To think “Offred” sounds nice?

[BackInBits]

I know I am, really.

I’m not pregnant and not considering this name. I’ve read the book and watched the show and I know what it means.

I’m strongly feminist (and I’m told I’m not the fun kind).

But I really must admit that I think it sounds like a lovely name. Am I alone?

Disclaimer: My DS has a lovely, traditional name. Think “Balonz”.

No, I don't like the sound of Offred, as it puts too many horrific pictures in my mind. Same reason I wouldn't name my child Adolph.
I knew a child called clamidia, spelt like that, as the mum liked the sound of it and thought it was very English. She was a foreign lady, had her baby here and I thought it was really sad no one put her right before she made it official.

Offred also sounds like offret which is swedish for the victim. No way I'd want any child to have that name.

Thanks @Koshnique. I was growing concerned for my ability to write clearly!

Just to reiterate in case people are reading the thread before replying, I’m neither pregnant nor planning to name any child Offred.

@Tal45 it’s not the exact same, and I had the same concerns before watching it, but I still really enjoyed it.

[quote BackInBits]@AffableApple in what way? Claiming that something sounded nice even though I don’t like the meaning? I’m impressed I managed to shock so easily.

I also like the sound of “erythromycin” but don’t think it makes a great name. And “sofa”.[/quote]
Quite right, I misread. I apologise. Although you said you weren't planning to use it as a baby name, I interpreted it on a skim-read that you might at some point. I see now that you were just saying it sounds pleasant. Clever woman, that Atwood. Making something so slimy and horrendous in meaning sound palatable to the ear.

I completely agree. She’s an amazing writer.

It's sounds like you are bunged up.

I get it. I think it sounds nice, a bit like Ethelred or something of that ilk.

Winnifred, Mordred, Offred, Ethelred...

YABU because it’s so grumpy! Ofphilippe, Ofoliver, Ofidris so much better. But Offred is just so dumpy, you’d be gutted – all the bother of Gilead and you sound like an old maid.

It sounds like a government regulator.

@stuntbubbles

YABU because it’s so grumpy! Ofphilippe, Ofoliver, Ofidris so much better. But Offred is just so dumpy, you’d be gutted – all the bother of Gilead and you sound like an old maid.

It slightly irritates me that (well, in the tv version) it's pronounced Off Red (with a soft F sound) rather than Of Fred (hard F)

None of the other 'Of' names do that.

"I immediately thought 'Ofsted'."

I thought of Betfred. I don't like it at all. It's got a Viking ring about it. But I like being feminine.

Ofidris is quite nice actually.

Ofdave less so.

@CeleriacOfTheNight

It slightly irritates me that (well, in the tv version) it's pronounced Off Red (with a soft F sound) rather than Of Fred (hard F)

None of the other 'Of' names do that.

Good point. The audiobook was a bit Off Red too (said I’d have a re-listen on the commute before I watched it.)

@Rubyupbeat

No, I don't like the sound of Offred, as it puts too many horrific pictures in my mind. Same reason I wouldn't name my child Adolph. I knew a child called clamidia, spelt like that, as the mum liked the sound of it and thought it was very English. She was a foreign lady, had her baby here and I thought it was really sad no one put her right before she made it official.

I can't get over that Candida is a genuine name. I know it means "truth" but everytime I hear it I picture a box of Canestan

@stuntbubbles

YABU because it’s so grumpy! Ofphilippe, Ofoliver, Ofidris so much better. But Offred is just so dumpy, you’d be gutted – all the bother of Gilead and you sound like an old maid.

I enjoyed this response.

If you had given birth to a boy who was destined to be a viking then Offred would be fab.

Another who thought Ofsted.

Why do people reply like they've not even read the op at all?!

I see what you mean about offred and I think it's because it sounds namesq like winnifred

Rubyupbeat
No, I don't like the sound of Offred, as it puts too many horrific pictures in my mind. Same reason I wouldn't name my child Adolph.
I knew a child called clamidia, spelt like that, as the mum liked the sound of it and thought it was very English. She was a foreign lady, had her baby here and I thought it was really sad no one put her right before she made it official.
I can't get over that Candida is a genuine name. I know it means "truth" but everytime I hear it I picture a box of Canestan

Chlamydia and Candida would be lovely names for girl twins.