Gunnar

Shadow512 · June 2013

Thoughts? I'm leaning towards using this name if I have a boy. I want something that sounds strong and isn't too popular.

WashingtonQueen · June 2013

To me it is not a strong name, it's violent.

demelzacat · June 2013

I'm not a fan. Sorry.

Shadow512 · June 2013

WashingtonQueen:
To me it is not a strong name, it's violent.

Wow... violent? Really? Hm. Hadn't thought of it that way. Interesting...

ChiOmegaGirl · June 2013

WashingtonQueen:
To me it is not a strong name, it's violent.

I agree with this.

Ewych82 · June 2013

I'm sorry but I really don't like that name at all.

Zimger · June 2013

My DH has been trying to pitch this name for years. I won't go for it. I agree that it sounds violent. I get that it is a legit name but I don't like it's meaning which is derived from the war/warrior.

In addition, I also think it can be a heavy name for a kid to wear considering all the gun related violence and controversy we see everyday.

Meggiemuggins · June 2013

I don't mind it, but I associate it with Gunnar Nelson, of the musical duo Nelson. I remember thinking it was a weird name when I was little because I'd never heard it before.

Dr.Loretta · June 2013

Not a fan. I think there a lot of strong names you can use that sound better than this one

Sam Buttons · June 2013

WashingtonQueen:
To me it is not a strong name, it's violent.

This exactly.

nearly_klo · June 2013

WashingtonQueen:
To me it is not a strong name, it's violent.

This exactly.

oliversbear · June 2013

I really like it, but I can see potential problems with it, especially in the current atmosphere in the US. I'd have to think long and hard about using it.

whoopsybaby · June 2013

I used to love this name but today's climate makes me rethink it. It's a very legit, cool name but most people will never get past the violent connotation and may stereotype the little guy as such.

Shadow512 · June 2013

Thank you everyone for the feedback.

The good news seems to be that if I decide to use this name, at least I won't have to worry about my son sharing his name with lots of other kids in his class! Haha!

gimmietimmies · June 2013

It's okay, to me it's a family name and makes me picture a bunch of old farmers in overalls and rubber boots.

Mrs.G123 · June 2013

Violent? No. Scandinavian ? Yes.

Mochadoodle · June 2013

WashingtonQueen:
To me it is not a strong name, it's violent.

I totally agree.

elynds · June 2013

My cousin is named Gunnar - he's 18 now and the name fits him perfectly. We all thought it was kinda different at first, but he really grew into the name,

danabsd · June 2013

No.

ho11yday · June 2013

Mrs.G123:
Violent? No. Scandinavian ? Yes.

This.

To not use the name Gunnar because of gun violence in America (which is down, btw) is like not using the word niggardly because of potentially offending someone who thinks you are using a bad word.

Have you considered the name Gunther? Both are Scandinavian, start with G, and have similar meanings. It is not in the top 1000 names in 2012, unlike Gunnar (@ 451 in 2012). Another benefit to Gunther > Gunnar -- spell-check doesn't highlight it in red.

JemmaWRX · June 2013

I think weapons.

Suggestions:

Conrad

Kenneth

Thomas

Bradley

Desmond

iErica · June 2013

Sorry, it's one of my most disliked names.

hawkeyestate · June 2013

WashingtonQueen:
To me it is not a strong name, it's violent.

yep, this. Gunnar = guns in my mind.

lizzybean · June 2013

WashingtonQueen:
To me it is not a strong name, it's violent.

This. All of this. I really dont like it at all.

chicorojo · June 2013

I think of farmers ! it's pretty popular in my area, as are Hunter, Archer, and Gauge. I have no problems with it, just not exactly my taste but it's cute!

Shadow512 · June 2013

ho11yday:
Mrs.G123:
Violent? No. Scandinavian ? Yes.
This.
To not use the name Gunnar because of gun violence in America (which is down, btw) is like not using the word niggardly because of potentially offending someone who thinks you are using a bad word.
Have you considered the name Gunther? Both are Scandinavian, start with G, and have similar meanings. It is not in the top 1000 names in 2012, unlike Gunnar (@ 451 in 2012). Another benefit to Gunther > Gunnar -- spell-check doesn't highlight it in red.

