View Message

[Opinions] Primrose
Yeah, I know, most people here hate it. I'm just wondering why. I searched it and it showed up in threads of least favorite names quite a few times. Some people said it was too 'helpless, innocent little girl' sounding which I didn't really get because to me it doesn't sound any more feminine or innocent than Violet, for example or Lily. I guess many don't like the Prim part of Primrose? Just wondering, if you dislike it, why? And why do you like it (if you do)? Even if you hate it, do you think there is something positive about it?Just wondering whether it's usable. It is my number 2 name at the moment, right after Meadow. Oh and have you ever met one? I heard it's more popular in Britain but have never heard of one.Meadow or Primrose? if you had to choose?
Archived Thread - replies disabled
vote up1

Replies

Draw Something keeps asking me to draw this and I have no idea how.-___- Anyway, I hate the name too.
vote up1
Fullily enough, I dislike Violet and Lily for much the same reasons as Primrose!In all those cases, the image of the flower is very powerful and very specific. All shy, unassuming, sweetly transient ... nothing bad in there, but if I look around all the women, girls and little babies I know, not many of them at all fit those criteria. So there's likiely to be a built-in clash of expectations. Violet the auctioneer? Lily the Olympic field athlete? Primrose the rapper? In all those cases, the contrast could be piquant ... but I find it too much of a stretch. Call me 'hidebound by convention'!My grandmother remembered the first generation of flower names, and told me that in her experience, women named Violet tended to be stout, brash, flat-footed and wore corsets that creaked alarmingly when their bulk shifted! Perhaps they were reacting against the stereotype?I've never met a Primrose. In the UK, most people would be likely to connect it with the wife of Harold Shipman, the doctor who, about 10 years ago, was convicted of having murdered hundreds (yes, really) of his elderly patients; he stole their jewellery and gave it to Primrose, who wore it without asking any awkward questions. Not a nice association.
vote up1
I thought it was cute, until the Hunger Games. Now it's just annoying. Probably because the writing was such garbage ...
vote up1
Aha! That explains the sudden rash of Primrose queries! I'm somewhat aware that the Hunger Games exist, or is is exists? But I didn't know they contained a Primrose. Makes me wonder if all those Katniss jokes are true and it really is based on catnip the herb!
vote up1
Katnisslike primrose, katniss is a plant name - and unrelated to catniphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagittaria
vote up1
Fascinating - thank you!
vote up1
I don't hate it. I wouldn't use it on a daughter though, perhaps a cat.
vote up1
It seems like one of those BtN darlings that has a mixture of those of us who either really like or really dislike it. I think it's ugly and starchy and stuffy and doesn't feel very namey. It sounds like a name given to a kid conceived through an affair w/ the gardener.
I wouldn't inflict it on a child personally... Though I suppose if the child hated it, the girl could choose to just go by Rose.
DEFINITELY like Meadow better than Primrose. No contest.
Finding its way into pop-fiction also kinda makes it seem a little lame and pop-culture more than real life in some ways since a number of other names mentioned for characters in the show/book aren't normal names... even if that's not where you got it from or why you liked it in the first place.(ETA) Something about its style just feels like calling a child Table or Chair or Vase or something... It's just not working for me.

