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Help[Opinions] Merrow?
A merrow is a kind of mermaid in Irish mythology. Apparently they can be both beautiful and scary looking. Merrow is also a surname.
My question is, do you think Merrow could be used as a name? If so, is it female, male or unisex?
I think it sounds nice, but then I don't speak any Irish, and English isn't my mother tongue, so there may be bad associations I don't know about...
(While reading about merrows I also read about a creature called selkie or silkie. Not a very good name, but I remember my favorite teacher read Mollie Hunter's selkie story A Stranger came Ashore aloud in middle school, which is a nice memory...)
Does the sea exist
Because of our longing?
My PNL
http://www.behindthename.com/pnl/3258/61573
My question is, do you think Merrow could be used as a name? If so, is it female, male or unisex?
I think it sounds nice, but then I don't speak any Irish, and English isn't my mother tongue, so there may be bad associations I don't know about...
(While reading about merrows I also read about a creature called selkie or silkie. Not a very good name, but I remember my favorite teacher read Mollie Hunter's selkie story A Stranger came Ashore aloud in middle school, which is a nice memory...)
Does the sea exist
Because of our longing?
My PNL
http://www.behindthename.com/pnl/3258/61573
Archived Thread - replies disabled
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Replies
You are not an idiot in any way, and no name is ever unusable. If I dislike a name, my own "dislike" reflects more on my petty associations and trite opinions than the name itself, which is objectively innocent. Names and words bear numerous definitions, connotations, and heritage--because people assign these values and retain them, not only positive associations, but also negative as well; and some of which are collectively or popularly known to greater or lesser degrees, among various folks, while some associations are little known & retained by few or one.
I love when I learn to favor a name which I previously could not find positive value, including that of my own.
If this helps, I got my keister kicked here in public, on this site at the fights, a few weeks prior for decrying negative comments about names--on a pitch for my own, wondering whether I'd be "called nick-names" again, now that I am in my forties. Some folks would rather pounce upon a name, rather than get "Behind the Name", so try not to put too much value in pettiness.
I hope that you continue to post your thoughts and ideas here - because we all learn from them.
I love when I learn to favor a name which I previously could not find positive value, including that of my own.
If this helps, I got my keister kicked here in public, on this site at the fights, a few weeks prior for decrying negative comments about names--on a pitch for my own, wondering whether I'd be "called nick-names" again, now that I am in my forties. Some folks would rather pounce upon a name, rather than get "Behind the Name", so try not to put too much value in pettiness.
I hope that you continue to post your thoughts and ideas here - because we all learn from them.
This message was edited 9/6/2015, 3:19 AM
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I feel ashamed like h***
You must really think I'm a big idiot. Every time I suggest a name there is something wrong with it, a word or association I didn't think of or know of. Every bloody time. I feel like the most stupid idiot on the planet. I never get it right ever. I can never come up with a good name. Of course Merrow is bad. Just as bad as Elminora, Pancras, Romaine, Sabia, Corona and other names I've liked that people have told me are totally unusable. I'm such a big idiot.
You must really think I'm a big idiot. Every time I suggest a name there is something wrong with it, a word or association I didn't think of or know of. Every bloody time. I feel like the most stupid idiot on the planet. I never get it right ever. I can never come up with a good name. Of course Merrow is bad. Just as bad as Elminora, Pancras, Romaine, Sabia, Corona and other names I've liked that people have told me are totally unusable. I'm such a big idiot.
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You're not an idiot. Not even a little bit. I think you're intelligent, and I enjoy your posts.
I was once told here that a name I like sounds like someone farting. *shrug* These weird associations happen, especially if the name is somewhat unfamiliar.
I was once told here that a name I like sounds like someone farting. *shrug* These weird associations happen, especially if the name is somewhat unfamiliar.
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As others have said, you are NOT and idiot and I don't think anyone here thinks so. It is very easy not to make an association that many other people might, particularly on a board where people have different native languages, dialects, and cultural considerations. I had not noticed a pattern of you bringing up names that other then find a negative association for. Besides, it's kind of fun to throw around different words as names and see what people come up with. Putting something out there doesn't make you an idiot.
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agree ...
