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Original poster

Ronin not Ronan

37 replies

TallyHoAndToodlePip · 15/12/2016 14:33

If I said to you that my sons name was 'Ronin', would you think I'd actually said 'Ronan'? For clarity, it's pronounced 'roe-nin'.

DH and I like the name Ronin but he dislikes Ronan because he doesn't want people to think we named our boy after Ronan Keating. He's not a fan lol. I think he's being silly and that both are nice but DH isn't budging.

Would we end up with massive name regret because we'd have to keep saying "No, not Ronan, Ronin!" Confused

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PhilODox · 15/12/2016 14:37

Ronin, as in paid Japanese killers?
Pretty sure spelling of the name will be the least of the comments !

MoreThanUs · 15/12/2016 14:38

I'd definitely think Ronan.

Staranise123 · 15/12/2016 14:41

To my ears Ronan sounds different to Ronin, more like Tobin. Even if people mishear the first time, they will only need to be told once.

Original poster
TallyHoAndToodlePip · 15/12/2016 14:46

PhilODox a Ronin was a Samurai without a master and samurai's were military nobility. Not paid Japanese killers.

OP posts:
PhilODox · 15/12/2016 14:51

Semantics.
Samurai were paid warrior class.

squoosh · 15/12/2016 14:54

I'd think of the Robert de Niro film.

Anatidae · 15/12/2016 14:54

Ronin has quite negative connotations. Are you sure? It's not just masterless. It implies the master has been disgraced.

It's also used as slang for unemployed salarymen. It's not a name I'd choose. Plenty of other nice Japanese Ines if that's what you're after

Anatidae · 15/12/2016 14:55

Ones... not ines... autocorrect

PhilODox · 15/12/2016 14:57

Indeed, Anatidae. They are supposed to commit seppuku.
Dishonourable not to do so.

Original poster
TallyHoAndToodlePip · 15/12/2016 15:14

You all have a good point. Thanks for your honesty and opinions.

Personally, I honestly prefer Ronan. I think that means something like 'little seal' - far more adorable anyway you look at it! As I said before though, DH is having none of it and prefers Ronin and that includes its meaning.

It's not that we're looking for a name of Japanese origin, just that we liked how it sounded. Not looking to be quirky or give the kid a complex!

Maybe we'll both have to back down. I won't get to use Ronan and he won't get to use Ronin. Back to the drawing board!

OP posts:
Anatidae · 15/12/2016 15:26

He's thinking that it's some sort of romantic lone wolf thing - it's really not. It has very negative overtones

PhilODox · 15/12/2016 16:54

Smile You took that with such good grace I feel churlish now!
Thanks
People get very defensive about baby name choices, probably because of pregnancy hormones.

Original poster
TallyHoAndToodlePip · 15/12/2016 18:51

I know when I'm beat. Sulking and getting defensive wouldnt change the fact that the meaning of Ronin was fundamentally bad.

I'm sure we'll think of another, more acceptable name before he arrives. Just might take another 20 weeks of debate!

OP posts:
harrietm87 · 15/12/2016 19:10

If it makes any difference I'd never heard of Ronin - the name or associations. My first instinct would be that you had misspelt Ronan (or were trying to be unique). I'd imagine he'd have to constantly say "it's Ron-IN with an "i".

birdybirdywoofwoof · 15/12/2016 19:14

Ronan is a nice name - and the keating connection is v forgettable.

Roman? Unless he hates Chelsea (like my dh)!

PhilODox · 15/12/2016 21:48

Not 'Roman' - people think 'Polanski'

1horatio · 15/12/2016 23:54

I know somebody with a son called Ronin.

He (the father, not the son) is a martial artist that's very successful in his discipline.

So, I don't have a bad impression of the name 😅😳

BingBongBam · 15/12/2016 23:57

Not roman, the only one I know is a nasty bully!

birdybirdywoofwoof · 16/12/2016 09:09

Rowan then?

Surely no negative connotations there!

Waits...

Original poster
TallyHoAndToodlePip · 16/12/2016 09:10

1horatio That made me laugh Grin

Thanks to the PP who suggested Roman instead but I'm not so keen on that because it doesn't go so well with our (very) masculine surname. When I put the two together it sounds a bit, dare I say, thuggish!

Funny how changing one letter at a time can make such a difference to how a name is perceived!

Roman = thug name (when coupled with my surname)
Ronan = forever associated by DH with a pop star he loathes
Ronin = disgraced Japanese warrior
Rowan = Mr Bean - 'nuff said!

Scratches this name off of list completely

OP posts:
birdybirdywoofwoof · 16/12/2016 09:11

x post

Rowan Atkinson of course! (That's a good association really).

Original poster
TallyHoAndToodlePip · 16/12/2016 09:14

Birdy I swear I wrote my comment about Rowan before I saw your latest comment. Cross post!

I did actually suggest Rowan to DH and he said no because of him being the actor who played Mr Bean. I thought he was being silly again but I can't say I love Rowan so wasn't upset about that one.

OP posts:
birdybirdywoofwoof · 16/12/2016 09:22

He's a picky sod, your DH! Smile

Original poster
TallyHoAndToodlePip · 16/12/2016 10:36

I've given him so many good names and he's shot them all down, mostly for very silly reasons! He's starting to really irk me!

I'm sure we'll get there eventually though Smile

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Oysterbabe · 16/12/2016 10:39

I'd just think you'd made it up tbh.

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