Message: "Nigel" - Behind the Name

[Opinions] Nigel

by cayden

8/4/2018, 11:38 AM

Nigel was a popular British name for several decades but it never caught on in America (at least not to the same extent)? Is there any idea as to why?

-cayden

Formerly summitseeker.
Hike more, worry less.

#Nigel

This message was edited 8/4/2018, 11:39 AM

Replies

- number1212

8/5/2018, 1:19 PM

The sound isn’t too appealing IMO.

- RoxStar

8/5/2018, 10:45 AM

My guess is probably that it always came across as a stereotypical British dandy, a caricature and a punchline.

- Septapus (Buneary)

8/5/2018, 9:29 AM

My guess is due to the name being seen as stereotypically British in a bad way.

- noel (glaucous)

8/4/2018, 5:01 PM

It's not very familiar sounding, to begin with. Is there any particular reason it could have been expected to be popular?

...maybe because the *gel sounds like Angel and (hair) gel, and that plus the similarity to Niles makes it seem prissy or starchy.

This message was edited 8/4/2018, 5:15 PM

- Wordsmith +1

8/4/2018, 12:03 PM

I'm not sure why. Perhaps its closeness to the vile six-letter racial slur dissuaded people from using it...?

I love the name, though!

- Fictionfan861 (guest)

8/4/2018, 1:37 PM

Perhaps. I personally never thought about that but now that you mentioned it...yeah,I could see that.

My only theory was the strong Nigel thornberry association that many still associate with. Buhahaha.

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