Is Nimrod really that bad?

[lrpe]

We are from Hungary where Nimród is a popular boy's name and we'd like to call our child Nimród. However, I've just learnt that in American slang "nimrod" means idiot, dimwit, stupid, etc. But I've never heard this in the UK.

I wonder how bad Nimrod sounds for a native English speaker in the UK. (We have no connections with the US and our son would grow up in the UK.)

Possible alternatives would be:

László
Zoltán
Vajk (pronounced: voyk)

Are they any better?

Thanks a lot.

[lawofdistraction]

I think Nimrod may be the worst name I have ever heard suggested for a baby. You just can't.

[libertybonds]

@BritishSummertime that's Zoltar

[miltonj]

Nimrod is awful, almost cruel.

I like lazslo and zoltan a lot. Not voyk though.

[donquixotedelamancha]

Zoltan is superb. I want another child just to call him Zoltan.

[k4523]

Laszlo is an awesome name

[Killergigglebunnies]

Az apukám László volt. Zoltán (Zoli) jó. Nimród repülő. De ha itt fogsz lakni Angliába, jobb lenne egy Angol formát név. Nem?
A bátyám neve Leslie (Laci/László). Én nevem Clara (Klári).
Csak gond 🤷🏼‍♀️
Bocsánat, de én itt születtem

[jackstini]

Laszlo would be my favourite, a lovely sound

Nimrod does not work well in the UK unfortunately

[Hellotoallmyfans]

Nimrod? Oh, come on!!!

László is a lovely name.

[pommepommefrites]

Good god, no. Atilla would be better. Everyone is called laszlo.

[Footle]

Zoltan is great. "golden"?

[SanFranBear]

I never post on Baby Name threads as I think its such a personal choice but Zoltan is amazing!!

Although, if the movie Dude, Where's My Car makes a comeback (which it absolutely should!), they'll have people making weird hand gestures, shouting 'Zoltan' at him... worth it though, in my opinion!

[SunSeaSurfGin]

Zoltan is a great name

[SanFranBear]

But he'd have his own theme tune:

You might think I'm being sarcastic but I'm honestly not - I love it!

[RubySlippers123]

Laszlo is the nicest!
Please don't call your kid Nimrod.

[donquixotedelamancha]

Although, if the movie Dude, Where's My Car makes a comeback..

Sorry, is that not why we all think it's an awesome name? Just me who can't say Zoltan without doing the hand gesture then?

[Lalliella]

Not heard of Nimrod as an insult but it does sound like an aircraft.

László is fab, choose this!

Zoltán sounds too much like Soltan (suncream) or Sultan.

Vajk is a bit like Oik.

[Couchbettato]

Yes I'd associate Nimrod negatively.

And Zoltan reminds me of that cult on Dude, Where's My Car.

Laszlo is my favourite.

[catfunk]

Yes

[Buttons294749]

Oh, never heard of the derogatory phrase.

My family have a "connection" with the ancient city of Nimrud so I would think of that which in the whole is positive

[Buttons294749]

But Victor Laszlo is what I think of too for laszlo- actually a really great name that I would use

[Aurelia1313]

Laszlo is the best. Please not Nimrod, definitely an insult and also a Green Day album name. It only takes one kid at school to pick up on that and your poor bairn is stuck.

Congratulations on your baby by the way :)

[Hellotoallmyfans]

I've just googled this out of interest (not sure if anyone else has as I haven't RTFT) but:

The origins of Nimrod being used as an insult apparently stems from bugs bunny!

Bugs used Nimrod as an insult in an ironic context to Elmer Fudd as the actual/original Nimród is an accomplished, expert hunter (which Elmer wasn't, obvs)! So really, it stuck with audiences as an insult when actually the name Nimród has only good connotations and was used as an ironic insult.

Well, you learn something new every day!

[marly11]

Laszlo is nice. Kids at secondary will call him Laz but I think at that point that will also seem quite cool, albeit you may not like that as a parent. Zoltan sound a bit like a fairy tale villain to me. Definitely not Nimrod.

[FenceSplinters]

I’ve taught a few Nimrods. Other kids don’t seem to see it as an insult.
Zoltan reminds me of those fortune telling machines.

[Kanaloa]

Laszlo is lovely, I would definitely go for that. Nimrod I would avoid.