Hanzal as a name?

[thepurgebegins]

Hey. I had baby boy a few days ago. Im in love with him. I have two boys now. My first is called humayl. I love the name Hanzal . These are all muslim names. but a few ive mentioned it to have made the reference of Hansel and Gretel. In this day and age you have to think about school, bullies etc. I have a second name I also love but just need advice, opinions etc on Hanzal as the reference annoys me so much especially from non muslims. Thankyou and be honest ill take it 😅

Not going to lie, when I first read it my mind went straight to Hansel and Gretel but more in a ‘oh, it sounds like it is pronounced like that’. If you love the name though then you should pick it.

It’s a lovely name but it does have the Hansel connotation. I don’t think it’s too bad of a connotation and baby Hanzal is lovely.

Don’t do it to your child Op
seriously, please don’t

It's very close to Han Solo. But I would view that as a good thing!

And Gretel?
No.

Not a name I would ever call a child, but it's up to you. If you are a muslim and your other child has a muslim name too, why on earth would this name be a problem? (I did think Hanzal was a German name though!)

I also would think “Gretel” - but it’s a lovely name. You will also get a lot of people misspelling it as Hansel as well, so as someone with a name that’s spelt in a traditional way for my mums family background but is not the main spelling for English people, be aware that can be annoying!

I really do like it but I did think of Hansel and Gretel.

Too close to Hansel I think (which is a lovely name). Both are lovely but in EU/non-muslim country most will associate it with a strangely spelled variant of the German name.

I think it sounds lovely. I live in central London so there is a wide variety of names. It’s not like 20yrs ago when children (well it probably came from their parents) would bully you for a name that wasn’t Peter or Jane. Bullies will bully no matter what, I wouldn’t worry about a name (unless it sounded like a swear word).

I don’t see what is bad about the association with Hansel and Gretel anyway? Children are called Alice, Peter, etc and nobody worries that people with think of Alice in Wonderland or Peter Pan.

I don't think when faced with an actual boy or man, anyone will think of Hansel and Gretel.

I like it but my head went to Gretel too

Makes me think of zoolander but I do like the name

It makes me think of Zoolander, but it's unlikely primary school kids in 5 years time will get that reference.

I immediately thought of hand sanitiser.

It’s lovely but you won’t avoid those comparisons if it’s phonetically similar with a ‘short’ al.

Different if it’s more like Hanzaal, in which case I don’t think there’s anything to worry about.

Could it be a middle name instead if you have another one you love?

I misread it as Hazel then my mind went to Hansel and Gretel. Not necessarily a deal breaker but something to consider.

I first thought of ' and Gretel'

Congratulations on your baby boy.

I have to admit my mind went straight to Hansel from Hansel & Gretel. I’m really old though and have no idea if it’s as well known a story now as it was when I was growing up and had my DC?

Im imagining it’s not pronounced as Hansel, and in that case probably the connection wouldn’t be one that people (esp DS’s peers) will make . If you love it I’d go with it.

I really like Hanzal! Is it a bit close to Humayl though? Just imagine calling them both up the stairs or across a playground. Congratulations on your beautiful boy.

Thank you so much to everyone. We've decided to not go with it. It is pronounced as hansel and the final straw was when my i said it to my brother and he said "and gretal" It is a beautiful name but we are going with another name. All your opinions were very helpful . All the muslims I asked said keep it but living in the UK I dont want to set my kid up for any reason 😊

Reading the post yes I too completed the name Hanzal with "and Gretel".
However I think Hanzal has a nice sound to it, isn't difficult to spell or to say.
There are many school kids with names that aren't indigenous to the UK, and in no time at all your DS will likely be known by class mates as Zal, which also has a nice, easy sound to it.
I would say go for it OP, as ultimately the choice is up to you.

Oh, shame. I rather like it.
I also think that it is easy to spell and pronounce, which are considerations, and when living in different cultures even more so.

I didn't think of Hansel and Gretel, but, in truth, there's nothing bad about the connection if people do. I mean, I wouldn't then call a future sister Gretel, but, on it's own, I think it is a lovely name.