Need Help with Name

Hi all! Just want to run a poll to help us decide a name for our baby. We have decided to use the name Eren. However, we not sure how will the majority of people pronounce the name or perceive the name whether is it a boy or a girl.

So, we thought if we could use the power of the Ozbargain forum to run a poll to see how you guys would perceive the name. If you could help us out by replying to the poll below, we would be very grateful!

Explanation of poll options are as below:
Pronounced Aaron and I think it's a Boy
Pronounced Aaron and I think it's a Girl
Pronounced (Ee)ron and I think it's a Boy
Pronounced (Ee)ron and I think it's a Girl

Edit 180428 1313: Thanks for all the response guys. Your responses are probably will probably reflect what the general person's first impression of the name. Keep them coming in! We will definitely factor in your views before finalizing it.

Poll Options expired

  • 41
    Aaron, Boy
  • 18
    Aaron, Girl
  • 54
    (Ee)ron, Boy
  • 328
    (Ee)ron, Girl

Comments

  • +177

    Wow… he's(?) going to spend every moment of his(?) life explaining the spelling to people, telling them how to spell it…

    Pronounced Aaron and I think it's a Boy
    Pronounced Aaron and I think it's a Girl
    Pronounced (Ee)ron and I think it's a Boy
    Pronounced (Ee)ron and I think it's a Girl

    Nope, I'm not reading it as 'Ee', I'm reading it like "Erin", aka girl

    • +29

      Yeah, poor bugger but at least he'll be yoo-neek.

      I've only been asked once could I spell my (very very common) surname, I refused.

      Scott Adams (Dilbert cartoon) once commented he liked having a simple name, he could hire a car at the airport and be halfway across the state while the yoo-neek-ly named (he used Boutros Boutros-Ghali as the example) would be still at the counter "no, that's dash capital g h.."

    • +13

      Yeah, I'd pronounce it Erin as in the girl's name, but spelled that way I'd assume it's a boy.

    • +17

      You get it. Parents picking unique names for their children only to curse the child for an eternity. My parents did the same and if I ever have children they'll be called Bob or Betty. Something that the ignoramus can't (profanity) up.

      • +6

        Lol ours all have normal, classic names with classic spelling. So much better not saying how to spell it lol

        • +3

          I have a 'normal' name and I still get asked to spell it at times. Sometimes it's even spelt incorrectly and it's not an unusual name at all.

        • +12

          @tranter:

          Phteven?

        • +2

          @tranter:

          Unfortunately some people are just morons.

      • +6

        And if I ever have a son, I think I'm gonna name him
        Bill or George! Anything but Sue!

      • +2

        Being of asian origin I have all my first, middle and last name not friendly to the English tongue. And they are not short either like the Chinese surnames. So wherever I go I just tell them I'm John bcos I cbf…… except when they ask for real name, then the spelling game begins :(

      • +1

        Try getting around being call iDroid, who the hell!!!!

    • At least it'll make him tough…

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Gbtm-93oqE

      • cool reminds me of my parents =)

  • +9

    Louis

    • +8

      Pea Tear Griffin?

      • Air run?

  • +22

    What's wrong with Bazza or Shazza?

    • +7

      Bazza is more suitable as a name for a family ute.

      • +10

        "Shazza! Get out of Bazza!" sounds so wrong.

        Perhaps not to bogon ears though.

        • +4

          A bogan disciplining their kid?

          Sounds very wrong. It's gonna take a lot of stubbies to drown that memory.

        • @tshow: Perhaps it's not Shazza's turn and little Dazza is getting upset.

          Gazza usually sorts things out but the footy is on.

        • +1

          Reminds me of THIS

        • I don't think that particular type of moth really takes much notice of human conversation.

      • OP should get a ute also, name the ute Bazza… Then the question will be, was the ute named after the child, or was the child named after the ute 🤔

    • +6

      It’s going to be Azza on the second day of school anyway.

  • +4

    Like Eeve the pokemon but Ee-ron is how i take it

  • +1

    Most English speakers would say 'E' ron as in the letter E pronounciation.

