Am I crazy? I like the name...

[rbnyc]

...Zeus. We've been throwing around boys names at work today. So far there are some names I like, but not well enough to really consider going with it. Also, it's hard to find something that sounds good with Bouchard-Ferdon. Someone suggested Zeus, I think as a joke. But honestly, out of the hundreds of names I've heard so far, I actually like that one the best. Am I completely insane? Zeus Bouchard-Ferdon.

[GOPisEvil]

1. I knew a guy named Zeus...

...but he pronounced it Zee-is.

Now...not to say anything against the name, but remember that this child is going to have to live with it.

[rbnyc]

3. I know.

Cliff will probably veto it anyway. The rational part of my brain says, don't name your son Zeus, it's too outrageous. But my gut feeling says it's good. It's such a hard decision. I'm glad we have some time still.

[blondeatlast]

31. I went with my gut, finally.

From the beginning, i wanted to name my son Vikas (Punjabi: growth, development) since his daddy is Punjabi. I heard lots of naysayers, but we did it anyway.

The biggest problem, and it WILL happen with Zeus, even though you would think most people would know, is pronunciation.

I tell his teachers every year how to pronounce it, and it still ends up VEYE-cuss. He won't correct anyone about it even though I tell him it's perfectly okay to do so.

Do it if you still like it next week, and best wishes to you and Zeus and Pete!

[liberalhistorian]

64. I wouldn't do that to your kid,

honestly, that's just setting him up for a lifetime of trouble, especially at school.

We still can't believe my cousin named his daughter Luna, and she's almost six years old! We knew from the time she was born that she'd catch hell in school, we could just hear it, "Hey, Luna-Guna! Hey, Loony-tunes! Hey, Luuuuuuuuunatic!" And, lo and behold, she's already getting a lot of that crap, and she's only in kindergarten!

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

2. I have a friend names Zeus

It's a common name in the Greek community.

[rbnyc]

4. Oooh, I'm encouraged.

So it's not unheard of to name a kid Zeus. I just like the sound of it.

[VelmaD]

5. Some suggestions to go with your last name...

Aaron (first one that came to mind)

Stephen
Jonathan
Andrew

[rbnyc]

6. I do like Aaron and Andrew.

I have 3 very close friends named Andrew. But I'm not crazy about Andy.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[Dulcinea]

26. Drew?

I have a friend named Andrew who goes by Drew.

I didn't have a son, but if I had, I would've named him Simon or Theodore. (But not both...Alvin & the Chipmunks!)

[rbnyc]

30. I like Drew.

I like Theodore too.

[DS1]

7. I was almost called that

[rbnyc]

9. Wow.

So far the signs are good. Too bad my husband isn't answering the phone.

[ProudGerman]

8. I don't have any kids, but I do have a set of rules for naming future kids

High on that list is to not name the kid after a god. It comes right after not naming them after rappers.

Ol' Dirty Bastard Michael just wouldn't work in most polite circles, and I'm pretty sure it would eliminate him from public office as well.

[rbnyc]

13. LOL

Not just a god, but the king of the gods.

Seriously tho, that is a good point.

[Rowdyboy]

10. I know its more traditional, but Nicholas would work well

with your last names. If you like mythology, how about Apollo (very common in the Greek community) or (my favorite) Dionysus!

[rbnyc]

14. I like Nicholas too.

And Nick is good. Makes me think of Nick Drake.

[Dying Eagle]

11. My name is Andrew

It's worked good for me

[rbnyc]

16. That's my dad's confirmation name too.

But he is X-Catholic, so I wonder what he'd think of that. Hmmm.

[NewHampster]

12. Ask your parents generation how many Stars, Sunshines and Quasars

changed their names the moment they were old enough.

Giving a kid an oddball handle is like trying to trip them up so they won't be more than you.

How about naming him Sue?

[rbnyc]

15. I don't think Zeus is as oddball as Quasar or even Star.

I don't really want a common name either. Something in the middle. I'm most assuredly not interested in tripping my son up so he won't be more than me. That's kind of a sick suggestion. But I don't want something so freaky that it's an issue. Just unique, with a good sound and a good feel.

Like I said before. Lucky thing I have some time.

[ProudGerman]

18. what about Bernard?

Its not common, its not weird either.

ProudGerman - trying to get a stangers kid named after him.

[rbnyc]

21. LOL

Not bad. I think he will probably be named "baby boy" until he's ready for school. This is so hard.

[NewHampster]

22. nothin bad meant, sorry if thats how it sounded

i just feel that thats what you'd be doing without knowing it.

Your name is who you are. It is the first piece of ones personality.

You want a strong name look at names like Jacob, David, Moose.

My tripping friends who named their kids didn't think those names were odd either.

Hope she's not on DU but there's Star Jewel, child of the sixties who is not a stripper.

Dweezel Zappa
Chastity Bono

I met a guy once named Dick Head

A family in town has the last name of Doe (seriously). they named a son John.

OY

[rbnyc]

27. Dick Head? Yikes!

I think my parents did a great job with my name, special, unique, but not too weird. Unique is very important to my husband and me. Girls names are just so much easier. I wish my boy could just tell me what is name is.

