Prosper

[BikeRunSki]

I had a meeting at an organisation called Prosper de Mulder yesterday. I didn't think much of this as a company name until I was waiting in reception and saw the portrait of the founder. Prosper de Mulder was his name! Prosper as his first name!! Born 1930 ish, long before Star Trek. What an aspirational name to give a child.

I really like it as a boys name, but Prosper de Mulder the company sound a bit grim, involved in BSE and meat rendering yuk.

That's them. I wasn't there in connection with their business, rather proposals to improve flood defences that will affect their access.

wasn't accusing you of involvement in their dubious activities! Do think it's a cool name though.

I have heard of it. Prosper Mérimée was a 19thC French writer I came across at uni. Quite like it tbh!

Interesting! It appears to be a Dutch name - there were 63 Prospers born in 2014, and a further 151 babies were given it as a middle name. I live in NL and have never come across one, but suspect it was more popular a few decades ago.

I like it. Sounds like one of those names from a few of the Nigerian families I know around here... e.g. Names like Fortune, Justice and Happy :)

It was also traditionally quite common for Quakers I think? Learned that from Inspector Morse (Endeavour)!

I work with a prosper.

He was born in Nigeria but lived here since he was toddler. His sister (born) here is called Lorraine. He said his parents loved how exotic it sounded. Which I suppose to them it was

Interesting that it is a Dutch name, there is a big Dutch influence in that part of the world.

It had crossed my mind that it might be an African name, but the portrait would suggest otherwise. The best named Nigerian person I have ever met is a man called Comfort Golightly.

I love it. I asked about it on here a few months back and got a mixed response. Lots of people thought it sounded like a Nigerian aspirational name. Not sure I'd dare use it but I do think it's cool!

It's used in France too. It was half-French DH who initially suggested it to me.

Aspirational names can be a nice idea, depending on which.

However, imagine being the poor sod whose life took a harsh turn, rendering him anything but prosperous...would rub salt in the wound a bit, wouldn't it?

Quite a few of the virtue-type names have similar potential to give the name-bearer a sense of failing to live up to them...I suppose you have more personal control over transforming yourself into being more charitable/ patient/ merciful etc., though!

That's rather what I feel about "Grace" Autumnal. I know an adult Grace who chose to use her middle name at a very young age, as she was anything but graceful.