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Baby names

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Original poster

DH wants Wolfgang - is it really that bad?

63 replies

persephoneplum · 22/09/2012 13:10

I can't come to terms with the only boy name that DH likes - Wolfgang. I just can't. I do think he would constantly get grilled about his name when an adult - "Why did your parents call you that?" and there won't be a great, solid reason other than "Dad liked it".

Our existing sons are Felix and Theodore and I feel like Wolfgang sticks out like a sore thumb but what I want to know is, do you agree with me or with my DH?

Just to clarify, I do like it - in a vacuum - but it's just not right for my unborn son. We live in Australia - I'm aware it's common in Germany on older men.

Is Wolfgang as outlandish as I think it is?

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celtiethree · 25/09/2012 20:58

My DH also wanted this name, loved the idea of Wolfie for a nn. Was vetoed precisely for the reason just given by forcookssake. Kids can be cruel.

forcookssake · 25/09/2012 20:28

OK, I'm moved to share this with you, as I was massively fixated with calling any potential DS of ours Wolfgang. The bery first time I mentioned it to DP, he immediately said (without a moment's hesitation)
"Wolfgang?-GangBang!!" Blush
I do apologise, I know it's crass and basic rhyming humour at a very juvenile level but it's put me off the name - if DP says it in spite of wounding my sensibilities I doubt a schoolyard of lads would hold back... Hmm

mathanxiety · 25/09/2012 20:20

How about:

Roman
Killian (an Irish saint but his monastery was in present day Germany and the name is not unknown there)
Patrick
Willem
Arnold
Leon
Jonas
Lukas
Maximilian
Leon
Leo
Tobias
Thaddeus
Louis
Elias
Jasper
Thomas
Milan
Bram
Ruben

Many of those names are in the top ten in Germany and the Netherlands over the last 12 years or so.

LeonieDeSaintVire · 25/09/2012 13:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

worldcitizen · 25/09/2012 11:25

Neither Grin

HereBenson · 25/09/2012 11:24

Would he be Wolfgang or Volfgang?

worldcitizen · 25/09/2012 11:24

That's a nice one. No bad connotations at all, found across lots of different families...

EldritchCleavage · 25/09/2012 11:20

Well, could you compromise on Florian?

WynkenBlynkenandNod · 24/09/2012 22:33

I've just posted on a post about Petra, which is my cousin's name. Her brother is Wolfgang and I was just thinking that I wouldn't see that on here, scrolled down and here it is !

It's a definite no from me. My cousin kind of fits the description of Wolfgang above, not made the greatest success of his life. We wanted something that would fit in with the German side of the family and there are plenty of names to chose from - just don't do Wolfgang !

wentshopping · 24/09/2012 16:30

If it's any help (from a don't use it point of view) my teenage daughter is currently excited about going to see her new favourite band.... Wolf gang. Might be a name in the media if they really take off...

Dogsmom · 24/09/2012 16:22

I knew a guy named Wolf, he was christened Wolf.

I thought it was a fabulous name, lovely guy and it really suited him.

worldcitizen · 24/09/2012 15:58

You did Smile

Original poster
persephoneplum · 24/09/2012 15:35

Hehehe thanks :) You do too. I'm sure we'll have a well-named third boy. We did pretty well with the first two :)

OP posts:
worldcitizen · 24/09/2012 15:25

persophene you sound lovely, and I sure you'll do the right thing Smile

Original poster
persephoneplum · 24/09/2012 15:21

Oh now you've made me love Fabian even more! It's just so handsome and soft and nice in both European accents and Australian. I would die to hear a French person say it.

I did take my son to a shoe store where there was a little Fabian trying on shoes. I was so thrilled! Unfortunately, all my DH can think of is Fabio:

www.fabioinc.com/

Why oh why? I despair!

OP posts:
worldcitizen · 24/09/2012 15:16

Persephone that's a great attitude to have Grin
Fabian is considered a very nice name here in Germany, can find it in my generation and younger. Pretty much goes in all social circles, but know it very much to be a middle class name. I love that name, as personally love those cosmopolitan names, when there is not much fuss about spelling and goes well in various countries and languages etc.

And to St. Wulfram, well there is also a St. Thomas, St. Paul, St. Peter, and St. Whatnotelse....

There is also a Barry in Wales, why not name your son Barry as it is one of those names which might have a comeback, yeah right...Hmm

still valid Grin

Original poster
persephoneplum · 24/09/2012 15:09

Not really keen on Arne, but thank you :)

worldcitizen - I have such a great shortlist, honed over many years and I think DH can just choose from that or find one I will agree to. The man hasn't read a single name book, searched one single website. As far as I'm concerned, he can pick any of the six on my fabulous shortlist :) Plus I really don't like hyper-masculine names :)

I pretty much want Reuben or Gus or Kit. My ultimate would be Fabian but DH hates it.

OP posts:
worldcitizen · 24/09/2012 14:53

persephone cool and masculine it ain't Grin

There are lovely German and Dutch names which would fit well into an English-speaking country. Thanks to internet it's all easily found out, OR maybe start a thread where you would like others to help you find a cool and masculine name for an Aussie kid with German/Dutch heritage...Smile

peeriebear · 24/09/2012 14:43

Wulfram? (there is a St Wulfram)

EldritchCleavage · 24/09/2012 14:39

What about Arne, OP?

Ephiny · 24/09/2012 14:39

Not keen, for me it doesn't have a nice sound/look in English, though Wolf(ie) is a cute nickname.

EdMcDunnough · 24/09/2012 14:36

I quite like it as a name, but I'm glad Nullius has put the German POV!

I wonder if I could hijack slightly and ask for her thoughts on Gustav - though it is maybe more Swedish than German.

I don't know our German relatives to ask them!

Original poster
persephoneplum · 24/09/2012 14:35

Now I'm thinking about it, my DH has relatives in Germany who we email regularly. His dad is over there now staying with them... so it's not even like we're completely cut off from current German attitudes about the name. I reckon they'd be aghast, and no it shouldn't matter, but it does.

OP posts:
Original poster
persephoneplum · 24/09/2012 14:32

I want to personally thank you NulliusInBlurba - your insight into the name in Germany is exactly my gut feeling about it, without actually knowing it to be so.

While my husband is German and Dutch back two and three generations, I don't feel a name like Wolfgang with its totally unknown (to us) cultural connotations is suitable for an Aussie kid hanging out in Sydney. Yes I do care what 100 million German-speakers think - very good point.

I will be sure to show your post to my DH - I truly think he just has no idea and thinks it's cool and masculine and edgy in a hipster kind of way. I just want a nice solid, fairly traditional name that no-one will blink an eye at. My long-ago 20-year-old self is shuddering about that last sentence :)

OP posts:
EldritchCleavage · 24/09/2012 10:52

I really like Wulfstan, and your son would have the option of calling himself Stan if he wanted to sound more conventional. I suggested it to DH but it failed his park test ('Will I sound like a poncey Southern twat shouting this name across the park?')