meanings

[girlsteve.livejournal.com]

It's not a name that's on my list, but I've always quite liked the name Tristan. Then I discovered that it means 'sad'. I'm trying to decide whether that puts me off or not. I suppose most people are never asked what their names mean, and a lot of people don't even know. And I suppose 'sad' isn't an ugly or insulting meaning, but still..

Plus, I got my love of names from my mother and I have a feeling any children I had would share it. At the very least, it seems odd that someone who takes such an interest in names and can tell pretty much anyone they meet the meaning of thier name would have a kid with a name that meant 'sad'.

What do you think? Would it put you off?

Comments

[elemmennope.livejournal.com]

According to behindthename.com (http://www.behindthename.com/name/tristan) which usually has pretty accurate info on their database, the name coming from Latin for "sad" is unlikely.

Still, just the sound of the name is enough to make me think "sad" when I see it. That is the reason I personally dislike the name quite a lot.

[politicking.livejournal.com]

i love the name Tristan... i know i read somewhere that it may have come from the word "triste" (french?) or "tristis" (latin) which both mean sad. but, i'm unsure the names actual meaning.

i still like the name, because i think of Tristan & Isolde or "Legends of the Fall" (one of my favorite movies).

[lneef.livejournal.com]

I don't think a meaning like that would put me off. I'd just give him a happy-associations middle name to offset.

[shortbutfast.livejournal.com]

i don't think most people would make that association. i do because i speak french but really, i don't think it's a bad name in and of itself. a little dramatic because of the tristan & isolde link. but again, in the big scheme of things i don't think it matters as most people wouldn't think of these things upon hearing the name.

[mosscollection.livejournal.com]

The word triste means sad in French, so I can see where that relation comes from. However, it wouldn't put me off of the name.
My middle name is Mallory, which I found out means "one with bad luck", but that doesn't make me not like my middle name. I actually think it's kind of funny that that is the meaning. And I, like you, am quite interested in names.

[barelyshocking.livejournal.com]

My brother's name is Tristan. I can't remember a single time when anyone has ever noted "But doesn't that mean 'sad'?"

You know, if the name is a name you love, then use it. Tristan is a strong, handsome name. I feel that the historical associations make it even more wonderful. And, of course, your child is not going to be sad because of a name.

I have a few friends whose names have 'negative' meanings. Molly, for example, can have the meaning 'sea of bitterness'. It just isn't a factor though in who they are, and when we talked about our name meanings it was a brief conversation, and a bit of a laugh.

I love it, and I encourage you to use it!

[brunhildevalkyr.livejournal.com]

My almost 5 year old son's name is Tristan. I loved the name and didn't care that it's meaning is sometimes sad. I've also seen the meaning "noisy or boisterous" linked to Tristan as well. He certainly fits that meaning ALOT better.

I focus on the Arthurian background of the name myself.

[tryyingtoevolve.livejournal.com]

I think if the meaning matters to you, you should use a name where you like the name AND the meaning. If you don't care that much about the meaning, go with the one you really like.

It sounds like it matters to you, so I wouldn't use it, because you might regret it later. Plus, Tristan seems VERY trendy recently. I like it, but it's becoming one of those names that I hear WAY too often.

[0o-faerie.livejournal.com]

I personally like it if a name has a great meaning. But if it has a not-so-great meaning, it doesn't necessarily put me off. Just like you said, most people won't know the meaning of the name...it's mostly about the sound.
However, if you care a lot about meaning yourself, than I would rethink it if I were you...just in case you'll change your mind when the kid is already named ;)