This message was edited 4/19/2012, 7:10 AM

vote up1
I don't mind it. I find it more refreshing than Lily etc. I wouldn't cringe if I saw it used on someone else's child, but I wouldn't use it myself. I definitely think it's more suited to the middle name position. If I had to choose between Meadow or Primrose, I'd choose Primrose.
vote up1
I love Primrose :)I would totally use it if I didn't already have a Rosemary :DMeadow is sweet too, though prefer Primrose. Prim is super sweet as a nickname.
vote up1
Several reasons...1. It's too delicate. When I hear it, I think of a meek, helpless girl who never raises her voice or does anything interesting. Not the type of thing I look for in a name.2. It's sickeningly sweet. 3. It's old fashioned, but NOT in a good way. There is a reason it died, IMO, and I hope it stays in its grave.Can you tell I hate this name? ;)
vote up1
I don't hate Primrose, but I don't like it either. I don't get why people don't like it since everybode seems to like Rosalie, Rosalind, Rose and whatever. I find it too frilly and I don't really like the way it sounds or looks. If I had to choose I'd go with Meadow, but neither one is a favorite.
vote up1
It just doesn't feel as namelike as the other Rose names... Something about the prim thing makes it feel more like naming a kid after a random household item or a piece of grass or something.
vote up1
it's the prim partWell, I absolutely love primroses, which I first saw on a February visit to Ireland years ago--they were everywhere, in the deepest, most intense primary colors--I've never forgotten. So to me the name has that much going in favor of it. Where I stumble is over the "prim" part. I have a hard time coming up with positive associations for all the connotations of prim, especially for a girl or a woman of any age, but now that I think about it, even for boys or men. I sort of associate prim with frigidity or hang-ups or being socially stilted......If not for all these associations, if I were basing my like solely on sound, I would probably like it as a human name, too. A similar name, to me, would be Tulip--not used that often, and why not, after all? But neither of the syllables that comprise the word tulip creates uncomfortable associations in the same way that prim does. For me.And with Meadow, well I grew up on Meadow St, which happened to border a really big chain factory that operated 24 hours a day, with 3 shifts--shook the whole neighborhood with incessant pounding. So that trumps all the prettier wildflowerish associations that are commonly related to the word meadow. But I'm also aware that names ending in "O" are really popular right now--Hugo, Juno, Milo, Margo--so if Meadow were spelled Meddo (not recommending!) as well as having all the pretty associations, it would probably be heading for the top 100.
vote up1
Ick.It's so sickeningly sweet and twee. Sorry, I don't like it at all. Rose on its own is fine, and I adore Rosamund ... but not Primrose. Blegh.I'm not a huge fan of Meadow, but I like it much, much better!
vote up1
Not again!Boy am I sick of hearing this name. Even most of BTN's darlings never get this much freakin' attention.
vote up1
Yeah... It is getting kinda old on here.
vote up1
You said you were never going to post here againWhy do you keep coming back
vote up1
That is the nature of BtNIt's so good that he can't write it off... I was hoping he'd change the profile for a new beginning for the sake of everyone. Even the most annoying name nerd can get trolled enough elsewhere to desire a return here. I've gone on hiatus as in scheduled breaks.

