It doesn't sound like an old guy at all to me. I've liked it for a few years now, and I've always thought it sounded like an adventurer (probably because of Magellan). And I love The Tempest!
Ferdinand Magellan (Portuguese: Fernão de Magalhães, pronounced [fɨɾˈnɐ̃ũ dɨ mɐgɐˈʎɐ̃ĩʃ]/; Spanish: Fernando or Hernando de Magallanes).
― Anonymous User 4/16/2008
Fernão de Magalhães or Fernando de Magalhães aka Magellan was a PORTUGUESE Maritime Explorer who, while in the service of the Spanish crown, tried to find a westward route to the Spice Islands of Indonesia. This was the first known successful attempt to Circumnavigate the Earth. He became one of the first individuals to cross all the meridians of the globe. He was the first person to lead an expedition sailing westward from Europe to Asia and to cross the Pacific Ocean - He named the Ocean "Pacífico". Magellan should also be recognized as the first explorer to enter the Pacific from the eponymous Strait of Magellan, which he discovered. (and is named after him "Strait of Magellan") Fernando de Magalhães, Vasco da Gama, Cristovão Colombo and Infante Dom Henrique are all Portuguese and very important Men in the History of the Wordl.
I don't care for this name. It has the unfortunate association with the Spanish king who expelled the Jews and Muslims from Spain. It also sounds old-fashioned and quite pretentious, even though it sounds better in other languages.
In Croatia, Ferdo is a short form and nickname of Ferdinand.
― Anonymous User 4/22/2010
Ferdinand Bol (24 June 1616 – 24 August 1680) was a Dutch artist, etcher, and draftsman.
― Anonymous User 9/20/2011
Ferdinand Maxmilián Brokoff (1688-1731) was a Bohemian sculptor.
― Anonymous User 10/12/2011
Despite that it's a little ridiculous, I really do love this name. It's very handsome and uncommon. I probably will never end up using it, but again, I love it.
Ferdinand of Austria (1551-1552), oldest son of Maximilian II (Holy Roman Emperor) and his wife Maria of Spain. He was named after his grandfather Ferdinand I of Austria and died at the age of 1.
The name is also associated with Archduke Franz Ferdinand (1863-1914) of Austria-Hungary, who was assassinated in Saravejo, Serbia, which began World War 1.