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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Salem? For a boy?

35 replies

thehogopogo · 17/08/2013 22:47

Really struggling for boys names. Have always kinda liked Salem as a name but never seriously considered it as I just automatically associated it with a certain black cat and other 'witchy' themes. BUT. I just looked up the meaning, and I think it's beautiful. It means 'peaceful/complete'. The meaning of a name is of particular importance to me..

I just don't know.

Does the name Salem have any associations in the UK?yet?

I need some gentle, kind commentary if you please?

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bootsycollins · 18/08/2013 11:59

There are trillions of beautiful names to choose from with lovely origins and meanings that haven't been tainted by bad connections. Choose carefully, Lucifer means bringer of light but people just think Satan, the swastika is Sanskrit and means good but show a swastika and everyone will presume your a neo nazi. I didn't mean to offend with my comment about at best he'd sound like a tongue in cheek ironic 80's death metal band member that was being kind and gentle.

AntoinetteCosway · 18/08/2013 07:09

Salem would be like calling a child Auschwitz or Tyburn or something.

Solomon is nice.

KateCroydon · 18/08/2013 05:20

Salem's a lot worse than Luther!
Saul? Seth?

Littlemissexpecting · 18/08/2013 05:16

Like bootsy I think of the cat in Sabrina the teenage witch

pumpkinsweetie · 18/08/2013 05:14

How about Sunny, Solly, Samuel, Simon, Sebastian instead.
Salem here has very negative things associated with it, the salem witch trials. Kind of the same as Luther, too negative.

JazzAnnNonMouse · 18/08/2013 05:12

What about silas?

JazzAnnNonMouse · 18/08/2013 05:10

Just makes me think of witch trials and horrible things -sorry

Original poster
thehogopogo · 17/08/2013 23:52

Haha. Yes.

Ok.

I get it, Salem not good!

Was just testing the waters on that one...

OP posts:
BuntyPenfold · 17/08/2013 23:42

Sorry, very negative connotations here too.

How about Soloman? Sol/Solly is lovely.

I'm trying to be gentle, but pleeease don't use Salem.

WinkyWinkola · 17/08/2013 23:40

Atticus
Jeremiah
Nathaniel
Zachary
Theodore
Hugo
Peter
Edward

SaggyOldClothCatPuss · 17/08/2013 23:33

Ok. what about biblical? Caleb? Joshua?

Original poster
thehogopogo · 17/08/2013 23:25

I'm not against strong traditional names, but I have a very large family with very many brothers/ cousins.

So we can pretty much rule out the current top 20 baby boys names.

OP posts:
SaggyOldClothCatPuss · 17/08/2013 23:21

What about some good strong traditional names? James?

elQuintoConyo · 17/08/2013 23:19

Isn't it short for Jerusalem?

Not keen. I shall come back tomorrow with some suggestions. In the meantime, here's some Cake

Original poster
thehogopogo · 17/08/2013 23:13

Pongping,

I'm looking for a kind, gentle name-without being wussy or sappy, I don't mind traditional or unusual..??

OP posts:
maja00 · 17/08/2013 23:13

Spelled Saleem or Salim you avoid the witchy connotations.

Original poster
thehogopogo · 17/08/2013 23:11

Thank you for the ahem kind & gentle commentary.

OP posts:
bootsycollins · 17/08/2013 23:11

How about Sayeed?

bootsycollins · 17/08/2013 23:10

I loved Salem from Sabrina the Teenage Witch, he had bags of cattitude. I don't think Salem really works on any level for a person, at best it sounds like a tongue in cheek stage name for an ironic 80's death metal band and at worst spawn of Satan. It's a total oddball name.

miffybun73 · 17/08/2013 23:07

I just think of witch trials and mass hysteria.

SaggyOldClothCatPuss · 17/08/2013 23:05

I don't think its OTT. The poor kid has to live with the name. And the history of Salem is horrible.

maja00 · 17/08/2013 23:03

SAY-lem = place of witch trials, Sabrina the Teenage Witch's cat

Sa-LEEM = boys' name meaning peace

meditrina · 17/08/2013 23:02

It's also a brand of cigarettes (big in Asia).

BettyBotter · 17/08/2013 23:00

What about Nuremburg instead?

WinkyWinkola · 17/08/2013 23:00

Bit of an ott hostile reaction that last one and offering no helpful alternativesHmm