This message was edited 4/18/2012, 6:48 PM

vote up1
Because he has nothing better to do.Best to ignore him.
vote up1
I was wondering about that too :P I still remember his user name (the one he registered under). He left so many stupid comments in the comment section for each and every name :P
vote up1
I searched for it and people have only posted on it 5 or 6 times in total (all messages so since 2005 or so). So you exaggerate a little. A lot, actually.
vote up1
It seems like it's come up multiple times recently... even if not in the title of posts, in the body of them.
vote up1
I might be in the minority here, and it may be because I really like floral names, haha, but I actually like Primrose.I knew of its existence before Hunger Games, and even though people might associate it with that highly now, there were certainly little girls named Hermione before Harry Potter came out, so I try not to think of it as much. Plus I don't think literary or historical homage is such a bad thing in naming your child. There are worse reasons or inspirations to name your child after, though I know that isn't what you're doing anyway.I like Primrose, and I don't mind Meadow, but I'd certainly chose Primrose. I like Primrose Catherine, Primrose Adelaide, & Primrose Josephine. I guess the classic in the middle name spot...
vote up1
Ok....I actually really like Primrose!! And even BEFORE the Hunger Games trend :) I think you're right in that most people dislike the "prim" part. When I posted about it before I mentioned that I actually LIKE the nn Prim and most people said that's what turned them off of it. I think most flower names are already viewed as very "sweet" so I imagine the "prim" part really puts the saccharinity (is that a word?) over the top and positions the name as more "fantasy" than "usable"I like both Meadow and Primrose but I think I'd actually pick Primrose here. Primrose Oona is my go-to combo :)
vote up1
It's in use here in the UK, but not exactly popular. I've never come across one.
2010 stats: #1180, 27 girls
up from 2009 #1287, 23 girlsI don't like the Prim part in Primrose either, but I prefer it to Meadow.
vote up1
Where did you get the statistics? I only found a top 100. Would love to look at it if you have a link :)
vote up1
Don't have the link to hand atm, just the saved files, but they're somewhere on the National Statistics site.
vote up1
Meadow.Primrose is very "The Hunger Games" though I love the movie/book.
vote up1
It's so silly. For me, it has a totally different vibe from names like Violet and Lily. It's probably a combination of Primrose's imagery, component parts, and familiarity as a name rather than just a word, but Primrose is more in Maidenhair and Pussy Willow territory. I've never met a Primrose, and I honestly hope I don't unless she has fur or feathers. So, yeah, I'm one of those who hates it, and I hate everything about it, from the "prim" component to how weak, passive, ornamental, childlike, and syrupy it sounds. I haven't read Hunger Games or seen the movie, but as far as I can tell from the preview, the character Primrose is a defenseless slip of a thing whom the main character is driven to protect. It was a great name choice for a character who functions as the victim in someone else's story. On a real woman, I think it's diminishing. Meadow, on the other hand, I like a lot. I think it's a little bit quirky, nicely feminine without being limp as a pink ribbon, and it has some lovely imagery. I'd much rather see a BA for a Meadow than a Primrose.
vote up1
"I've never met a Primrose, and I honestly hope I don't unless she has fur or feathers."lolIt just doesn't feel human to me for some reason.
vote up1
No, she's not. I liked it before I read the books but the character is pretty awesome and made me like it even more. She studies to become a doctor and is really kind. The only reason her sister volunteers is because there would be 18 year olds fighting against her and at 12 she wouldn't have had a chance to survive.
vote up1
Oh, I grasped the reason why Katniss steps up from the preview, but my impression still stands. The idea of a younger child having to face off against older children or adults in deadly struggles is not uncommon in children's stories; Harry Potter practically revolves around the idea. Primrose is eligible to compete, but she's the girl who doesn't have a chance, the tool used to showcase Katniss's bravery, self sacrifice, and dedication. That she's kind and will end up being a doctor doesn't change my feeling that Collins went looking for a name that conveyed passivity and the need to be sheltered and struck gold with Primrose. Like I said, everything I know about Hunger Games comes from the movie preview, the book jacket, and things other people have said, so I know I'm probably out of my depth here. I dislike the name for reasons that don't have anything to do with Hunger Games, and I'm sure they negatively influence my perception of the character. The information I have, though, makes me feel the author took advantage of the worst qualities of the name in naming Primrose, looking for something sugary, babyish, ineffectual.
