Thoughts on the name 'Aslan'

[sel2223]

My OH is Turkish and we've trying to agree on a name for a little boy (we have a girls name already).

We want a Turkish name with no special characters that is easy to pronounce in both Turkish and English. Asian means 'lion' in Turkish and is also the name of the lion from the Chronicles of Narnia, which I love.

What do you think? Is it too 'out there'?

[Marmitepasta]

I think Aslan is great!

[sel2223]

@mummabubs thank you. I appreciate your comment and know exactly what you mean.

@mamabear88 @Tsubasa1 I'm not a fan of efe, efehan for no reason other than I just don't really like the name.

@Charley50 does it? I.didnt know that. I.like osman but hate Ozzie unfortunately

[sel2223]

@dontcallmelen I love emre/Emrah but OH thinks it's too common here

[sel2223]

Someone mentioned Atlas earlier? I.like that but I've googled it and it's definitely Greek. Don't want to open a whole can of worms with the Turks and Greeks lol

[CallofDoodee]

No, it's too closely connected to Narnia. My friend had a dog called Aslan and it is a lovely name but I wouldn't give it to a child.

I like Kemal and Serkan for Turkish names.

[Thefaceofboe]

My cats called Aslan...

[Charley50]

Many names beginning with the root "Theo-" derive from the Ancient Greek word Theos (Θεός), which means God,[1]

[Hepsibar]

I think it's nice as you have a Turkish connection and the name has Turkish roots.

If there was none, I would think of the TV series Chronicles of Narnia and the lion ... and also if the little chap turned out very unlionlike, that would be unfortunate ... I remember a most unattractive child named Troy!

[donquixotedelamancha]

Awesome name.

[Charley50]

I cut and pasted that!
I think there are other 'god referencing' names, so think that's not an issue.
I think there might be a reggae band called Aslan too. All good!

Or how about Kermit? It sounds kind of Turkish..

[BrowncoatWaffles]

How about Enver? Or does DH not like the vowel starting the name at all?

[MsPasspartout]

I do like the name Aslan, but it does make me think of the lion in the Narnia books.

[sel2223]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I appreciate all the honest opinions and alternative suggestions

@browncoatwaffles I like enver! I'm going to suggest that tonight

[LilyJade]

Adnan is better

[Greenmarmalade]

I love Aslan

[smeerf]

Yes, my partner's Turkish but born in the UK. In the end we went for British names for our boys for a variety of reasons. My partner has a very common Turkish name which is very unusual in the UK and it gets commented on constantly, and as a geeky boy at school it was quite difficult. Also he is worried about travelling in the US due to his obviously Islamic middle names, and has in the past considered getting them removed from his passport.

The boys have a Turkish surname and we feel like it's well balanced between the two cultures.

[TheReluctantCountess]

I like Osman.

[TheVanguardSix]

Oh I love the name Aslan, OP. I think it's gorgeous. I was a huge Narnia fan but I associate with its Turkish origins.
If you shy away from Aslan, there are other great names: Attila, Asim, for example.

[midwest]

I don't dislike the name Aslan but I do think it is similar to calling your dc Jesus, which to be fair is quite normal in some cultures.

[FinallyHere]

One of my dearest friends had Turkish ancestry, he was called Erkan. I've never heard it anywhere else but really love it (probably because of him , I understand)

I would initially blink at Aslan, but probably no more than at Spanish speakers called Jesus.

My favourite girls name is Anna ....

[sel2223]

I think it's amusing to hear the religious connotations as I am not religious at all and OH is Muslim (although Jesus did still exist according to Islam, just not in the same capacity).
We liked the name primarily as a Turkish name meaning lion. For me the cultural reference was just a cool 'extra' that set it apart from other names (OH has never even heard of TCON) but it's really interesting to hear everyone's views and is definitely making me think twice.

[sel2223]

@LilyJade Adnan is nice!

@FinallyHere I like Erkan too. I know lots of Ercan's (pronounced Er-jan) but no Erkans

[BovaryX]

Difficult to live up to. Given its literary religious overtones.

[sel2223]

I actually really liked 'Erol Aslan' (brave lion) but OH hates Erol for some reason.

Turkish names all have strong meanings.

[BentNeckLady]

I like it!

What about Karim