    Irish (Gaelic) would say it differently can't replicate it here

    It's more a boys name than a girls according to wiki sources.

    I personally would pronounce it as Air Ron as I do with my late sisters name of Erin (Air Rin) and with my middle name of Kiron (Keer Ron)

    Also take into consideration your surname when naming kids some names just do not flow or seem right.

    • +2

      I would pronounced nice the same as the girls name Erin. Hard to tell if it's for a boy or a girl spelt Eren

    • +1

      Air Ron

      Sounds like an awesome name if your name is Ron and you like basketball

  • +5

    Eren - Boys name in the Turkish language. Pronounced Eden with a slight D.

    • (https://www.babynamespedia.com/meaning/Eren/m) (When used for males)

      [ syll. e-ren, er-en ] The baby boy name Eren is also used as a girl name. Eren is used predominantly in the Turkish language, and its origin is Turkish and Celtic. From Turkish roots, its meaning is saint. Its meaning is derived literally from the word 'eren'.

      In addition, Eren is a variant of the name Erin (English).

      See also the related categories, turkish and celtic.

      Used as Female
      (https://www.babynamespedia.com/meaning/Eren/f)
      [ syll. e-ren, er-en ] The baby girl name Eren is also used as a boy name. Eren is of Celtic origin. Eren is a form of the English and Irish Erin.

      See also the related category celtic.

      Pronounced EH rehn or E Rehn

      • It's "Irish" because theyre descended of the Turks some 6000 years back.

    • I was thinking the name may be perceived in a similar way also. Ie. People might think the 'r' is silent, or as you mentioned, its pronounced as a slight D sound in Turkish. Maybe another interpreted pronounciation in French, ans so on.
      Make the childs life less confusing, by giving it a clear name.

    • This is incorrect. It is pronounced exactly as it is written in Turkish "Eh-rren" with a hard emphasis on the "R".

      Dont kill me but this is the best I could find
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuryO0AaaO8

      https://forvo.com/word/eren/

  • +38

    Erin

  • +5

    It looks like a spelling mistake if it's a girl or a Turk if it's a boy.

  • +16

    Sounds like Erin to me (I have an English degree)

    • +21

      Sounds like E = R/in (I have a science degree)

      • +12

        Sounds like Aaron (I Have an Underwater Basket Weaving Degree)

    • +2

      Eh Ren, I have an ozbargain power degree

    • Sounds like (Ee)ron to me (I have a graphic design degree)

    • +1

      Sounds like Urine (I have a Urology degree)

    • +1

      Sounds like 0x0E to me (I have a Computer Science degree)

  • +123

    I'm sorry to hear you're naming your kid Eren.

    • +2

      ^ so much this

    • +6

      I'm sorry too.

      My ex wanted to name the kids some stupid names and we had huge arguments about it. One of them ended up Erin. The normal, plainly spelled ERIN.

      They are 18 now and I've asked them which they'd have preferred and there's no way they would want to have spelled their names for the rest of their lives.

      It is truly cruel and unusual punishment to torture human beings like this.

  • +8

    Elrond.. ?

    Just don't name your next child Levi.

    • +7

      Hah, so we got Aaron and now Levi….ooh I know, here are some more:

      If it turns out to be a girl…
      Mikasa, Annie, Ymir, Historia, Sasha, Petra, Frieda, Ilse, Rico, Mina, and Lynne

      If it turns out to be a boy….
      Armin, Reiner, Bertolt, Erwin, Jean, Marco, Connie, Keith, Mike, Hannes, Dot, Daz, Bean, Ian, Sonny, Ralph and Gustav.

      • +6

        Sucasa

      • 10/10 would not mind naming my child Levi in the hopes he turns out as a badass. And Mikasa for a girl surely.

        Can't deny that the selection of names in AoT are actually pretty awesome.

  • +27

    A little Apache indian boy asks his father "Papa how did your father name you?" "Well son my mother gave birth to me and the first thing my father saw out of teepee was a big black bear, so he named me Big Black Bear." The boy continued."So what my sister?" "Well son your sister was born and the first thing I saw out of teepee to was a little white dove and I named her Little White Dove. Why do you ask, OzBargain?"

