Why are boys names described as strong & masculine or weak & feminine?

[whyohwhy100]

Why is something feminine seen as weak? I see it all the time on here.

Any examples? I've noticed some names being called weak but not weak and feminine.

Nope I think their are names that people consider strong or weak/meek sounding from both gender. It's very subjective though.

For example I would consider Xena and Max both strong names for their respective genders.

And I would consider Sarah-jane and Timothy fairly weak/meek sounding names but not necessarily a bad thing - I actually love Timothy because I dont find it traditionally masculine. IYSWIM :)

Masculinity is associated with physical strength (due to males generally having higher testosterone and thus being stronger). So for a male name to be feminine implies that it is not strong, e.g. .... weak!

Just my guess.

I've never heard of weak names. Strong names can be either gender, like James and SARAH I would think of as strong names. I think plain and traditional.

No idea what you mean

I've seen my DS's name described frequently as 'feminine sounding' on here! It doesn't worry him though - he's never been bullied for it and he still loves his name now as a big strapping teenager! Just shows kids aren't as judgemental

Timothy sounds weak because of the similarity to timid, timorous etc. Nothing to do with gender.

Not really heard people say a boy's name is feminine and therefore weak etc

However in broader terms feminine things when referred to men/boys/males are seen as insulting and undesirable because to be female is less than and unwanted. Same reason why so many insults aimed at men essentially just mean female.

An example has just popped up. I couldn't be bothered to go back and find previous ones, so was quite handy

"Weak sounding maybe because it ends in -a as do mostly girls names?"

mumsnet's preferred term is "wet"

"It's a bit wet"

I hadn't heard that term since the 90s until I started posting here 😂

That comment referred to the name Noah which does indeed sound like the feminine Noa.

@grufallosfriend I know but what I'm saying is they said it sounds weak maybe because it sounds feminine... Why are weak sounding names always related to sounding feminine? Females aren't weak.

Maybe weak should be replaced by feminine, soft or pretty?

1000s of years of being seen as the weaker sex ?

OP, I've just seen one!

"...I find Jude very weak/wet. Maybe because of The similarity with Judy?

Julian sounds strong and masculine to me..."

I must admit, I've never noticed it before, but I've been looking and have spotted a couple already!

Internalised sexism due to the long term effects of patriarchy.