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Baby names

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Original poster

Tristan or Felix - thoughts?

62 replies

BettyBi0 · 06/04/2016 14:47

I'm interested in hearing people's gut instinct on these 2 names. No matter how prejudiced, blunt, or irrational.

What kind of profession could you imagine either one having? I'm worried that they both sound a bit drippy or even faddy but there are so few names me and DP agree on!

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SpeakNoWords · 08/04/2016 11:39

Tristan doesn't mean "sad", it means a noisy tumult or clashing of swords, which can be interpreted to mean "bold". Because of the French word "triste" people think it means sad, when the origins of the two words are completely different. I suppose the association with "triste" would put people off, even though it's a mistaken understanding.

Felix means lucky.

Raines100 · 08/04/2016 11:20

Love both. Never knew Tristan was drippy! Was a serious contender for us at one point. Only thing that put me off was that it means sad. The names are sort of the opposite of each other, happy and sad, if that sways you at all.

villainousbroodmare · 07/04/2016 21:11

Tristan - I think of Farnon which just about saves it for me.
Felix is a black and white cat on a tin.

Both dampish if not actually wet. Neither especially posh.

Narp · 07/04/2016 18:49

Tristan - too posh for my liking. A bit ineffectual

Felix - nice for a little boy but maybe a bit twee for a teen or a grownup.

Summ3r · 07/04/2016 18:40

Love felix

SoftBlocks · 07/04/2016 17:06

Felix.

LeaLeander · 07/04/2016 17:05

Tristan makes me think James Herriott but not in a bad way.

The only Felix I've ever known was a tall, gruff, moustached man. A journalist.

InsufficientlyCaffeinated · 07/04/2016 17:00

Felix is nice. Tristan = posh wanker to me, sorry! (Not saying posh = wanker, just that the only Tristan I've ever known is posh & a wanker)

SpeakNoWords · 07/04/2016 16:57

cowssheephens what part of the UK are you from, roughly, if you don't mind saying? I'd be interested to know.

cowssheephens · 07/04/2016 16:53

Felix is ok but Tristan is awful! Tristan is certainly not a posh name round here.

GuessHowMuchILoveGin · 07/04/2016 16:45

I have a Felix. I hesitated because of the 'cat's name' association, but I love his name so much and have never regretted choosing it. He is a happy boy and it suits his personality well. Everyone can spell and say it but it is a little bit 'off the beaten track' of names you hear every day.

NadiaWadia · 07/04/2016 16:04

I am sorry, but the immediate associations that spring to mind for me are:

Tristan -wussy
Felix - cat/cat food.

But I do realise these are probably irrational prejudices, and objectively they are both nice-sounding names.

ABitAsleep · 07/04/2016 10:47

I do like the name Tristan, but I knew a Tristan at School, he was always a troublemaker and a bit of a goth. Always had his hair dyed strange colours, always wore black clothes and always wore skinny jeans and guyliner (not cool on a guy) Got into drugs. Did nothing with his life. (also not cool)

Felix is a cat.

Sophronia · 07/04/2016 10:02

I know a very non posh Tristan!

I'm not keen on either but if I had to pick I'd go with Tristan.

Olbersparadox · 07/04/2016 08:42

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

ChangedToday · 07/04/2016 07:38

I know two of each. All positive. Nothing wet, posh or hippy about any of them or their families and backgrounds.
One Tristan is a bright boisterous schoolboy the others a determined scholar, now finally a Professor. Felix is a happy name for me, and the kids i know live up to that.

savasana · 06/04/2016 22:14

Oh dear. I have a Tristan and I love it! He's a crazy noisy chaotic but lovely boy. Not in the slightest wet or drippy! Glad I didn't ask on here first...Wink So yeah I prefer Tristan over Felix, although I do like Felix and don't immediately associate it with cat.

lljkk · 06/04/2016 22:09

I have one... can be a crybaby but also a bit of a thug. We're not posh. :)

DramaAlpaca · 06/04/2016 22:08

Felix is hippy & quirky.

Tristan is posh & wet.

mrsschu · 06/04/2016 21:43

Really like Felix. Would have been on my list for DS but my cousin used it first. I imagine a Felix to be intelligent and relaxed.

I really don't like Tristan, it sounds very weak to me.

Stokey · 06/04/2016 21:37

Dh vetoed Tristan right away as being too posh. I loved it.

Felix was on our boys list, we had girls bit I like them both. Felix is probably more used if that is a factor for you.

AmyInTheBoonies · 06/04/2016 19:19

I love Tristan, it makes me think of Tristan and Isolde and seems like a romantic hero's name. But it all perception and lots of people seem to see it as a bit wet.

I like Felix too though it's more of a boyish and sweet name.

Winterdaisy · 06/04/2016 18:28

Felix means happy and i see it very much as bold boys name. Like it a lot. Used by royal family in north Europe (Sweden I think??)

Tristran - does seem a bit wet to me and the one I know is a spoilt moaning child so maybe that clouds my opinion. I would expect a limp hand shake from a Tristan.

BoboBunnyH0p · 06/04/2016 17:56

Prefer Felix, Tristan to me says wanker (sorry) and also sounds like an estate agents or hair dressers name.

SpeakNoWords · 06/04/2016 17:13

Tristan isn't Germanic, I thought, rather Celtic/Old Welsh?

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