  • +2

    Congrats on your baby OP :).

  • +6

    I see it as Erin (Eh-Rin). Girl.

  • +3
  • +19

    Aaron is a boy's name.
    Erin is a girl's name (mine in fact).

    Don't name your child Eren, it is not a name (edit: seems to be a Turkish name, ok, but to Australian ears it looks like you just didn't know how to spell Erin) people are going to think he or she is a bogan because their parents can't spell. When they go for job interviews they won't get the job because they have a weird name. Don't do it. Or at least give them a normal boring middle name that they can go by like John or Sarah.

  • +47

    Do not do funky spellings of names. It's as bogan as Tattoos and Commodores. If you want to put your child on that path, to be forever pre judged, and to have their resume immediately thrown in the bin, go ahead.

    • +3

      It's as bogan as Tattoos and Commodores

      U wot m8?

      My VD Commodore tatt is a work of art. You latte sippers just don't get it.

      • +3

        Should have got a Falcon tattoo'd instead you galah

        • +3

          Ken oath.

        • Them's fight'n' words mate, I'd smash ya if I knew where ya were.

        • 2 birds, 1 stone
          (falcon, galah)

  • +7

    Here is name for your kid: Seven… I meant Soda. Haha.

    • +1

      What about Mug, Mug Costanza

  • +15

    We have an Erin(male) at work and he has told us he hates his name and always got teased about it, well he still does because we all do it work too.

  • +1

    I'd probably pronounce Eren as "air-en". I'd think its a girl's name but wouldn't be surprised if it turned out to be a dude.

  • +1

    Wow. Thanks for all the replies guys. This is great as this is more than likely how others will view his name. Keep them coming in. We will definitely consider your views.

    • +2

      Quite a few of these guys are saying how its bad for the kid and you should rename it. People making fun of your child, resumes being thrown out, not being able to make friends or being bullied.

      My name is unique. It gave me a lot of headache in childhood. I will admit it was quite difficult growing up. But when I entered uni, I realised how unique it was for me. People remember it all the time and they would ask me the story behind it. No one asks a Bob why he got that name but they ask me why I got mine.

      I used to dislike my parents because of it when I was young but now I am thankful they gave me something unique, weird but wonderful. I do believe the name plays a part in shaping your child's character. You are giving them a individual identity in this world.

      Yes I do have to spell my name out over the phone but I never thought it was due to it being difficult. If people pay attention, they will hear it just fine. If your kid has to correct people to spell it Eren, that's fine as well. Its an ice breaker later in life. As for the gender it's awesome thats its a bit ambiguous.

      Quantumcat tells you that people will think you are a bogan if you name your kid something weird and throw out their job applications. But isnt she and some of the others doing the same themselves? Aren't they propagating this culture as well? No disrespect intended. Shouldn't you not judge people just by their name, race or any other single factor that represents them? If people are going to make fun of your child due to their name or not hire them because of it, isnt it better they do that so your kid stays away from them? Is that friendship or job with that person really worth it in the end? If they are gonna judge your kid based on their name, they are gonna do it anyhow based on other factors like race, weight, sex or sexual orientation. No one will think you misspelled your child's name. That's a very naive attitude to have.

      There was an Asian lady on this forum sometime ago who thought having a western name will help her get a job. I was quite saddened by the fact that she thought that the only solution to change her situation was to get a new name. Confidence, working on yourself, your resume, your skills thrown all out the window? I do wish at that time I could've said something but thats my regret.

      I'll just say my 2 cents. Whatever name you do decide to give your child, be confident, kind and a caring parent. You child will be influenced more by that rather than a name in their life. I hope your kid loves it!

      • +4

        Quantumcat tells you that people will think you are a bogan if you name your kid something weird and throw out their job applications.

