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Help[Opinions] Primrose
I think I haven't asked your opinion of this name in almost a year. It is really growing on me again. I love the flower and how you can use Rosie and Rose as nicknames. I'd mostly call her Primrose, though. I remember people not liking it much when I posted on it previously. Just wondering what you think of it now.
Maybe 'The Hunger Games' made it more usable? More well known? I liked it before but even though I sometimes worry people will think I'm a huge Hunger Games fan I don't really mind the association that much as I have no problems with the characters and think they books are okay.
Opinions? Would it work better as a middle name? Be honest, any feedback is really appreciated.
Maybe 'The Hunger Games' made it more usable? More well known? I liked it before but even though I sometimes worry people will think I'm a huge Hunger Games fan I don't really mind the association that much as I have no problems with the characters and think they books are okay.
Opinions? Would it work better as a middle name? Be honest, any feedback is really appreciated.
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Replies
I think it's too frilly and cutesy. I prefer Rose by far. It has more substance.
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Well, it sounds too frilly and prissy to me, though I guess it's not the worse name around.
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The Hunger Games has made it less usable for me.
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I feel like this is a name you're always asking about. Maybe I'm wrong. Whatever, it doesn't matter anyway.
Primrose is a horrible name to give to a little girl. I feel like it encapsulates everything society things a girl should be--quiet, proper, and delicate.
I'm all for girly names but Primrose is just too weak and feeble. Hunger Games made it more off limit since her character was exactly that--innocent, quiet, proper, delicate wisp of a person. Please. No thanks!
Primrose is a horrible name to give to a little girl. I feel like it encapsulates everything society things a girl should be--quiet, proper, and delicate.
I'm all for girly names but Primrose is just too weak and feeble. Hunger Games made it more off limit since her character was exactly that--innocent, quiet, proper, delicate wisp of a person. Please. No thanks!
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agree...
But you know what? It's funny, if Primrose so perfectly embodies the stereotype of what girls were expected to be, how come it was never or almost never used back then?
My theory is even back then people thought it was stupid.
But you know what? It's funny, if Primrose so perfectly embodies the stereotype of what girls were expected to be, how come it was never or almost never used back then?
My theory is even back then people thought it was stupid.
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Bahaha.
I think maybe because it wasn't Biblical? Perhaps?
But I don't know. Some families I'm surprised men didn't name their daughters Silence and Obedience.
I think maybe because it wasn't Biblical? Perhaps?
But I don't know. Some families I'm surprised men didn't name their daughters Silence and Obedience.
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some did, apparently...
Puritans had some pretty strange names for both male and female children. Fear, Difficulty, Remember, Deliverance, ("Squeal, Piggy!") Providence, Comfort, that kind of thing. But by and large, ordinary names like mary, Dorothy, John and George (two of which are not even Biblical) were much mor popular.
Puritans had some pretty strange names for both male and female children. Fear, Difficulty, Remember, Deliverance, ("Squeal, Piggy!") Providence, Comfort, that kind of thing. But by and large, ordinary names like mary, Dorothy, John and George (two of which are not even Biblical) were much mor popular.
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Hmm, good point!
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You're wrong.
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lol
I'm wrong about how much you've posted about it, I'm guessing?
Could be. No need to get defensive. Like mirfak said, it was just an observation. Felt like I've been seeing the name a lot. It wasn't an attack on you or anything lol
I'm wrong about how much you've posted about it, I'm guessing?
Could be. No need to get defensive. Like mirfak said, it was just an observation. Felt like I've been seeing the name a lot. It wasn't an attack on you or anything lol
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Yes. I wasn't getting defensive, I just pointed out that you were wrong about me always posting about it.
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I have that impression too. I know it's wrong and everything, but.
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ditto.
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I'll make a mental note that 'always' is now defined as 'three times in 7 months' (well, 7 months tomorrow if you want to be exact).
I only remembered posting about it early this year and now the year is coming to an end so I thought it would be fine to post again as we have a few new users and people change their opinions from time to time. I guess I just didn't care enough to look up when and how many times I posted on it exactly thanks for doing that for me.
I only remembered posting about it early this year and now the year is coming to an end so I thought it would be fine to post again as we have a few new users and people change their opinions from time to time. I guess I just didn't care enough to look up when and how many times I posted on it exactly thanks for doing that for me.
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I didn't look into it because I honestly didn't care about many times you have posted about it. "Always" could be an exaggeration but Primrose just must be one of the names that I feel like I see all the time--maybe not even necessarily from you.