[dolo amber]

62. I felt the same way

I wanted something *uncommon*, but not Moon Unit or anything either...

I ended up with a Corinne and a Ruby.

Actually, I was wondering about you yesterday. Glad to see you around today. And I'd totally name a kid Zeus!


(PS- I still think Jarvis rocks!! )

[stellanoir]

17. Zeus is a very cool name but. . .

pullease consider the mythology and the curious relationship he had with his father. . .as well as his very shaky marriage. . .

"Zeus was the supreme deity in Greek mythology and the son of the Titons: Cronos (Saturn) and Rhea . The Romans identified Zeus with their Jupiter, an all powerful sky god. The tyrannical Cronos insisted on swallowing all Zeus' older brothers and sisters as soon as they were born, but Zeus esc aped this fate when his mother Rhea offered Cronos a stone wrapped up in swaddling clothes to swallow instead. In secrecy, Zeus was raidsed on the island of Crete. He grew to manhood determined to topple his father. The wise Metis, an early love and daughter of Oceanus , gave Zeus the idea of a potion that would make his father vomit up all the children he had swallowed.

After the overthrow of Chronos, Zeus divided up the world between himself and his two brothers, Hades (Pluto), and Poseidon (Neptune). Zeus chose to rule the sky, Hades the underworld, and Poseidon the sea: the earth and Mount Olympus, which was the home of the gods, were regarded as common territory. A rare visitor to either of them was Hades, who preferred to be among the dead. Zeus's influence, however was felt everywhere, although he had no control over destiny itself. Rather he was the god who saw that fate took its proper course.

The many lovers taken by Zeus , both mortal and immortal, form the very stuff of mythology. It is highly likely that they describe the coming together of several religious traditions, as Zeus incorporated the attributes of rival deities and gained credit for all important events. The continual antagonism between Zeus and his wife Hera, who was definately an ancient pre-Greek mother goddess in origin, often broke out into major conflict So jealous was Hera that she spent most her time persecuting Zeus' lovers and their children. Once Zeus became so angry about Hera's creulty to the hero Heracles, his greatest son by a mortal woman, that he suspended the goddess from a pinnacle by her wrists and hung weights on he ankles."

sorry no link. . .it shockingly came from a book. . ." The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Mythology" Don't take it too seriously though. If you use it the kid will definately give you a run for it. Take it on good authority from someone who named her kid after the Egyptian Sun God and a dead rock star. Yikes!

[rbnyc]

19. LOL. Great post.

Yeah, I had thought about the whole story earlier. It's not ideal.

Which dead rock star?

[stellanoir]

32. it's kind of a curious story. . .

It was the early 80's and I was into one of my classical phases (in reaction to disco- Yuk) and a friend called me and said that I had to go hear this new guitarist because, "he was amazing." We bantered back and forth for a while. "I am not going to the biker bar." "You have to go to the biker bar." "I am not going to the biker bar." etc. This went several rounds. She's Italian and very strong willed.

So needless to say, we went to the biker bar. We were right in front of the stage and I was completely mesmerized. I used to be a somewhat wild dancer but on that occasion I couldn't take my eyes off this artist. He had a bassist and a drummer, four Stratocasters and one Gibson (just because) and unlike any guitarist I had ever seen he didn't hang back a do a predictable improvisational riff now and again. He was cranking the whole damn time. I was totally transfixed and felt as though I had been teleported into an alternate reality. No I wasn't intoxicated by anything but the music.

So the night ends and his roadies came out and said, "he wants to meet you." I got scared 'cause his energy was so-o-o intense so I foolishly ran away. I only regret it when I see videos of him playing now. But I truly felt that we would have self destructed for some strange reason.

Ten years later, his helicopter crashed just about the time my son was conceived. It was Stevie Ray Vaughn and I named my kid Raymo (really Raymond) after my maternal grandfather, Stevie and "Ra" the Egyptian sun god.

Are you sorry you asked. . .?

[rbnyc]

44. I'm not sorry.

Very cool story.

[flowomo]

20. Wotan is an interesting alternative....

just saying

[rbnyc]

23. You know that in September...

...My son's name will be decided by a vote in the Lounge. I don't know if Wotan will be on the list tho. For that matter, I don't know if Zeus will be either.

[flowomo]

24. Here's an interesting resonance that might help you decide:

"Before the abolition of monarchies, Zeus was protector of the king and his family. Once the age of Greek kings faded into democracy he became chief judge and peacemaker, but most importantly civic god. He brought peace in place of violence, Hesiod (circa 700 BCE) describes Zeus as "the lord of justice", Zeus was also known as "Kosmetas" (orderer), "Soter" (savior), "Polieos" (overseer of the polis -city) and also "Eleutherios" (guarantor of political freedoms)."

How very DU!

[rbnyc]

28. Cool! Thanks. (nt)

[tridim]

25. Zeus is cool, I like it.

I've always said that when I have kids I want him or her to have a name that nobody else has. I'm sure there are several Zeus's out there but it's still pretty unique. I was just thinking yesterday how cool the name 'Tatum' is (after watching a Bad News Bears segment on 'I Love The 70's').