        QuantumCat would be right, even @OP agrees: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/5893596/redir

        The 'bogan' bit isn't the unique name, it's the 'creative' spelling or pronunciation. Aaron is fine, Erin is fine, but Eren (it's pronounced Aaron because my parent wanted me to be yoo-neek) might not be for the best.

        The more 'creative' the spelling is, the more it's perceived to be bogan.

        It's like meeting a girl called Misty: "Oh, so your parents were hippies too?"

        • OP might think the same way as the previous lady. OP says they found job searching easier with an english name but that's hard to prove as they may have been improving their CV and other skills at the same time. It is entirely possible this is a correlation proves causation moment.

          Pretty sure meeting a girl called Misty I wouldn't have thought that. But now that you mentioned it, if I ever do, I will recall this moment. It's like a gesture like a middle finger or being told that certain ethnicities do specific things in a generalised manner that we think its weird. In Europe, its common for men to kiss others on the cheek in affection while in Middle East they hold hands. For them its normal, for some of us it may seem strange. Connecting the dots is what our mind does, all I am saying is that it's okay to understand that and make it work for us and not the other way around.

        • @RandomDeviation:
          People have biases, some of those may be ok to you, so not.

          The "discard resume based on name" things has been around forever. In Australia if you have a "white bloke" name you'll fare better than the girls, bogans and foreigners. You might not even realise you're doing it.

          Many women short their names to something gender-neutral, so Christine becomes Chris, Kimberly to Kim (could still be mistaken for a foreigner though) and so on.

          People have been writing articles about this forever:
          https://www.smh.com.au/business/careers/unconscious-bias-in-… (Walt Disney did this when hiring voice actors.)
          https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/why-…

          Of course the opposite is true and sometimes people don't want "white blokes" for certain roles; men applying for "women's jobs" might have a harder time.

        • @D C:That's what I originally said. You can't change those biases overnight but being yourself is a step in the right direction. Shortening of names and changing the name entirely are 2 different things. Take Catherine for example, just changing the C to a K as in Katherine will change the meaning and story behind the name. I can change my name to Bob and try to get into an interview etc. But if the person on the other end already has biases, they will find something else to nitpick and I am 100% sure it will infuriate them even more to be fooled.

          As for articles, I don't pay heed to them. People will find what they want to believe, you can try googling vaccine causes autism and that will being up dozens of resources. Just because they are present doesn't mean they are true. Unless a solid, independent and verifiable study is conducted associating just name to the hiring process, bullying or people not being able to understand the name isn't this just a moot point? Why are we fuelling someones misconception with our feelings or articles which have a sample pool of 5?

        • @D C: Let me show you something, this same website that you linked for both articles published this recently.

          https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/dear-barnaby-it-s-ti…

          Just skim through the article and see instead of being objective and reasonable even tho its an opinion piece, its inflammatory. Would you like me to trust their workplace and lifestyle data? Probably not and neither should you.

        • @RandomDeviation:
          Well, you've certainly got your mind made up.

        • @D C: To me the obstacle of people being discriminatory is like a brick wall. There are a lot of ways to deal with it. You can go over, under or around it. But I'll go full speed and slam right into it. Even if I don't make it the hole, someone else will.

          I understand your view and the others as well. It's just a realistic advice that the parents name their kid something in order to secure a better future. If parents are willing to send their kids to the best schools they can afford, the best unis and ask their friends for employing their kid, I am sure some will be willing to go all the way. Choosing a name to assimilate is just a dot in comparison. I am just bitter it has to be this way.

          Yes, I have said that there is no evidence but that doesn't mean it couldn't be true. Even if evidence was given, the ethics and funding of the researchers is still in question. The smoking industry did the research into cigarette side effects. Did that help anyone at the time? No.

          For me it's more about a moral view. If someone discriminates me on my race, name etc I would work even harder to give them no excuse to pass me over. I am not one of those who will take being discriminated over getting friends/job. Life will be tough but as JFK said 'Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men'. I know people always say you can't eat your dignity but I can't eat if I lose it. There's no need to be rude to that person, keep your head high and another opportunity will come.

          I guess it's up to the parents how much they are willing to change. Every person is different.

