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I was wondering what everyone thinks of the name Gretchen. What kind image does it conjure up? What kind of person do you think of? I can't decide whether I like or not. In a weird way it's a name that sort of contradicts itself in my head. It's strong on the one hand and a bit snappy on the other. Hmm. What do you think?

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I agree

I see it as either this little wimpy girl, or a strong, loud, popular girl

It's confusing, isn't it? Sigh.

I see a Gretchen as a rich, loud spoiled brat:p
I've never really liked the name.
...but that's just me!

Like on Mean Girls? ;-D

It seems like most people don't! Thanks for the input :)

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trissyd.livejournal.com - 2006-05-05 17:19 (UTC) - Expand

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dancing-crazy.livejournal.com - 2006-05-05 17:50 (UTC) - Expand

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dellswife.livejournal.com - 2006-05-05 17:24 (UTC) - Expand

Retchin' Gretchen is what I think of. I never really liked the name. It makes me think of a mean old lady.

Oh, dear. Thanks for the input :)

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shyloh.livejournal.com - 2006-05-06 11:13 (UTC) - Expand

I think it's a really ugly name.

Now, when I was 12 I babysat for a girl named Gretchen and she was a bitch..I know that's a horrible thing to say about a child but she was honestly the worst child I've ever known. She would openly defy me and then when her mom got home she made it seem like I just let her do it. She also just said really mean things to me. It was horrible.

My sister has a friend named Gretchen who is soooo nice and really funny.

So, it conjures up mixed things for me. Purely the name itself is really awful sounding though, imo.

I babysat a kid like that once. I will never name my daughter Emily for it.

Thanks for the opinion :)

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lkw18.livejournal.com - 2006-05-05 18:09 (UTC) - Expand

Yeah it is quite strong and unique, which kind of makes me like it a little bit. But the "Gretch" sound is really disgusting. I think of a wicked witch, or a nasty little girl with greasy skin and big thick plaits. Or a mean old lady who all children fear their balls going over the fence of her house.

I agree. It sounds... good, and then your ear sort of realizes the Gretch sound and then it's over. Haha.

I had a friend in early high school named Gretchen, and she was a quiet girl with the sharpest wit I've ever come across - the name fit her perfectly. She was a total sweeheart and FUNNY. So to me, that's what the name reminds me of.

I'm happy to hear at least one person gets a positive image! :) On another note, your icon is AMAZING. It is the best. Icon. Ever. (That's a hedgehog, right? I'm obsessed with hedgehogs.) (Even if it's not a hedgehogs it's still an awesome icons.)

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artfuldodger.livejournal.com - 2006-05-05 16:59 (UTC) - Expand

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dancing-crazy.livejournal.com - 2006-05-05 17:46 (UTC) - Expand

i'm not a huge fan of the name, but it seems to fit whoever has it REALLY well! most gretchen's i've met are hippies. :)

I've met a hippie Gretchen too! Interrrresting. :)

I've always been amazed at how close it sounds to "wretched" and yet people still name their daughters this.

I think it's gross.

I've known people named that, even bubbly, well-liked, well-adjusted girls and it still is a name that completely throws me off. It doesn't even sound lovely when said out loud.

I think there's a charm to it. I just can't figure out what it is. :)

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invisiblepet.livejournal.com - 2006-05-05 17:57 (UTC) - Expand

I've never met anyone with the name cos it's not common, or even heard of in the UK. I've seen a couple on the telly....Donnie Darko and Recess! I like it.

Haha, Recess wins. It's interesting that it's so uncommon in the UK. Hmmm. Thanks for commenting!

It reminds me of that little girl from the cartoon Recess:

(http://photobucket.com)

Hee! That's actually what I'd think a Gretchen would look like, more or less. Well, either than or a 5'9 blonde. (They are all German, after all. All the ones I've met, anyway.) :D

I knew a Gretchen in high school so it conjures her! She was a very nice girl with blond hair.

I love Gretchen. It's a nickname for Margaret, you know, along with Gretel.

I did know that. Greta, too. I think Greta is a nice name too. Hee. Thanks for the comment!

i always think of like, a little blonde english girl who loves reading and playing imaginary games in the garden.

it doesn't mean i *like* the name necessarily, but it brings up a cute image for me anyway. :)

Aww! WEE BRITISH CHILDREN! =D I'm glad it brings up a nice image for you. Thanks!

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twoheadedboi.livejournal.com - 2006-05-06 11:42 (UTC) - Expand

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secret-x-stars.livejournal.com - 2006-05-06 15:12 (UTC) - Expand

Heres the scoop. lolz.

Its either an annoying as hell little girl, a brat.
Or a very popular girl (Mean Girls).

I've always thought it could be a cool name on the right person whos actually a normal kid. For a sweet little girl or something.

I agree it's an either or kind of deal. Hmm. Thanks for the comment :)

Gretchen is my little sister's name, and I think it is a great name. Boo to all the name-hate, I feel I should whip out a nerf sword and defend her honor.

aww. Well, I like it, if it helps! :)

Gretchen is a diminutive of Margaret, as an earlier poster noted, and is composed of the elements "Gret" (from Margaret) + "chen" (where -chen is a common Germanic diminutive). If you look at it like that (rather than focusing on "gretch"), it retains a bit more charm.

True. Thanks for that :)

When I hear that name I think of Gretchen from Recess. I hate the name though.

Now it's all I can think of, too! :)

I quite like the name Gretchen. Sweet and pretty. It conjures up thoughts of Hansel and Gretel for me, and since I love fairy tales, that's not a bad association. Minus the mean witch of course. :)

I'm happy to see some people can look past that :) I think there's something very pretty about it. Thanks!

Yeah, it's almost unheard of in the UK. I've never met one myself. But I do like the name. Even if it does conjure up memories of the gawky girl with glasses in Disney's Recess.

I'd think it odd as it's a European name. I'd think less people would know of it in the States than in the UK. Hmm...

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I think some names... The minute you see them on other people, you're like, 'phew, okay, it works.' Gretchen is that kind of name for me. Thanks! :)

I think I like it, but it's hard for me to decide. I doubt I'd ever name any of my kids that, but it doesn't make me cringe :)

Same thing for me. I think I like it one minute and then the other I'm like... well it wouldn't make the list... :D I don't know. I'm sad people think of it as a witch's name, though!

I'd like to use it. I'm debating between that and Greta, but I think Greta wins. maybe.

OH, I love the name Greta! It's beautiful. Or you could use Gretchen and Greta as a nickname. I think maybe one of the reason I like those names so much is that they look so wonderful written in Hebrew. Weird, I know, but it just changes the way I see a name. Anyway... good choice, in my opinion!

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so-there.livejournal.com - 2006-05-06 13:11 (UTC) - Expand

I used to not like that name
Until I met a girl named Gretchen
she was beautiful
dark hair and eyes, even darker (tan) skin.
she was gorgeous and shy and so sweet!!!

I like the name Gretchen.
I wouldn't necessarily use it myself but I do like it.

Gretchen reminds me of a really bitter old lady.

Reminds me of a geeky girl. Also 'wretching'.. being sick.

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