Seren for a boy?

[ZoCho]

I'm pregnant with baby #2, a boy this time (have a 4 yr old DD). Her name is very unusual (haven't seen it listed on any site in my extensive research this time!) but also not 'crazy'!
We like less popular names but more importantly want to love our son's name as much as we do our daughter's.
My DH is so fussy and says no to almost all my suggestions! The only name we both love is Seren.
I'm fully aware this is a 'girls' name in Wales (and a popular one at that) but in England it's rising but still unusual for sure. Anyway the sound of the name doesn't sound overly feminine to us (like Delilah or Sophia or something) and we'd like to use Ren as a NN.
Is this ridiculous? We live in England.

Seren and Eden are female names so I personally would go there for a bit. Soren?

Yes but it does sound inherently feminine to a lot of Welsh people because it’s a Welsh language name.

There is some debate about how it’s a modern name and not really a name at all (particularly to some fluent Welsh speakers), but realistically if you’re not Welsh and not asking Welsh people (ideally Welsh speakers), then you won’t get many useful answers I don’t think, because they rarely know anything about the language or the context.

Also in England, it’s one of the only well known Welsh names I find a lot and even then they tend to know it’s a girls name. It’s not particularly unusual. Unless you’re Welsh, this is probably not a great idea as this happens to a lot of Welsh names and it can be quite frustrating for Welsh people to see. I say this as someone who really doesn’t mind using traditionally gendered names for the opposite gender, but I do think it should be taken into account if it’s from a language you’re not familiar with.

I do agree that Soren Is a great alternative with a similar feel that is a masculine name, but if you are seriously considering it then I would recommend getting some more Welsh people’s opinions.

@ZoCho

I thought this but everyone I've mentioned it to hasn't heard of it...and have agreed it doesn't inherently sound feminine. Hmmm

Im honestly amazed everyone you've mentioned it to hasn't heard of it. It might not be top 50 but it's hardly an unusual name.

It's definitely a girls name though, you could call a boy Seren but I very much doubt he would thank you for it and everyone who reads his name will naturally assume he is a girl.

What does Soren mean? It’s too close to the malt loaf company for my liking!

The only Seren I know is female - it is a diminutive of Serenity. Which is a lovely name, but rather tempting providence for a baby...

Agree. We're big malt loaf fans here!

Seren literally means star in Welsh. Stars aren't male or female as far as I'm aware. But it is known as female name for sure.

I know of a male Seren. I always assumed it was a more feminine name though...

Soren is Soren Lorenson from Charlie and Lola to me.

@DougRossIsTheBoss

Soren is Soren Lorenson from Charlie and Lola to me.

I was just about to say the same! He was male.

You do wow! Nice to know. How old are they and where are they from...if you don't mind me asking?

It's like calling a daughter Beau. You can do it (I know of two girls named Beau), but it's a male name and you look daft.

Don't give your son a girl's name

I've taught 2 Serens. Both girls. Both in England.

www.britishbabynames.com/blog/2016/04/seren.html

Seren is the Welsh word for star which is used as a modern Welsh name. It's modern enough that my 60 something native Welsh speaking mother didn't realise it was used as a name for humans rather than pets.

It has been used for girls far far more than for boys and currently ranks 196 for girls in E&W. It peaked about 8 years ago and has been falling since.

I think most people will see it as a girl's name.

If you have a third i suppose you could use "Dipity"?

Sennen is a good alternative

In london and I know 4 Serens, all girls.

You say it doesn't sound massively feminine to you, which makes me wonder if you are pronouncing it correctly? Through English eyes, it might look like it rhymes with 'Derren' but it's closer to 'Seh-ren', which gives it a different vibe.

In any case, I'm afraid it's very much a girls name. There's been some great suggestions on this thread for close alternatives though!

No, no, no. As previous posters mentioned - Seren is quite feminine, especially in Wales. Use the lovely Soren as pp suggest instead (masculine Scandi, pronounced "Sur -ren").

Or use Oren (if you aren't planning to go to Wales much - where it is the word for orange instead of a Hebrew name meaning pine tree, but it can also be spelt Orin/Orrin to avoid this).

Rowan, Owen or Ioan are also options if you want the sound, rather than the Ren nickname (although Rowan could probably still get you Ren?)

South West and I would 100% think female name.

How about Stephan?

It’s girl’s name! So yes you are.

How about Stellan? Or Struan? Aaron?
Or Rowan is gender neutral, as is Robin...

I don't think of it as that unusual a name. I'm in England but I know at least 3 and it's very much a girl's name.
I know Edens of both genders so see that as more unisex (though prefer it for a girl).
Soren is a good call - it's not common but not weird.
Ioan would be a nice alternative too.

The only Seren I know is a girl

Seren is a girl’s name. But I know a couple of boys called Beren (I think it’s a Tolkien name??) You could still use your NN.