Like I said, it doesn't even matter. I don't think anyone really cares about seeing a name '3 times in 7 months' from one person. Just means you like the name a lot, I guess. Different strokes.
Like I said, it doesn't even matter. I don't think anyone really cares about seeing a name '3 times in 7 months' from one person. Just means you like the name a lot, I guess. Different strokes.
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I guess Amphelise cares. I replied to her. I still don't see how three times in 7 months is a lot, I've seen other names way more often. I just found that a little exaggerated. Maybe other people posted on it as you said and so it seemed like it was posted on more often.
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It's okay. It IS fine to post about it. Everyone has names they like, that they wish more people liked. The frequency of its appearance seems all out of proportion to how well liked it is - and that makes this funny. I think the pile-on here is not an attack on you ... it's just because it seems funny, not because your posting about it now and then seems annoying. At least, I don't think it's annoying at all.
This message was edited 11/16/2012, 4:13 PM
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3 times in 7 months is a lot?
I'm not a fan of Primrose, but maybe the poster is thinking that other people who haven't already responded might pop in and have a different point of view.
It doesn't sound that unreasonable to me.
These boards are just not as active as they once were, perhaps.
I'm not a fan of Primrose, but maybe the poster is thinking that other people who haven't already responded might pop in and have a different point of view.
It doesn't sound that unreasonable to me.
These boards are just not as active as they once were, perhaps.
This message was edited 11/16/2012, 3:02 PM
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Well, put it this way: if you've asked about the same name often enough that several different people have gone "oh, you again with that name again", then it's probably too much.
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It started out as a Scottish surname.
As a first name I think it is (like Mirabelle) very twee, and best avoided, much as I love the primrose flower.
As a first name I think it is (like Mirabelle) very twee, and best avoided, much as I love the primrose flower.
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I want to like Primrose. I love Rose names and nature names but the Prim- part just sounds too prissy for me and I can't get past it. As for the Hunger Games, I think it probably has worked in Primrose's favor. Most of the names in the book seem really outlandish making Primrose sound a bit more sweet and "normal".
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Prim rose. PRIM ROWS. For godsake, "prim rows." Primrose of What? Teeth? Tulips?
If the prim part suggested its etymology better (first), it might work. But it doesn't. This rose is prim, and primness is small and thwarts things.
I still love to hate it! Thanks for another chance! I'm shouting out with glee!
What I said back in March before seeing/reading Hunger Games:
... Primrose is too cutesy for me. I think it sounds twee and stuckup.
Prim is annoying. Rosie is fine. Rose is better.
I think Primula (genus name of the flower) or Primarosa would be nicer by about a factor of ten.
I think the second worst thing about Primrose (after the word prim in it and the sound of "prim rows") is the sound, the feeling of saying it - the "pr" plus "mr" is so ... pursed-lippy. Like a word a boudoir photographer would tell the subject to say, to get a big fat pout in the picture. Primrose. Mwah!
.... is still how I feel. Only now, I feel even more negatively about it, because of the images in the book and film. The character is completely angelic - it's like she is already dead! - and exists for the sole purpose of buffing and masculinizing the protagonist's role. The name makes a gross cliche even grosser. Not that I didn't think the book was yummy in its way, but naming a real person Primrose is ... uh. I'm sorry. I really think it is not namey enough, not even close. I would HATE to be named Primrose (mwah).
I'm sure a few people will get infatuated with it and name their babies it, and there are worse names. Whatever. I can accept that but I don't have to like it.
If the prim part suggested its etymology better (first), it might work. But it doesn't. This rose is prim, and primness is small and thwarts things.
I still love to hate it! Thanks for another chance! I'm shouting out with glee!
What I said back in March before seeing/reading Hunger Games:
... Primrose is too cutesy for me. I think it sounds twee and stuckup.
Prim is annoying. Rosie is fine. Rose is better.
I think Primula (genus name of the flower) or Primarosa would be nicer by about a factor of ten.
I think the second worst thing about Primrose (after the word prim in it and the sound of "prim rows") is the sound, the feeling of saying it - the "pr" plus "mr" is so ... pursed-lippy. Like a word a boudoir photographer would tell the subject to say, to get a big fat pout in the picture. Primrose. Mwah!
.... is still how I feel. Only now, I feel even more negatively about it, because of the images in the book and film. The character is completely angelic - it's like she is already dead! - and exists for the sole purpose of buffing and masculinizing the protagonist's role. The name makes a gross cliche even grosser. Not that I didn't think the book was yummy in its way, but naming a real person Primrose is ... uh. I'm sorry. I really think it is not namey enough, not even close. I would HATE to be named Primrose (mwah).