Not a huge fan of Gunther... I like Gunnar much better. The fact that people relate this name to gun violence, I think, is ridiculous. It actually makes me want to use the name even more just to separate myself from that type of person/thought process. Haha. I guess I like to be different (& controversial if need be!)

capulet · June 2013

ho11yday:
To not use the name Gunnar because of gun violence in America (which is down, btw) is like not using the word niggardly because of potentially offending someone who thinks you are using a bad word.

I actually wouldn't use the word niggardly in conversation unless I was quite certain it would be received as it was intended without being misheard or misunderstood. I wish other people had broader vocabularies, but when perfectly good synonyms exist, I will use the one that is less likely to be misconstrued.

And so it is with names. You can probably find something with the same vibe that won't have violent connotations to other people. I don't have a problem with Gunnar, personally (as long as it's that spelling), since I just read it as Scandinavian and not violent. But while you can choose a name, you can't choose how other people will react to it. And you may not mind that it's controversial, but you're not making the decision for yourself, but for another person. So take that into account. Like I said, I don't side-eye it, but obviously others do.

KatFCo · June 2013

Shadow512:
ho11yday:
Mrs.G123:
Violent? No. Scandinavian ? Yes.
This.
To not use the name Gunnar because of gun violence in America (which is down, btw) is like not using the word niggardly because of potentially offending someone who thinks you are using a bad word.
Have you considered the name Gunther? Both are Scandinavian, start with G, and have similar meanings. It is not in the top 1000 names in 2012, unlike Gunnar (@ 451 in 2012). Another benefit to Gunther > Gunnar -- spell-check doesn't highlight it in red.
Not a huge fan of Gunther... I like Gunnar much better. The fact that people relate this name to gun violence, I think, is ridiculous. It actually makes me want to use the name even more just to separate myself from that type of person/thought process. Haha. I guess I like to be different (& controversial if need be!)

Gunnar means battle warrior, is a homophone of Gunner and has the word gun in it. Why is it ridiculous that it makes people think of guns?

Personally, I dislike the name because to me, it's the name you give to a dog, like a boxer or something.

WashingtonQueen · June 2013

Shadow512:
Not a huge fan of Gunther... I like Gunnar much better. The fact that people relate this name to gun violence, I think, is ridiculous. It actually makes me want to use the name even more just to separate myself from that type of person/thought process. Haha. I guess I like to be different (& controversial if need be!)

You know your are not naming yourself, right?

NerdyLucy · June 2013

Mrs.G123:
Violent? No. Scandinavian ? Yes.

I fully agree.

notkateanymore · June 2013

I hate this name, not only because it sounds violent but because when there was a kiss- clerk in my husband's law firm all the associates called them a Gunner, so it reminds me of that.

Momtothreelove · June 2013

Sounds super redneck IMO.

Zimger · June 2013

capulet:
ho11yday:

To not use the name Gunnar because of gun violence in America (which is down, btw) is like not using the word niggardly because of potentially offending someone who thinks you are using a bad word.

I actually wouldn't use the word niggardly in conversation unless I was quite certain it would be received as it was intended without being misheard or misunderstood. I wish other people had broader vocabularies, but when perfectly good synonyms exist, I will use the one that is less likely to be misconstrued.

And so it is with names. You can probably find something with the same vibe that won't have violent connotations to other people. I don't have a problem with Gunnar, personally (as long as it's that spelling), since I just read it as Scandinavian and not violent. But while you can choose a name, you can't choose how other people will react to it. And you may not mind that it's controversial, but you're not making the decision for yourself, but for another person. So take that into account. Like I said, I don't side-eye it, but obviously others do.

Yes

Lanajax319 · June 2013

I'm in the minority. But I really like this name. Admittedly, I loved Mighty Ducks back in the day and that one character's name was Gunnar Stahl. I thought it was really cool.

Zaphina · June 2013

whoopsybaby:
I used to love this name but today's climate makes me rethink it. It's a very legit, cool name but most people will never get past the violent connotation and may stereotype the little guy as such.

This. It is a good, strong, legit name, but a lot of people just associate it with violence right off the bat. My friend's son is named Gunnar, actually. He's about 2 years old and I don't think they've really run into many people hating on his name yet, but who knows?