And Caprice: you are too old and have been on this board too long, and you have been through this discussion too many times before to actually believe the self-pitying things you've said. Come on, have a little pride.
So nobody likes the names you throw in, so what? They aren't the names of your kids or your relatives, they're just words and names you found someplace and want opinions on. And you ask for opinions; you get opinions. If you can't handle opinions that aren't the same as yours, then maybe you should not go on an opinions board. Maybe it upsets you too much. I suspect it really doesn't, because if it did you'd have left a long long time ago.
You're not a fool for posting words-as-names that you don't realize mean or sound something negative in English; I'm sure there's plenty of English names that would mean something very strange or inappropriate in Swedish.
You are being foolish by so blatantly fishing for pity on such a weak pretext. Not a fool, just foolish. I think you are smarter than that; at least, I think you are smart enough that you ought to know better at this late stage.
But hey, if it upsets you that much, there's a million and one other message boards online. You could even start your own and have complete control over the content.
And Caprice: you are too old and have been on this board too long, and you have been through this discussion too many times before to actually believe the self-pitying things you've said. Come on, have a little pride.
So nobody likes the names you throw in, so what? They aren't the names of your kids or your relatives, they're just words and names you found someplace and want opinions on. And you ask for opinions; you get opinions. If you can't handle opinions that aren't the same as yours, then maybe you should not go on an opinions board. Maybe it upsets you too much. I suspect it really doesn't, because if it did you'd have left a long long time ago.
You're not a fool for posting words-as-names that you don't realize mean or sound something negative in English; I'm sure there's plenty of English names that would mean something very strange or inappropriate in Swedish.
You are being foolish by so blatantly fishing for pity on such a weak pretext. Not a fool, just foolish. I think you are smarter than that; at least, I think you are smart enough that you ought to know better at this late stage.
But hey, if it upsets you that much, there's a million and one other message boards online. You could even start your own and have complete control over the content.
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This.
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oh I know how that feels... I have sometimes been surprised by associations or sounds that I hadn't thought of, but seemed obvious in retrospect.
But also, there are dozens of names and words I've thought would make good names and wished I had the nerve to ask if anyone else thought so. You don't seem like a fool - it's more like you seem brave and creative.
Romaine would work as a name and so might Merrow or any of those ... people always respond more harshly to names when the name is hypothetical, than they do when they meet someone who is already called it.
But also, there are dozens of names and words I've thought would make good names and wished I had the nerve to ask if anyone else thought so. You don't seem like a fool - it's more like you seem brave and creative.
Romaine would work as a name and so might Merrow or any of those ... people always respond more harshly to names when the name is hypothetical, than they do when they meet someone who is already called it.
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I would venture to guess that about half the names out there sound like another word. So, in my opinion, a word association is not really reason enough to dislike a name. I wouldn't say Merrow is "bad" because it sounds like marrow. (What's wrong with marrow anyway??) If you like Merrow, own it! :)
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You are not an idiot. Everything you are doing is totally ok and non-idiotic. This is the place where people are allowed to come and ask "hey guys what about this as a name?" and not feel personally attacked. I ask about random words as names all the time! One time I asked about CAROUSEL as a name. And I'm not an idiot. Even if someone else *thinks* you are an idiot, it doesn't make it true.
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I secretly like carousel as a name *blush*
Comedians "Key & Peele" used it as a joke name (the daughter of an overly posh gay couple) in a skit once though and that's all I can think of
Comedians "Key & Peele" used it as a joke name (the daughter of an overly posh gay couple) in a skit once though and that's all I can think of
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It's a pretty word, right?!
Totally perfect for an overly posh gay couple.
Totally perfect for an overly posh gay couple.
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It is! It's got lots of namey elements- it just SOUNDS like a name. And I personally love the imagery.
They used it perfectly; but it destroyed any shred of seriousness i was trying to back it up with as a name, lol
They used it perfectly; but it destroyed any shred of seriousness i was trying to back it up with as a name, lol
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I'm not sure what's supposedly wrong with Sabia, Elminora, or Corona. I actually quite like Sabia. Elminora is pretty as well. :)
The thing is, everyone has opinions. There are names, even well-established names, that some people are going to dislike. I doubt there's a single name in existence that someone somewhere doesn't cringe at. That's just how it goes. Doesn't mean anyone's an idiot.
