Thoughts on Arvo?

[GinnyBee]

I'm due to have a baby boy in May, first baby for both of us. I'm originally Finnish and my husband is English and when we started listing names we liked, we were trying to find one that would hint at his Nordic heritage but wouldn't be too out of place or impossible to spell or pronounce in England since that's where we live.

We couldn't find many options that we both liked and settled on Arlo - nice name, but there's really nothing Finnish about it. Its origins are Anglo-Saxon or Old English.

I've just been out for a walk with my dog and remembered the name Arvo, which is completely Finnish, and thought maybe that could work? But before I suggest it to hubby I wanted some opinions as I don't always hear it if it sounds odd in English, since to me it's just a normal name, but native English speakers may find it sounds like another word that would be confusing.

I think it's good - great to have a link to heritage, and also reminds me of the composer. I'd say 'go for it'.
This may not be appropriate - please excuse me if not - but when I think of Finland I think of the great architect, Alvar Aalto. Would Alvar be an alternative, perhaps? Also very easy to say and spell in English.

Hideous.

Shortened version of afternoon. Defo used internet the UK.

@scottishnames I'm not sure if Alvar was on the list even, and I'm not sure why! I know another Finnish mum here in UK who named her son Alvar so maybe that's why, but I haven't spoken to her for a couple of years since we moved out of London.

I'll suggest both and see what husband says.

No. It’s not a name

No sorry, It's what Australians use to shorten the word afternoon.

@Bunnyfuller

No. It’s not a name

Are you joking? Have you read the OP, in which it states that it’s a perfectly legitimate Finnish name, potentially being given to a baby of Finnish heritage?

Christ, the xenophobia is strong in this one…

@Bunnyfuller

No. It’s not a name

Well, it is... People are named it. It's a name.

Joining the Arvo Pärt gang. I ran into him, once, at the Cheltenham Music Festival. He looked a bit Dumbledoreish and seemed a very happy, pleasant man.

I have heard people say "This arvo" but not many.
On second reflection, I think it's a nice name. Use it if you like it. Most people wouldn't think anything of it.

@Bunnyfuller

No. It’s not a name

Only, clearly, in Finland it is.

Too similar to Avro- defunct energy company

I really like it.

I came here to suggest Alvar. I think that is a much nicer name. I also like Arlo, but as you say, there is nothing Finnish about it. I also like Matti, but that is probably because I had a boyfriend named Matti when I was in school and it might be terribly unfashionable in Finland now.

Would Aro work?

Plenty of people will also know Finnish names like Juha, Ari, Mika, Harri, Mikko, Timo, Tommi, Hannu etc from motor sports.

It's slang for afternoon

Everyone I know (in UK) uses it as slang for afternoon. It isn’t just an Australian thing and your child would get mocked if you chose it.

Arlo is a much better choice!!

Sorry but I would be asking which letter it began with A or E if I just heard it. Or use both AERVO.

@Snoken Matti is one of those incredibly common safe names that everyone knows at least 15 people with it.

@TheAbbotOfUnreason Aro could work! If I spelled it Aaro would it be too difficult?

Everyone I know (in UK) uses it as slang for afternoon. It isn’t just an Australian thing and your child would get mocked if you chose it.

Not where I live.

I would be much more hesitant wondering how to say 'Aaro' than I would Arvo.

[quote GinnyBee]@Snoken Matti is one of those incredibly common safe names that everyone knows at least 15 people with it.

@TheAbbotOfUnreason Aro could work! If I spelled it Aaro would it be too difficult?[/quote]
It's a bit like Aero, which are delicious!

It's better than Arvo!

I wouldn’t be at all hesitant on pronouncing Aaro.

Do people struggle with pronouncing Aaron?

I like Arvo! How is Aaro pronounced? Like Aero?

Well, Aaron is (or should be) pronounced Ae-ron, so I would say lots of people struggle with it.
Not sure how Aaro, would be pronounced.

I worked with a Hannu, & I thought it was a cool name. Or what about Markus?

Makes me think of the composer Arvo Pärt. I’ve never heard anyone shorten afternoon to arvo.

Biblical pronunciation of Aaron is air-on but all the Aarons I know pronounce it ar-ron.