[Opinions] Algernon
What are your feelings on Algernon? When I was seven or eight, I read a Beverly Cleary book (forget which one) where Beatrice and Ramona were going to have a new brother. Their parents had decided on Algernon "Algie (Al-jee)," and I remember falling head over heels for it back then. I was an awesome namenerd as a little kid :P Anyway, they ended up having a girl and naming her Roberta, which made me greatly disappointed because I found Roberta to be ugly back then (and still do.) But Algernon has stuck with me, and it almost has a sort of childhood nostalgia attached to it now. I don't like the nn Algie though, because that's how we pronounce Algae in America and it's all I can think of.
Replies
I like it
Complete with nn Algy.
It just appeals to me in the same way Montgomery, Araminta, Tarquin etc do, the 'frightfully posh' sort of names. I just love them (as well as the expressions on my family's faces should I actually use them).
Complete with nn Algy.
It just appeals to me in the same way Montgomery, Araminta, Tarquin etc do, the 'frightfully posh' sort of names. I just love them (as well as the expressions on my family's faces should I actually use them).
I loved Ramona when I was little! Wonder if that's why I love the name Beatrice so much now.
I don't remember the books well now, just that I loved them. So, my first thought of the name Algernon is the book Flowers for Algernon. I don't think it works very well as a fn for a child in the U.S. Perhaps I'm just not gutsy enough. I would love to meet one. Just not nn'd Algie!
I don't remember the books well now, just that I loved them. So, my first thought of the name Algernon is the book Flowers for Algernon. I don't think it works very well as a fn for a child in the U.S. Perhaps I'm just not gutsy enough. I would love to meet one. Just not nn'd Algie!
My 17yr old brother is obsessed with this name atm!
He's been going on and on about the name Algernon, because he loves the book The Importance of Being Ernest! He's very much a literature person and reads books and poetry all the time. When I read the post I laughed, because as I said, he's been talking about this name a lot. I must admit that I'm not a fan of it though.
He's been going on and on about the name Algernon, because he loves the book The Importance of Being Ernest! He's very much a literature person and reads books and poetry all the time. When I read the post I laughed, because as I said, he's been talking about this name a lot. I must admit that I'm not a fan of it though.
I find something ridiculous about it. It just sounds ridiculous.
Flowers for...
Amazing book, but I only think of the mouse when I hear the name.
Amazing book, but I only think of the mouse when I hear the name.
It's sounds like an allergy med, to me
The Importance of Being Earnest.
That's the first place I heard it, so it makes me think only of that character. The sound of it isn't bad, but the meaning is kind of weird. And I don't like Algie at all. Like you said, it sounds the same as algae.
That's the first place I heard it, so it makes me think only of that character. The sound of it isn't bad, but the meaning is kind of weird. And I don't like Algie at all. Like you said, it sounds the same as algae.
I have an uncle Algie (not short for anything). I'd love to see a little Algernon.
I'd completely forgotten about
Flowers for Algernon. No, I don't care for that association either.
Flowers for Algernon. No, I don't care for that association either.
Love it
I associate Algernon with the character in "The Importance of Being Earnest." Chic, witty and just a little naughty.
I'm in the U.S. too. I should have the same aversion to the nn Algie, but my love for the 1950's version of "Being Earnest" overrides the algae thing. (Technicolor Oscar Wilde is to die for.)
I associate Algernon with the character in "The Importance of Being Earnest." Chic, witty and just a little naughty.
I'm in the U.S. too. I should have the same aversion to the nn Algie, but my love for the 1950's version of "Being Earnest" overrides the algae thing. (Technicolor Oscar Wilde is to die for.)
I love that movie! :-)