Benjamin Achilles

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We were thinking Benjamin Andrew, but H all the sudden loves Benjamin Achilles. I never thought he'd like such a "weird" name! I'm the one that mentioned it - I knew an Achilles and always thought it was cool. I thought for sure he'd veto it immediately... WDYT?

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If anyone doesn't know how to pronounce it, it's ah-kill-eez (Greek).

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CabbageCabbage:

I always like an outside the box MN but Achilles is associated with weakness or downfall as most people think of the phrase/story of Achilles heel. I'd choose a character from mythology who was known for greatness, not their weak spot. 

I didn't realize this - thanks!

kacelle

CabbageCabbage:

I always like an outside the box MN but Achilles is associated with weakness or downfall as most people think of the phrase/story of Achilles heel. I'd choose a character from mythology who was known for greatness, not their weak spot. 

Ditto this.  I don't know of anyone who wouldn't automatically think "Achilles heel."  Not a great association.

shipsshoessealingwax

Although if they know any more of the story they'll also know he died to save the life of his beloved... Which is kind of sweet.

Tristan is the same way -  the tale of Tristan & Iseult is incredibly, terribly sad.

Aligator28

Like "Achilles heel?" It's associated with a weakness, nms.

af1274

Unlike PPs, I don't associate weakness with Achilles. His heel was the only vulnerable part of him; it's kind of a freak accident that he died that way, and supposedly it only came about through divine intervention. Perhaps he is now most known for the way he was defeated, but originally he was the strongest and best Spartan warrior. He was pretty much their not-so-secret weapon.

His best friend Patroclus was killed in batte when he wore Achilles' armor. So Achilles' then fought to avenge his friend, which he did through the death of Hector, a Trojan prince. If people know more of the story, the way he died won't seem like such a weakness.

I guess I'm in the minority here, but Achilles makes me think of strength first. Sure, there's the association of the "Achilles heel," but I think of that second to the character. 

All of that to say... I don't see a problem with using the name at all, though I would keep it to the mn spot. I think it's kind of cool, actually. 

kacelle

af1274:

Unlike PPs, I don't associate weakness with Achilles. His heel was the only vulnerable part of him; it's kind of a freak accident that he died that way, and supposedly it only came about through divine intervention. Perhaps he is now most known for the way he was defeated, but originally he was the strongest and best Spartan warrior. He was pretty much their not-so-secret weapon.

His best friend Patroclus was killed in batte when he wore Achilles' armor. So Achilles' then fought to avenge his friend, which he did through the death of Hector, a Trojan prince. If people know more of the story, the way he died won't seem like such a weakness.

I guess I'm in the minority here, but Achilles makes me think of strength first. Sure, there's the association of the "Achilles heel," but I think of that second to the character. 

All of that to say... I don't see a problem with using the name at all, though I would keep it to the mn spot. I think it's kind of cool, actually. 

I've read the story.  The character was cool.  But "Achilles heel" is a common expression now used to refer to a person's weakness.  That would prevent me from using the name.  

Then again, I'd use Delilah.  So maybe I'm a bit hypocritical.   

af1274

kacelle:

af1274:

Unlike PPs, I don't associate weakness with Achilles. His heel was the only vulnerable part of him; it's kind of a freak accident that he died that way, and supposedly it only came about through divine intervention. Perhaps he is now most known for the way he was defeated, but originally he was the strongest and best Spartan warrior. He was pretty much their not-so-secret weapon.

His best friend Patroclus was killed in batte when he wore Achilles' armor. So Achilles' then fought to avenge his friend, which he did through the death of Hector, a Trojan prince. If people know more of the story, the way he died won't seem like such a weakness.

I guess I'm in the minority here, but Achilles makes me think of strength first. Sure, there's the association of the "Achilles heel," but I think of that second to the character. 

All of that to say... I don't see a problem with using the name at all, though I would keep it to the mn spot. I think it's kind of cool, actually. 