        • @RandomDeviation:

          Yes, I have said that there is no evidence but that doesn't mean it couldn't be true.

          What would constitute evidence? Would you like to interrogate the @OP over changing his name? He couldn't possibly be right, could he? He must have a hidden agenda too.

          Names have power, it's been that way forever. Some names have fare better in different cultures.

          I have friends who have changed their names. One I've never bothered to even ask what his real name is, and I've known him 20 years. The reason has always been the same - jobs.

          The resume gets you the interview, the interview gets you the job. If anglicising your name gets you through the door then that's a step in right direction. You can moralise all you like, but it'll change nothing.

          What bogans don't realise is giving their kids a unique name don't guarantee anything. When citing examples of unique name successes, look behind them. You won't see bogan parents.

        • @D C: 'The resume gets you the interview, the interview gets you the job. If anglicising your name gets you through the door then that's a step in right direction. You can moralise all you like, but it'll change nothing.'

          Will you also be willing to change your beliefs, politics, culture etc? Where will it stop? Being willing to commit fraud will also get you a job, is it also a right direction?

          That's what has been said about every kind of change. I just want the OP to know there is more than just a name that controls a person's life. Why is a person's entire life being accommodated to them getting a job? Do our aspirations only amount to being drones?

          As for your friend, I would definitely have been curious. I always have asked people who use multiple names what is their real one and whether they are comfortable having me use them.

          The success of the kid isn't due to name, family and upbringing plays a part. I said that originally as well. 'Whatever name you do decide to give your child, be confident, kind and a caring parent. You child will be influenced more by that rather than a name in their life.'

        • @D C: Evidence is facts and statistics. They are not bulletproof but give a good indicator of what is true.

          The Australian education system taught me that. If I had not been educated using that, I would have been more inclined to believe people at their word as well as being outraged at every single meme, article or news.

        • @RandomDeviation:

          Evidence is facts and statistics.

          Right, let me known when I link to a study that lines up to your biases. Or feel free to post one that confirms the negative: "No, you are not judged on your name!".

          I would have been more inclined to believe people at their word

          So @OP is a liar?
          My friends are liars?
          Assorted posters in this thread are liars?

          Or are they confused as to what their real motives were for using names that fit better for this culture?

          Or just they chose to simply mention it, and not as part of a study (that lines up with what you think is suitable).

          How bizarre.

          Will you also be willing to change your beliefs, politics, culture etc? Where will it stop? Being willing to commit fraud will also get you a job, is it also a right direction?

          The 'fraud' bit is a strawman, so we'll just ignore that. If I wound up in a different culture then I would adapt, as most of us would. You wouldn't of course, having more moral fibre or whatever. If I didn't care much for a particular culture then I wouldn't go there, hence my avoidance of football matches and Saudi Arabia.

        • @RandomDeviation: I’m really sorry to write this without the link - but about 12 years I did read an article that showed a correlation with std spelling of names and education level. I know richer people mock poorer people, but I’m confident it is well established that creative spellings of names is associated with lower socioeconomic groups.

        • @D C:
          I can't speak for @RandomDeviation, but hopefully my thoughts on this will be helpful/insightful.

          @RandomDeviation:

          Evidence is facts and statistics.

          Right, let me known when I link to a study that lines up to your biases. Or feel free to post one that confirms the negative: "No, you are not judged on your name!".

          You haven't linked to any studies, so this statement is a bit redundant. You linked to two articles, both by the SMH.

          Having read this thread I agree with @RandomDeviation - your name may influence people's opinions of / responses to you (which is natural), which may influence things like job interviews etc. Does that mean OP should try and pick a name that conforms to some people's opinions? I don't believe so.

          And if the majority of people share your opinion that particular names/spellings are bad (bogan, hippy, etc), then that is an opinion worth changing. How do we change it if everyone keeps choosing normal names to try and conform?

          I would have been more inclined to believe people at their word

          So @OP is a liar?

          My friends are liars?

          Assorted posters in this thread are liars?

          Or are they confused as to what their real motives were for using names that fit better for this culture?

