New Post
Search
HelpGerda
Every year around Christmas I watch The Snow Queen which I really love. One of the main characters is named Gerda and it has really grown on me. What do you think of Gerda? What would a Gerda be or look like? Just a bit worried people think of a loud, old lady or someone like that :P
Archived Thread - replies disabled
1
Replies
Gerda's a cute, strong name. It always make think of a little girl because of the snow queen character. I've never actually been able to finish that piece so i don't know if her character grows up but I see it more for a child.
1
It reminds me of GERD and girdle.
1
This name is hopelessly old-fashioned where I live, I can't picture it on anyone under 50. I find the name kind of harsh and ugly as well, in that it has no elegance and style in my eyes (compared to, say, a name like Amelia). As such, personally I would want to steer clear of this name, but if others want to use it, then all power to them.
1
I like it pronounced the German way, "Gher-duh" but not the English way, "Gurt-uh."
1
Sounds like a witch name.
1
Accidentally Double Posted, Ignore
This message was edited 1/15/2018, 1:57 PM
1
I think I am the only person who loves Gertrude, but Gerda doesn't do anything for me. It reminds me of GERD https://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/guide/reflux-disease-gerd-1
1
I really like it! The meaning “spear of strength” is beyond awesome (strong feminine names are kind of rare), and the sound is also cool IMO.
1
be afraid, be very afraid...
lol j/k but seriously, a loud, old lady is exactly who I think of. Sorry...
lol j/k but seriously, a loud, old lady is exactly who I think of. Sorry...
1
We need more loud old ladies!
1
Preach!
It is such a reflection of gender-biases that many female names are associated with loud/bossy/big-mouthed/obnoxious women (all linked to communication) while much less male names generate those kind of comments.
Note: I said much less, I know if y'all sit there and really think about it, you will be able to tell me some male names you associate with being loud and obnoxious ;)
It is such a reflection of gender-biases that many female names are associated with loud/bossy/big-mouthed/obnoxious women (all linked to communication) while much less male names generate those kind of comments.
Note: I said much less, I know if y'all sit there and really think about it, you will be able to tell me some male names you associate with being loud and obnoxious ;)
1
You're right! And how many times have we seen female names described as belonging to a woman who is "big, hefty in jeans too tight, spiky red heels, huge sprayed-out hair dyed either platinum blonde or dead-black, cigarette dangling, dragon-lady fingernails, makeup thick as paint, laughing too loud at nothing much in bars hoping some man will buy her next drink"? As an example. I don't recall ever seeing a male name described as belonging to a man who is too big, wears tacky clothes, has cheap personal grooming, smokes, laughs too loudly, and is looking for transient female companionship from which to benefit monetarily. The only thing I can recall is when I myself have described Asa or Ezra as belonging to an overweight man who wears overalls with no shirt.
Gender bias.
Gender bias.
This message was edited 1/15/2018, 3:38 PM
1
Aw, I'm sad that this thread got stale before I saw it.
I've noticed that the kinds of impressions I have of feminine names are somewhat different from impressions of male names. I get a ton of sense impressions off female names, whole characters and styles come to mind - and for male names I can sometimes hardly even picture a guy or identify a style. Male names give me impressions of status and roles more than female names do, too... I try to imagine a real person, and when I do it seems the name doesn't matter that much or say that much about the individual so much as about their context. But for female names I'm able to come up with elaborate characterizations based just on a name, if I wanted to. It's ... weird.
It's gender something, but I don't see it as negative for either gender. It's just interesting how gender changes the way I interpret names. I wonder if other people experience this. Like when you're commenting on a long list of names that is broken up by gender, have you ever noticed that your responses feel different for one list than for the other?
I've noticed that the kinds of impressions I have of feminine names are somewhat different from impressions of male names. I get a ton of sense impressions off female names, whole characters and styles come to mind - and for male names I can sometimes hardly even picture a guy or identify a style. Male names give me impressions of status and roles more than female names do, too... I try to imagine a real person, and when I do it seems the name doesn't matter that much or say that much about the individual so much as about their context. But for female names I'm able to come up with elaborate characterizations based just on a name, if I wanted to. It's ... weird.
It's gender something, but I don't see it as negative for either gender. It's just interesting how gender changes the way I interpret names. I wonder if other people experience this. Like when you're commenting on a long list of names that is broken up by gender, have you ever noticed that your responses feel different for one list than for the other?
This message was edited 1/18/2018, 7:56 AM
1
To be honest, I do get sense impressions from female names more than I do male names. It's just that my sense impressions are usually not negative. Usually. However, there is my oft-used Charlotte impression: "Short, frizzy mousy brown hair, thick glasses, orthopedic shoes, never been kissed." So when have we seen a male name described as lacking in height, unattractive hair, poor eyesight, bad feet, and virginal-through-lack of opportunity? I've done it too!
Obviously what I find worthy of condemnation in a female is lack of grooming, lack of a fun-loving personality, and lack of male companionship, rather than the opposite, which is the only difference between my Charlotte description and what I put in my first post.
Obviously what I find worthy of condemnation in a female is lack of grooming, lack of a fun-loving personality, and lack of male companionship, rather than the opposite, which is the only difference between my Charlotte description and what I put in my first post.
1
Hit the nail on the head.
1
I'm sorry...
I didn't know my comment would create such an in-depth discussion about gender bias. :/
I didn't know my comment would create such an in-depth discussion about gender bias. :/
1