I'm sure a few people will get infatuated with it and name their babies it, and there are worse names. Whatever. I can accept that but I don't have to like it.
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Completely agree. I think it's the "prim" that really makes the "rose" part unbearable. How much more faux-angelic are you trying to get?
It's ridiculous and sounds snobbish with a side of bleh.
It's ridiculous and sounds snobbish with a side of bleh.
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I love to hate it, too. It's just so much fun to rip this name apart.
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But it's so easy...
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Hey, there is no shame in enjoying something that is easy.
It can't be TOO easy, anyway, because Lily does like it.
It can't be TOO easy, anyway, because Lily does like it.
This message was edited 11/17/2012, 10:18 AM
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...maybe it's fun because it's easy?
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and after all...
It is only a name. Why should it be hard to like or dislike a name?
It always makes me roll my eyes when I see a post that goes like "I want so much to like the name Victoria! But I just can't! Please help convince me!"
Why is it so important to like a name? Just because it's a classic/Biblical/uncommon? Why not just admit you don't like it and move on to the next? Why beg people over the internet to change your opinion?
It is only a name. Why should it be hard to like or dislike a name?
It always makes me roll my eyes when I see a post that goes like "I want so much to like the name Victoria! But I just can't! Please help convince me!"
Why is it so important to like a name? Just because it's a classic/Biblical/uncommon? Why not just admit you don't like it and move on to the next? Why beg people over the internet to change your opinion?
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I might be repeating myself but ... explaining myself because I did this recently ...
When I did this for Alice it wasn't because I wanted to like it. I still don't like it. I just wanted to be able to understand what its appeal is, because for almost every other name that is popular, I "get" why people like it even when I don't like it. Not "getting it" makes me feel like I'm out of touch, with the Zeitgeist or something ... I don't need to feel cool anymore, but I like to understand what IS considered cool, just because I feel like I have a distorted perspective otherwise. Now, I sort of get how people who like Alice, see Alice.
When I did this for Alice it wasn't because I wanted to like it. I still don't like it. I just wanted to be able to understand what its appeal is, because for almost every other name that is popular, I "get" why people like it even when I don't like it. Not "getting it" makes me feel like I'm out of touch, with the Zeitgeist or something ... I don't need to feel cool anymore, but I like to understand what IS considered cool, just because I feel like I have a distorted perspective otherwise. Now, I sort of get how people who like Alice, see Alice.
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Well, for one thing, maybe someone wants to like a name for a reason you don't understand, which should be ok with you, but whatever. The Primrose thing is just that it's the same very easy argument. Let's take a survey of the various complaints.
"frilly and cutesy"
"frilly and prissy"
"Hunger games"
"horrible name to give to a little girl" negative little girl stereotypes: Quiet, Proper, Delicate, Weak, Feeble, Innocent, wisp of a person; Hunger games
"embodies the stereotype of what girls were expected to be"; stupid
"very twee"
"just sounds too prissy"
"prim rows" "twee and stuckup" "pursed-lippy" feeling; Hunger games; "makes a gross cliche even grosser" "not namey enough"
Primness not a good trait; a perpetuation of prissy and proper femininity; a 19th century feminine caricature, cursed to unending propriety
Primness not good; Primrose Shipman
"too delicate" "meek, helpless" "girl who never raises her voice and does anything interesting" "sickeningly sweet" "too old fashioned"
"sickly sweet" "hunger games" animal name or gross immature hunger games fangirl name; Primrose Shipman
Hunger Games "prim and proper" "stuck up and untarnished"
Like... this is very obvious. Simpletons can see that this name offers up a cliche image of weakness and politeness, that it's very corny. It was used in the hunger games, which most people know now. It is very simple to make the connection between the "prim" in the first half of the name and the word "prim." How long has it been since someone had a new complaint about this name? No wonder Lily keeps asking for opinions. She can see the prim stereotype; she's looking for someone who sees something else about this name.
Is there anything else about this name?? Does it have any qualities aside from its tweeness? I couldn't find any. Mirfak pointed out the pursed-lip thing, which was interesting, but no one else has said anything not immediately obvious about it. What's the deal, Lily? Why are you so into this name?
