(no subject)

[mystickiwi.livejournal.com]

Semi-inspired by the post about using Coolidge as a name.

I am not a fan of the new... I dont think it's big enough to be called a trend, but the using of names like Monet and Emerson and etc. as first and middle names for children. I know lots of names can be surnames too (or vice versa.) But for the most part, I think longer names that don't have a history of being used as first names shouldn't be used as first names.

Of course, I find myself breaking my own rule. One of my life goals was to give author Kurt Vonnegut a hug, because he changed my life. He died a few days before my birthday this year, and it was the first time I've ever cried over a human death. I'm not a fan of many boys names, but would someday like to honor this amazing man who I've never met, and I want it to be known exactly who I'm honoring.

So what does everyone think about using Vonnegut as a first name? Even if it does get used, it has a least 10 more years of name limbo to go through. I could also very easily use names like Jonah, Malachi, Kurt, Winston, etc as a way of paying homage to him, but I don't think many people would catch on (and really, I can't warm up to naming a child Kilgore.)

Kurt Vonnegut Jr., of course, would probably think it very stupid for anyone to name a child honoring him, especially someone he never met, but right now im interested in your opinion.

Comments

[miss-tee.livejournal.com]

I would use Kurt.
You say people won't "catch on", but isn't it enough for you and whomever you choose to tell to know who your child's namesake is?

[politicking.livejournal.com]

you could use Vonnegut as a middle name.

[politicking.livejournal.com]

i was just saying it out loud & he could go by "Von"- which i think would be nice.

[rorylareina.livejournal.com]

I like it. Although any of the others you mentioned would also be great, as would Eliot.

[ale3000.livejournal.com]

I like it.

[comicstar.livejournal.com]

I think it's a great idea.

And lol, Kilgore.

[th3-unicorn.livejournal.com]

Kurt Vonnegut Jr. would be a little too much, like you're trying to make your child his reincarnation or something :P

Vonnegut would be cool maybe as a middle name.
Unofortunately, Kurt would remind most people of Kurt Cobain and not Vonnegut (at least the ones from our generation)

[alexandria-skye.livejournal.com]

i think vonnegut would make a cool middle name :)

[cxtxc.livejournal.com]

I don't know. As a FN it sounds very awkward when you say it out loud. And to be honest, there's probably a huge change your kid won't appreciate his name because it's so different. It's important to take into account a childs feelings during the naming process. It's easy to be selfish and view them as an extension of yourself. You may love Vonnegut, but when he's 14 he'll probably regret the day Kurt changed your life.

I would also go with Kurt, and maybe use Vonnegut as a middle name.

[eleanorgrace.livejournal.com]

I think Vonnegut, even more than Emerson or Monet, is just too awkward of a surname to transform into a child's first name. I understand the sentiment, but the name of a child might not be the ideal setting to pay homage to Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
Kurt or similar names, like Curtis and things that can be shortened to Von might be better choices.

[waitingonsunday.livejournal.com]

Honestly, if I met someone named Vonnegut, I'd think their parents were really pretentious. For whatever reason, I wouldn't think find it pretentious if it were used as a middle name, though.

I had a chuckle at Kilgore. One of my friends is always talking about a friend of his, Kilgore. One day, I cut in that it was a horrible name. Turns out, it's the guy's last name, but he thinks it's much "cooler" than his first name, which is, I don't know, Michael or David or something (in computer-geek-Dungeons & Dragons world, it probably is).

[novangla.livejournal.com]

I also prefer Kurt, as Vonnegut's not really smooth as a first name. Malachi and Winston are also v. nice-- I'd lean away from Jonah mainly because the Bible character is such a dolt, but it's a nice name independent of that.

[kitchen-poet.livejournal.com]

Yikes, as much as I love Kurt Vonnegut (and believe me, that is a lot!) if I heard a little boy called Vonnegut it would really scrape on my nerves. Honestly, my first reaction was "Geez, why not just go all out and call the kid Billy Pilgrim?" I think it is the "gut" in the name that I would just hate.

I think people would totally catch on to character names! Or Kurt. And if they didn't, all you would have to do is tell people his name was inspired by the author, and I am sure people would make the connection. And then he wouldn't have to write "Vonnegut" on a resume... :)

[pixietangerine.livejournal.com]

i actually kind of like it. if you want to use it, i say go for it!
von is a cute nickname.
kurt is also good, and much easier to say and not so strange, but like another commenter said, a lot of people would think kurt cobain before kurt vonnegut.