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HelpRe: What names do you consider high class?
in reply to a message by Rachel Shaina
Every time I've encountered a Charles, under the age of sixty specifically, who goes by Charles on a daily basis, I've rolled my eyes a little. It's not so much the name itself, though I'm not a fan of it, just the idea of not being a Charlie or a Chuck that seems haughty to me.
I also think Gyles is a little snooty, and Otho, but that's all that really comes to mind, and they're both based on singular associations.
Ottilie
http://www.behindthename.com/pnl/116467
I also think Gyles is a little snooty, and Otho, but that's all that really comes to mind, and they're both based on singular associations.
http://www.behindthename.com/pnl/116467
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He's admittedly over 60, but I'm laughing at the idea of my partners-grandfather the crotchedy old Scottish bus driver ever being thought of as snooty. He wrapped up a beer and gave it to his 6 year old grandson this year.
I also don't know any older men called Charlie, plenty of under 5's but all of the men over 30 I've met here (in Canada) with the name Charles are either just Charles or Chuck.
I also don't know any older men called Charlie, plenty of under 5's but all of the men over 30 I've met here (in Canada) with the name Charles are either just Charles or Chuck.
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Oh, if he's over sixty and Scottish, Charles is fine, haha.
Obviously, I'm not claiming my view of Charles to be universal - or even accurate!
Obviously, I'm not claiming my view of Charles to be universal - or even accurate!
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And that's why we don't make assumptions about names ;)
Nah, an American Charles-not-Charlie is different to an English Charles-not-Charlie, I think; in America Charles is CHAR-uhlz, in England he's CHAHLZ, with a drawn out, nasal "ah", and the latter feels very self-conscious of itself, in an, "I am a Grown Man and I will not be subject to your childish nicknames," way. None of that is universally true, of course, but it's the impression I've always had. Plus, where I live, James has always been Jim or Jimmy, Thomas always Tom or Tommy, and it's only now in my generation where they seem to be becoming James and Thomas. Charles just hasn't quite got there for me yet, he's still Charlie, but he's trying.
Nah, an American Charles-not-Charlie is different to an English Charles-not-Charlie, I think; in America Charles is CHAR-uhlz, in England he's CHAHLZ, with a drawn out, nasal "ah", and the latter feels very self-conscious of itself, in an, "I am a Grown Man and I will not be subject to your childish nicknames," way. None of that is universally true, of course, but it's the impression I've always had. Plus, where I live, James has always been Jim or Jimmy, Thomas always Tom or Tommy, and it's only now in my generation where they seem to be becoming James and Thomas. Charles just hasn't quite got there for me yet, he's still Charlie, but he's trying.
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The CHAHLZ thing makes me smile (my dad is a Chuck).
I think I have met more PARENTS that exude snoot with their naming styles than people themselves.
I mean, Bradley is Bradley... never Brad. It's not Bradley's fault his parents made the ultimatum.
But it certainly reflects an attitude.
For what it's worth, I like the name Bradley and I don't associate class with snootiness. But, I do love the word snooty!
I think I have met more PARENTS that exude snoot with their naming styles than people themselves.
I mean, Bradley is Bradley... never Brad. It's not Bradley's fault his parents made the ultimatum.
But it certainly reflects an attitude.
For what it's worth, I like the name Bradley and I don't associate class with snootiness. But, I do love the word snooty!
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I'm not sure if I know what you mean with Bradley - surely he can choose to be Brad if he wants? But to me, Charles is different to Bradley, the latter feels very natural to me, whereas the former, in every day usage, feels rather forced, like you'd have to choose to be Charles, it's just a name that's not-not-nicknamed.
This message was edited 7/30/2015, 6:17 AM
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Eh, if your parents had always called you by your full name and corrected anyone who shortened it, you would grow up thinking your name should not be shortened.
I am sure Bradley can go by Brad later in life if he wants. For now though, he is a teen and emphasizes the "I am Bradley, NOT Brad". His mother is an "Elizabeth, NOT Liz" though.
(quotations indicate that is how they actually introduce themselves).
I would not feel right saying Chahlz either, but saying Bradley all the time is bothersome too. I am just verbally lazy I guess.
I am sure Bradley can go by Brad later in life if he wants. For now though, he is a teen and emphasizes the "I am Bradley, NOT Brad". His mother is an "Elizabeth, NOT Liz" though.
(quotations indicate that is how they actually introduce themselves).
I would not feel right saying Chahlz either, but saying Bradley all the time is bothersome too. I am just verbally lazy I guess.
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My mum did that, hated my name being shortened or changed in any way, but it never really bothered me, haha. I guess it's something Bradley really picked up on, though!
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I know a young man(husband's relative) who came to Canada as an immigrant;he determined to change his perfectly easy Arabic name to Chuck, feeling it would be more mainstream.
We talked him out of it, though.
We talked him out of it, though.
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Haha, oh, that's quite sweet!
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