[rbnyc]

29. Thanks.

I wonder what my husband will think. I'll let you know.

[MAlibdem]

33. A little grandiose?

King of the G-ds? A tad pretentious, imo...suppose it could work

[rbnyc]

41. It's the sound I like more than anything...

...but you can't detatch it from the meaning. But I like Miles better now anyway.

[Mobius]

34. Its a cool name, but consider the child, please!

With a name like that, you are begging for him to get teased in school, really begging. Find a more obscure god.
Pan
Cronos(more teasing possibly)
Ra
Horus
Odin
Thor
Amun
Ihy
Tule
Mawu
Vodu
Toro
Asar
Zemi
Helios
Ares
Apollo
Nyx
Metis
Brahma
Siva
Visnu
Geb
Osiris
Sokar
Thoth
Loki
Vidar
Rasnu
Sol
Zephyrus
Enkil

[stellanoir]

35. I disagree. .

Kids are far more sophisticated now than they were when we grew up. My son has a really wacko surname and kids have wanted to hang out with him because of it.

[MAlibdem]

36. what age?

From my relatively recent experience...(admitted anecdotal)...

K-5 kids are really great to each other

Middle school is living hell for all kids

High school is what you make of it.

[stellanoir]

45. amazingly. . .

he's in junior high now and it's still not a problem. We live in a fairly unique community though.

[Mobius]

57. you should make a name poll

with no other option to muck it all up

[stellanoir]

37. rbnyc. . .

don't sweat it. According to Native Americans at some time during gestation or shortly after birth, the spirit whispers their name to their mother. Even if it doesn't happen till you see the whites of their eyes, trust it'll happen and get your head out of the baby names books. I do agree wholeheartedly with the Hebraic tradition of not naming kids after anyone who is still living. Note all the really confused Juniors and thirds bumbling around. Tends to create major identity issues.

And as long as you instill respect for women and that his father doesn't want to consume him. . .I still think Zeus is very cool. The other kids will too.

[rbnyc]

40. Cool!

Thanks for that. I'll be listening.

[rbnyc]

39. Zephyrus is cool.

But now I think I like Miles.

[Madrone]

38. Cool! And when you yell HEY ZEUS outside to bring him home for dinner -

Everyone will be wondering how come the white kid answered to it.

I like "odd" names - so I think it's cool.

[rbnyc]

42. That would work for my new favorite name too.

Miles.

[Madrone]

49. There's a white kid in my town named Miles -

But none named Jesus! (ie: Hey Zeus!)

[rbnyc]

43. UPDATE: Now I like MIles.

I went back to work after my break. I called my husband. He wasn't thrilled about Zeus. My coworkers and I thought of about 75 more names. Now the frontrunner is Miles.

[mouse7]

47. Might as well name him Myron.

Miles? That's a ticket to regular ass-beatings if I ever heard one.

[Burma Jones]

48. Miles is cool, not goofy, not too normal, perfect for NYC

And doesn't seem like a "vanity" name that would look like an attempt on the parents' part to look cool.

On edit: Of course, I'm a Trumpet player, so I'm biased.....

[mouse7]

51. Even worse in NYC.

Naming a child "Miles" in NYC should bring an automatic indictment for child abuse. The kids there are merciless x3.

[rbnyc]

59. When I first met my husband...

...he said he wanted to learn trumpet. I bought him one our first Christmas together. Now he plays great. And we both love Miles Davis.

[NicoleM]

54. Miles is very cool but

it is getting very popular. FYI.

[mouse7]

46. Don't do that to an innocent child.

Forget what you like. If there is any derivative of the name that could possibly be used by other kids to tease him, they will. Mercilessly.

Name him Bob. It's safe.

[theoceansnerves]

50. die hard

with a vengeance

[spt5]

52. nooooooo

I think I would be forced to pick on zeus Don't do it.

[markses]

53. You? I like the name Zacarias Moussaoui

It really is a cool name, infamy notwithstanding. I also like the name of another 9/11 criminal (currently on the run, if I remember correctly): Zebediah Essabar.

[LynneSin]

55. How about Dante

I always thought if I had a baby boy I'd name him Dante. I also like the name Archibald (which was my great-grandfather's name).

Geez, RBNYC has a little penis inside of her

[rbnyc]

60. LOL

Well, Cliff vetoed Zeus. But Miles is still on the table.

And yes, I have a penis...

[buddhamama]

56. Zeus Bouchard-Ferdon would be a cool name.

gets my vote.

[Bossy Monkey]

58. Achilles. But almost anything would sound great with Bouchard-Ferdon

so don't worry about it too much

[Teddy_Salad]

63. Achilles...

.....lucky the surname isn't "Heel" or "Heal".

[City Lights]

61. How about Orion?

A friend's sister named her son Orion. They couldn't think of any name they liked. While in labor, she glanced out the window, and saw Orion's Belt in the sky. Her husband saw it too and they knew Orion was it.

[mitchum]

65. Only if you want him to marry a spiteful shrew