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Baby names

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Original poster

Is Nimrod really that bad?

196 replies

lrpe · 03/09/2021 22:02

We are from Hungary where Nimród is a popular boy's name and we'd like to call our child Nimród. However, I've just learnt that in American slang "nimrod" means idiot, dimwit, stupid, etc. But I've never heard this in the UK.

I wonder how bad Nimrod sounds for a native English speaker in the UK. (We have no connections with the US and our son would grow up in the UK.)

Possible alternatives would be:

László
Zoltán
Vajk (pronounced: voyk)

Are they any better?

Thanks a lot.

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Aurelia1313 · 03/09/2021 23:20

Laszlo is the best. Please not Nimrod, definitely an insult and also a Green Day album name. It only takes one kid at school to pick up on that and your poor bairn is stuck.

Congratulations on your baby by the way :)

Buttons294749 · 03/09/2021 23:20

But Victor Laszlo is what I think of too for laszlo- actually a really great name that I would use

Buttons294749 · 03/09/2021 23:19

Oh, never heard of the derogatory phrase.

My family have a "connection" with the ancient city of Nimrud so I would think of that which in the whole is positive

catfunk · 03/09/2021 23:19

Yes

Couchbettato · 03/09/2021 23:18

Yes I'd associate Nimrod negatively.

And Zoltan reminds me of that cult on Dude, Where's My Car.

Laszlo is my favourite.

Lalliella · 03/09/2021 23:16

Not heard of Nimrod as an insult but it does sound like an aircraft.

László is fab, choose this!

Zoltán sounds too much like Soltan (suncream) or Sultan.

Vajk is a bit like Oik.

donquixotedelamancha · 03/09/2021 23:10

Although, if the movie Dude, Where's My Car makes a comeback..

Sorry, is that not why we all think it's an awesome name? Just me who can't say Zoltan without doing the hand gesture then?

RubySlippers123 · 03/09/2021 23:09

Laszlo is the nicest!
Please don't call your kid Nimrod.

SanFranBear · 03/09/2021 23:08

But he'd have his own theme tune:

You might think I'm being sarcastic but I'm honestly not - I love it!

SunSeaSurfGin · 03/09/2021 23:07

Zoltan is a great name

SanFranBear · 03/09/2021 23:06

I never post on Baby Name threads as I think its such a personal choice but Zoltan is amazing!!

Although, if the movie Dude, Where's My Car makes a comeback (which it absolutely should!), they'll have people making weird hand gestures, shouting 'Zoltan' at him... worth it though, in my opinion!

Footle · 03/09/2021 23:06

Zoltan is great. "golden"?

pommepommefrites · 03/09/2021 23:05

Good god, no. Atilla would be better. Everyone is called laszlo.

Hellotoallmyfans · 03/09/2021 23:03

Nimrod? Oh, come on!!!

László is a lovely name.

jackstini · 03/09/2021 23:03

Laszlo would be my favourite, a lovely sound

Nimrod does not work well in the UK unfortunately

Killergigglebunnies · 03/09/2021 23:02

Az apukám László volt. Zoltán (Zoli) jó. Nimród repülő. De ha itt fogsz lakni Angliába, jobb lenne egy Angol formát név. Nem?
A bátyám neve Leslie (Laci/László). Én nevem Clara (Klári).
Csak gond 🤷🏼‍♀️
Bocsánat, de én itt születtem Blush

k4523 · 03/09/2021 23:02

Laszlo is an awesome name

donquixotedelamancha · 03/09/2021 23:01

Zoltan is superb. I want another child just to call him Zoltan.

miltonj · 03/09/2021 23:00

Nimrod is awful, almost cruel.

I like lazslo and zoltan a lot. Not voyk though.

libertybonds · 03/09/2021 23:00

@BritishSummertime that's Zoltar

lawofdistraction · 03/09/2021 23:00

I think Nimrod may be the worst name I have ever heard suggested for a baby. You just can't.

libertybonds · 03/09/2021 22:58

American here. Definitely not Nimrod.

Also to be very American, László reminds me of Victor Laszlo from Casablanca, which is a very positive association!

MimiDaisy11 · 03/09/2021 22:57

I’ve never heard of nimrod used as idiot but it does sound like an insult and doesn’t sound great from a British POV unfortunately. It makes me think of the pixies song.

I really like the name László though. I think it sounds good. It’s one of those foreign names I really like but could never use as it would just be silly since I have no connection to other cultures.

FreddieStandensBFF · 03/09/2021 22:55

Where in the uk is Nimrod an insult?

GreenWhiteViolet · 03/09/2021 22:55

There was an old episode of Bugs Bunny where he calls Elmer Fudd 'Nimrod' - referring to the Biblical hunter. Generations of children watched this, and not knowing the reference, assumed from context that it meant something like dimwit. And so now it does!

I'd avoid it in any English-speaking country, honestly. László is really nice!

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