Tristan or Felix - thoughts?

[BettyBi0]

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!

[NadiaWadia]

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.

[GuessHowMuchILoveGin]

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.

[cowssheephens]

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

[SpeakNoWords]

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

[InsufficientlyCaffeinated]

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)

[LeaLeander]

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.

[SoftBlocks]

Felix.

[Summ3r]

Love felix

[Narp]

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.

[villainousbroodmare]

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.

[Raines100]

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.

[SpeakNoWords]

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.

[Popskipiekin]

Really like both actually. I know a 1 year old Tristan. He's quite a serious little boy and suits it. I don't think it needs to be a 'wet' name - has it got a good surname to go with it? Felix will always have the cat association for many people, but I aupaired for a 9 yo (German) Felix who was adorable and so I love it.

[GoblinLittleOwl]

Go for Felix.
Tristan can be mispronounced and misspelt: Tristran, Tristram, Tristam, Tristun/on.

[MrsJorahMormont]

Hate Tristan, love Felix BUT it was on my 'If we have a boy' list and DH vetoed it because of Felix the cat.

[MrsJorahMormont]

Also be aware that Felix is 'taking off' as a name, based on the few babies / toddlers I have met in the last 6 months, having previously known none at all!

[septembersunshine]

I know a Tristan, I would say he is a bit posh and I would also say that I (for some reason) struggle to say his name when I speak to his mum! I don't know why, too many close syllables. I wouldn't say it is a strong boys name but an interesting one.

Felix. I have this down as a middle name for our baby due in August but I do think of cats. Does that matter? not really. It's fine. Not really first name material for me though!

[Flowerrr]

I prefer Felix, it's lovely Tristan is okay, but I definitely prefer Felix!

[CustardOmlet]

I am the proud owner of a very energetic 3yr old Felix, boy not cat! Nothing wet or drippy about him yet, fingers crossed. DH also knows a Felix in his 30's who's a well adjusted doctor.

I still associate his name with cats, and there was a song in the 90s that refered to Felix the Cat as a twat, but I still love it!

[BettyBi0]

I'm loving the support for Felix. Bit worried that it might become super popular over the next few years as there are already 2 at DC1's nursery.

[BendydickCuminsnatch]

I much prefer Felix. Happy name, like Felicity.

I know one rough, un-poncey Tristan, and one ridiculously posh arsehole called TrisTRAM, which is the worst and fussiest name in the entire world.

[BendydickCuminsnatch]

😇 thanks!

[BendydickCuminsnatch]

I feel I should have spelled my surname with 2 Ms though, it's a bit spicy as it is.