The name Aaron

mjl6907

Lately, this has gotten stuck in my head.  My only concern with it is there is an equivalent girl's name Erin, though they look completely different.  What do you think?  I don't want DS to constantly have to correct his gender over the phone or be teased.  Do you like the name?  Impressions?

ritzgrrl

It's my cousin's name.  And I have a best friend, Erin, so occasionally I may have to specify who I'm talking about.  I don't think either of them have ever had any problem with their names, though.  I say go for it.

mjl6907

P.S.  It's either this or Samuel, and I love Sam as what is sure to be the inevitable nickname (though I prefer Samuel), just wish the nickname was longer with our one-syllable last name.  This is why I'm looking at other options that wouldn't be shortened to one-syllable nicknames!

plunderb

I think it's a good, solid name. I don't think there would be too much confusion ? anyone who learned his name by reading it or by being introduced to him would know it is Aaron, not Erin. There might be some minor confusion in the situation pp mentioned, but that doesn't seem too bad.

juniper19

EH-rin and Aa-ron are not equivalent.  I went to school with an Aaron who was not teased.  Someone would have to be VERY ignorant to read or hear Aaron and expect to see a girl.

led2009

It's my hubby's name and he's never been confused for a girl! I think it's a good solid name. If you love it go for it.

n0legirl

I went to school with an Aaron and he was never teased. I don't think he would ever have a gender-issue over the phone as "Aaron" is the guy spelling.

sunnyday016

I know a couple-Aaron and Erin

I LOVE the name Aaron, but I think I prefer Samuel. But no, I don't think an Aaron would ever have to correct someone on his gender (based on his name anyway).

schnappycat

juniper19:

EH-rin and Aa-ron are not equivalent.  I went to school with an Aaron who was not teased.  Someone would have to be VERY ignorant to read or hear Aaron and expect to see a girl.

I pronounce them exactly the same, so if I just heard the name, I wouldn't necessarily know the gender. I do know both Aarons and Erins, but once gender is clear, then it is obvious as to the spelling, if that makes sense.

lovemytwoboys

I had the same exact issue with this name! I love the name Aaron, but I hate Erin for a girl. Although there might be a slight variation in the way they are pronounced, they virtually sound the same when spoken. I wasn't a fan of that.

I don't think it would be teased though, so if you really love it, use it! I like it much better than Samuel.

juniper19

schnappycat:

juniper19:

EH-rin and Aa-ron are not equivalent.  I went to school with an Aaron who was not teased.  Someone would have to be VERY ignorant to read or hear Aaron and expect to see a girl.

I pronounce them exactly the same, so if I just heard the name, I wouldn't necessarily know the gender. I do know both Aarons and Erins, but once gender is clear, then it is obvious as to the spelling, if that makes sense.

Then you're pronouncing one of them incorrectly.

braveangel2

Not an issue for me what-so-ever...Aaron is a great name and alphabetically superior.

strangebird

I have to say that I pronounce these totally different. AIR-in for Erin; and air-AHN for Aaron. The emphasis on the second syllable in Aaron is subtle, but if I speak these two names in succession no one would have trouble determining which was the feminine variant and which was the masculine. Don't know if that holds true for everyone's pronunciation, but either way I see Aaron as totally masculine. I don't think you'd have trouble.

schnappycat

juniper19:

schnappycat:

juniper19:

EH-rin and Aa-ron are not equivalent.  I went to school with an Aaron who was not teased.  Someone would have to be VERY ignorant to read or hear Aaron and expect to see a girl.

I pronounce them exactly the same, so if I just heard the name, I wouldn't necessarily know the gender. I do know both Aarons and Erins, but once gender is clear, then it is obvious as to the spelling, if that makes sense.

Then you're pronouncing one of them incorrectly.

No, I'm not. It's a regional accent. Just like some people pronounce "Marry, Mary, and Merry" differently when they are the same to me.  

brookelynpaisley

They're pronounced slightly differently, as PP said. They're also not equivalents. Erin is an Irish name meaning "peace" and also another name for Ireland. Aaron (spelled that way) is strictly a male name and is Biblical. It's Hebrew meaning is "enlightened." It's not a just a boy spelling/girl spelling thing. People aren't going to confused your son Aaron for a girl.

starlight8323

strangebird:

I have to say that I pronounce these totally different. AIR-in for Erin; and air-AHN for Aaron. The emphasis on the second syllable in Aaron is subtle, but if I speak these two names in succession no one would have trouble determining which was the feminine variant and which was the masculine. Don't know if that holds true for everyone's pronunciation, but either way I see Aaron as totally masculine. I don't think you'd have trouble.

That is amazing! It never would have occured to me in a million years to put the emphasis on the second syllable. With my accent, air comes out a bit closer to ear. So when I say your pronunciation of air-AHN, it sounds exactly the way I pronounce the country Iran.

To OP: When the words are leaving my mouth, I think that I am saying more of an AIR sound for Aaron, but when the words hit my ears, they actually sound exactly the same.

{lovebird}

I agree with pp that is is a non-existent issue.  two different names pronounced two different ways.  Love Aaron, good luck.

Under.the.Rose

I love the name Aaron. I don't think there will be any issues with teasing. It's a classic, masculine name... despite being similar to the girl name Erin.

kellyw09

schnappycat:

juniper19:

EH-rin and Aa-ron are not equivalent.  I went to school with an Aaron who was not teased.  Someone would have to be VERY ignorant to read or hear Aaron and expect to see a girl.

I pronounce them exactly the same, so if I just heard the name, I wouldn't necessarily know the gender. I do know both Aarons and Erins, but once gender is clear, then it is obvious as to the spelling, if that makes sense.

This. I think once you know the gender the spelling should be clear. I don't think it's huge deal. I really like the name Aaron (and Erin too!)

schnappycat

Re: pronunciation...

FWIW, I asked my friends about the pronunciation issue of Erin vs Aaron and all of my Midwestern (esp. Michigan) friends (including a girl named Erin) agree they are pronounced the same. It seems to be different in most other US regions, though. But I guess don't be shocked if you occasionally run into people who say them the same way. It really just is a regional accent thing, regardless of how they are "supposed" to be pronounced. There is no way I can get them to sound different, no matter how much I try.

That being said, I like both names!