stop you from using what you love!