Selecting a baby name is a significant decision, with many parents debating between traditional monikers and more distinctive, quirky options. It’s crucial to ensure the chosen name complements the family surname, to avoid embarrassing initials, and to sidestep overly complex spellings – all vital considerations before finalising the birth certificate.
However, one dad has stumbled upon an unusual problem because his preferred baby names are being criticised as “too clever”, with some suggesting they’re an attempt to seem intellectual, reports Bristol Live.
Seeking guidance, the confused father shared his dilemma on social media, revealing that he and his wife were torn between two names for their son: Atreus and Atlas. With their last name being Armstrong, both choices seemed harmonious, but while his wife favoured Atreus, he was partial to Atlas.
They hoped the internet could offer some impartial advice to help them agree on a name. Taking to Reddit, he wrote: “So my wife is pregnant, and we have two names picked out but can’t decide. The two options are Atreus (fearless) and Atlas (enduring). Our last name is Armstrong.
“Both names flow well with our last name. My wife is leaning towards Atreus and I’m leaning towards Atlas. Help us decide. What do you guys think?”
A dad’s quest for constructive feedback on potential names for his son backfired when he was met with harsh criticism from online commenters. Some advised him to go back to the drawing board, while others outright labelled both name choices “terrible”.
One person commented: “In my humble opinion, no to both. It’s coming off a little too ‘clever’. You’re literally putting the world on that child’s shoulders by naming him Atlas.”
Another chimed in: “Atlas Armstrong sounds like something a 12-year-old came up with. Atreus is the annoying kid in the God of War series. Terrible names.”
The term “pretentious” was also used by a commenter to describe the names, and several people noted the potential for teasing at school, with Atreus being likened to “uterus” and Atlas Armstrong being seen as a parody due to the mythological reference of Atlas carrying the world on his shoulders.
Despite the backlash, not all the feedback was negative. Some commenters offered alternative ‘A’ themed suggestions such as Atticus, Alexander, Arthur, and Arlo. Subtler Greek mythology-inspired names like Damon, Philip, and Hector were proposed.
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