Why are boys names described as strong & masculine or weak & feminine?

[whyohwhy100]

Why is something feminine seen as weak? I see it all the time on here.

[ScarletSienna]

Any examples? I've noticed some names being called weak but not weak and feminine.

[CherriesInTheSnow]

Nope I think their are names that people consider strong or weak/meek sounding from both gender. It's very subjective though.

For example I would consider Xena and Max both strong names for their respective genders.

And I would consider Sarah-jane and Timothy fairly weak/meek sounding names but not necessarily a bad thing - I actually love Timothy because I dont find it traditionally masculine. IYSWIM :)

[chinlop]

Masculinity is associated with physical strength (due to males generally having higher testosterone and thus being stronger). So for a male name to be feminine implies that it is not strong, e.g. .... weak!

Just my guess.

[heateallthebuns]

I've never heard of weak names. Strong names can be either gender, like James and SARAH I would think of as strong names. I think plain and traditional.

[grufallosfriend]

No idea what you mean

[Itsnothingoriginal]

I've seen my DS's name described frequently as 'feminine sounding' on here! It doesn't worry him though - he's never been bullied for it and he still loves his name now as a big strapping teenager! Just shows kids aren't as judgemental

[CrownOfPrawns]

Timothy sounds weak because of the similarity to timid, timorous etc. Nothing to do with gender.

[soapboxqueen]

Not really heard people say a boy's name is feminine and therefore weak etc


However in broader terms feminine things when referred to men/boys/males are seen as insulting and undesirable because to be female is less than and unwanted. Same reason why so many insults aimed at men essentially just mean female.

[whyohwhy100]

An example has just popped up. I couldn't be bothered to go back and find previous ones, so was quite handy

"Weak sounding maybe because it ends in -a as do mostly girls names?"

[TheSeaTheSkyTheSeaTheSkyyyyyy]

mumsnet's preferred term is "wet"

"It's a bit wet"

I hadn't heard that term since the 90s until I started posting here 😂

[grufallosfriend]

That comment referred to the name Noah which does indeed sound like the feminine Noa.

[whyohwhy100]

@grufallosfriend I know but what I'm saying is they said it sounds weak maybe because it sounds feminine... Why are weak sounding names always related to sounding feminine? Females aren't weak.

[grufallosfriend]

Maybe weak should be replaced by feminine, soft or pretty?

[SomeOtherFuckers]

1000s of years of being seen as the weaker sex ?

[user1498872532]

OP, I've just seen one!

"...I find Jude very weak/wet. Maybe because of The similarity with Judy?

Julian sounds strong and masculine to me..."

I must admit, I've never noticed it before, but I've been looking and have spotted a couple already!

[PlayingSardines]

Internalised sexism due to the long term effects of patriarchy.