"frilly and cutesy"
"frilly and prissy"
"Hunger games"
"horrible name to give to a little girl" negative little girl stereotypes: Quiet, Proper, Delicate, Weak, Feeble, Innocent, wisp of a person; Hunger games
"embodies the stereotype of what girls were expected to be"; stupid
"very twee"
"just sounds too prissy"
"prim rows" "twee and stuckup" "pursed-lippy" feeling; Hunger games; "makes a gross cliche even grosser" "not namey enough"
Primness not a good trait; a perpetuation of prissy and proper femininity; a 19th century feminine caricature, cursed to unending propriety
Primness not good; Primrose Shipman
"too delicate" "meek, helpless" "girl who never raises her voice and does anything interesting" "sickeningly sweet" "too old fashioned"
"sickly sweet" "hunger games" animal name or gross immature hunger games fangirl name; Primrose Shipman
Hunger Games "prim and proper" "stuck up and untarnished"
Like... this is very obvious. Simpletons can see that this name offers up a cliche image of weakness and politeness, that it's very corny. It was used in the hunger games, which most people know now. It is very simple to make the connection between the "prim" in the first half of the name and the word "prim." How long has it been since someone had a new complaint about this name? No wonder Lily keeps asking for opinions. She can see the prim stereotype; she's looking for someone who sees something else about this name.
Is there anything else about this name?? Does it have any qualities aside from its tweeness? I couldn't find any. Mirfak pointed out the pursed-lip thing, which was interesting, but no one else has said anything not immediately obvious about it. What's the deal, Lily? Why are you so into this name?
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Taking the challenge myself...
Of course Primrose has qualities aside from tweeness. It sounds tough-pretty. The primrose is a hardy perennial. The bright and delicate flowers bloom, on a compact and tidy plant, before it has stopped being freezing out, while everything else is still under the ground. The petals should wilt in the freeze but they don't. And like I said, primness is small and thwarts things - everyday discipline and determination are small and thwarting things too, but they are also good bits of character. The Primrose in HG is not useless, she's selfless and excellent. (She's also so innocent and vulnerable that it's barf-worthy.)
It's just that the PRIM ROWS sound and image overwhelm it, they can't be overlooked. IMHO. Very, very few people are going to hear the name Primrose and think "ah, hardy perennial, color in the snow, how splendid!"
Of course Primrose has qualities aside from tweeness. It sounds tough-pretty. The primrose is a hardy perennial. The bright and delicate flowers bloom, on a compact and tidy plant, before it has stopped being freezing out, while everything else is still under the ground. The petals should wilt in the freeze but they don't. And like I said, primness is small and thwarts things - everyday discipline and determination are small and thwarting things too, but they are also good bits of character. The Primrose in HG is not useless, she's selfless and excellent. (She's also so innocent and vulnerable that it's barf-worthy.)
It's just that the PRIM ROWS sound and image overwhelm it, they can't be overlooked. IMHO. Very, very few people are going to hear the name Primrose and think "ah, hardy perennial, color in the snow, how splendid!"
This message was edited 11/18/2012, 11:07 AM
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I think it's just one of those names that makes you want to punch something. People get their frustrations out with it, I guess. It's a "target" name.
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Ah, for me it is the opposite.
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I enjoy both. I like doing things that are more difficult, but I also like doing things that are easy. If I'm tired, I'll go with 'easy'.
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Yes - I love your conclusions about Prim in The Hunger Games. It just occurred to me that she's very like Beth from Little Women.
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Very well said
This is why I don't like the name OR the character.
No I don't think the Hunger Games makes it any more useable (the books & film are very flawed but enjoyable). I do think it would suit a cat, though.
This is why I don't like the name OR the character.
No I don't think the Hunger Games makes it any more useable (the books & film are very flawed but enjoyable). I do think it would suit a cat, though.
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Good point about the pursed lips.
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The "prim" part really puts me off. I don't think primness is a valuable trait, and giving someone this name kind of seems like a perpetuation of proper or prissy femininity. The "rose" part makes it even worse. This sounds like a caricature, a 19th-century woman in a seduction novel whose name curses her to unending propriety.
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The most famous violist ever was named William Primrose, or Bill Primrose. He was Scottish but taught in America. The older generation of teachers right now is a generation of people who were around when Primrose was teaching and took master classes with him or studied this or that with him. His name comes up maybe 1 out of every 10 conversations about viola and 1 out of every 3-5 lessons or classes. At Michigan I just took a lesson with an old dude who was a protege of Primrose's, and his name came up maybe once a minute. "You know what Primrose said about the middle of the bow? It connects the tip and the frog!"