I've read the story.  The character was cool.  But "Achilles heel" is a common expression now used to refer to a person's weakness.  That would prevent me from using the name.  

Then again, I'd use Delilah.  So maybe I'm a bit hypocritical.   

 Yeah, I definitely get what you're saying. I guess for me, Achilles doesn't automatically equal "Achilles' heel," so it's not my immediate association like it is for most people.

And that's funny about Delilah, because I would definitely stay away from that one, even though it's such a beautiful name. I do think it's moving away from its association a bit though, which is nice. I still wouldn't use it... but mostly because DH works at a church  

vanceandlori

As somebody who knows almost nothing about Greek mythology, the Achilles heel is the only association that came to mind. I know the bare-bones story about Achilles being tough ... but being defeated because of his weakness. Not sure if that bothers you, but I'm assuming "Achilles heel" will be the first thought that will come to people's minds. (unless like pp, you know about Greek mythology)

this decaf life

I love wild MNs but I did automatically think of Achilles heel which isn't a great association.

candaceleigh21

Maybe its because I work in the medical field but I swear I cant get past Achilles being part of someone's foot. 

Todd&Laura

I don't care for Achilles. I'd be more inclined to go with Atticus. That's my guilty pleasure name.

Wufroggy79

CabbageCabbage:

I always like an outside the box MN but Achilles is associated with weakness or downfall as most people think of the phrase/story of Achilles heel. I'd choose a character from mythology who was known for greatness, not their weak spot. 

This.

capulet

af1274:

Unlike PPs, I don't associate weakness with Achilles. His heel was the only vulnerable part of him; it's kind of a freak accident that he died that way, and supposedly it only came about through divine intervention. Perhaps he is now most known for the way he was defeated, but originally he was the strongest and best Spartan warrior. He was pretty much their not-so-secret weapon.

His best friend Patroclus was killed in batte when he wore Achilles' armor. So Achilles' then fought to avenge his friend, which he did through the death of Hector, a Trojan prince. If people know more of the story, the way he died won't seem like such a weakness.

I guess I'm in the minority here, but Achilles makes me think of strength first. Sure, there's the association of the "Achilles heel," but I think of that second to the character. 

All of that to say... I don't see a problem with using the name at all, though I would keep it to the mn spot. I think it's kind of cool, actually. 

All this.  I don't know why I'm getting so defensive about a mythological character, but it seems weird to me that Achilles would be associated with weakness when pretty much anyone else you could name your child after would die from getting an arrow shot in any part of their body, not just their heel.  Don't name your kid Sebastian, then; if he'd been Achilles, he would've had a lot harder time getting martyred.

ObLaDi

I'm with the mythology lovers--I think it's fun and cool!

mtm0109

af1274:

Unlike PPs, I don't associate weakness with Achilles. His heel was the only vulnerable part of him; it's kind of a freak accident that he died that way, and supposedly it only came about through divine intervention. Perhaps he is now most known for the way he was defeated, but originally he was the strongest and best Spartan warrior. He was pretty much their not-so-secret weapon.

His best friend Patroclus was killed in batte when he wore Achilles' armor. So Achilles' then fought to avenge his friend, which he did through the death of Hector, a Trojan prince. If people know more of the story, the way he died won't seem like such a weakness.

I guess I'm in the minority here, but Achilles makes me think of strength first. Sure, there's the association of the "Achilles heel," but I think of that second to the character. 

All of that to say... I don't see a problem with using the name at all, though I would keep it to the mn spot. I think it's kind of cool, actually. 

 

This! I agree.

The first thing I think of is strength when it comes to Achilles and then... Brad Pitt who played Achilles in Troy. And he definitely portrayed a strong character to me. 

I like it! 

ardoka

I don't mind the name Achilles... but its also the name of my dog, so I wouldn't use it personally. But I do know a couple people named Achilles (it's just always made me think of my dog).