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Help[Opinions] Heinrich
Heinrich was my great grandfather's name and we are considering it for a future son. Opinions?
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I wouldn't use it as a fn because it is hopelessly old-fashioned. Also I always have to the think of the line "Heinrich mir graut vor dir" (= Heinrich, I'm afraid of you) from Goethe's play "Faust". But I guess this association isn't a problem if you don't live in a German speaking country.
If you want to use it to honour your great grandfather, I'd use it as a mn.
If you want to use it to honour your great grandfather, I'd use it as a mn.
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It's OK in itself, however might it be associated with Heinrich Himmler?
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Maybe not...
There are lots of other famous Heinrichs in history, e.g. many medieval German kings or writers like Heinrich Heine and Heinrich von Kleist. It's also a rather common surname in German-speaking countries.
However, I'm not sure how well-known these people are in English-speaking countries.
There are lots of other famous Heinrichs in history, e.g. many medieval German kings or writers like Heinrich Heine and Heinrich von Kleist. It's also a rather common surname in German-speaking countries.
However, I'm not sure how well-known these people are in English-speaking countries.
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I don't know, maybe it's just obvious to me as I read a book about him recently? At any rate it was the first association that came to mind. You could do worse, though... Imagine a baby Adolf nowadays. It'd be scandalous.
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Funnily enough it's also my great grandfather's name. Unless you're in a German-speaking environment I wouldn't use it as a fn, though.
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I like it a lot, and I also like Hein as a nn. Definitely go for it!
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heimlich maneuver greatly comes to mind
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I flip-flop on whether I prefer it or Henrik, but either way, Heinrich is a wonderful name that I love intensely. It makes me think of someone who went through tragedy after tragedy but still tries to be optimistic. He's a competent and strong "big brother" figure.
I see a nice contrast of striking silver and black with this name.
I see a nice contrast of striking silver and black with this name.
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I like it. It seems rich in personal and cultural history, though I'm not sure it would be the most popular name choice.
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I love it! But I have a penchant for old German names. And this one is definitely a favorite.
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It's not my style at all, but I can appreciate that it would be honouring. Would people know how to pronounce it in your area?
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I think people would pronounce it correctly most of the time. It's not an unheard of surname here (in the Midwest). We would probably use Henry as a nickname, which is what my ggrandfather went by. I was concerned about the Heinrich Himmler association, but don't know if most people I know would pick up on that, honestly.
Thanks for all the responses!
Thanks for all the responses!
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