Esben/Espen

[househuntingFTM]

Hi!
We really wanted to name our boy Esben as my partner is Danish.
But my parents say that Esben reminds them of S-bend! Like, the component part of a toilet!
Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
Is he going to get bullied?
Should we go for Espen instead? (Even though that's the Norwegian spelling, and a bit more girly sounding!)
Anyone got any opinions? Do you hate both? Do you have any suggestions for similar names/alternatives?
We like Scandinavian names, but open to others which have a similar feel.
Not long to go till he's here now!
Eek!

I’ve never heard or either name but I really like them. I prefer Esben as it could be shorted to Ben if he wanted. It’s a great name.

I’ve not heard of either, but Espen does sound a lot more feminine.. similar to Aspen, which I’ve heard used as a girl’s name.

I wouldn’t be worried about it sounding like s-bend, it’s not something most people would think of.

Have you ever watched the film Blended? The daughter was called Espen after the dads favourite sports channel ESPN.

How are you wanting it pronounced?

If my Danish OH said Esben, most people in the UK would hear it as Espen rather than Esben. This is also why he occasionally spells pepper as pebber! Most English speakers will use a very hard b which is not really the correct pronunciation in Danish.

I don't think the S-bend thing is likely to be an issue

I can't make it sound like S-bend no matter how much I say it and definitely wasn't the first thing I thought of. I quite it like it, stick with the spelling Esben.

I like Esben too. The S bend comment is ridiculous, and rude too

My son goes to nursery (in the UK) with an Esben and I have never associated it with s-bend! It’s a nice name.

@Firebird83

My son goes to nursery (in the UK) with an Esben and I have never associated it with s-bend! It’s a nice name.

Thanks. I really like it but I'm worried that it's too weird :-S

@pinfloy

How are you wanting it pronounced?

If my Danish OH said Esben, most people in the UK would hear it as Espen rather than Esben. This is also why he occasionally spells pepper as pebber! Most English speakers will use a very hard b which is not really the correct pronunciation in Danish.

I don't think the S-bend thing is likely to be an issue

Thanks. It would be pronounced Espen even if spelt the other way. I'm just worried it's too strange - my parents absolutely hate it 😊

I thougut the same as @Danniotley ! ESPN not sure how popular the film is tho

Sorry, should add: I really like the name Esben and would stick to this spelling

Are you based in the UK or Denmark?

My first thought was that it sounded a bit like a cream you would use for eczema or something?

I don't hate it, I don't actually think the 'S Bend' thing is a problem, and it is provably one of those 'non-English' names that people would get used to quite quickly.

I'm not sure what I think really!

It's a very nice name. Use it if you love it.

Rule number one - don't discuss names with family before the baby arrives. Too late now in your case though

Esben is unusual, I grant you, but not weird. As one parent is Danish, it will be accepted.

(and dismiss the s-bend thing, it's nonsense).

Also, kids rarely "bully" other kids over their names. They might come up with a nickname, but it is unlikely to be malicious. Parents-to-be over think the bullying thing.

I like it. It makes me think a tiny bit of Ebenezer, and not at all of s bends!

I love it! My parents and dh parents hated our child's name 😂😳

@SmeleanorSmellstrop

Are you based in the UK or Denmark?

UK

When I say it out loud I pronounce it as Ezben - is that right?

Sorry but I just know Espen as (European society for clinical nutrition & metabolism) but that is probably because of the area I work in. That's why I opened the post!

I think Esben looks better than Espen which looks very feminine.
I like it. I don't think the s bend thing is a problem at all.
Don't talk about names to family before you've decided!!

Esben looks more masculine to me (plus he can always call himself Ben if he gets wants to when older), I don't think the S bend thing is especially obvious. And like a pp Espen reminds me of Aspen which is used more often for girls.

Isn't it a U-bend? Not very up on plumbing but have never heard of an S-bend.

I know several Espens that are Danish or Norwegian - it is most definitely a name for boys in the Scandi countries

Hiya Norwegian borne here and here is my twopence worth; Espen is v tipically Danish and Espen is v tipically Norwegian. How about Eirik which was the name of many great Scandinavian Kings? Two daughters here FWIW with Slovenian and Russian names although husband English so we chose from every nationality 😂 best of luck with everything