          Or just they chose to simply mention it, and not as part of a study (that lines up with what you think is suitable).

          This statement is in reference to his previous statement about facts and evidence, and how media these days likes to do click-baity, inflammatory pieces to get views, and parts of the general public frequently gobble them up as truth.

          Will you also be willing to change your beliefs, politics, culture etc? Where will it stop? Being willing to commit fraud will also get you a job, is it also a right direction?

          The 'fraud' bit is a strawman, so we'll just ignore that.

          No it's not. You're willing to change your name, the name your own parents gave you upon your birth, the one that's been a key part of your identity for however many years. As @RandomDeviation said, if you're willing to change that, what else are you willing to change? The fraud part wasn't a strawman, it was a natural extension of his statement - if you're willing to change your name just to look better on a job application, what would you stop at, if driven to it?

          If I wound up in a different culture then I would adapt, as most of us would.

          If I didn't care much for a particular culture then I wouldn't go there, hence my avoidance of football matches and Saudi Arabia.

          So are you adapting or avoiding the culture?

        • Interesting thread - more so when you consider someone's name from another culture who hasn't adhered to popular culture and changed or Anglicised their name. What do do you do with them?

          I know many people who have anglicised their name and some regret it but many do so for employment opportunities. I've also heard from the other side many who have interviewed said people with anglicised names and still partake of their racial or cultural biases (which results in "David George"not being employed).

          The last point which deviantart raises and I agree with - how far does one go? I even know a few people who have compromised and changed their faith based on the school their children will go to.

          It's easy to say you should adhere to popular culture and norms but surely you want to retain some of your own individuality and culture rather than trying to fit in completely?

          I remember being asked to choose an "australian" name for my child as they were going to be born & raised here - my reply was simple - I don't see many common aboriginal names so why should I do what your british ancestors have not done?

          From someone with a not so common name who has to spell it nearly every time - you get used to it & it generally isn't a bother.

  • +4

    For the rest of it's life it will be correcting people who spell it Erin, or having to spell it out because people don't 'get it' when he/she says it.

  • To AOT anime watchers we'd call it in a weeb way i.e. Aaron boy. you just need to figure out how big is the general public into the anime

    Btw, I am naming my new puppy haku (serious), have you bumped into any problem with people mispronouncing it?

    • That's just a nickname friends have given me and not my actual name. Apparently it's a Dungeon Seige 2 character?

      • Haku can be a Naruto character

  • +9

    "Eh-ren" is how I'd pronounce it (like Erin). Reading it I assume boy but prounounciation suggests female

  • As a Kill Bill fan, it should be pronounced E-Ren, as in Ishii and don't bring up her cultural heritage.

  • +3

    Why not the name tightarse or even JV?

    • Better suggestions than turd at least

  • +1

    L.Ron is another way to pronounce it…. just watch out for Lord Xenu

  • Nice to meet you, Erin.

  • +3

    even if it spelt as "Eren", with kids names these days then it could actually be pronounced "Walter"

    • Yeah. I can see that we are definitely over thinking the name just to be different.

  • +8

    As a person whose name has been mispronounced and misspelled her entire life (even in my natve country), my suggestion would be to please choose names that are easy to pronounce and spell.

    • +1

      my second daughter has a common Japanese name. it has only once been pronounced correctly by a non-japanese person. She does use a shortened version of her name otherwise.

      • +4

        Almost all my school and uni documents had to be corrected every time. Even my uni degree was issued with spelling errors :/ Not cool…

        • Same here bismillah. Better still is when they refer to your father's name on any documentation - how retarded.

  • +6

    What about J R Jimmy Recard?

  • +1

    Eren is a gender non-specific name so whether it's a boy or girl the name will be pronounced the same, and nobody is gonna see an E and pronounce it like an A, well atleast I should hope not! I can definitely see it being misspelled by others regularly as Erin, but how many people do you know who's name hasn't been misspelled either first or last? It's inevitable. I understand the desire for your child to have a relatively unique name, we've decided on our 3 kids names in advance lol, stick to your guns.

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