vote up1
Hmmm Harry Potter is something totally different, in my opinion. At least there's no rule that only one person can survive. I've read the books and no 12 year old has ever won. It's hard to win against someone so much taller and stronger. They also weren't prepared or had any natural talents such as being a wizard or a witch. Also she never asked to be rescued. She was actually pretty strong, not crying or anything when her name was called. She just went up there and her sister volunteered. It's not like she cried and screamed for her sister to rescue her. Then Katniss should be the strong name :P But it doesn't sound particularly strong to me. Just funny. Peeta is also a pretty strong character with a pretty funny name. I do think that Primrose sounds girly but not in a bad way.
vote up1
Actually, there is a "rule" that only one can survive in HP. Per the prophecy, it's either Harry or Voldemort. And compared to Voldemort, Harry is a child with no (as it's repeatedly pointed out) special magical talent or knowledge. That's neither here nor there, of course. I only brought up Harry Potter to illustrate that a 12-year-old character is capable of doing anything an author wants him or her to do, as long as it's done in a way that makes it believable for the readers, even if what the author wants is for the character to beat the odds against a much stronger and older opponent. But if that had been the story Collins wanted to write, I think Katniss, not Primrose, would have been the name of the first 12-year-old to win the game. My interest in Hunger Games begins and ends with the character names, so I have no other comment except to say that yes, arrow-shaped, unpretty, piss-reminiscent Katniss is definitely supposed to be the stronger name, at least compared to pretty, little Primrose. I'm certain the author chose their names with care and deliberation. I'm with you on Peeta, though. It's hilarious, but, again, I'm sure it was deliberate. He's the nice dependable guy, right? A soft heart in a hard world? I think taking Peter ("rock") and softening off the hard edges was a good choice.
vote up1
Yeah but it makes a huge difference whether you just have to kill one person to survive or 23. And compared to an 18 year old a 12 year old is also a child, especially physically. Harry had at least a year of education (magic) and a special talent as the chosen one before facing him for the first time (I think it was near the end of the first school year). He also wasn't malnourished. Primrose and her family almost starved to death. I still don't really think her name had anything to do with her destiny. I mean yes, she put a lot of thought into the names she chose, but they seem to reflect the heritage of the characters more than their fate. Peeta is the son of a baker (pita bread), Primrose is a healer and uses herbs and I think also flowers to heal. Glimmer is from a district that produces luxury goods. Does Clove sound very brutal to you? She was a villain. Glimmer was a villain. Glimmer doesn't sound particularly strong. Neither do Gloss or Cashmere or Beetee (also winners of the games).Haha, sorry, just reading the last book :P
vote up1
Actually, it doesn't surprise me at all that Glimmer and Clove would be villianous. If you had nothing but their names to go on and had to guess whether the characters were good or bad, would you guess the former? It's interesting when character names (or names in general) strike such different chords with people. I'd expect a Glimmer to be a conniver with a big, wide mean streak. Or an exotic dancer. :)While I'm aware Collins uses different styles of names for characters from different districts, I'd be shocked if she didn't carefully choose names for effect within the constraint of those styles. I never meant to imply that their names were indicative of their destinies, just their character traits and personalities. For me, it's obvious why Katniss is Katniss and not Daisy or Blueberry...or Primrose. Primrose isn't strong enough. I don't dislike Primrose because of Hunger Games, a series I have little-to-no interest in. Whether or not Primrose Everdeen is an awesome character or not doesn't matter to me. I loathe the name on its own, and, I'm sorry, but I find it ridiculous.
vote up1
Hahahaha :P I'd expect a Glimmer to be a girly girl, she loves fashion and make-up and stuff, but I wouldn't picture her as a villain. Rather as someone who is a bit shy. Same with Cashmere. Gloss is a guy and I'd imagine him to be really into fashion as well. When I hear Cashmere, Glimmer and Gloss I just picture a group of fashion designers who are eccentric, but no villains.
vote up1
Cashmere would have a bit of a prissy snobgirl whom might be kind of mean feel to it. Glimmer could go in multiple directions, but aiming for fame regardless of what it might cost other people and whom she may have to step on to get there would not sound too far out on that one.
vote up1
Meadow! I don't really like the sound of Primrose!
vote up1
I can't help but pronounce it Primerose instead of Primrose, and I like the sound of Primerose better!