The thing is, everyone has opinions. There are names, even well-established names, that some people are going to dislike. I doubt there's a single name in existence that someone somewhere doesn't cringe at. That's just how it goes. Doesn't mean anyone's an idiot.
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You are most certainly not a big idiot. That had not even crossed my mind. I really hope no one here said something that made you feel that way. Please keep trying!
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You said that English isn't your mother tongue and that there may be bad associations you don't know about, so that's what you were trying to find out. You shouldn't feel like an idiot.
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Most mermaids that make it into literature/film seem to be female, but Merrow seems totally male to me. Perhaps it's the surname connection. I'm sure it could work in real life - it's nicer than most lnfns and the Irish Sea connection is a bonus.
As for silkies - they are alarming all right, but there's always the German name Silke. OK, it sounds different if you use the German pronunciation, but it's a pretty name so why not?
As for silkies - they are alarming all right, but there's always the German name Silke. OK, it sounds different if you use the German pronunciation, but it's a pretty name so why not?
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I agree with whim and jennifer - Selkie would be better (it's still cheesy to name someone an obscure word meaning mermaid, but at least Selkie is namey). Merrow sounds like marrow, reminds of meow, and also sounds like someone with a speech impediment saying mellow or Merrill, and strikes me as kinda bad. Also has a surnamey look, like Morrow and Monroe. Sorry ... I sort of see why it appeals, but it just has too much probleminess.
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If it's a kind of mermaid, I'd say it should be female. Truthfully, though, all I hear is 'marrow' as in bone marrow, so I don't think it's very usable.
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Based on sound, there's nothing to differentiate Merrow from marrow so no, I'd never touch it. Based on the way it looks written, it's quite interesting though that's still not enough of a reason for me to like it.
To answer your question, yes, it could be used because lots of names (and even "names") are being used these days. I just don't think it's a great idea to do so. BTW, I view Merrow as unisex.
To answer your question, yes, it could be used because lots of names (and even "names") are being used these days. I just don't think it's a great idea to do so. BTW, I view Merrow as unisex.
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Too much like marrow, I'm afraid. Visually, it reminds me of a growly meow "mrrow."
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Makes me think of bone marrow.
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It sounds too much like the word marrow, as in bone marrow.
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It reminds me of bone marrow and also the noise a cat makes when it wants to go outside. It's a no-go for me, sorry.
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Selkie would b a better name than Merrow. Could maybe even be altered to Selka which I'm kind of digging.
Merrow sounds just like marrow, as in bone marrow for me. It's unattractive as a name.
Merrow sounds just like marrow, as in bone marrow for me. It's unattractive as a name.
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It reminds me of a little kid trying to say Meryl. I don't see it as a first name.
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Hmm. At very first glance I liked the look, because it reminded me of Meadow. Then I said it to myself and thought of marrow, as in bones. That doesn't bother me too much, though. I almost prefer the sound of Marrow, heh. (I pronounce it slightly differently in my accent.)
Overall, it doesn't do much for me. It's just one of those generic surname-y things. I wouldn't want to be named Merrow -- it would be hard to explain because the word is familiar in many ways (merry, meadow, marrow, etc.), yet no one has ever heard the name Merrow itself. Different, but not memorable. I hope that makes sense.
Overall, it doesn't do much for me. It's just one of those generic surname-y things. I wouldn't want to be named Merrow -- it would be hard to explain because the word is familiar in many ways (merry, meadow, marrow, etc.), yet no one has ever heard the name Merrow itself. Different, but not memorable. I hope that makes sense.
This message was edited 9/3/2015, 1:54 PM
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I'm assuming it's pronounced like Mair-o, which in American English is exactly the same as marrow, as in bone marrow. So no, not a good name.
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I actually think Selkie would make a much nicer name than Merrow.
Probably a random association, but Merrow reminds me of that one Robert Munsch book: 'Murmel, Murmel, Murmel'.
Probably a random association, but Merrow reminds me of that one Robert Munsch book: 'Murmel, Murmel, Murmel'.
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Maybe I'm pronouncing it wrong, but I just think of bone marrow, and I don't think that makes a very nice name.
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