New Post
Search
Help[Opinions] Klein
Hello! My husband and I were considering Klein as a middle name due to family significance, but now we're thinking of it as a first name for our baby BOY due this year. I've never met a Klein and can't find any postings on it, so would love any feedback and opinions!
Archived Thread - replies disabled
1
Replies
I've never met anyone with Klein as a first name. Through my genealogy research, I learned that it means little in German and upon moving to the USA, my husband's family actually changed their surname from Klein to Little in order to sound less German.
I think it could definitely work though.
I think it could definitely work though.
This message was edited 1/4/2022, 3:23 PM
1
It's ok, I only like it as a honouring name, as a mn
2
It's a big overstatement to say that only "Anglo-Saxon" surnames "are considered good first names." If you have to make a statement like that, it really has to be "British" surnames rather than "Anglo-Saxon", because there are many examples of Irish, Scottish, and Welsh surnames (such as Ryan, Mackenzie, and Reese) which have become popular given names.
There are also some French surnames such as Lafayette, Chantal and Chanel which have been regularly used as given names in the USA at some point within the past couple of centuries. And the Dutch Roosevelt, as a presidential surname, has also been used.
More importantly, Kiefer and Luther are German surnames which have already become well-used as given names in the USA. So I see no reason why Klein, as a short and easily pronounced name which is similar to other established American given names such as Clyde, Dean, and Blaine, wouldn't be acceptable as a given name.
There are also some French surnames such as Lafayette, Chantal and Chanel which have been regularly used as given names in the USA at some point within the past couple of centuries. And the Dutch Roosevelt, as a presidential surname, has also been used.
More importantly, Kiefer and Luther are German surnames which have already become well-used as given names in the USA. So I see no reason why Klein, as a short and easily pronounced name which is similar to other established American given names such as Clyde, Dean, and Blaine, wouldn't be acceptable as a given name.
2
I think it's nice. I don't see why you shouldn't use it.
1
I don't see why not. I think it's an attractive sound and if not a family name I'd spell it Cline. The more I see the more I like it. Easy to say, easy to spell, nice ring to it.
There are kids being named Barrett these days (#191), Baker (#523), Nixon (#651) and Ledger (#625) and although these are not my style, kids are given surnames as first names. Actually they have been for centuries. For example the surname Willard was #133 in 1883. Judge Willard Bartlett (born 1848) was given his mother's maiden name as first name.
There are kids being named Barrett these days (#191), Baker (#523), Nixon (#651) and Ledger (#625) and although these are not my style, kids are given surnames as first names. Actually they have been for centuries. For example the surname Willard was #133 in 1883. Judge Willard Bartlett (born 1848) was given his mother's maiden name as first name.
2
It means “small” in German and is very surnamey.
1
Fair or no fair, it's really only Anglo-Saxon surnames that are considered good first names. Klein is just too Germanic to work.
Also, it's liable to be misheard as Clyde.
Also, it's liable to be misheard as Clyde.
1