[Opinions] Re: Amos
in reply to a message by -=A=-
I think it's wonderful. It was my #1 name when I first started here at BtN. Really, Amos is my absolute favorite male name. I won't use it, however, because of the "anus" teasing. Every name can be teased, but this is a little too mean for my tastes.
It's funny. For a long time I considered the impact of the Famous Amos brand name and the sad racial stereotypes of Amos and Andy, but the similarity to anus went right over my head. I wish it wasn't immediately obvious to everyone else--every man I know, every kid over the age of 8 or so, even my mother. I was crushed to speak on another site to the aunt of a 10-year-old Amos who has been so harassed over his name that his parents are helping him legally changing his it as a birthday present.
Bottom line, it's strictly mn material for me now, but I'd love to see it on someone else's kid as a fn.
It's funny. For a long time I considered the impact of the Famous Amos brand name and the sad racial stereotypes of Amos and Andy, but the similarity to anus went right over my head. I wish it wasn't immediately obvious to everyone else--every man I know, every kid over the age of 8 or so, even my mother. I was crushed to speak on another site to the aunt of a 10-year-old Amos who has been so harassed over his name that his parents are helping him legally changing his it as a birthday present.
Bottom line, it's strictly mn material for me now, but I'd love to see it on someone else's kid as a fn.
Replies
I really don't care about the anus possibility. I don't really care much about teasing either. I got teased plenty and I think it taught me not to care.
I'm not willing to take that attitude, since I can't predict how my own child would react. Like I said, all names are teaseworthy, but some teasing is easier and uglier than others.
More power to you, though.
More power to you, though.
Sad Story
For me it has family significance as well. It's actually a heartbreaking story. My great-great-grandmother (Alice Augusta Robey--I've mentioned her) had twelve brothers and sisters (lovely names but that's beside the point). The youngest of the twelve sisters, Mira (also the most beautiful) had gotten married to a man named Amos Lowry (love that name beyond comprehension). Unfortunately though she had gotten pregnant long before the wedding and in the 1890's it was simply out of the question in Burtonsville, Maryland to give birth less than nine months after a wedding. So, she tried to induce miscarriage and died in the process, leaving behind her new husband, Amos. Heartbreaking, isn't it? Mira's portrait still hangs over the center of my grandmother's mantle. Actually if I ever had boy-girl twins, Amos and Mira would be a consideration.
For me it has family significance as well. It's actually a heartbreaking story. My great-great-grandmother (Alice Augusta Robey--I've mentioned her) had twelve brothers and sisters (lovely names but that's beside the point). The youngest of the twelve sisters, Mira (also the most beautiful) had gotten married to a man named Amos Lowry (love that name beyond comprehension). Unfortunately though she had gotten pregnant long before the wedding and in the 1890's it was simply out of the question in Burtonsville, Maryland to give birth less than nine months after a wedding. So, she tried to induce miscarriage and died in the process, leaving behind her new husband, Amos. Heartbreaking, isn't it? Mira's portrait still hangs over the center of my grandmother's mantle. Actually if I ever had boy-girl twins, Amos and Mira would be a consideration.
This message was edited 3/18/2008, 8:28 PM
Robey Family
Oh, I can't resist typing their names.
mother: Marian Washington (née Burton; daughter of Isaac and Keturah Brown Duvall)
father: Berry Robey (son of John Nelson Robey and Rachel Ann Higgens)
1. John Nelson
2. Alice Augusta
3. Thomas
4. Robert
5. Annie Keturah
6. Margaret Ellen "Aunt Mag"
7. Edward Haslup
8. Julia Ann
9. Adolphus
10. Sallie Louise
11.
12. Marian Elmira "Mira"
This is really frustrating but I forgot one of the names. I need to check those family records at my grandmother's house. Sigh.
Oh, I can't resist typing their names.
mother: Marian Washington (née Burton; daughter of Isaac and Keturah Brown Duvall)
father: Berry Robey (son of John Nelson Robey and Rachel Ann Higgens)
1. John Nelson
2. Alice Augusta
3. Thomas
4. Robert
5. Annie Keturah
6. Margaret Ellen "Aunt Mag"
7. Edward Haslup
8. Julia Ann
9. Adolphus
10. Sallie Louise
11.
12. Marian Elmira "Mira"
This is really frustrating but I forgot one of the names. I need to check those family records at my grandmother's house. Sigh.
I love the sibset, though I think boy-girl twins named Amos and Mira would be a little creepy, given the history. ;0)
One question: I see Mira is from Elmira. I used to live not far from Elmira, NY and I have a co-worker with the name, both pronounced el-MY-ra. Do you know if your relative pronounced Mira as MEER-ah or MY-ra? I do like the sound of Amos and MEER-ah together. Amos and MY-ra, not as much.
One question: I see Mira is from Elmira. I used to live not far from Elmira, NY and I have a co-worker with the name, both pronounced el-MY-ra. Do you know if your relative pronounced Mira as MEER-ah or MY-ra? I do like the sound of Amos and MEER-ah together. Amos and MY-ra, not as much.
el-MY-ra, MY-ra