So... my impression of this name is pretty balanced, I think. On the one hand there is the automatic sickly sweet association that comes with... Prim... attached to... Rose. I'm sort of wary of flower names in general. Flowers are delicate, pretty, and transient; no boys get flower names. And then on the other hand there's this totally stodgy old-school virtuoso thing. So I think I see the name as something that can be "reclaimed," and begs to. It's certainly more palatable as a middle name, but unless it's a middle name on a boy it doesn't do much reclaiming.
Imagining the name Primrose on people I know...
I dunno, it's goofy. I wish I could say it wasn't. Maybe I'll dwell on it more. I'd like to say I think it's awesome. I think it might be awesome on me, for instance. Prim as a nickname for a non-prim person could be cool? I like Prim better than Rosie and Rose, because, I mean, why not just be named Rosie or Rose or Rosamundalindalina?
Seeing it in print... Dr. Primrose Gallo, a new novel by Primrose Gynther, Primrose Coffin on oboe... I dunno, it's goofy.
So... my impression of this name is pretty balanced, I think. On the one hand there is the automatic sickly sweet association that comes with... Prim... attached to... Rose. I'm sort of wary of flower names in general. Flowers are delicate, pretty, and transient; no boys get flower names. And then on the other hand there's this totally stodgy old-school virtuoso thing. So I think I see the name as something that can be "reclaimed," and begs to. It's certainly more palatable as a middle name, but unless it's a middle name on a boy it doesn't do much reclaiming.
Imagining the name Primrose on people I know...
I dunno, it's goofy. I wish I could say it wasn't. Maybe I'll dwell on it more. I'd like to say I think it's awesome. I think it might be awesome on me, for instance. Prim as a nickname for a non-prim person could be cool? I like Prim better than Rosie and Rose, because, I mean, why not just be named Rosie or Rose or Rosamundalindalina?
Seeing it in print... Dr. Primrose Gallo, a new novel by Primrose Gynther, Primrose Coffin on oboe... I dunno, it's goofy.
This message was edited 11/16/2012, 10:54 AM
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Haha, that was a truly valiant effort. I salute you!
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It's not one of the better Rose names; primness doesn't appeal much; and my association is with the wife of a serial killer who used to wear his victims' jewelry, so I'd really prefer to have it tucked away in the mn position.
I don't know the first thing about Hunger Games, so that makes no difference either way.
I don't know the first thing about Hunger Games, so that makes no difference either way.
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Funny, my sister said it sounded like the name of a serial killer. She said she was one of those who when she was finally arrested only argued, "But I'm such a good person," or "I'm too pretty to go to jail."
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http://www.behindthename.com/bb/baby/4266730
My feelings about this name haven't changed.
My feelings about this name haven't changed.
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mine either...
It's still a wimpy, ridiculous, fangirl type of name.
It's still a wimpy, ridiculous, fangirl type of name.
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I think the Hunger Games has made the name more unusable. Now it will be what most people associate it, and though you say that you are okay with this association I think currently it is a very big one. Like calling your daughter Hermione.
Other than that; I've got to say it is not one of my favoured flower names. As overused as it is, I prefer Rose on it's own or as a nickname for something like Roseanna, Rosalie etc. I dislike "Prim" - as it reminds me of the phrase "prim and proper" meaning quite stuck up and untarnished. For me it would work better in the middle name spot becuase of the Hunger Games and "prim" associations.
Other than that; I've got to say it is not one of my favoured flower names. As overused as it is, I prefer Rose on it's own or as a nickname for something like Roseanna, Rosalie etc. I dislike "Prim" - as it reminds me of the phrase "prim and proper" meaning quite stuck up and untarnished. For me it would work better in the middle name spot becuase of the Hunger Games and "prim" associations.
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I do think the Hunger Games has made in more useable, for me at least. I love most "rose" names but Primrose was never my favourite. Since reading the books, I like it a lot more as I can imagine a real-life Primrose, whereas before it always seemed too unusual to be used.
However, I don't think people would think you were a huge Hunger Games fan if you used it! It was a name before the books came out (unlike Katniss, Peeta etc.) and Primrose isn't actually that main a character.
I like Rose and Rosie a lot, but also Primrose as a full name. I don't like Prim though.
However, I don't think people would think you were a huge Hunger Games fan if you used it! It was a name before the books came out (unlike Katniss, Peeta etc.) and Primrose isn't actually that main a character.
I like Rose and Rosie a lot, but also Primrose as a full name. I don't like Prim though.
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