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Help[Opinions] Re: Artemis for a boy
in reply to a message by Dianatiger
I'm not as strongly polarised on name gendering as I once was, because gender in general is just complicated. I do find being able to imagine a boy or girl helps me decide whether I like names or can imagine using them, but of course that's not necessarily realistic. I've been trying to be less judemental about how other people see names, because it's none of my business.
However, Artemis on a boy is a bit of a pet peeve, and that's coming from someone who loves the sound of the name on a boy or girl. I grew up reading the Artemis Fowl books, and I was into Greek mythology, so I get it. I currently intend to use Artemis for a 2nd girl one day (and Artemus is in my top 10 boys). Plus with the prevelence of 'boys names on girls' I wouldn't mind more of the opposite happening. But the history and origins of Artemis lie with the Greek goddess. It's even acknowledged in the books. She's a big reason I love the name, and I enjoy the strength, femininity, and beauty of it.
If there were no other options for boys I'd be more understanding, but Artemas and Artemus (my preference) do exist. They even have near identical pronunciations. If it was purely a spelling preference I'd say fair enough. But at the end of the day Artemis isn't just a spelling a variant, it's background is intrinsically linked to a feminine figure. And the fact that a common opinion with Artemis is that it sounds too masculine for a girl and thus works far better on a boy, makes me even more determined to 'keep it for the girls'.
Obviously it comes down to personal opinion, and I wouldn't argue if someone named a boy Artemis. However, I would question whether they thought about the origin/history of the name.
Dreaming of...
Pandora Beatrix Fae ✦ Caspian Sherlock Walter ✦ Artemis Valkyrie Clio ✦ Ptolemy Lysander George
Horatio ✦ Nikolai ✦ Ambrose ✦ Indigo ✦ Cedric ✦ Ephraim
Evanthe ✦ Morgana ✦ Zenobia ✦ Marigold ✦ Lavender ✦ Demelza ✦ Calista
However, Artemis on a boy is a bit of a pet peeve, and that's coming from someone who loves the sound of the name on a boy or girl. I grew up reading the Artemis Fowl books, and I was into Greek mythology, so I get it. I currently intend to use Artemis for a 2nd girl one day (and Artemus is in my top 10 boys). Plus with the prevelence of 'boys names on girls' I wouldn't mind more of the opposite happening. But the history and origins of Artemis lie with the Greek goddess. It's even acknowledged in the books. She's a big reason I love the name, and I enjoy the strength, femininity, and beauty of it.
If there were no other options for boys I'd be more understanding, but Artemas and Artemus (my preference) do exist. They even have near identical pronunciations. If it was purely a spelling preference I'd say fair enough. But at the end of the day Artemis isn't just a spelling a variant, it's background is intrinsically linked to a feminine figure. And the fact that a common opinion with Artemis is that it sounds too masculine for a girl and thus works far better on a boy, makes me even more determined to 'keep it for the girls'.
Obviously it comes down to personal opinion, and I wouldn't argue if someone named a boy Artemis. However, I would question whether they thought about the origin/history of the name.
Pandora Beatrix Fae ✦ Caspian Sherlock Walter ✦ Artemis Valkyrie Clio ✦ Ptolemy Lysander George
Horatio ✦ Nikolai ✦ Ambrose ✦ Indigo ✦ Cedric ✦ Ephraim
Evanthe ✦ Morgana ✦ Zenobia ✦ Marigold ✦ Lavender ✦ Demelza ✦ Calista
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