[name]Hi[/name] berries!
I think I have decided to use the name of a place that is very dear to my heart in the middle name slot for one of my future children, I just can’t decide if it would sound better on a boy or girl. I know it is not a “name” but I think it is an appropriate middle name with a more formal first. It is the Penobscot word for “boiling kettle”-- Asticou, pronounced ass-tick-oooo (rhymes with you). Any thoughts??
Thanks 
I don’t think it sounds feminine or masculine because I’ve never heard it as a name. However, I wouldn’t use it for a child, not even as a middle name. I think there are too many negative connotations with the first syllable.
This.
My best friend’s name starts with an Ass- sound, and on several occasions she came home crying to her mother hysterical, "Why would you name me a name with a bad word?!
I wouldn’t do it, it’s not worth the tears that will follow.
I think Asticou is gender neutral. I think it would be a lovely middle name. Many people (celebs included) are giving their children middle names that are dear to them in some way.
I think it could work as a middle name to either gender but slightly better for a boy. I don’t think any negative sounds in the word would be a problem since it’s a middle name. As long as your child knows what it means and why it’s important to you I don’t see them being too upset about it. It’s their middle name that they aren’t going to use in everyday life.
I would leave it out - I don’t think that’s a name that any child could “grow into”
Am I the only one who thinks it sounds similar to ass tickle? I’m sorry but once I saw how it was pronounced, that’s all I could think of.
OMG i was sort of thinking that. I do agree that they won’t use it in everyday life, but people ask, like teachers and other kids, and your child will likely tell. i know the middle name of all 40 kids in my group because I asked 2 or 3 of them and then everybody wanted to know what my opinion was of their middle names. New parents tend to tell me the kids middle name when they’re introducing them to me.
I think it has a weird sound and it does sort of sound like ass tickle…but if you are going to use it, and if it is very important to you you should use it in the middle, I think it sounds more masculine with the OO sound at the end.
I was just in Northeast Harbor last weekend! We spent a great afternoon at the Asticou Terraces, such a lovely place!! I can definitely see the appeal, but it is a bit strange sounding… What about [name]Acadia[/name] instead? That would make a beautiful middle name for a little girl 
I wouldn’t use it as a middle, sure middle names aren’t used often, but when you’re little you often get to do a report about yourself in front of your class. We did one in 5th grade, and if the kids found out, they might likely tease her or hem to death because it sounds like a bad word…
Thought it’s a place dear to you, I wouldn’t use it as a name, maybe pick something else that reminds you of the place.
Who cares if Asticou begins with the “ass” sound? So do the names [name]Aspen[/name], Astor, and [name]Astoria[/name]. If you want to get technical [name]Asher[/name], [name]Ashley[/name], [name]Ashby[/name], [name]Ashlyn[/name], and [name]Ashton[/name] also begin with the “ass” sound. Unless you’re drawing the “s” out as a snake would when you pronounce Asticou I do not see why this is an issue.
My personal opinion? If this name has personal significance to you, put it in the middle spot as you plan to do. I would slightly prefer to hear it on a boy.
I don’t like it at all but I would say boy. It is a very harsh sound, not soft and feminine.
I reckon it’s cool! Hate the way people get all judgemental about unusual sounding names - who cares? Says more about the people doing the judging than it does about the person with the name. Anyway, to answer your question, I’m thinking boy, but it could go on either.
This name is obviously a name that you love-so use it! It is defineitely a middle name for a boy!! I can just hear a little (for example) “Jye Asticou” or even [name]Harry[/name], [name]Ben[/name] or [name]Tucker[/name] Asticou! I’m sure your future child would not be bullied because of the sounding of their MIDDLE name!! I really like this name, very unique and different-and it sounds great with so many names!!
Thanks to all of you who actually answered my question! I definitively see it as more masculine now. and while I appreciate all of the input on the teasing potential, that isn’t what I was looking for. I think if my son is embarrassed about the sound (because surely he would realize that it is unusual when everyone else is saying things like [name]John[/name] and [name]Michael[/name]) he could just refrain from telling people. They’ll only know if he tells them
And julia joanna, It is a beautiful place isn’t it? I’ve been going there since I was a baby with my grandmother who recently passed. My last and favorite photo of the two of us together is there. I had considered [name]Acadia[/name], but don’t like the trendy sound of it (too many A’s I think? not sure what I mean by this, but it brings to mind names like [name]Aliah[/name], [name]Aspen[/name], etc which are not my style), and it’s nowhere near as significant to me.
If it’s very important to you, put it in the middle - too many bad connotations as a first name.
I don’t know… I would be wary on it… are you okay if your kid is embarrassed or hates his or her middle name or if he’s so ashamed of it he won’t tell anyone? It’s something to think on… but otherwise I say it’s safe in the middle spot to a certain extent. Like I said in some schools, you have to do a report on yourself, and telling how you got your name and what it is, is part of the report. We did one when I was little and I still hear it going on for other kids… I guess it depends where you are… one way or another his or her middle name won’t be a secret for long…