This message was edited 4/18/2012, 10:06 AM

vote up1
Actually, i quite like Primrose. It's so much better than plain old Rose, itself. As you mentioned in your post, i think others are turned off by the Prim part of the name, and maybe it's because of the saying Prim and Proper. This doesn't bother me though and if i had to use, it would a mn only. I also like Rosemary. I'm not a huge fan of Meadow, reminds me of Meadow Lea (margrine).
vote up1
I like it better than Rose, too :)
vote up1
No, I do not like it. It is sickly sweet, like Buttercup or Daffodil.And the *only* reason it is getting as much attention as it is currently getting is because of the Hunger Games.I have never met a Primrose, and if I ever do I'll expect it to be a cat or a rabbit; if I ever meet a human with the name I will expect it to be the baby of a teenage (or otherwise immature) girl obsessed with Hunger Games.The only real-life human Primrose I know about is Primrose Shipman, the overweight and slovenly wife of the British serial-killing Dr. Harold Shipman, who killed off as many as 300 of his patients.
vote up1
Hahaha some celebrity has a daughter named Daffodil Sunflower if I remember correctly. Always thought it sounded like washing powder. Yeah, I agree, it is getting attention because of the Hunger Games but I liked it before. Oh I didn't know about the serial killer's wife :/
vote up1
I don't like Primrose because it seems silly. Violet and Lily don't seem silly, though I don't care for Violet, but Primrose does. I think its because it starts with "Prim" and because of the meaning of the word "prim". I can't really find anything positive about it. I've never met anyone named Primrose.What I think is even sillier and worse than Primrose: Poppy. I've heard that's actually used to some extent in Britain. Really silly. Even though it's a flower name like Rose and Violet, it just has a silly sound.I'd definitely prefer Meadow to Primrose.
vote up1
agree about PoppySo many people say oh it's such a sweeeet name! But to me it just sounds like baby-talk.
vote up1
also on Poppy...I know it may be odd, but I immediately think of opium and heroin, drugs that come from poppy. Maybe it is because someone in my family worked to bust narcotics, or that I know some people in recovery, but for me I equate the name Poppy with that, fair or not.
vote up1
I have equated poppies with Remembrance Day ever since childhood and knew nothing of the flower's narcotic uses until I was older, so though I do connect them, it's not as strong... While I could see it used in honour of a WW2 vet in the family, I still wouldn't be inclined to use it on 1 of my own children... I do dislike Primrose more though. I think Primrose just sounds dumb.
vote up1
Yeah, Poppy is actually pretty common in Britain. I think it's either in the top 20 or top 30. I used to hate it so much but it has grown on me a little. Because I really like the flower, I guess, and because I met one who was adorable.
vote up1
When I was a relatively new member (2007-2008), I could have sworn Primrose was popular on this board. Not Alice/Iris popular, but it was mentioned a looot and everyone seemed to like it. But then, the board seemed to have actual week-month long trends then too, more than it seems to now (like someone would make a post about a name, and then a bunch more people would mention it in other threads, and then it'd go away).
[Though, from the data I keep, it didn't make the 2008 BTN list. Maybe it was only popular as a MN suggestion?]
I don't hate it; I don't love it. I hadn't heard of the flower until I got here and the name never really grew on me. I think it could be a neat middle name. I don't like it or Meadow much as a FN, but there are very few words I like as FNs anyway. I like it better than Meadow though.Never met one.
(also, why do you need the board to approve, or have anything positive to say? I'd prefer that the board didn't like it, myself. Especially if it's not popular on the regular charts too, then it's like it's all mine ;))

This message was edited 4/18/2012, 7:39 AM

vote up1
I don't want my favorites to be popular either but I don't want people to hate them. It must be not very nice to have a name most people dislike. I mean it could probably grow on them, I guess, if they met a Primrose. Did it make the list in any other year? Just wondering...if it doesn't take too much time to look it up. Or would you even share the list? I'd be really interested :)

This message was edited 4/18/2012, 7:13 AM

vote up1
PM me your email and I can send you the data (I offer this every time I post the data) for whichever year you like (except 2012, it's obviously not done... choose from 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and "all time").
[and I'm about to go to work so you won't get it until later tonight]
You'll need a Excel-like program. I made it in OpenOffice, but it should open in Microsoft office and any other similar program.I'd post it but since there's so much data I couldn't do it all at once. But I looked it up already in the interest of this thread:2008: 0
2009: 1
2010: 3
2011: 3
2012: 1 (you, i think)
vote up1
I will pm it to you. I have to go to school now so when I come back :)
vote up1