DH wants Wolfgang - is it really that bad?

Yep Nullius spot on with descriptions of typical Wofgang personality attitudes...there are always exception to the rule, that should go without a saying.
And yy to Otto the van driver or Otto the lorry driver or Otto the Pub owner whose pub carries the same name and it is one of those shabby run-down corner pubs....

Sorry,but name your child what you like, but if the name is weird and odd in your country and then some folks bring up the argument well in country such and such where this name comes from it's normal blablabla....well at least make sure how and in which circles in that particular country sits with folks there before branding your own child disclaimer:

"Germans/Austrians who would nowadays name their sons Felix and Theodor would possibly not chose Wolfgang, totally different sort of name.
I have no doubts the 23-year old is lovely, but come on that's a name typical for 50-70 year olds (and not necessarily a nice one either more like a Nigel in the UK, I believe), and certainly not one of those names you find in different generations such as Felix, Alexander, Philip, Constantin, Michael, etc."

It's certainly not been revived here in Berlin. Felix and Theodor, by all means, but Wolfgang is reserved for arrogant 60 year olds with a beer belly and Mercedes. Wolfgang is extremely narrow-minded, convinced he's right about everything, did not go to university but ended up as a low-ranking civil servant.

My kids have been through any number of school classes/nurseries over the last 12 years and we've never encountered a kid called Wolfgang. Felix and Theo are absolutely standard in middle-class circles, though.

"This reminds me of the discussion I am having with my DH about Otto. In my heart of hearts I can't imagine calling my child Otto."

Yup, Wolfgang and Otto are equally awful. Otto has some pretty unpleasant connotations in Germany. Otto Walkes, Otto Normalverbraucher.

Apologies to anyone called Otto or Wolfgang - but surely it's better to know the associations that 100 million German-speakers will have with your name.

Wolfram or Wolfgang same thing

Where is that??? And what sorts of people are they??? You know, one name certainly doesn't fit in all kinds of social groups maybe that's where we differ

oh and I've heard of a Wolfram (toddler) in my area.

worldcitizen - disagree with that! Certainly a revival where I live - I know three children Wolfie/Wolfgang!

Wolfgang is NOT one of those kind of old names which have a revival, neither in German speaking countries nor anywhere, period

This reminds me of the discussion I am having with my DH about Otto. In my heart of hearts I can't imagine calling my child Otto.

I would put Wolfgang in the same bucket. I like it but I just couldn't do it.

I used to work for a Wolfgang, I think it's a great name.

Maybe it is an 'old man's name' but isn't that what's trendy now, reviving older names? Aren't there loads of Florences running around for this reason?

But bottom line, if you really don't like it, you shouldn't have to use it. I thought veto power was pretty standard.

If I met a child called Wolfgang I would assume they'd been named for Mozart, either directly, or via Linda Snell's llama in The Archers.

My cousins have Wolf as part of their surname and it sounds pretty cool in that context. I think that Wolfgang could work as a middle name but not as a first, Wolfie is an awful nickname IMO very twee. Wolf as a nn seems very try hard/celebish.

If your dh doesn't like your top six and you don't like his number one then I think you both need to go back to the drawing board. I'm sure you'll come up with somethign you both like (eventually!)

Wolf is cute. But your DH is flat out lying if he claims he only likes one name. No one only likes one name (well, three, if you count your older DC). He is trying to force you to agree by playing hardball.

Both partners should like a name to use it. Personally, I think Wolfgang, nn Wolf is quite cute. But no, I wouldn't use it myself.

If he can only come up with one name he likes - and it's that name - then he doesn't get to have any imput. Why does he get to turn down 6 names you suggested and insist on one you don't like!

I for one think it's a great name and does actually go with your two other sons' names. It's what my sister is planning for a middle name if she ever has a son (family name). Wolf is a great nn.

Having said that, it's pretty outlandish for an Australian kid, and it's an old man name in Germany (not that that matters for you), and if you don't like it, then it's a no go.

I don't really like it, and more to the point I think naming your child should be a joint decision. It's not fair for your DH to say it's the only name he likes and refuse to discuss it further.

Could you agree to use it as a middle name as a compromise?

I don't think it matches the other two names, though it is nice. What about Isaac?

Now that I think about it the reason I didn't use the nn (I always use kids MN if they prefer) is because it almost seemed like the sort of nn you use with a partner ie tiger, bunny, sexy etc ;)

I have taught a Wolfgang who would insist on being called Wolfie...he was an arrogant little so and so and I just couldn't being myself to use Wolfie....he want very popular with the other kids...they thought he was odd. Maybe he would be just as odd with a normal name but I do think he liked to use it as a power thing. I usually avoided saying the NN as out was ridiculous and all the kids laughed

vamosbebe You are joking aren't you????

Germans/Austrians who would nowadays name their sons Felix and Theodor would possibly not chose Wolfgang, totally different sort of name.
I have no doubts the 23-year old is lovely, but come on that's a name typical for 50-70 year olds (and not necessarily a nice one either more like a Nigel in the UK, I believe), and certainly not one of those names you find in different generations such as Felix, Alexander, Philip, Constantin, Michael, etc.

Why someone would not only chose a name considered odd for a child in their generation and country, but also in the countries where the name is supposedly common/typical, is truly beyond me

Wolfgang goes nicely with the other two - but if you can't be doing with it, there's not much point persisting.

But "why did your parents call you that?" - what's wrong with "because they liked it"? - It's probably the main reason anyone chooses any name.

I absolutely hate it !
Sorry DH!

I can't believe you're hung up about Wolfgang considering your current two sons names. I think he's more likely to be bullied sooner rather than later though. How about using it as a middle name instead.

How about Wolef ?

I know two, both known as 'Wolfie'.
One's German and one's Austrian though.