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Is Nimrod really that bad?

196 replies

lrpe · 03/09/2021 22:02

We are from Hungary where Nimród is a popular boy's name and we'd like to call our child Nimród. However, I've just learnt that in American slang "nimrod" means idiot, dimwit, stupid, etc. But I've never heard this in the UK.

I wonder how bad Nimrod sounds for a native English speaker in the UK. (We have no connections with the US and our son would grow up in the UK.)

Possible alternatives would be:

László
Zoltán
Vajk (pronounced: voyk)

Are they any better?

Thanks a lot.

OP posts:
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dementedpixie · 03/09/2021 22:05

I'd regard Nimrod as an insult too
Laszlo would be ok I think

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Meloncurse · 03/09/2021 22:06

Depending on age and interests people might associate it with either the Green Day album or a military aircraft. I personally wouldn't think 'dimwit' or similar

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Passmeamenuatthetottenham · 03/09/2021 22:06

Yeah, Nimrod isn't great in English tbh. I'm not keen on the sound generally.

I quite like Laszlo.

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elQuintoConyo · 03/09/2021 22:07

Lordy no, not Nimrod in the UK, for the reasons you mentioned.

László is lovely, Zoltán is awesome!

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Gracie65 · 03/09/2021 22:07

I'm really not a fan of Nimrod. Laszlo would be my choice. It has a nice ring to it.

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user1493494961 · 03/09/2021 22:08

I like Zoltan, Laszlo is also nice. Not keen on Nimrod.

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Sattherelikealemon · 03/09/2021 22:09

I'd never heard of it as an insult and thought it sounded great- the mighty hunter- but if it's a known put down then maybe best avoided, or used as a middle name as Americanisms have a tendency to spread here.

Zoltan and Laszlo are both beautiful. Vojk looks good but I don't love the sound so much.

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MrsCremuel · 03/09/2021 22:09

I associate it with Elgar and the Bible and I’m from the UK. Never heard of it as an insult?

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StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 03/09/2021 22:09

Makes me think of beautiful english music by edward elgar Smile

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HeddaGarbled · 03/09/2021 22:09

Nimnod is the mildly derogatory term, I think.

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ExecutiveHodCarrier · 03/09/2021 22:10

László and Zoltán are gorgeous

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eddiemairswife · 03/09/2021 22:10

Never heard of it as an insult. Lovely piece of music.

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Aquamarine1029 · 03/09/2021 22:11

Absolutely NOT Nimrod. Sorry.

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Barwell76 · 03/09/2021 22:11

I was researching my family tree and discovered a Nimrod in the 19th century. Never come across the name before and really dont like it.

Laszlo is nice. Is it prounounced Laz-low?

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JayAlfredPrufrock · 03/09/2021 22:11

Never heard it as derogatory.

Personally love it.

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msbevvy · 03/09/2021 22:11

I've never heard Nimrod used in a derogatory way but then again I am ancient.

I really like Zoltan.

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Hoppinggreen · 03/09/2021 22:12

Yes, I would use Nimrod to mean idiot. Sorry

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ChequerBoard · 03/09/2021 22:12

I've also never heard of a nimrod used as an insult.

To me though it's an aircraft so it would be like calling a child Spitfire, Hurricane or DC10.

Love some of your other options though.

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JulesCobb · 03/09/2021 22:12

Yes it is an insult in the uk. All you other names would be great though. But ultimately, name your child what you like. The people close to him wont care.

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coldseacoldears · 03/09/2021 22:13

Nimrod is an insult like numbnut or dipshit, absolutely do not call your child this if you are spending time in the uk.
lazslo is good

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DanglingMod · 03/09/2021 22:13

Not an insult I've ever heard, but I don't really like it as a name. Associated with Elgar or planes for me.

I prefer any of your other three choices.

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HavelockVetinari · 03/09/2021 22:14

DH is Hungarian, we go there several times a year. I've never met a Nimród!

Will you shorten László to Laci or Zoltán to Zsoli? I like both names and the short versions. I've never heard Vajk before.

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enjoyingscience · 03/09/2021 22:14

I’d associate nimrod with Elgar or greenday, either way, I’d probably not.

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Catasptrophisemycat · 03/09/2021 22:15

László is beautiful - go with that

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Allthingspeaches · 03/09/2021 22:15

I don't know it as an insult. I do associate it with the bible. If you like it use it.

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