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Original poster

Will people understand?!

94 replies

mariaallen · 27/08/2018 09:19

Hi! My husband is American and he recently brought up a name for our son due in September I actually quite like: Zero, as in the actor Zero Mostel. I've researched the name and it has a significant amount of meaning and history, it means so much more than just the number. We love it and think it's a strong name with an interesting history, but not everyone will feel that way---any thoughts? Thank you so much.

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HeadsDownThumbsUpEveryone · 27/08/2018 10:56

Zero is not a “name meaning empty” in Arabic. No criticism of anyone here, but there’s a lot of nonsense out there on the internet about supposed name meanings.

Perhaps not but at some point in everyone's lives they will google to find out the meaning of their name and I was merely pointing out that the first search result states that is the meaning.

In truth no matter how you look at it there is no nice meaning to the word Zero. It's such a lonely and sad word I cant imagine looking at a newborn baby and thinking such bleak things.

SpectacularAardvark · 27/08/2018 10:55

Not that bad, I think kids would get over it, he might be cool enough to pull it off. I used to know a Nada which is similar and she didn't get teased for it.

Although privately I did wonder what her parents were thinking.

SleepFreeZone · 27/08/2018 10:54

Zero is honestly a terrible, terrible name.

Atetoomanyjaffacakes · 27/08/2018 10:52

Please don't inflict your child with this name

LarkDescending · 27/08/2018 10:48

Zero is not a “name meaning empty” in Arabic. No criticism of anyone here, but there’s a lot of nonsense out there on the internet about supposed name meanings.

The word zero (denoting the numeral 0) is loosely derived from an ancient Arabic word “sifr” meaning empty. Nothing at all to do with personal names.

blueskiesandforests · 27/08/2018 10:38

Zeno is a name... Ancient Greek roots, the name of some ancient philosophers and a mythological descendant of Zeus.

A lot better than Zero!

Topseyt · 27/08/2018 10:30

No!!! Dreadful.

I don't usually have such a visceral reaction to a name and have seen some ridiculous ones on here. This one means nothingness, failure, worthlessness etc.

Just don't.

ICantBelieveIDidThis · 27/08/2018 10:29

Will people understand?

No.

Slartybartfast · 27/08/2018 10:27

just stupid

Bouledeneige · 27/08/2018 10:24

Just dont.

The kids will mock him forever and equate it to loser. And the parents will shake their head in dismay that you did that to your child.

Justkeeprollingalong · 27/08/2018 10:21

Please don't.

blueskiesandforests · 27/08/2018 10:12

Aside from the Arabic name meaning empty, everyone else called Zero is actually called something else - Zero is a nickname (often initially an insulting one which the bearer reclaims and makes their own) or just a shortened form of a longer name, or a stage name (found a wrestler and a Japanese pop star - neither actually called Zero but used it as a stage name).

kenandbarbie · 27/08/2018 10:08

I don't think many people will get that. I would feel unfair landing a baby with that name.

schopenhauer · 27/08/2018 10:04

Awful!!

Mammyloveswine · 27/08/2018 10:01

Zero... I'm sorry but no. I'm a teacher and even young children know when a name is very much "out there". I had a 5 year old one year who's name I'm sure was beautiful when said with a Portuguese accent but when said with a Geordie accent sounded like a common pasta dish, prompting the other children to say "I had that for tea yesterday!". And that was simply a cultural difference not a parent trying to be "out there!". Fwiw I've come across a Denim, Champagne, Tyne and Keegan over the years.. and an Elvis!

What I will say however is all.of these children do actually suit their names!

rainingcatsanddog · 27/08/2018 09:57

It's a big fat zero from me.

BrutusMcDogface · 27/08/2018 09:57

Silke- I was just coming back to suggest Hero, or Zane.

SilkeOvesen · 27/08/2018 09:55

Ditch the zero, get a hero.

MaryDollNesbitt · 27/08/2018 09:55

You would be setting your child up for a lifetime of ridicule, OP. Please don't do that to the poor wee thing Sad

BrutusMcDogface · 27/08/2018 09:54

No. No no no! Please don't inflict such a negative name on your child. "Big fat zero" is what I thought of immediately.

shamofamockery · 27/08/2018 09:54

Hideous. Don't do it to the child.

Ledehe · 27/08/2018 09:52

Zero is the name of the ghost dog in a Nightmare Before Xmas

ElizabethMainwaring · 27/08/2018 09:51

Terrible, awful idea. Going by the responses here, I think that people "understand" full well.

TheVanguardSix · 27/08/2018 09:51

I was just reading about Zero Mostel yesterday, The Producers being one of my favourite films.
Zero was his pet name, OP, not his given name. His family called him this because he was failing school.

Personally, I think it’s cool and I like it AND I do ‘get’ where you’re coming from, but you can’t really do it. It’s basically calling your kid a schmuck.

Flyingpompom · 27/08/2018 09:50

I think a good basic premise about names is, if you have to consider whether people will understand a name, then don't use it.

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